Oliver Hazard Perry
by Samuel Mason
(copy after John W. Jarvis)
Oil on canvas, 35 1/2" x 25 1/2"
Redwood
Library Painting Collection
|
Oliver Hazard Perry
b. South Kingstown, RI,
August 20 or 23, 1785
d. Orinoco
River, Venezuela,
August 23, 1819
|
Naval War Hero. Born on Rhode Island soil, baptized, educated, reared,
married and chose Newport as his home.
Memorial to Oliver Hazard Perry at Trinity Church. Baptized there
in 1795. Schooled at Mr. Fraser’s, which once stood at what is now
known as 32 Church Street.
Responsible for building and commanding of gunboats for our government
in Newport.
Oliver Hazard Perry married Elizabeth Champlin Mason on May 5, 1811 in
the drawing room of Dr. Mason (father). This house once stood at
#274-276 Thames Street. Now presently part of One Pelham East and
parking lot of People’s Credit Union.
In 1817, they lived in the Jahleel Brenton House on Thames Street. This
mansion no longer stands. Present day site of Mary Street parking
lot. In November 1818, house is purchased in Washington Square, Oliver
Hazard Perry lived here a month or six weeks before ordered to Caribbean
and South America.
This house remained in the family until 1865. Known as the Commodore
Perry House, Perry Mansion, Moses Seixas. Plaque today reads:
Buloid - Perry House/Newport Restoration Foundation. House located
at #29 Touro Street, next to the Opera House.
Wife Elizabeth has famous dream in house. She dreamt the death of
her husband - "If I were superstitious it would worry me, but I am not,
and I shall think no more about it." The next that was heard - Oliver Hazard
Perry was dead!
Ship carrying Oliver Hazard Perry’s body arrived in Newport on November
27, 1826, funeral held on December 4th - considered the most imposing ever
witnessed here, exceeding Admiral de Ternay.
Silence prevailing, except for the sound of mournful music and marching
soldiers, his procession went along Thames Street were his body was taken
to Old Common Burial Ground and interred. Ten years later, on May
24, 1836, the purchase was completed on his present day resting spot, which
is the Island Cemetery.
In his memory, a tall granite obelisk has been erected by the State of
Rhode Island in his family plot. Statue is erected at Washington
Square across from his front door - dedicated September of 1885.
Shareholder and head of the donations committee at Redwood. His portrait
is on display, attributed to Sanford Mason.
In his early teens, Oliver Hazard Perry entered the Navy as a midshipman.
Placed on board the General Greene. His father was captain.
Thus marks beginning of life long career serving his country which includes
two Mediterranean tours. Commissioned a lieutenant in 1807.
WAR OF 1812: BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE.
In early 1813, given command of U.S. naval forces on Lake Erie with
headquarters at Erie, PA. Oversaw the building, equipping, staffing,
etc... of fleet consisting of ten small vessels. He was in command
of two sister ships - the Lawrence and the Niagara.
Perry’s flagship the Lawrence, the larger of the two, was named after his
close friend James Lawrence who was mortally wounded months before.
Oliver Hazard Perry had banner made with the dying words of Lawrence "Don’t
give up the ship."
On September 10, 1813 the confrontation between the six British vessels
and nine U.S. vessels began. Gap develops between the Lawrence and
Niagara, under the command of Jessie D. Elliott, in effect, holding back
two-thirds of American squadron.
Virtually solo, the Lawrence fought the entire British fleet and was practically
destroyed in the process. Two-thirds of Lawrence crew were either dead
or wounded. Oliver Hazard Perry rolled up banner and shifted his
command to the Niagara.
Regrouped - Oliver Hazard Perry proceeds to defeat the British from the
decks of the Niagara. This event marks the first time in world history
that a British squadron had been defeated, and the first time an American
commander had successfully shifted his flag in the midst of battle.
Oliver Hazard Perry sends famous message to General William Henry Harrison,
who would later become president, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."
While on a delicate mission to South America, Oliver Hazard Perry contracted
yellow fever and died a few days later at the age of 34, on board the U.S.
Schooner Nunsuch near Angostura (Ciudad Bolivar) on the Orinoco River in
Venezuela.
In the day, it was thought by sailors that they could catch death with
a dead body on board. Due to fear of transmission, Oliver Hazard
Perry was not brought back to the United States, instead was interred at
Port of Spain, Trinidad. Seven years later, Lexington is dispatched
by U.S. Government to bring remains back. In reality, Oliver Hazard
Perry was dug up twice and buried three times.
Bibliography
|
