US Continental Navy Captain. Born in Providence, Rhode Island to prominent merchant Joshua Hacker and wife Martha. Learned to sail as a youth and until 1775, ran merchant ship packets for the family enterprise in Rhode Island. When Congress was organizing a navy, he was recommended as a candidate. Along with four other candidates including J. Paul Jones, he was commissioned Lieutenant at the official formation of the Continental Navy on December 22, 1775. He was promoted to Captain on October 10, 1776. In November 1776, while in command of the sloop ‘Providence', captured the British supply ship ‘Mellish'. In the spring of 1779, after a fierce battle, captured the British sloop ‘Diligent' off Sandy Hook, New Jersey. In 1781, he was appointed executive officer of the ‘Alliance' under US Continental Navy Commander John Barry. After Commander Barry was wounded during an attack, he continued the battle and after several close quarter broadside blasts to the enemy, captured both of the attacking British warships. Later in 1781, he was requested by John Cabot of Beverly, Massachusetts to command the privateer ‘Buccannier'. After the war, he took up his residence in New York City, where he kept a private boarding house until the death of his first wife in 1794. He was a pilot for ships sailing through Hell Gate in New York harbor until his death, which is listed as ‘in New York City or at sea'. He was a member of The Marine Society of the City of New York. He was also one of the original members of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, his admittance document signed by George Washington and Henry Knox
US Continental Navy Captain. Born in Providence, Rhode Island to prominent merchant Joshua Hacker and wife Martha. Learned to sail as a youth and until 1775, ran merchant ship packets for the family enterprise in Rhode Island. When Congress was organizing a navy, he was recommended as a candidate. Along with four other candidates including J. Paul Jones, he was commissioned Lieutenant at the official formation of the Continental Navy on December 22, 1775. He was promoted to Captain on October 10, 1776. In November 1776, while in command of the sloop ‘Providence', captured the British supply ship ‘Mellish'. In the spring of 1779, after a fierce battle, captured the British sloop ‘Diligent' off Sandy Hook, New Jersey. In 1781, he was appointed executive officer of the ‘Alliance' under US Continental Navy Commander John Barry. After Commander Barry was wounded during an attack, he continued the battle and after several close quarter broadside blasts to the enemy, captured both of the attacking British warships. Later in 1781, he was requested by John Cabot of Beverly, Massachusetts to command the privateer ‘Buccannier'. After the war, he took up his residence in New York City, where he kept a private boarding house until the death of his first wife in 1794. He was a pilot for ships sailing through Hell Gate in New York harbor until his death, which is listed as ‘in New York City or at sea'. He was a member of The Marine Society of the City of New York. He was also one of the original members of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, his admittance document signed by George Washington and Henry Knox
Bio by: Raymond C Kogge, SAR
Family Members
Advertisement
