Description:
Circular tie back, cloak pin, or mirror knob with central enamel disk with portrait of Commodore Thomas Truxtun (Feb 17, 1755-May 5, 1822) in black, red, yellow, blue, brown, and pink. The disk is inscribed in black: "Com,re Truxton.", and surrounded by a concave metal border with a beaded edge and a cylindrical post with disk and threads on the back. Truxtun was a celebrated hero of the naval war with France that began in 1798, commanding the frigate "Constellation" in two major battles in 1799 and 1800. See also HD 92.010. Commodore Thomas Truxton was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 1800 for great service to his country. Commodore Truxton was the victorious Commander of the frigate U.S.S. Constellation which defeated the French national frigates L'Insurgent and Vengeance in 1799 and 1800, during the so-called "Quazi War", respectively. Thomas Truxtun (or Truxton) (February 17, 1755 " May 5, 1822) was an American Naval Officer who rose to the rank of Commodore. Born near Hempstead, New York on Long Island, Truxtun had little formal education before joining the crew of the British merchant ship Pitt at the age of twelve. By the time he was twenty, however, his talents had garnered him the command of his own vessel, the Andrew Caldwell. Truxton operated as a Privateer during the American Revolutionary War, Commanding several Naval Ships: Congress, Independence, Mars and St. James. Truxtun was highly successful in capturing enemy ships during this period, not once suffering a defeat. After the American Revolutionary War he returned to the merchant marine, where he remained for twelve years. In 1786 provided command of one of the very First American ships to engage in trade with China, the "Canton," operating from Philadelphia.Truxtun was appointed captain in the United States Navy in 1794, and during the Quasi-War with France was in command of the USS Constellation. Previously, he had overseen its construction with Silas Talbot, and, after a rank dispute, was placed in charge of the ship by President Washington. He was promoted to commodore and met with considerable success.His victories, perhaps most notably that over the French vessel L'Insurgente, made Truxtun a hero of the time. Consequently, he was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 1800, becoming the eighth recipient of that body's "highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions." During this period, however, Truxtun was involved in a dispute over rank with Richard Dale. Truxtun took command of the warship USS President for a few months in 1800, soon after retiring from the Navy and locating first in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and later in Philadelphia. He was offered command during the First Barbary War in 1801 but refused, settling firmly into retirement. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for the United States House of Representatives in 1810, and in 1816 was elected sheriff of Philadelphia County, serving a four-year term. He also published several books, well-known at the time, covering navigation and naval tactics. He is buried at Christ Church Burial Ground.
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