Rear Admiral Charles H. Rockwell

American Civil War Soldiers Name: Charles Rockwell Residence: Massachusetts Enlistment Date: 5 Jul 1862 Side Served: Union State Served: U.S. Navy Service Record: Enlisted as a Acting Master on 5 July 1862. Commission in Navy Regiment U.S. Navy on 5 Jul 1862. Promoted to Full Acting Volunteer Lieutenant on 16 Dec 1863. Promoted to Full Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Commander on 29 Apr 1865. Discharged from Navy Regiment U.S. Navy on 8 Dec 1865.

1880 United States Federal Census Name: Charles H. Rockwell Home in 1880: Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts Age: 40 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1840 Birthplace: Massachusetts Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head) Spouse's Name: Esther H. Father's birthplace: Conn. Mother's birthplace: Mass. Occupation: Lieut. Commander U. S. N. Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Charles H. Rockwell 40 Esther H. Rockwell 38 Cyrus O. Rockwell 17 George P. Rockwell 14 Mary H. Rockwell 11 Charlie Rockwell 9 Helen M. Rockwell 4 Charles Rockwell 73

1900 United States Federal Census Name: Charles H Rockwell Home in 1900: Uss Chicago, Us Naval Forces, Military and Naval Forces Age: 60 Birthplace: Massachusetts Race: White Relationship to Head of House: Captain Occupation: View on Image Neighbors: View others on page Household Members: Name Age Charles H Rockwell 60 Barnstable Patriot December 6, 1881

"Lieut Commander Charles H. Rockwell, who is now stationed at Charleston Naval Yard, in the ordinance department, and who has been executive of the steamer Jamestown at Alaska, has been interviewed by the Sunday Herald correspondent and given some very instructive and entertaining information that distant part of the United States. Lieut Commander Rockwell is one of the most promising men in the Navy. Cape Cod will not discount him any."

He was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He was a founding member of the Nantucket Pilgrims, which later became the Cape Cod Pilgrims.

His daughter, Mary, married Past Surgeon James F. Keeney, US Navy.

His oldest son, Otis, was a Captain in the Navy and lived in Brooklyn. He died at his summer home in Chatham, in September 1914 at age 51.

His son, Charles, passed away in Chicago in April, 1918. He is buried by his parents.

His youngest daughter, Evelyn, married Ensign Whitford Drake of the US Navy. Her engagement was announced about ten days prior to Charles' death so he probably never saw her get married.

There is a notice in the June 22, 1908 Hyannis Patriot that Charles had become suddenly and seriously ill.

Hyannis Patriot Death Notices July 13, 1908

In Chatham, July 1st, Charles H. Rockwell, aged 68 years.

Apparently Charles remarried. There is a notice in the Barnstable Patriot, dated November 32, 1898, that he married Mrs. Marianna C. Butler, in New Hampshire.

It looks like they wintered in Boston, New Hampshire and New York, and summered in Chatham. Folks would know they arrived home safely to Chatham if there was an American flag flying in front of their home.

His home in Chatham was called The Moorings.

Hyannis Patriot July 6, 1908

Death of Admiral Rockwell

Admiral Charles H. Rockwell, U.S.N. retired, died at his home in Chatham Wednesday morning of apoplexy after a few weeks illness.

Rear Admiral was born in Chatham April 29, 1840, his father being a well known clergyman. He entered the navy as a volunteer during the Civil War, being appointed an acting master July 5, 1862.

He was soon placed in charge of the schoooner Two Sisters, and performed such important service that he was recommended for promotion several times and at the close of the war was in command of the US Steamer Hendrick Hudson as a volunteer lieutenant commander.

Examined for regular service in 1861, he was at once appointed acting master, and by conspicuoul service since that time had been promoted through every grade, serving in many imporant commands.

During the Spanish War, he was in charge of the Port Royal, SC Naval Station, from which he was detached June 1, 1899 as a captain and took command of the USS Chicago, flagship of Rear Admiral Schley, with whom he served until May 1901. He was placed in charge of the Mare Island Navy Yard last July, and ordered home April 1 for retirement as a rear admiral.

Admiral Rockwell possessed marked literary ability, and was a frequent contributor of stories and poems to magazines.

Thank you christina11 in the forums for all of this wonderful information!

There is a book written about the Admiral by Robert Carlisle entitled "Chatham's Admiral: Charles H. Rockwell"

During the U.S. Navy excursion to Korea in 1871 Lieutenant Charles H. Rockwell was the Commanding Officer of the USS Palos (a Navy tug converted into a gunboat and commissioned 11 June 1870, Lieutenant C. H. Rockwell in command). additional information courtesy of Bill 46983089