James Armstrong

Burial Location: Summit Ave, Lot 819, Grave 2.

James Armstrong was born in Shelbyville, Kentucky, on August 7, 1794. He joined the Navy as a midshipman in 1809 and was serving on the sloop-of-war Frolic when it was seized by the British in 1814 when the United States was at war with Britain during the War of 1812. Armstrong was taken prisoner under horrific conditions.

In 1855, Armstrong was promoted to Commodore and was given command of the East India Squadron. He served on the squadron’s flagship, San Jacinto during China’s Second Opium War. After the battle of the Pearl Forts in 1857, he was unwell and returned to the United States.

In 1860 he returned to service and was given command of the Pensacola Florida Navy Yard. Two days after the state of Florida voted to secede from the United States, he surrendered the fort to the secessionists because his men were outnumbered.  He was court-martialed for this action; the papers are missing from the National Archives so it is not possible to know what occurred or was said during the proceedings.

James Armstrong was married twice, in 1819 to Hannah Crowninshield, and in 1836 to her sister Elizabeth Crowninshield. He died on August 27, 1868.

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Photo: Wikipedia.

Sources Consulted:

• Find a Grave.
• Wikipedia.