The San Francisco call., 1896-07-01
OF Ago. NJ Some Descendants Including
'ietersen sloat, who immigrated to

Jan Petersen Sloat, who immigrated to
the United States from Hostein in
1854. John Drake Sloat, who be-
came rear-admiral, was born in Goshen.
Orange County, n. Y, in 1850. He
was the posthumous son of Captain
John Sloat, who was accidentally shot by
sentinel in Rockland County shortly be-
fore the close of the War OF independence.
After the death of her husband Mrs.
Sloat, who was Miss Drake at the time
of her marriage, removed to Goshen,
where the future hero of Monterey was
born. She, however, did not long survive
her husband, and her son was taken care
of by her parents. His grandfather Drake
gave him such education as the schools of
the time provided and instilled into his
mind the necessity of becoming an active
and useful man. When 20 years of age
Sloat went to Washington, sought an in
terview with President John Adams and
without much parley told him that he
wanted to be appointed midshipman in
the United States navy. The off-h anded
manner in which he made the demand so
impressed the President with the idea that
the youth would make good one at sea
that he had him appointed midshipman
on the 18th of February of that year. He
was ordered to the frigate President, un-
der Commander Trnxton. Then he
served under that strict disciplinarian,
Commander Chauucey, and from him
learned much that was of service to him
in the future. In 1901, when President
Thomas Jefferson, for reasons of economy,
reduced the naval force, young Sloat took
furlough. His grandfather Drake hav-
ing died, left him quite fortune, includ-
ing a dozen slaves, but being opposed to
slavery he Immediately gave them their
freedom. lie then disposed of his recently
acquired property and took command of a
merchant vessel, which did not prove
successful venture.
The war of 1912 with England forced
him out of business, and he accepted the
offer of Commodore Decatur to make him
sailing master of the frigate United States
with promise of rising in the ranks. On
the 18th of October. 1872, he managed, by
skillful maneuvering, to get into close
quarters with the first-class frigate Mace
donian, and Captured her. During the
action he was wounded in the face, but re-
mained at his post. For this capture he
was promoted to the position of lieutenant,
was publicly thanked by Congress and
voted medal. 1t was shortly after that
that he married Miss Abby, the daughter
of James Gordon, prominent merchant
of Norwich. After the close of the war,
he took command of the schooner Transit
and loaded with merchandise for France.
He was at Nantz when the great Napo-
Icons power came to an end, and it had
been arranged that the little caporal was
to be placed on his vessel and taken to the
United States, but the whole plan fell
through by reason of the indecision of
some of the friends of Napoleon, and the
once conqueror of the world was forced to
surrender to the British squadron.
After that he served as first lieutenant
on the franklin and from 1920 to 1922 he
was first lieutenant on the frigate Congress,
which on one occasion lay in the port of
La Guayra when an earthquake occurred
and tidal wave drove twenty-three yes
sells on shore. Commodore Biddle was on
shore at the time and Lieutenant Sloat,
who was In charge, managed the frigate in
such manner that she was saved. After
the blow was over Commodore Biddle
came on board and paid high compli-
ment to the lieutenant for his manage
meEt of the vessel. After that Sloat took
command of the Grampus, and while sail
ing in West Indian waters captured the
pirate ship Palmyra, and when off st.
Thomas, with his men, saved that town
from destruction by fire. The people in
recognition of the service rendered SUBJ
scribed large purse which was offered
him, but he declined it. After that he was
master commander and went on cruise
on the Pacific in the st. Louis. In 1897 he
was promoted post plain, then the high
est position in the navy, and took charge
of Portsmouth Navy yard, remaining
there until 1874, during which time he
superintended the rebuilding of the frieate
Congress.
He was then placed il charge OF the
Pacific squadron, and it was while in that
position that he. took possession of Cali
fornia in obedience TO orders from George