Hopley Yeaton
Encyclopedia
Hopley Yeaton was the first officer commissioned (March 21, 1791) under the Constitution of the United States by George Washington
into the Revenue Cutter Service which is the forerunner of the modern day United States Coast Guard
. The Coast Guard was later created when the United States Congress
merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the US Lifesaving Service in 1915.
Yeaton was a veteran of the Continental Navy
and the commanding officer of the Revenue Service
cutter USRC Scammel
. Yeaton probably brought along his slave, Senegal, during the Scammel's patrols as was this practice was permitted by the Treasury Department at this time. Yeaton fired three of his crew after their first few months of service. The men had been in "open rebellion" over issues of pay and daily food rations—particularly after they learned that their fellow sailors on board the Massachusetts received more and varied foods each day than they did.
Coast Guard Academy – New London, Connecticut
The tomb of the first commissioned officer of the Revenue Marine, Hopley Yeaton, now lies on the Academy's grounds. He was originally buried in Lubec, Maine, but in 1975 his burial site was threatened by modernization. The Corps of Cadets sailed the Barque Eagle to Lubec where his remains were exhumed and laid to rest at the Academy.
Hopley Yeaton Walk of History Plaque
Coast Guard Station Grand Haven – Grand Haven, Michigan
On August 2, 2008, in a bid to help affirm Grand Haven as "Coast Guard City USA," the Walk of History was revealed to the public. The first point of history was the Hopley Yeaton Plaque, which was ceremonially unveiled by Vice Adm. Clifford Pearson and direct descendant of Hopley, Andrew Yeaton.
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
into the Revenue Cutter Service which is the forerunner of the modern day United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
. The Coast Guard was later created when the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the US Lifesaving Service in 1915.
Yeaton was a veteran 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 the commanding officer of the Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
cutter USRC Scammel
USRC Scammel
USRC Scammel was one of the first ten cutters operated by the United States' Revenue Cutter Service ....
. Yeaton probably brought along his slave, Senegal, during the Scammel's patrols as was this practice was permitted by the Treasury Department at this time. Yeaton fired three of his crew after their first few months of service. The men had been in "open rebellion" over issues of pay and daily food rations—particularly after they learned that their fellow sailors on board the Massachusetts received more and varied foods each day than they did.
Monuments
Captain Hopley Yeaton MemorialCoast Guard Academy – 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....
The tomb of the first commissioned officer of the Revenue Marine, Hopley Yeaton, now lies on the Academy's grounds. He was originally buried in Lubec, Maine, but in 1975 his burial site was threatened by modernization. The Corps of Cadets sailed the Barque Eagle to Lubec where his remains were exhumed and laid to rest at the Academy.
Hopley Yeaton Walk of History Plaque
Coast Guard Station Grand Haven – Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Ottawa County. Grand Haven is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River, for which it is named. As of the 2010 census, Grand Haven had a population of 10,412. It is part of the...
On August 2, 2008, in a bid to help affirm Grand Haven as "Coast Guard City USA," the Walk of History was revealed to the public. The first point of history was the Hopley Yeaton Plaque, which was ceremonially unveiled by Vice Adm. Clifford Pearson and direct descendant of Hopley, Andrew Yeaton.