Captain James Girdon was born about 1772 in Swedish Pomerania, which is located in present day Germany. He immigrated to the United States about 1786 when he was 14 years old, and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When he was 23 years old he filed his intent to became a Naturalized American Citizen. On October 29, 1799 James Girdon married a widow named Catherine Dannaker in St. Michaels & Zion Church in Philadelphia, where all of the sermons were given in German. Catherine's maiden name was HAELTZEL, and James Girdon was her 2nd husband. Beginning in 1801, I find my first reference to James Girdon being called a "Mariner", in the City Directory of Philadelphia. After waiting the required period of time, James Girdon a native of Swedish Pomerania & a subject of the King of Sweden now residing in the city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania, Mariner, age 29 yrs or thereabout being duly sworn according to law... became a Naturalized American Citizen. He most certainly spoke German and English, and probably dabbled enough in several other languages to converse with his diverse crew, and the people he would meet and trade with in foreign countries. He must have had a good education, as his signature which would have been written with quill and ink, was always very legible, along with his handwriting on the ships manifests. He had to be very educated in the art of sailing as well.
It might seem curious that Philadelphia became a major port, since the problems in getting there from the open ocean were considerable. For one thing, depending on the winds, it could take four (4) days to a week, or even more, to go up or down the Delaware River to reach the ocean. Moreover, it was the only port south of Canada that was blocked by ice in the winter—sometimes for months on end. And then, ships had to contend with being grounded on the shifting shoals in the Bay and along the river. And finally, the Bay itself was open to storms from the ocean that could dash them onto the shore. There was no refuge at the mouth of the Delaware Bay until the breakwater was constructed in the 1820s. But ships and shippers came to Philadelphia by preference because it had the largest concentration of people in English-speaking America, including many with wealth and sophisticated tastes. Therefore, merchants could get higher prices for finished goods than they could in New York. Through most of the 18th century and up to about 1815, Philadelphia was the largest Port in North America. On any given day there could be over 100 ships in port at one time. I have gleaned a lot of information about Captain Girdon, because when a ship arrived or departed the Port of Philadelphia, the information was printed in many of the newspapers of the day.
For Forty (40) years, Captain James Girdon sailed in and out of the Port of Philadelphia aboard many Brigs, Schooners, Ships and Sailing Vessels. His travels took him to all corners of the globe. While he carried some passengers on these ships, he mainly sailed to countries to purchase exotic items like spices, tea, fruits, hides, saltpeter, china, blankets, gunpowder, and other natural resources and items that are too numerous to mention here. When he sailed to Europe, he returned with current newspapers of the day, as people were very interested in what what happening in the European theatre. Most of these goods were purchased on behalf of others, and he would transport them and return them to Philadelphia to be sold. He also purchased items for himself to sell as well. I have many, many stories about Captain Girdon's travels and adventures, but suffice to say, there is not enough room to relay them here. He seemed to be absent from his home in Philadelphia more than he was there, yet he and his wife Catherine managed to have six (6) children who all grew into adulthood. Catherine most certainly must have been the main caregiver and a rather extraordinary woman at that.
At the age of 69, on the 3rd of April 1841, aboard the Eliza & Susan, a fully rigged ship of 316 tons, Captain James Girdon passed away. He was sailing to Philadelphia on a return trip from Montevideo, and had suffered an illness of 36 days before perishing. The newspapers of the day hailed him as one of the oldest Masters of vessels sailing out of Philadelphia. Captain James Girdon's lifeless body was more than likely wrapped in sail cloth, and he was released into the ocean on his "Final Voyage".
I like to say that Captain James Girdon sailed the 7 seas when the sailing vessels were made of wood, and the men were made of Steele! I am proud to call CAPTAIN JAMES GIRDON my 4th Great Grandfather ♥. If I could do some time traveling, he is definitely the ancestor that I would love to meet!
One of my hopes in writing and posting this information regarding my 4th Great grandparents, is for all of the family trees out there that do not have the correct information, to rectify their trees. Copying information from one tree to another without doing your own research and due diligence, perpetuates all of those errors. Also, copying information from this site or any place else and placing it on your own tree and calling it your own work, is not good genealogical protocol or courtesy, no less proper resourcing of material.
The above information was researched, written and compiled with ♥ by BBP, Captain James's Girdon's 4th Great Granddaughter. (13 December 2023)
It might seem curious that Philadelphia became a major port, since the problems in getting there from the open ocean were considerable. For one thing, depending on the winds, it could take four (4) days to a week, or even more, to go up or down the Delaware River to reach the ocean. Moreover, it was the only port south of Canada that was blocked by ice in the winter—sometimes for months on end. And then, ships had to contend with being grounded on the shifting shoals in the Bay and along the river. And finally, the Bay itself was open to storms from the ocean that could dash them onto the shore. There was no refuge at the mouth of the Delaware Bay until the breakwater was constructed in the 1820s. But ships and shippers came to Philadelphia by preference because it had the largest concentration of people in English-speaking America, including many with wealth and sophisticated tastes. Therefore, merchants could get higher prices for finished goods than they could in New York. Through most of the 18th century and up to about 1815, Philadelphia was the largest Port in North America. On any given day there could be over 100 ships in port at one time. I have gleaned a lot of information about Captain Girdon, because when a ship arrived or departed the Port of Philadelphia, the information was printed in many of the newspapers of the day.
