Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-12-22

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE GREAT NAVAL
cHIEFTAIN, WITH HIS EXPLOITS IN THE MEpI-
TERRANEAN- HIS BIRTHPLACE OK THE PHSIS-
sULA, ITS PRESENT APPEARANCE, Err.
Especial Correspondence Of the Commercial
BERLIN, MD, Dec. Is.
The Decatur family was OF French extraction
Capt. Stephen Decatur, father of the Commo-
dore, was sailor. Early in life he emigrated
to America and settled in Rhode Island, where
he was variously employed until the outbreak of
the revolutionary war, when he joined the Colo
NAL army, and as private soldier is said TO have
rendered much valuable service.
AT the close OF the war Capt Decatur married
Miss Pine, Of Philadelphia, the ceremony being
conducted by DIR. McClanahan, of st. Paus
Episcopal church, and soon after brought his
bride to the Eastern Shore OF Maryland, and set
tied in Worcester Co.. near this place. Here his
son Stephen was born, and what makes il OF still
chiefer interest to us is the fact that the same
old house-a single story, in old clapboard style
is still standing and occupied. Capt. Decatur
while here followed the calling of earlier days.
trading to and from Phila-, through an inlet
which pierced our now solid beach. He, how
ever, remained in our county but a shoit time,
returning to Phila., where Stephen grew to man
hood.
Stephen is said to have been in his raising
quite desperate youth. bis father could
exercise little restraining authority over
him. He was self-willed, high spirited, dis
spated and reckless. He was finally persua.
ded to enter certain well-known mer-
camille house but grew worse and
worse, until finally, being greatly ncensed at
tile conduct OF woman OF doubtful integrity
one day, he dealt her blow which resulted in
her instant death. For tins he was arrested and
tried for his life, but through the sklful mani
agement of his case by two promint mt LAWYERS
Bedford and Sergeant, he was acquitted. About
this time Commodore Barry ordered to the
Straits of Gibraltar to look after some govern
mental interests, and Stephen Decatur was
urged to apply for some position aboard, which
he did, WAS received AZ midshipman, and soon
became a favorite with the commodore, aud the
men and it is not long before, for some meri-
torious service, he il recommended for promo
ton to lieutenancy. and now begins his bril-
liant naval career. By his courage and capacity
he soon convinces the home government of a
superior fitness to take command of vessel or
fleet, and, in May, 1915, we find him at the head
of squadron fitted out for the suppression of
Algerine piracy. In due time he enters the Med
lteranean sea, engages those lawless pirates in
deadly conflict captures two of the most formid-
able Algerine frigates, breaks up this whole sys-
TEN OF outlawry, which has 80 long and severely
damaged American commerce, and himself die
tates to the dey treaty. For this brilliant CAM
paign Commodore Decatur not only receives the
of his country, but the benedic-
tion of the Pope Worcester county glories in
this record as one of her noble sons. Would
that she had more.
My informant tells me thai Commodore Deca-
tur was man of prepossessing physique, keen
black eyes, high forehead aud compressed lips,
indicating that indomitable persistence that
his career as a naval officer. He
was always high spirited but never swore. His
life wasschanged entirely after he entered the
navy. There he was at home. He had no taste
nor fitness for anything else.
The Commodore married Miss Wheeler, of
Dorchester county, Nd, with whom he is said to
have lived very happily. They were never
blessed with children, one Of the priuceest of
earthly delights Late in life Decatur visited
the place Of his birth, ate at the table Of Mrs.
Mitchell who then lived in the old Decatur
house, and is said to have taken the liveliest in
terest in everything thereabouts. The old
building is of most durable material and will
stand half century longer the wear and tear OF
intervening years. Let all visitors to our town
take the trouble and time to visit this birthplace
of one OF the greatest naval chieftans OF the
past. OCCASIONAL.