Thomas H. Patterson

Thomas Harmon Patterson
Captain Thomas H. Patterson, ca. 1862
Born	May 10, 1820 New Orleans, Louisiana
Died	April 9, 1889 (aged 68) Washington, D.C.
Place of burial	Congressional Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Rear Admiral

Thomas Harmon Patterson (May 10, 1820 – April 9, 1889) was a rear admiral in the United States Navy.

Early life and career

Patterson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the second son of Commodore Daniel Todd Patterson, a War of 1812 U.S. Navy hero, and George Ann Pollock. Patterson saw action in the American Civil War and later served as Commander, Asiatic Squadron (1877–1880). While in this latter post, he participated in the lengthy 1879 visit of former President and General Ulysses S. Grant to Japan at the conclusion of Grant's around-the-world tour that started in 1878.

Patterson's commands included Chocura, Currituck and James Adger. Richmond served as his flagship in the Asiatic Squadron. From 1873 to 1876 he commanded the Washington Navy Yard, as his father had done in 1836–1839. Patterson was elected on January 2, 1868, as a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

Personal life

Patterson married Maria Montresor Wainwright, daughter of U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Robert Dewar Wainwright. Several of their sons also became military officers, including Capt. Samuel Achmuty Wainwright Patterson, USN, who commanded the Great White Fleet battleship USS Kentucky (BB-6) in 1905 (but did not command during the 1907-1909 world cruise).

Later life and death

Patterson retired from the U.S. Navy in 1883 and died April 9, 1889, in Washington, D.C..

His remains were interred in the Wainwright vault of Congressional Cemetery, with his wife, father-in-law, and other Wainwright relatives. His father and mother, are also buried in Congressional Cemetery but under a separate Patterson monument.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.