Notes for James Barron II: James (Jr.), son of Commodore Baron of the Virginia Navy, was later a commodore himself. He was wounded when in command of the Chesapeake in 1812. He was one of the principles in the celebrated duel with Commodore Stephen Decatur in 1820. He was inventor of the first dry dock and iron clad. He served until his death in 1851, when he was the senior officer in the United States Navy.
Barron was born in Virginia about 1768 and grew up in a family of naval heritage. He spent some years on his father's ship, then joined the Navy as a Lieutenent. He was successful on his first tour on the frigate United States. Barron was promoted to Captain and commanded the frigate Essex under the his brother's squadron. Barron was later given command of the USS President. Then after five years he was promoted to Commodore and given control of the USS Chesapeake.
This confrontation between the Chesapeake and the Leopard took place on June 22, 1807 and is considered one of the major events which led to the outbreak of the War of 1812. 'Commodore James Barron had barely reached open water on his ship Chesapeake when he was confronted by a powerful British frigate, Leopard. The Chesapeake was poorly equipped and had an unexperienced crew, as well as far inferior weapons to those of the British warship. The British demanded the return of four British deserters who were supposedly on the Chesapeake. Commodore Barron refused to comply with the order and the Leopard opened fire on Chesapeake, killing three and wounding eighteen. Barron ordered the flag lowered and Chesapeake surrendered. Barron's ship had only fired one gun.' Barron was court-martialed on charges of premature surrender of his ship. He insisted that his ship was defenseless against the more powerful British vessel. Still, he was found guilty for "neglecting, on the probability of an engagement, to clear his ship for action." Barron was suspended for five years without pay and he would never again hold a significant command in the U.S. Navy. He spent the next ten years abroad. Barron returned to the U.S. after the War of 1812 with the intention of reentering the Navy. He was met by much criticism, however, especially from Commodore Stephen Decatur, and officer under Barron earlier in his career. Barron challenged Decatur to a duel which took place on March 22, 1820 in Bladensburg, Maryland. Barron was severly injured in his leg but also fired a fatal shot at Decatur, who died several hours later. Decatur's death only worsened Barron's criticism. Barron died in Norfolk, Virginia on April 21, 1851. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- An account of this tremendous storm was given in the biography of Commodore James Barron, An Affair of Honor, by William Oliver Stevens. Barron's grandfather witnessed the hurricane first hand while stationed at Fort George. The account is as follows: A threatening sky was observed to the southeast over the Chesapeake Bay. The wind increased which soon brought the rain. As the hours wore on the wind and rain increased in fury. Sometimes the downpour slackened. One could hear the sand picked up by the wind from the beach outside and blasted against every object that still withstood the gale. All the while the rising tide was rapidly being piled up to a height never seen before in that area. The waves were pounding on the shore, finally to the very foot of the outside wall at Fort George. A large tree crashed over on its side with its roots in the air and was driven against the land side of the Fort. With the impact the wall yawned and broke. Shortly afterwards the seawall lurched and sank at the point where it was exposed to the wave fury of the storm. Finally the outside wall of the fort gave way, and the filling of sand poured out, leaving the inner wall exposed to the blast without support. When this too fell apart and collapsed, the barracks took the full force of the wind. About sundown, the storm slackened and in another hour the rain and wind had diminished to such a degree that it was clearly spent. The next morning Commodore Barron swept the distant waters with his spy glass. He was astonished to see across Hampton Roads a wide, sand promontory which had not existed there before. A sand spit had been thrown up during the fury of the storm, which was the beginning of Willoughby Spit. ===================================================================== Among the prominent citizens or natives of Hampton were George Wythe (see Williamsburg); James Barron, commodore of the American Navy during the Revolution; Commodore Samuel Barron, commander of a United States squadron in the Tripolitan War; another Commodore James Barron (see Norfolk); and Commodore Lewis Warrington, commander of an American squadron during the War of 1812. =================================================== James Barron of the U. S. Navy certifies that his brother, the late Commodore Samuel Barron U. S. Navy, served in the Va. State Navy in the Rev. war in the grades of Midshipman and Lieut. until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. After this, he commanded the schooner Patriot of 10 guns and was promoted to the rank of Capt. and so continued until the disbandment of the Va. State Navy. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ http://www.sailingnavies.com/show_person.php?nid=2&id=1381
James Barron (1768-1851) James Barron was born on 15 Sep 1768 and died on 21 Apr 1851. He served in the United States Navy. He married Elizabeth Armistead in 1790. Notes: Younger brother of Samuel Barron
More About James Barron II: Occupation: Commodore, Virginia Navy.
More About James Barron II and Mary Anne Wilson: Marriage: 182953
Children of James Barron II and Elizabeth Mosely Armistead are:
James Barron II (b. September 15, 1768, d. April 21, 1851)
Notes for James Barron II: