Jorge Farragut
Encyclopedia
Jordi Farragut , also known as George Farragut (born September 29 or September 30, 1755, – June 4, 1817), was a United States Navy officer during the American Revolutionary War
. He also fought with the Continental infantry in battles in the South. After commanding a Spanish trading ship in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, he had joined the South Carolina Navy as a lieutenant when the war broke out. He anglicized his name to George Farragut when he joined the South Carolina Navy.
(Spain
). He first went to sea at the age of 10, and left Spain as a young man to join the Spanish merchant marines. He commanded a small vessel that traded goods between Veracruz
, Mexico
, New Orleans (under French and Spanish rule), and ports in the Caribbean, namely Havana, Cuba.
, and anglicized his first name to George. Farragut fought the British at Savannah and was captured in the Siege of Charleston
in 1780. After being released in a prisoner exchange, he fought as a volunteer at the Battle of Cowpens
and at Wilmington.
(born James Glasgow Farragut) was born in 1801. They had several children.
Later they moved to New Orleans, where they were living in 1808. There Farragut met David Porter Sr., another naval officer who had served in the Revolution and was living with his son, also David Porter
, on active duty with the Navy as an officer. The senior Porter came to their house one day suffering from sunstroke, and, despite Elizabeth's care, he died. The same day, Elizabeth died of yellow fever
. George, age 53, made plans to place his young children with friends and family who could better care for them.
He was visited by the younger Porter, who thanked him for his wife's care of his father and expressed sympathy for his loss. Porter offered to adopt James and introduce him to a career in the Navy. James and his father agreed.
on June 4, 1817, at age 62. He was described..."as a short, chunky man; very brave and a funny genius." - George W. Siever
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...
. He also fought with the Continental infantry in battles in the South. After commanding a Spanish trading ship in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, he had joined the South Carolina Navy as a lieutenant when the war broke out. He anglicized his name to George Farragut when he joined the South Carolina Navy.
Early life
Jordi Farragut Mesquida was born to Antoni Ferragut and Joana Mesquida in Ciutadella, MinorcaMinorca
Min Orca or Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It takes its name from being smaller than the nearby island of Majorca....
(Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
). He first went to sea at the age of 10, and left Spain as a young man to join the Spanish merchant marines. He commanded a small vessel that traded goods between Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, New Orleans (under French and Spanish rule), and ports in the Caribbean, namely Havana, Cuba.
American War for Independence
He joined his new country at the beginning of the American Revolution, initially as a lieutenant in the South Carolina NavySouth Carolina Navy
A South Carolina Navy has been formed twice by the State of South Carolina. The first time was during the American Revolutionary War, in which the state purchased and outfitted armed vessels independent of the Continental Navy....
, and anglicized his first name to George. Farragut fought the British at Savannah and was captured in the Siege of Charleston
Siege of Charleston
The Siege of Charleston was one of the major battles which took place towards the end of the American Revolutionary War, after the British began to shift their strategic focus towards the American Southern Colonies. After about six weeks of siege, Continental Army Major General Benjamin Lincoln...
in 1780. After being released in a prisoner exchange, he fought as a volunteer at the Battle of Cowpens
Battle of Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens was a decisive victory by Patriot Revolutionary forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War...
and at Wilmington.
Marriage and family
After the war, Farragut married the Irish-American Elizabeth Shine (1765-1808) from North Carolina. They moved west to Tennessee, where their son David FarragutDavid Farragut
David Glasgow Farragut was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered in popular culture for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, usually paraphrased: "Damn the...
(born James Glasgow Farragut) was born in 1801. They had several children.
Later they moved to New Orleans, where they were living in 1808. There Farragut met David Porter Sr., another naval officer who had served in the Revolution and was living with his son, also David Porter
David Porter (naval officer)
David Porter was an officer in the United States Navy in a rank of commodore and later the commander-in-chief of the Mexican Navy.-Life:...
, on active duty with the Navy as an officer. The senior Porter came to their house one day suffering from sunstroke, and, despite Elizabeth's care, he died. The same day, Elizabeth died of yellow fever
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. The virus is a 40 to 50 nm enveloped RNA virus with positive sense of the Flaviviridae family....
. George, age 53, made plans to place his young children with friends and family who could better care for them.
He was visited by the younger Porter, who thanked him for his wife's care of his father and expressed sympathy for his loss. Porter offered to adopt James and introduce him to a career in the Navy. James and his father agreed.
Death
Jordi Farragut Mesquida died in Pascagoula, MississippiPascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. It is the principal city of the Pascagoula, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, as a part of the Gulfport–Biloxi–Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. The population was 26,200 at the 2000 census...
on June 4, 1817, at age 62. He was described..."as a short, chunky man; very brave and a funny genius." - George W. Siever
See also
- Hispanics in the United States NavyHispanics in the United States NavyHispanics in the United States Navy can trace their tradition of naval military service to men such as Lieutenant Jorge Farragut Mesquida, who served in the American Revolution. Hispanics, such as Seaman Philip Bazaar and Seaman John Ortega, have distinguished themselves in combat and have been...