For Forty (40) years, Captain James Girdon sailed in and out of the Port of Philadelphia aboard many Brigs, Schooners, Ships and Sailing Vessels. His travels took him to all corners of the globe. While he carried some passengers on these ships, he mainly sailed to countries to purchase exotic items like spices, tea, fruits, hides, saltpeter, china, blankets, gunpowder, and other natural resources and items that are too numerous to mention here. When he sailed to Europe, he returned with current newspapers of the day, as people were very interested in what what happening in the European theatre. Most of these goods were purchased on behalf of others, and he would transport them and return them to Philadelphia to be sold. He also purchased items for himself to sell as well. I have many, many stories about Captain Girdon's travels and adventures, but suffice to say, there is not enough room to relay them here. He seemed to be absent from his home in Philadelphia more than he was there, yet he and his wife Catherine managed to have six (6) children who all grew into adulthood. Catherine most certainly must have been the main caregiver and a rather extraordinary woman at that.
At the age of 69, on the 3rd of April 1841, aboard the Eliza & Susan, a fully rigged ship of 316 tons, Captain James Girdon passed away. He was sailing to Philadelphia on a return trip from Montevideo, and had suffered an illness of 36 days before perishing. The newspapers of the day hailed him as one of the oldest Masters of vessels sailing out of Philadelphia. Captain James Girdon's lifeless body was more than likely wrapped in sail cloth, and he was released into the ocean on his "Final Voyage".
I like to say that Captain James Girdon sailed the 7 seas when the sailing vessels were made of wood, and the men were made of Steele! I am proud to call CAPTAIN JAMES GIRDON my 4th Great Grandfather ♥. If I could do some time traveling, he is definitely the ancestor that I would love to meet!
One of my hopes in writing and posting this information regarding my 4th Great grandparents, is for all of the family trees out there that do not have the correct information, to rectify their trees. Copying information from one tree to another without doing your own research and due diligence, perpetuates all of those errors. Also, copying information from this site or any place else and placing it on your own tree and calling it your own work, is not good genealogical protocol or courtesy, no less proper resourcing of material.
The above information was researched, written and compiled with ♥ by BBP, Captain James's Girdon's 4th Great Granddaughter. (13 December 2023)
Captain James Girdon was born about 1772 in Swedish Pomerania, which is located in present day Germany. He immigrated to the United States about 1786 when he was 14 years old, and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When he was 23 years old he filed his intent to became a Naturalized American Citizen. On October 29, 1799 James Girdon married a widow named Catherine Dannaker in St. Michaels & Zion Church in Philadelphia, where all of the sermons were given in German. Catherine's maiden name was HAELTZEL, and James Girdon was her 2nd husband. Beginning in 1801, I find my first reference to James Girdon being called a "Mariner", in the City Directory of Philadelphia. After waiting the required period of time, James Girdon a native of Swedish Pomerania & a subject of the King of Sweden now residing in the city of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania, Mariner, age 29 yrs or thereabout being duly sworn according to law... became a Naturalized American Citizen. He most certainly spoke German and English, and probably dabbled enough in several other languages to converse with his diverse crew, and the people he would meet and trade with in foreign countries. He must have had a good education, as his signature which would have been written with quill and ink, was always very legible, along with his handwriting on the ships manifests. He had to be very educated in the art of sailing as well.
It might seem curious that Philadelphia became a major port, since the problems in getting there from the open ocean were considerable. For one thing, depending on the winds, it could take four (4) days to a week, or even more, to go up or down the Delaware River to reach the ocean. Moreover, it was the only port south of Canada that was blocked by ice in the winter—sometimes for months on end. And then, ships had to contend with being grounded on the shifting shoals in the Bay and along the river. And finally, the Bay itself was open to storms from the ocean that could dash them onto the shore. There was no refuge at the mouth of the Delaware Bay until the breakwater was constructed in the 1820s. But ships and shippers came to Philadelphia by preference because it had the largest concentration of people in English-speaking America, including many with wealth and sophisticated tastes. Therefore, merchants could get higher prices for finished goods than they could in New York. Through most of the 18th century and up to about 1815, Philadelphia was the largest Port in North America. On any given day there could be over 100 ships in port at one time. I have gleaned a lot of information about Captain Girdon, because when a ship arrived or departed the Port of Philadelphia, the information was printed in many of the newspapers of the day.
