Christopher R. Perry-- Part 2: Service in the American Revolution

Born in Newport, Rhode Island.  His mother was a descendant of two of the Mayflower Compact signers.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

He enlisted in a local militia company at age 14 early in the American  Revolution.  He then served on two privateers, but the second one was captured  and Perry was confines on the infamous prison hulk, the Jersey in New York Harbor for three months before escaping.

In 1779. he joined the Continental Navy as a seaman on the 30-gun frigate USS Trumbull.  He was aboard this ship when it engaged the 32-gun British letter of marque Watt in a hard-fought, but indecisive battle.

  After that, Perry enlisted on another privateer which was captured and Perry was again imprisoned, this time  at Newry Barracks in Ireland where he met his future wife, Sarah Wallace  Alexander. he was able to make another escape, this time by posing as a British seaman.  He arrived back in the U.S.  shortly before the end of the war in 1783.

(In case you're wondering, the Perry in my sign-off below comes from Christopher's son, Oliver Hazard Perry.  The Brock is from British/Canadian War of 1812  hero Isaac Brock.)

--Brock-Perry