John Livingston

May 22, 1804 (age 81)

New York City, New York, United States

In 1843, by act of the New York legislature, John William changed his name to Livingston. Livingston, then John William Turk, was appointed a midshipman on March 4, 1823. In his early years of service he was on the Ontario, Delaware, and Constitution in the Mediterranean, and on the Constellation during the later years of the campaign against pirates in the West Indies. After being promoted to a lieutenancy in 1832, he cruised in the Pacific in the Dolphin and the Fairchild and returned to the United States in the frigate Columbia. On the voyage the Columbia proceeded to Muckie in the northern part of Sumatra, and, on New Year's Day of 1839, bombarded the village in punishment for outrages committed upon American ships and seamen trading for pepper on that coast. The Columbia then proceeded to China and the Sandwich Islands and home around Cape Horn. During the Mexican War Livingston was executive officer of the Congress on the west coast of Mexico, and took part in several attacks on Mexican towns, where he commanded the artillery division. Later he served in the East India Squadron. When he became a commander, in 1855, he was given the St. Louis on the coast of Africa, where he served from 1856 to 1858. Early in the Civil War he was in command of the steamer Penguin operating on the blockade of Wilmington and Hampton Roads and, later, of the steamer Bienville. He commanded the sailing frigate Cumberland but had left her, on account of sickness, before she was sunk by the Merrimac. After the recapture of the Norfolk navy yard in May 1862, he was made its commandant. From this duty he was detached in 1864 and sent to command the naval station at Mound City, Illinois. In 1861 he had been commissioned captain and, in 1862, commodore. Although he held no other important post and had been retired in 1866 he was promoted rear admiral in 1868. He died in New York City.

John William Livingston

Edit Profile

also known as John William Turk

military Soldier

Background

John William Livingston, the son of Eliza (Livingston) and William Turk, a surgeon in the United States navy, was born on May 22, 1804 in New York City, New York, United States.

Career

In 1843, by act of the New York legislature, John William changed his name to Livingston. Livingston, then John William Turk, was appointed a midshipman on March 4, 1823. In his early years of service he was on the Ontario, Delaware, and Constitution in the Mediterranean, and on the Constellation during the later years of the campaign against pirates in the West Indies. After being promoted to a lieutenancy in 1832, he cruised in the Pacific in the Dolphin and the Fairchild and returned to the United States in the frigate Columbia. On the voyage the Columbia proceeded to Muckie in the northern part of Sumatra, and, on New Year's Day of 1839, bombarded the village in punishment for outrages committed upon American ships and seamen trading for pepper on that coast. The Columbia then proceeded to China and the Sandwich Islands and home around Cape Horn.

During the Mexican War Livingston was executive officer of the Congress on the west coast of Mexico, and took part in several attacks on Mexican towns, where he commanded the artillery division. Later he served in the East India Squadron. When he became a commander, in 1855, he was given the St. Louis on the coast of Africa, where he served from 1856 to 1858. Early in the Civil War he was in command of the steamer Penguin operating on the blockade of Wilmington and Hampton Roads and, later, of the steamer Bienville. He commanded the sailing frigate Cumberland but had left her, on account of sickness, before she was sunk by the Merrimac. After the recapture of the Norfolk navy yard in May 1862, he was made its commandant. From this duty he was detached in 1864 and sent to command the naval station at Mound City, Illinois. In 1861 he had been commissioned captain and, in 1862, commodore. Although he held no other important post and had been retired in 1866 he was promoted rear admiral in 1868. He died in New York City.

Achievements

Livingston served with distinction during the Mexican–American War and American Civil War and rose to the rank of rear admiral.

Connections

Livingston was married to Mary A. (Livingston) Turk.

Father:: William Turk
Mother:: Eliza (Livingston) Turk
Spouse:: Mary A. (Livingston) Turk

Main Photo

John Livingston

School period

College/University

Career

Achievements

Membership

Awards

Other Photos

Connections

Connections

John William Livingston

Background

Career

Achievements

Connections

References

Born

Died

Resting place

Nationality

Official Titles