American naval officer.

Commissioned Captain of Marines (June 1776). Served on the sloops Defiance, Manley, and Mosquito. Captured by the British and committed to Forton Prison (August 1777). Made a failed escape attempt (December 1777). Escaped again (September 1778); took refuge with Rev. Thomas Wren in Portsmouth and later with Thomas Attwood Digges in London. Received financial assistance from American commissioners (September 1778). Traveled to France and sailed on the Bonhomme Richard as liaison officer with the French Marines (August 1779).

Native of Fredericksburg, Virginia. John Adams alluded to his “good family and handsome fortune in Virginia” (1779).