Christopher Raymond Perry
Encyclopedia
Christopher Raymond Perry (December 4, 1761 – June 1, 1818) was an officer in the United States Navy
. He was the father of Oliver Hazard Perry
and Matthew Calbraith Perry.
, the son of The Hon. Freeman Perry and his wife Mercy Hazard Christopher's father, Freeman, was a physician and surgeon. In 1780, he was appointed Chief Justice
of the Court of Common Pleas for Washington County, Rhode Island
, which position he held until 1791.
He was the great-grandson of Edward Perry from County Devon
, England
who settled in Sandwich, Massachusetts
around 1650 and his wife Mary Freeman.
Through his mother's side he was an 7th generation descendant of Captain Richard Raymond, (1602–1692), and his wife, Julia (or Judith). He was born probably in Essex County, England
in 1602 and arrived in Salem, Massachusetts
about 1629, possibly with a contingent led by the Rev. Francis Higginson
. The first actual date given for Richard is on August 6, 1629 when he is on the list of the 30 founding members of the First Church (Congregational) of Salem. He was about 27 years old. He was later a founder of Norwich, Connecticut
, and an "honored fore-father of Saybrook".
His mother was also a descendant of Gov. Thomas Prence
(1599 - March 29, 1673) a co-founder of Eastham, Massachusetts
, a political leader in both the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies
, and governor of Plymouth; and a descendant of Mayflower
passengers, both of whom were signers of the Mayflower Compact
, Elder William Brewster
, (c. 1567 - April 10, 1644), the Pilgrim colonist leader and spiritual elder of the Plymouth Colony
and George Soule
, (1593–1679), through his grandmother Susannah Barber Perry (1697–1755).
. She was born about 1768 in County Down
, Ireland and died December 4, 1830 in New London, Connecticut. She was a descendant of William Wallace
, (???) a Scottish knight and landowner who is known for leading a resistance during the Wars of Scottish Independence
and is today remembered as a patriot and national hero. Their five sons were all naval officers. Their daughter Jane Tweedy Perry married United States Congressman William Butler, Jr.
, then served on a privateer
. He was captured twice, and met his wife when he was a prisoner in Ireland. In 1799, he was appointed a captain in the U.S. Navy. Perry built and commanded the frigate General Greene
, on which his son Oliver Perry served as a midshipman
. He saw considerable action during the Quasi War with France
and was retired from the Navy by the Peace Establishment Act of April 3, 1801.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. He was the father of Oliver Hazard Perry
Oliver Hazard Perry
United States Navy Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island , the son of USN Captain Christopher Raymond Perry and Sarah Wallace Alexander, a direct descendant of William Wallace...
and Matthew Calbraith Perry.
Early life
He was born in Newport, Rhode IslandNewport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, the son of The Hon. Freeman Perry and his wife Mercy Hazard Christopher's father, Freeman, was a physician and surgeon. In 1780, he was appointed Chief Justice
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
of the Court of Common Pleas for Washington County, Rhode Island
Washington County, Rhode Island
Washington County, commonly known colloquially as South County, is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Washington County borders Kent County to the north, New London County in Connecticut to the west, Suffolk County in New York to the southwest, the Atlantic...
, which position he held until 1791.
He was the great-grandson of Edward Perry from County Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
who settled in Sandwich, Massachusetts
Sandwich, Massachusetts
Sandwich is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,675 at the 2010 census. The Town Hall is located right next to the Dexter Grist Mill, in the historic district of town....
around 1650 and his wife Mary Freeman.
Through his mother's side he was an 7th generation descendant of Captain Richard Raymond, (1602–1692), and his wife, Julia (or Judith). He was born probably in Essex County, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1602 and arrived in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
about 1629, possibly with a contingent led by the Rev. Francis Higginson
Francis Higginson
Francis Higginson was an early Puritan minister in Colonial New England, and the first minister of Salem, Massachusetts.-Biography:...
. The first actual date given for Richard is on August 6, 1629 when he is on the list of the 30 founding members of the First Church (Congregational) of Salem. He was about 27 years old. He was later a founder of Norwich, Connecticut
Norwich, Connecticut
Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing...
, and an "honored fore-father of Saybrook".
His mother was also a descendant of Gov. Thomas Prence
Thomas Prence
Thomas Prence was a co-founder of Eastham, Massachusetts, a political leader in both the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies, and governor of Plymouth .-Early life:...
(1599 - March 29, 1673) a co-founder of Eastham, Massachusetts
Eastham, Massachusetts
Eastham is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, Barnstable County being coextensive with Cape Cod. The population was 5,453 at the 2000 census....
, a political leader in both the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
, and governor of Plymouth; and a descendant of Mayflower
Mayflower
The Mayflower was the ship that transported the English Separatists, better known as the Pilgrims, from a site near the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, , in 1620...
passengers, both of whom were signers of the Mayflower Compact
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by the colonists, later together known to history as the Pilgrims, who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower...
, Elder William Brewster
William Brewster (Pilgrim)
Elder William Brewster was a Mayflower passenger and a Pilgrim colonist leader and preacher.-Origins:Brewster was probably born at Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, circa 1566/1567, although no birth records have been found, and died at Plymouth, Massachusetts on April 10, 1644 around 9- or 10pm...
