Andrew Jackson (1767-1845). Partially printed DS. 1p, 14.5 x 18.25 in., on vellum with embossed seal, affixed lower center. Dated at Washington, December 22, 1832, to Peter Turner, appointing him Lieutenant in the US Navy to rank from December 20, 1832. Signed boldly by President Andrew Jackson (1829-1837), and by Secretary of the Navy Levi Woodbury (1831-1834).
The William Turner Family
Lots 1-29 Cowan’s is pleased to offer selection of items from the William Turner family of Newport, Rhode Island, some of which have been passed down several generations. Items offered in this sale include photographs, manuscripts, signed documents, relics, and uniform accoutrements, most related to the naval careers of prominent members of the family. Photographs and other items related to less noteworthy members of the family will be offered in our July 2 to July 13 American History Timed Online Only auction, and many more items from the family, including furniture, silver, scrimshaw, painted portraits, and other fine art and decorative items will be offered in Cowan’s June 20 Americana sale. Below are brief biographies of members of the Turner family relevant to this sale.
1st Generation: Dr. William Turner (1712-1754) grew up in Newport, Rhode Island where, according to family history, he studied medicine under Dr. Norbent Vigneron (French, 1669-1764). After completing his apprenticeship, Dr. Turner relocated to Newark, New Jersey, where he opened a successful professional practice. William married Mehitable Foster (b. 1715) with whom he had four children, including Daniel (1750-1837), and Peter (1751-1822).
2nd Generation: Daniel Turner (1750-1837), known as Captain Daniel, married his first cousin Sarah Foster (1754-1809) before serving in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Together, they had ten children, including William (1775-1837), Peter (1781-1812), and Daniel (1794-1850).
2nd Generation: Dr. Peter Turner (1751-1822), Captain Daniel's younger brother, served as a surgeon in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment of the Continental Army under General James Varnum (American, 1748-1789) and Colonel Christopher Greene (American, 1737-1781). Family tradition tells us that he served on General George Washington's staff at Valley Forge where he established a friendship with the Marquis de Lafayette (French, 1757-1834), who also stayed at Washington's encampment. Following the war, Dr. Turner and his wife Eliza Child settled in East Greenwich, Rhode Island at 21 Courthouse Lane, across the street from their brother-in-law General Varnum, whose wife Martha Child was Eliza's sister. Peter and Eliza had nine children, including Mehitable Foster (1780-1853).
3rd Generation: Commodore Daniel Turner (1794-1850), the son of Captain Daniel, began his career in the U.S. Navy as a midshipman at the age of fourteen, subsequently earning the rank of lieutenant on March 12, 1813. Two days later, he joined Oliver Hazard Perry's (American, 1785-1819) squadron at Sackett's Harbor, New York where he took command of the brig
Caledonia in the Battle of Lake Erie. On September 10, 1813, Turner distinguished himself by providing suppressive fire for Perry's flagship
Lawrence, thereby earning a Congressional medal and a sword from the State of New York. After serving under Perry's command on the frigate
Java and the schooner
Nonsuch, Turner commanded the
USS Erie and the
USS Constitution.
3rd Generation: Dr. William Turner (1775-1837), the son of Captain Daniel and the older brother of Commodore Daniel, served as a surgeon in the United States Navy. William married his first cousin Mehitable Foster (1780-1853), the daughter of Dr. Peter (1751-1822), and they had nine children, including Peter (1803-1871).
3rd Generation: Benjamin Bourne Turner (1780-1807), the son of Captain Daniel and brother of Commodore Daniel and Dr. William, appointed midshipman in the United States Navy Sept. 27, 1800, and lieutenant March 9, 1807. Unmarried, he was killed in a duel with Master John Rush, US Navy, Oct. 31, 1807, in New Orleans, over an argument about William Shakespeare.
4th Generation: Commodore Peter Turner (1803-1871) began his career in the U.S. Navy as a midshipman at the age of twenty, subsequently earning the rank of lieutenant on December 20, 1832. From 1834 to 1835, he served on the
USS Columbus within his uncle Commodore Daniel Turner's (1794-1850) Brazil Squadron. He also served aboard the
USS Constitution in the Pacific and afterward on special duty at Portsmouth Navy Yard. His final cruise was on the
USS Southampton before serving as commander of the U.S. Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was commissioned as a commodore in 1867. He married Sarah Stafford Jones (1826-1875) and had five children, including Hettie Foster (1850-1937).
5th Generation: Hettie Foster Turner (1850-1937) married Henry Harlan (1848-1898) and they had three children, including James Turner (1881-1931), through whose descendants the Turner family collection is being offered for sale.
Provenance:Descended in the Turner Family of Newport, RI
Condition
Scattered stains.