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Gen. Archibald Henderson
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b. 1783 - d. 6 Jan 1859
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77 yrs.
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R55 S171
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- Father of the Marine Corps. Commandant of the U.S. Marines, 1820 - 1859.
- On board the Constitution, and commandant of the marine corps in the celebrated battle between the ship and the Guerrier, during the War of 1812.
- Went off to the Florida Indian War leaving a note he would return when the war was over.
- President Buchanan attended his funeral.
- It is reputed his portrait fell off the wall when the first woman to join the Marines was announced.
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Comm. Isaac Chauncey
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b. 1772 - d. 27 Jan 1840
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68 yrs.
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R50 S165-S
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- Entered the Navy in 1799 as 1st Lieut.
- He served under Comm. Truxton in 1800 and commanded the "John Adams" in the attacks on Tripoli in 1804.
- During the War of 1812 he supported operations in the Great Lakes region.
- Commandant of the Navy Yard at New York.
- Served twice on the Naval Board of Commissioners, the second term extending to his death.
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Princeton Explosion
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29 Feb. 1844
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R54 S146
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- The “Peacemaker” gun was being tested aboard the Princeton on Feb. 29, 1844. A large number of dignitaries aboard including the President. At the final test, the gun exploded and five of the dignitaries were killed:
- Abel Parker Upshur, Secretary of State
- Capt. Beverly Kennon, Chief of Bureau of Construction & Equipment and 6th commandant of the Navy Yard (1841-1843)
- Thomas W. Gilmer, Secretary of the Navy
- Hon. David Gardiner of New York
- Hon. Virgil Maxcy of Maryland .
- The funeral procession of the first 4 terminated at the Public Vault
- Upshur & Kennon were interred here until their remains were taken to Oak Hill in 1895.
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Samuel L. Southard
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b. 1787 - d. 26 Jun 1842
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55 yrs.
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R55 S141
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- Secretary of the Navy (1823 - 1829).
- Secretary of War ad interim in 1824.
- Secretary of the Treasury ad interim in 1825.
- Governor of New Jersey (1832-1833).
- U.S. Senator from NJ (1833 - 1842).
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RAdm. Louis M. Goldsborough
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b. 1867 - d. 1945
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39 yrs.
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Wirt Vault
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- 24th commandant of the Navy Yard (1870-1873).
- Born in D.C. and entered the Navy at age 11. Veteran of two wars -- Mexican War and Civil War.
- Superintendent of the Naval Academy (1853-1857)
- Commanded the European Squadron (1865-1867).
- The son-in-law of Attorney General Wirt.
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Comm. Daniel T. Patterson
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b. 1786 - d. 25 Aug 1839
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53 yrs.
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R55 S150
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- 4th commandant of the Navy Yard (1836-1839).
- Patterson Street in the Navy Yard is named for him.
- Taken prisoner in Tripoli in 1805.
- Commanded the Constitution (1824-1828). Served in the Mediterranean under Comm. John Rodgers.
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Comm. John Rodgers
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b. 1772 - d. 1 Aug 1838
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66 yrs.
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R56 S152
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- One of the most heroic of our early navy commanders. He entered the Navy in 1798.
- Fought the Barbary powers and was appointed Commodore of the Mediterranean Squadron in 1805.
- During the War of 1812 he captured 23 ships and led the successful defense of Baltimore when the British attacked in 1814.
- Headed the Board of Navy Commissioners until retiring in 1837.
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