George Washington Rodgers Sr

Background

George Washington Rodgers, Sr. was born in Cecil County, Maryland, United States, on the Susquehanna River, opposite Havre de Grace, the youngest of the eight children of John and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Rodgers.

Career

On April 2, 1804, he entered the navy as a midshipman, a warrant having been procured for him by his brother, John Rodgers, 1773-1838 . In 1804-06 he cruised in the Mediterranean on board the President. Returning home in the Essex, he was again sent to the Mediterranean within a few months. In January 1809, he was ordered to the Vixen as sailing master and a month or two later to the United States as acting lieutenant. He was promoted lieutenant from Apr. 24, 1810. In the following year he joined the Wasp and was serving on board her at the outbreak of the War of 1812. He participated in the successful engagement of that vessel with the Frolic, and was commended by his commodore in the official account of the victory. When both vessels were captured later by a superior force, he was made prisoner, taken to Bermuda, and sent thence in a cartel to New York. Congress recognized his services in the engagement with the Frolic by voting him a silver medal; and his native state rewarded him by giving him a sword. From December 20, 1812, to April 25, 1814, he was attached to the Macedonian, kept in port at New London, Connecticut, because of the British blockade. When the war came to an end he was serving on board the Mohawk at Sacketts Harbor, New York. On March 10, 1815, Rodgers was ordered to command the Fire Fly, one of the smaller vessels assembled at New York by Commodore Stephen Decatur for service in the American war with Algiers. Soon after sailing she encountered a heavy gale, sprang her masts, and was compelled to return to port. She joined the Mediterranean Squadron at Cartagena, Spain, too late to take part in the war with Algiers. Promoted master commandant from April 27, 1816, Rodgers served as commander of the Peacock of the Mediterranean Squadron from 1816 until 1819. In the latter year he was ordered to the New York navy yard where he remained until 1825, part of the time acting as commandant. He was promoted captain from March 3, 1825. For several years he was relatively inactive, waiting orders or serving on the Naval Board of Examiners. On November 26, 1831, he was chosen to command the Brazil Squadron, with the Warren as his flagship. The seizure of American sealing vessels at the Falkland Islands and the political disturbances on the mainland made his duties somewhat arduous. Arriving at Rio de Janeiro on March 13, 1832, he proceeded to Montevideo, and thence to Buenos Aires, where, after a brief illness, he died of visceral inflammation, endemic to South American ports. His full habit of body and close confinement on shipboard made him an easy prey to the disease. He was buried in the Protestant cemetery at Buenos Aires. In 1850 his remains were disinterred, conveyed to New York on board the U. S. S. Lexington, and reinterred at New London, Connecticut, where he had made his home.

Religion

presumably was a Protestant

Connections

He had been married on July 5, 1815, to Ann Maria Perry, a daughter of Christopher Raymond Perry, and a sister of Oliver Hazard and Matthew Calbraith Perry .

Arriving at Rio de Janeiro on March 13, 1832, he proceeded to Montevideo, and thence to Buenos Aires, where, after a brief illness, he died of visceral inflammation, endemic to South American ports.

Two of his sons, George Washington Rodgers, and Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers, distinguished themselves in the navy. A third son, Alexander P. Rodgers, was killed in 1847 at the storming of Chapultepec, Mexico.

Several of his grandsons reached the highest naval rank.

Wife:

Ann

He had been married on July 5, 1815, to Ann Maria Perry, a daughter of Christopher Raymond Perry, and a sister of Oliver Hazard and Matthew Calbraith Perry .

Son:

George Washington Rodgers Jr

Two of his sons, George Washington Rodgers, and Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers, distinguished themselves in the navy.

Son:

Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers

Two of his sons, George Washington Rodgers, and Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers, distinguished themselves in the navy.

Brother:

John

On April 2, 1804, he entered the navy as a midshipman, a warrant having been procured for him by his brother, John Rodgers, 1773-1838