George Farragut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Farragut
|
|
|---|---|
Portrait of Jordi Farragut attributed to William Swain, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History
|
|
| Native name |
Jordi Farragut Mesquida
|
| Born | September 29 or 30, 1755 Ciutadella, Menorca, Kingdom of Great Britain (now Spain) |
| Died | June 4, 1817 (aged 61) Pascagoula, Mississippi |
| Allegiance | Continental Army South Carolina Navy |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Charleston (captured) Battle of Cowpens |
| Children | Five, including David Farragut |
George Farragut, originally named Jordi Farragut Mesquida, was a brave naval officer. He was born on September 29 or 30, 1755, in Ciutadella, Menorca. At that time, Menorca was a British territory. He became an important figure in the American Revolutionary War, fighting for American independence.
Before the war, he commanded a Spanish trading ship. He sailed in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. When the war started, he joined the South Carolina Navy. He became a lieutenant and changed his Catalan first name to George.
Contents
George Farragut's Early Life
Jordi Farragut Mesquida was born to Antoni Farragut and Joana Mesquida. Their home was in Ciutadella on the island of Menorca. Menorca was part of the Kingdom of Great Britain from 1708 to 1782. Today, it is part of Spain.
Jordi started sailing when he was only 10 years old. As a young man, he left Menorca. He joined the Spanish merchant marine after studying in Barcelona. He commanded a small ship that traded goods. He sailed between Veracruz (in modern-day Mexico) and New Orleans. Both cities were then under Spanish rule. He also visited ports in the Caribbean, like Havana, Cuba.
Fighting for America's Freedom
George Farragut joined the American Revolution from the very beginning. He started as a lieutenant in the South Carolina Navy. He fought against the British in Savannah. In 1780, he was captured during the Siege of Charleston. During the fighting in Charleston, a cannonball broke his left arm.
After being released in a prisoner exchange, he continued to fight. He volunteered at the Battle of Cowpens and in Wilmington. A person who knew him, George W. Siever, described him. Siever said Farragut was "a short, chunky man; very brave and a funny genius."
Family Life
After the war, Farragut married Elizabeth Shine. She was from North Carolina. They moved west to Knox County, Tennessee. Their son, David Farragut, was born there in 1801. David's birth name was James Glasgow Farragut. George and Elizabeth had several children together.
Later, President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana territory. New people were needed to work at the U.S. port in New Orleans. Many people in New Orleans did not trust English speakers. So, Jefferson wanted officials who spoke French or Spanish. William C. C. Claiborne, a friend of Farragut's, became the new governor. He recommended Farragut for a job.
In 1805, Farragut moved to New Orleans. His family followed him. They traveled 1,700 miles by flatboat. This was young James Farragut's first long journey.
The family was still in New Orleans in 1808. Farragut met David Porter Sr., another navy officer. Porter Sr. was living with his son, also named David Porter. One day, the elder Porter became very ill from sunstroke. He was brought to Farragut's house. Despite Elizabeth's care, he died. On the same day, Elizabeth died from yellow fever. George, who was 53, decided to place his young children with friends and family. He wanted them to be well cared for.
The younger David Porter visited Farragut. He thanked him for his wife's kindness to his father. Porter offered to adopt James and help him join the Navy. James and his father agreed to this plan. Soon after, George Farragut bought land outside of town. It was on the Pascagoula River in Mississippi. He spent his final years there.
Later Life and Death
Jordi Farragut Mesquida passed away in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He died on June 4, 1817, at the age of 62. The cause of his death was yellow fever.
See also
In Spanish: Jorge Farragut para niños
- Hispanics in the United States Navy
