American naval captain.

Began career as a merchant captain. Commissioned lieutenant of the Hornet (1775). Captain of the sloop Sachem (June 1776). Captain of the brig Andrea Doria (October 1776); sailed to St. Eustatius, a Dutch possession in the Leeward Islands, to obtain munitions. Senior Continental captain in the Delaware River (autumn 1777); ordered both the Andrea Doria and its prize, the Racehorse, burned, lest they fall into the hands of advancing British troops. Commander of the General Mercer (November 1778); sailed to Bordeaux with letters and a cargo of tobacco (February-May 1779), then returned to Philadelphia (August-October 1779).

Native of Baltimore.