Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright (1821–1863)


Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright II was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War, who was killed in action during the Battle of Galveston.

Early life

Wainwright was born on July 27, 1821 in New York City to Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright I and Amelia Maria Phelps. His father, an Episcopal bishop, served as the 5th Bishop of New York, from 1852 to 1854, who was instrumental in the founding of New York University.
His paternal grandparents were Peter Wainwright and Elizabeth Mayhew. He was a cousin of naval officer Richard Wainwright.

Career

He entered the United States Navy on June 30, 1837, at age 16, as a midshipman. He attended the Philadelphia Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1842 to 1843, and became a passed midshipman on June 29, 1843.
He was appointed acting-master, November 10, 1849, and commissioned lieutenant, September 17, 1850. He was on special duty in Washington, DC in 1861.
He commanded the, Admiral David Dixon Porter's flagship in Farragut's fleet, in the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and took part in operations below Vicksburg.
He was killed in action when his ship was attacked and captured by Confederate forces under the command of General John Bankhead Magruder during the Battle of Galveston on January 1, 1863. He was reportedly personally killed by Confederate naval commander Leon Smith, and a valuable signal book was taken from his corpse.

Personal life

On February 8, 1844, he married Maria Byrd Page in Virginia. She was the daughter of Robert Powell Page, himself a grandson of the Governor of Virginia John Page, and Mary Francis, the daughter of Thomas Willing Francis of Philadelphia. After her mother's death, her father remarried to Susan Grymes, daughter of Archie Randolph. Together, they had four children:
His grandson, Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV, was a general during World War II.

Honors

Three ships have been named for Jonathan and some of his relatives.