Rambler Begins Story of Commodore Tingey, Ruler of Navy Yard

Capt. Thomas Tingey came to Washington in 1800, died here in 1829, and from one to the other of those dates was commandant of the navy yard. Washingtonians of the first three decades of the nineteenth century called him Commodore Tingey and the rank and name are in many records of the city. The Rambler sought information of this man because of his celebrity, and the Rambler does not know that another writer has taken Commodore Tingey for his text. It may be that some Washington Plutarch has written of the commodore. It is hard to find a Washington subject that has not been better written than the Rambler can do it. Almost every week I think I have come on a virgin subject and spread a bottle of ink on it. Then comes a letter something like this:

“Your article on those old citizens Nulius and Ignotus and the Nusquam neighborhood goes over old ground. You will find the subject ably done in The Saturday Double Sheet Star, September 31, 1877. Two papers on this matter have been read before the Columbia Historical Society. In the Washington Public Library is a biography of Mr. Nulius written by his daughter Nulliola and the late James Croggon wrote an account giving the home, address and occupation of each resident of Nusquam.”

Your face, which I see as it glances at this page, warns me that you are too young to have known Commodore Tingey. He died 28 years ago. I do not believe that you when a babe were dandied on his knee. But if your grandfather lived in Washington long ago, he knew the commodore. The commodore was not an exclusive man. He was a good mixer – in the sense we used the word “mixer” 12 or 15 years ago. He was a hearty eater, strong drinker and ample entertainer. The inventory of his dishes, decanters, wine glasses, punch bowls, liqueur stands and card tables (which inventory is in our courthouse) makes me think that he was jolly host to lots of company. He took stock in he local bridge, turnpike and canal companies. He bought and sold lots in the Navy Yard section. He contributed to charity and civic undertakings. He was a member of committees of many kinds. As we go along – if you do go along with me – you will read that Commodore Tingey was quite a man in the Washington of 1800-1829.

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In Hamersly’s Navy Register I find this:

“Thomas Tingey, Captain, 23 November 1804. Died 23 February 1829.”

In Chaplin Henry B. Hibben’s history of the Washington Navy Yard I read what follows:

“On the 2nd of October 1799, the purchase of the grounds for the site of the Washington Navy Yard having been completed. Naval Constructor Josiah Humphreys, then residing at Philadelphia, was ordered to Washington to select the proper spot for the wharf, and to assist Mr. Marbury (William Marbury of Annapolis) with his advice in the construction of the same.

“On the 22nd of January 1800 Capt. Thomas Tingey of Kingston, N.J. was appointed as Superintendent of the yard. The following letter to Marbury from Secretary Stoddert, indicating the duties of the superintendent, we find in general letter book:

“Navy Department, January 22, 1800.
“William Marbury, Georgetown.

“Sir: Capt. Thomas Tingey of the Navy, an officer of great merit in our service, has been ordered to Washington with a view to superintend the building of the 74 gun ship, and to aid in the arrangement of the navy yard, the improvement of which he will also superintend. The money, as heretofore, will pass through your hands. Captain Tingey being a man of understanding and having seen the navy yards of England, will be able to direct the layings of that in Washington to the greatest advantage.

“Mr. Marbury continued to act as Navy agent to July 9, 1801. Upon the election of Mr. Jefferson to the Presidency, Mr. Stoddert retired and Mr. Robert Smith, of Maryland, succeeded him as Secretary of the Navy. The new secretary immediately abolished the office of navy agent for the yard and included its duties in those of the superintendent, Captain Tingey, thus very much increasing his authority and responsibility. Under the new order, Captain Tingey was required to superintend all the public buildings and improvements, to receive all public property of all kinds deposited in his custody, and to be responsible for their safe-keeping and expenditure thereof. All the officers and others on board the ships in ordinary ships laid up out of commission at Washington were to consider Captain Tingey as the agent of this Department and to respect his authority accordingly. As a compensation for such services he was to be entitled to receive the full pay, without rations, of a captain commanding a ship of 32 guns and upwards. The pay of a captain in such command was $100 per month and eight rations per day.

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We will now leap across almost 30 years and open the file of the National Intelligencer of February, 1829. In the issue of Tuesday, February 24, is this:

“Deaths—At the Navy Yard in this city about 10 o’clock A.M. yesterday, aged 79 years, Commodore Thomas Tingey, commandant of that yard and for 28 years a resident of this city in that capacity.

“To his exalted worth every one who has ever known him will bear testimony. His irreproachable character must be to his bereaved widow and affectionate children an invaluable legacy.

“His commission in he Navy was nearly coeval with its existence. For almost 50 years he has sustained the character of an officer of the Navy with unsullied reputation.

“As the head of a family he was a venerable and true patriarch. As a man he was humane, kind and generous. As a citizen, faithful and loyal.