, (c. 1567 - April 10, 1644), the Pilgrim colonist leader and spiritual elder of the Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691. The first settlement of the Plymouth Colony was at New Plymouth, a location previously surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement, which served as the capital of the colony, is today the modern town...
and George Soule
George Soule
George Soule was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, and one of the original 102 Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620.-Biography:...
, (1593–1679), through his grandmother Susannah Barber Perry (1697–1755).
Marriage and family
Perry married Sarah Wallace Alexander on August 2, 1784 in South Kingstown, Rhode IslandSouth Kingstown, Rhode Island
South Kingstown is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 30,639 at the 2010 census.South Kingstown includes the villages of Kingston, West Kingston, Wakefield, Peace Dale, Snug Harbor, Tuckertown, East Matunuck, Matunuck, Green Hill, and Perryville. Peace...
. She was born about 1768 in County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Ireland and died December 4, 1830 in New London, Connecticut. She was a descendant of William Wallace
William Wallace
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
, (???) a Scottish knight and landowner who is known for leading a resistance during the Wars of Scottish Independence
Wars of Scottish Independence
The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between the independent Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries....
and is today remembered as a patriot and national hero. Their five sons were all naval officers. Their daughter Jane Tweedy Perry married United States Congressman William Butler, Jr.
William Butler (1790-1850)
William Butler was a United States Representative from South Carolina. He was a son of William Butler , brother of Andrew Butler, and father of Matthew Butler, all of whom served in the United States Congress...
Career
Christopher Perry enlisted in the militia during the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, then served on a privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
. He was captured twice, and met his wife when he was a prisoner in Ireland. In 1799, he was appointed a captain in the U.S. Navy. Perry built and commanded the frigate General Greene
USS General Greene (1799)
The second USS General Greene was a frigate in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France.Named after American Revolution General Nathaneal Greene, she was built under government contract by Benjamin Talman and James De Wolf at Warren, Rhode Island. Launched on 21 January 1799, the...
, on which his son Oliver Perry served as a midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
. He saw considerable action during the Quasi War with France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and was retired from the Navy by the Peace Establishment Act of April 3, 1801.
Descendants
Capt. Christopher Raymond Perry's descendants number in the thousands today. Some of his notable descendants include;- Matthew Calbraith Butler, (March 8, 1836 – April 14, 1909). He was an American military commander and politician from South Carolina. He served as a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, postbellum three-term United States Senator, and a major general in the United States Army during the Spanish-American War.
- Christopher Raymond Perry RodgersChristopher Raymond Perry RodgersChristopher Raymond Perry Rodgers was an officer in the United States Navy. He served in the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, as Superintendent of the Naval Academy, and Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Squadron.-Early career:Rodgers was born in Brooklyn, New York, into a naval family...
(November 4, 1819 – January 8, 1892) was an officer in the United States Navy. He served in the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, as Superintendent of the Naval Academy, and Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Squadron. - Rear Admiral Thomas S. RodgersThomas S. RodgersRear Admiral Thomas Slidell Rodgers was an officer in the United States Navy who served during the Spanish-American War and World War I.-Biography:...
(August 18, 1858 – February 28, 1931) was an officer in the United States Navy who served during the Spanish-American War and World War I. - Rear Admiral Raymond Perry Rodgers (December 20, 1849 - December 28, 1925) was an officer in the United States Navy and the second head of the Office of Naval Intelligence.
- Calbraith Perry RodgersCalbraith Perry RodgersCalbraith Perry Rodgers was an American pioneer aviator. He made the first transcontinental airplane flight across the U.S. from September 17, 1911 to November 5, 1911, with dozens of stops, both intentional and accidental...
(January 12, 1879 – April 3, 1912) was a pioneer American aviator who was the first civilian to purchase a Wright Flyer and the first to make a transcontinental flight. - John RodgersJohn RodgersJohn Rodgers may refer to:*John Rodgers , Colonel during the Revolutionary War and owner of Rodgers Tavern, Perryville, Maryland...
(January 15, 1881 – August 27, 1926) was an officer in the United States Navy and an early aviator. - Oliver Hazard Perry BelmontOliver BelmontOliver Hazard Perry Belmont was an American socialite and United States Representative from New York.- Biography :...
(November 12, 1858–June 10, 1908) was a wealthy American socialite and United States Representative from New York. - Perry BelmontPerry BelmontPerry Belmont was an American politician and diplomat.-Biography:He was born on December 28, 1851 in New York City to August Belmont. His brothers were Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont and August Belmont, Jr....
(December 28, 1851 – May 25, 1947), United States statesman, was born in New York City. - August Belmont, Jr.August Belmont, Jr.August Belmont, Jr. was an American financier, the builder of New York's Belmont Park racetrack, and a major owner/breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.-Early life:...
, (February 18, 1853 - December 10, 1924), was an American financier, the builder of New York's Belmont ParkBelmont ParkBelmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
racetrack, and a major owner/breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses.