Stephen Decatur

Background

He married Ann Pine; in addition to their famous son, they had two other children, Lieutenant James Decatur, who was killed in action in 1804 during the Barbary Wars, and Ann Decatur McKnight.

Career

He was the father of Stephen Decatur, Jr.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Decatur was a merchant captain before the Revolution. During the American Revolution he commanded the Royal Louis, the Comet, the Retaliation, the Rising Sun, and the Fair American. With the outbreak of the Quasi War with France, Decatur was commissioned as a captain in the United States Navy on May 11, 1798.

In accordance with the Peace Establishment Act of 1801, which greatly reduced the United States Army and Navy, Decatur was discharged from the Navy on October 22, 1801. He died in 1808, at his country home "Millsdale" in Frankford, Pennsylvania.

Connections

Married Ann Pine, December 20, 1774, 4 children, Ann, James, John, Stephen.

Father:

Stephen Decatur

Mother:

Priscilla (Hill) Decatur

Spouse:

Ann Pine