Nathaniel Saltonstall (American Revolution)
Encyclopedia
Nathaniel Saltonstall was a Connecticut militiaman and a captain of Connecticut naval privateer
ships during the American Revolutionary War
. (Nathaniel Saltonstall should not be confused with another Connecticut naval officer with the same surname, Dudley Saltonstall
, who was a Continental Navy commander during the failed Penobscot Expedition.)
Nathaniel Saltonstall was in command of the "old fort" at New London, Connecticut
at the start of the war, and subsequently served as a naval commander in service of Nathaniel Shaw
of New London. Saltonstall served as first lieutenant
on the first voyage of the 24-gun ship General Putnam; he was commissioned as captain for the second voyage of the Putnam:
Saltonstall captured several prizes while captain of the Putnam. He additionally served as captain of the ship Le Despencer. Later in the war, Captain Saltonstall led volunteer soldiers during the Battle of Groton Heights
. Later in life, Nathaniel Saltonstall moved to Marietta, Ohio
, where he died on August 1, 1807. He is buried at Mound Cemetery in Marietta, along with Commodore Abraham Whipple
of the Continental Navy
and many other American Revolutionary War soldiers and pioneers.
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...
ships during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. (Nathaniel Saltonstall should not be confused with another Connecticut naval officer with the same surname, Dudley Saltonstall
Dudley Saltonstall
Dudley Saltonstall was an American naval commander during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known as the commander of the naval forces of the 1779 Penobscot Expedition, which ended in complete disaster, with all ships lost...
, who was a Continental Navy commander during the failed Penobscot Expedition.)
Nathaniel Saltonstall was in command of the "old fort" at New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
at the start of the war, and subsequently served as a naval commander in service of Nathaniel Shaw
Nathaniel Shaw
Nathaniel Shaw was a Connecticut Patriot, and Revolutionary War Soldier.-External links:*http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=shaw&GSfn=nathaniel+&GSbyrel=all&GSdy=1778&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=11367885&df=all&...
of New London. Saltonstall served as first lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
on the first voyage of the 24-gun ship General Putnam; he was commissioned as captain for the second voyage of the Putnam:
You are to go on board our ship Putnam armed and fitted in a warlike manner for a cruise against the enemies of the Independent States of America as per your commission and instructions from the President of Congress and whose instructions you are to strictly obey.
Saltonstall captured several prizes while captain of the Putnam. He additionally served as captain of the ship Le Despencer. Later in the war, Captain Saltonstall led volunteer soldiers during the Battle of Groton Heights
Battle of Groton Heights
The Battle of Groton Heights was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on September 6, 1781 between a small Connecticut militia force led by Lieutenant Colonel William Ledyard and the more numerous British forces led by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold and Lieutenant...
. Later in life, Nathaniel Saltonstall moved to Marietta, Ohio
Marietta, Ohio
Marietta is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Ohio, United States. During 1788, pioneers to the Ohio Country established Marietta as the first permanent American settlement of the new United States in the Northwest Territory. Marietta is located in southeastern Ohio at the mouth...
, where he died on August 1, 1807. He is buried at Mound Cemetery in Marietta, along with Commodore Abraham Whipple
Abraham Whipple
Abraham Whipple was an American revolutionary naval commander in the Continental Navy. Whipple was born near Providence, Rhode Island and chose to be a seafarer early in his life. He embarked upon a career in the lucrative West Indies trade, working for Moses and John Brown...
of the Continental Navy
Continental Navy
The Continental Navy was the navy of the United States during the American Revolutionary War, and was formed in 1775. Through the efforts of the Continental Navy's patron, John Adams and vigorous Congressional support in the face of stiff opposition, the fleet cumulatively became relatively...
and many other American Revolutionary War soldiers and pioneers.