Two Coincidences in Abel P. Upshur's Death

Two coincidences I find of interest in the U.S. Secretary of State's death in 1843.

First, he was on the USS Princeton, the eventual name of the college he was expelled from for being a leader in the "Great Rebellion" in 1807.

Second, the USS Princeton was commanded by Robert F. Stockton, the son of Richard Stockton who had delivered the speech at Princeton's chapel trying to get the students to back down on their grievances.

Interesting Coincidences.  --Brock-Perry

Abel P. Upshur-- Part 3: As Secretary of State, Death

On february 28, 1844, along with U.S. President John Tyler and other dignitaries, Abel P. Upshur was on the Potomac River aboard the new navy steamship USS Princeton, when he and several others were killed in a gun explosion.  He was buried at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C..

Also killed were the Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Gilmer and Beverly Kennon, the Navy's chief of construction.  Twenty others were injured.  President Tyler survived because he was below deck at the time.

--Brock-Perry

Richard Stockton, Jr-- Part 2: Father of Commodore Robert Stockton of USS Princeton Tragedy

The answer to yesterday's question as to whether Richard Stockton was the father of Robert F. Stockton, the commander of the USS Princeton when the cannon exploded killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, who was one of the students disciplined for the "Great Rebellion" of 1807 and received the sermon from Richard Stockton, Jr. after the petition was delivered.  The answer is yes he was.

Richard Stockton, Jr. was a U.S. senator and representative from New Jersey.  he graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1779 and is buried at Princeton Cemetery.

He was the son of Richard Stockton, who signed the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey.

Small World.  --Brock-Perry

Richard Stockton, Jr.-- Part 1

I have to wonder whether this Richard Stockton, Jr., who delivered the sermon trying to get the student leaders to renounce their petition on behest of Princeton President Smith, was related to the commander of the USS Princeton on that fateful day the in the 1840s when the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of State were killed and President Tyler came close to being killed as well.

--Brock-Perry