“His death, though it happened to him in the fullness of years, will be mourned by all who knew him. “His funeral will take place from his late residence tomorrow at 12 o’clock. The friends and acquaintances and those of the family, and the officers of the Army and Navy generally, are respectfully requested to attend the funeral without more particular invitation.”

“The Intelligencer, Wednesday, February 25, 1829, contained this:

“Naval General Order: As a mark of respect to the memory of Commodore Thomas Tingey, late of the United States Navy, who died this morning at 10 o’clock, the flags of the navy yards, stations and vessels of the United States Navy are to be hoisted half-mast and 13 minute guns fired at noon on the day after the receipt of this order. Officers of the Navy and Marine Corps are to wear crape for 30 days.”

The Rambler does not find in the Intelligencer an account of the funeral of Commodore Tingey.

The Rambler has gathered at the Court House and elsewhere material to be used in his Tingey narrative and he will give it to you – that is, he will sell it to you for 5 cents a copy, accompanied by this picture section, comic sheets and yards of articles by writers almost as famous as the Rambler. So, after reading the Rambler, you may, by the use of patience, find some excellent things to read. The facts which I have gathered concerning Commodore Tingey must serve me for one or two other rambles. This is Thrift week and I do not mean to be extravagant with facts. One may be extravagant with words, inferences and interpretations, but facts cost work to get.

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In looking for the death story of Commodore Tingey in the old Intelligencer, the Rambler came on notices which are now antiques and he offers these antiques for your examination, warranting that they were published in 1829 and not fabricated in 1927.

It was advertised in the Inelligencer that a fair for the benefit of the Washington Orphan Asylum would be held February 26 and 27 “in the new part of the General Post Office which has been kindly offered for the purpose by the Postmaster General.” Signers of the advertisement were Marcia Van Ness, Elizabeth Brown, Henrietta Andrews, Rebecca McLean, Margaret Rush, Louisa Wadsworth, Elizabeth Laurie, Sophia Towson, Anna Clarke, M. Mechlin, M. Coombe, A. Edwards, A. Tingey, B. Lear, A. Henderson, Eliza Lee and A.J. Larned.

The mayor, Joseph Gales, jr., announced the following committee on relief of the poor to appeal to the public: Thomas Taylor, Thomas Wilson, Frederick Hines, John McClelland, Erasmus Ward, Charles F. Wood, Andrew Coyle, Walter Clarke, Nathan W. Fayles, Benjamin O. Tyler, John Coyle, jr.; Thomas L. Thurston, Capt. William Easby, John Noland, James Friend, Samuel L. Lowe, Nathaniel Brady and Z. Collins Lee. The following overseers to the poor are named in the notice: C.W. Goldsworth, Edward Stephens, Jacob Gideon, jr.; James Young, Thomas Howard and Edward Sims.

It was advertised that at a public sale on the plantation of Ignatius Manning 4 miles below Placataway, the estate of the late Cornelius Boarman of Prince Georges County would be offered. The estate consisted of “fifty-three negroes most of which are young and lively.”

The Stockton & Stokes mail coaches were advertised to leave for Baltimore daily and also daily from Baltimore for Philadelphia. The steamboat Lone Branch was advertised to ply between Washington and Potomac Creek, connecting at the creek with the stage line for Fredericksburg, Richmond, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Stages left Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Keert’s rheumatic plasters could be bought at the drug stores of John F. Clarke and William Gunton in Washington, John Little at Georgetown and John D. Vowell at Alexandria. Henry Prather was selling orchard grass, clover seed and Mercer potatoes on Seventh street, opposite the Patriotic Bank. John Adlum whose home was the Vineyard, in part the site of the Bureau of Standards, advertised to sell cuttings of table and wine grapes at $15 a thousand, $2 a hundred and 50 cents a dozen. The varieties were Bland Madeira, Catawba, Schuylkill, Muscadell, Constantia, commonly called Cape of Good Hope grape, the Worthinton and the Lufborough.

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It was advertised that trustees would sell the tracts of Warburton in Warburton Manor and “Ben Wheeler’s,” “supposed to contain about two thousand acres adjoining Fort Washington and bounded by the Potomac River and Piscataway Creek and containing several valuable fisheries.”

Louis Mackall advertised Mackall’s Square for rent and described it as “that beautiful situation on the heights of Georgetown between Green and Montgomery streets, adjoining Mr. Davidson’s on one side and Mr. Washington’s on the other.” He would rent the place for $200 per annum.

The Savage Coton Manufacturing Co. “near the Washington turnpike road” wanted orders for its goods, and intending buyers should address Dantel Hack, or George Williams, at Bowty’s Wharf, Baltimore.

T.W. Hewett, trustee, would sell before the door of Brown’s Tavern, Piscataway, “the lands of William Dent Beall, called Independency, lying in Prince Georges and Charles Counties on both sides of Mattawoman Creek, containing 900 acres, devised to William Dent Beall by Richard Dent.”