For Forty (40) years, Captain James Girdon sailed in and out of the Port of Philadelphia aboard many Brigs, Schooners, Ships and Sailing Vessels. His travels took him to all corners of the globe. While he carried some passengers on these ships, he mainly sailed to countries to purchase exotic items like spices, tea, fruits, hides, saltpeter, china, blankets, gunpowder, and other natural resources and items that are too numerous to mention here. When he sailed to Europe, he returned with current newspapers of the day, as people were very interested in what what happening in the European theatre. Most of these goods were purchased on behalf of others, and he would transport them and return them to Philadelphia to be sold. He also purchased items for himself to sell as well. I have many, many stories about Captain Girdon's travels and adventures, but suffice to say, there is not enough room to relay them here. He seemed to be absent from his home in Philadelphia more than he was there, yet he and his wife Catherine managed to have six (6) children who all grew into adulthood. Catherine most certainly must have been the main caregiver and a rather extraordinary woman at that.
At the age of 69, on the 3rd of April 1841, aboard the Eliza & Susan, a fully rigged ship of 316 tons, Captain James Girdon passed away. He was sailing to Philadelphia on a return trip from Montevideo, and had suffered an illness of 36 days before perishing. The newspapers of the day hailed him as one of the oldest Masters of vessels sailing out of Philadelphia. Captain James Girdon's lifeless body was more than likely wrapped in sail cloth, and he was released into the ocean on his "Final Voyage".
I like to say that Captain James Girdon sailed the 7 seas when the sailing vessels were made of wood, and the men were made of Steele! I am proud to call CAPTAIN JAMES GIRDON my 4th Great Grandfather ♥. If I could do some time traveling, he is definitely the ancestor that I would love to meet!
One of my hopes in writing and posting this information regarding my 4th Great grandparents, is for all of the family trees out there that do not have the correct information, to rectify their trees. Copying information from one tree to another without doing your own research and due diligence, perpetuates all of those errors. Also, copying information from this site or any place else and placing it on your own tree and calling it your own work, is not good genealogical protocol or courtesy, no less proper resourcing of material.
The above information was researched, written and compiled with ♥ by BBP, Captain James's Girdon's 4th Great Granddaughter. (13 December 2023)
It might seem curious that Philadelphia became a major port, since the problems in getting there from the open ocean were considerable. For one thing, depending on the winds, it could take four (4) days to a week, or even more, to go up or down the Delaware River to reach the ocean. Moreover, it was the only port south of Canada that was blocked by ice in the winter—sometimes for months on end. And then, ships had to contend with being grounded on the shifting shoals in the Bay and along the river. And finally, the Bay itself was open to storms from the ocean that could dash them onto the shore. There was no refuge at the mouth of the Delaware Bay until the breakwater was constructed in the 1820s. But ships and shippers came to Philadelphia by preference because it had the largest concentration of people in English-speaking America, including many with wealth and sophisticated tastes. Therefore, merchants could get higher prices for finished goods than they could in New York. Through most of the 18th century and up to about 1815, Philadelphia was the largest Port in North America. On any given day there could be over 100 ships in port at one time. I have gleaned a lot of information about Captain Girdon, because when a ship arrived or departed the Port of Philadelphia, the information was printed in many of the newspapers of the day.
For Forty (40) years, Captain James Girdon sailed in and out of the Port of Philadelphia aboard many Brigs, Schooners, Ships and Sailing Vessels. His travels took him to all corners of the globe. While he carried some passengers on these ships, he mainly sailed to countries to purchase exotic items like spices, tea, fruits, hides, saltpeter, china, blankets, gunpowder, and other natural resources and items that are too numerous to mention here. When he sailed to Europe, he returned with current newspapers of the day, as people were very interested in what what happening in the European theatre. Most of these goods were purchased on behalf of others, and he would transport them and return them to Philadelphia to be sold. He also purchased items for himself to sell as well. I have many, many stories about Captain Girdon's travels and adventures, but suffice to say, there is not enough room to relay them here. He seemed to be absent from his home in Philadelphia more than he was there, yet he and his wife Catherine managed to have six (6) children who all grew into adulthood. Catherine most certainly must have been the main caregiver and a rather extraordinary woman at that.
At the age of 69, on the 3rd of April 1841, aboard the Eliza & Susan, a fully rigged ship of 316 tons, Captain James Girdon passed away. He was sailing to Philadelphia on a return trip from Montevideo, and had suffered an illness of 36 days before perishing. The newspapers of the day hailed him as one of the oldest Masters of vessels sailing out of Philadelphia. Captain James Girdon's lifeless body was more than likely wrapped in sail cloth, and he was released into the ocean on his "Final Voyage".
I like to say that Captain James Girdon sailed the 7 seas when the sailing vessels were made of wood, and the men were made of Steele! I am proud to call CAPTAIN JAMES GIRDON my 4th Great Grandfather ♥. If I could do some time traveling, he is definitely the ancestor that I would love to meet!
One of my hopes in writing and posting this information regarding my 4th Great grandparents, is for all of the family trees out there that do not have the correct information, to rectify their trees. Copying information from one tree to another without doing your own research and due diligence, perpetuates all of those errors. Also, copying information from this site or any place else and placing it on your own tree and calling it your own work, is not good genealogical protocol or courtesy, no less proper resourcing of material.
The above information was researched, written and compiled with ♥ by BBP, Captain James's Girdon's 4th Great Granddaughter. (13 December 2023)
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