John Cassin
Commodore, U.S. Navy

John Cassin was born on 7 July 1760 in Philadelphia, PA.

Little is known of Cassin's early life, but what is known reveals he fought in the Revolution as early as 1777 participating in the Battle of Trenton and continuing his service with the Army until he became a First Mate as a Pennsylvania Privateer on board the "Mayflower" on 27 June 1782.

After the Revolution, Cassin became a merchant seaman, twice being shipwrecked. Cassin developed a warm personal friendship with George Washington during and after the Revolution and, because of this, Washington gave him an oil portrait of himself as a gesture of that friendship. Unfortunately, that painting was destroyed in a fire at his home.

Near the turn of the century it became necessary to increase the size of the Navy due to the ongoing Barbary pirate attacks along with other potential threats. He enlisted as a Lieutenant on 13 November 1799. On 6 April 1806, he was promoted to Master Commandant and became second in command of the Washington Navy Yard. On 3 July 1812, he was promoted to Captain, then the highest rank in the U.S. Navy.

During the War of 1812-1815, he led the U.S. Navy in the Delaware for the defense of Philadelphia. He was also the Commanding Officer of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard from 10 August 1812 until 1 June 1821, when he was chosen to be the Commanding Officer of the Southern Naval station based at Charleston, SC.

Death and Burial

Commodore John Cassin died on 24 March 1822 in Charleston, SC. He is buried at Saint Mary of the Annunciation Cemetery in Charleston, SC.