This was an advertisement: “Washington Library. For the encouragement of literature the directors of his institution have reduced the price of shares from $16 (their real value) to $10 per share. Shares may be had at this reduced price at Mr. P. (Pishey) Thompson’s book store or at the library a few paces south of Pennsylvania avenue, opposite Carusi’s assembly room.”

This: “Notice of he dedication of the church recently built on Ninth street for the Fourth Presbyterian Society, Rev. J.N. Danforth, minister, Rev. Mr. Breckenridge of Baltimore is expected to preach the sermon.”

Another advertisement: “The sale of Mr. Jefferson’s Library will be continued this evening at 6 o’clock. Nathaniel P. Poor auctioneer.”

P. Mauro & Sons, Auctioneers, advertised that “The purchasers of furniture belonging to H. Clay, esq., are informed that we shall attend this morning to deliver the articles sold yesterday.”

Richard Smith advertises: “Being duly authorized by Commodore Porter, the subscriber offers Meridian Hill for sale.” The property is described as one mile north, of the President’s House, having a fine view of he city and containing 60 acres.

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In looking for the death announcement of Commodore Tingey, the Rambler read the following:

Walter Boteler, 64 years. Funeral from the residence of his son, Charles W. Boteler, D street, between Sixth and Seventh west.

At the residence of Mr. John Addison in Prince Georges County, suddenly, Mrs. Rebecca Hanson, in the seventy-ninth year of her age.

Mrs. Lewis, consort of Thomas S. Lewis, sergeant of Marines. Funeral from her home near Owner’s Wharf.

At the residence of his brother in St. Mary’s County, Md., George Washington Neale, in his thirty fifth year.

In Goochland County, Va., at the residence of Hon. James Pleasants, Marcellus Smith, late one of the editors of the Richmond Whig.

The Rambler found two marriage notices. There were:

Daniel Turner, a Representative in Congress from North Carolina, to Miss Anna, daughter of Francis S. (Scott) Key of Georgetown.

By the Rev. Mr. Claxton, Mr. Alerick M. Megregor to Miss Martha Potts, third daughter of Judge Key of Prince Georges County.

The Rambler picks from his letters this, which was received a few hours after the letter from James F. Duhamel, published last Sunday:

“At your request I am writing to correct a statement in your very interesting article on the Smallwood family, but not with the slightest degree of anger or indignation. No, indeed! You admitted you were only guessing and might be wrong. I am not any too well posted myself about this matter, but I do know this Woodyard was not the estate of the Sewells and is not on the road to Surratsville. But, as the children say, your guess was quite warm, for the Sewells married into the family that owned Woodyard. So it was very natural you associated them in your memory. Woodyard, on the way to Upper Marlboro, is only 4 miles from that village and is off the main road east about 2 miles. I was built by Col Henry Darnall in 1692, the same year Annapolis was made the capital of Maryland, Col Henry Darnall, being a State official, must have moved from his former home in St. Mary’s County to be more convenient to the new capital. Col. Henry’s grave is at the Woodyard. Woodyard adjoins another of Col. Henry’s estates, known in that day as ‘His Lordship’s Kindness,’ but afterward changed to Poplar Hill. It was at this beautiful place that the Sewells lived. They obtained it by marrying into the Darnall family. The Poplar Hill house was built about 1735 for Col. Henry’s grandson of great-grandson, also named Henry, who married the niece and ward of the Earl of Shrewsbury. Along the line a certain Robert Darnall, who had come into Poplar Hill and had no sons, left it to his sister’s son, Robert Darnall Sewell, his sister having married Col. Nicholas Sewell. Thus it was held for several generations by the Sewell family, until again there was no male heir and a daughter inherited it. She married into the Daingerfield family. It is still in possession of the Daingerfields.

“The Woodyard was not kept in the family like Poplar Hill, but was sold about 1761. I do not know who owned it at the time Gen. Smallwood visited there. Col. Richard West owned it in 1812 and for many years thereafter, but I think he did not buy it as early as 1761. Woodyard burned down about 40 years ago. A house was built out of the old bricks.

“Not long ago some one wrote an article in The Star stating that the old Brent estate out on the Brookville pike had originally been Col. Henry Darnall’s and that he named it Joseph Park. I can find no record of Col. Henry having owned that land or of any such estate as Joseph Park. Another man writing a history of Takoma Park stated that the tract including Takoma Park, known as Girls Portion, was granted to William Parks in 1689. The records at Annapolis show that Girls’ Portion was granted by Lord Baltimore to Col. Henry Darnall in 1681. Darnall held it until his death, when it went to his beloved son-in-law, Charles Carroll,’ 1711. So how the man William Parks gets into it at all I can’t see. Apologizing for the length of my letter and thanking you for many enjoyable articles.
     “Yours sincerely,
          “FLORENCE B. CULVER.”