Lieutenant John Thomas Newton

I represent John Thomas Newton. I held the rank of Lieutenant aboard the U.S. Sloop of War HORNET. I received my commission on July 4, 1813, and reported for duty onboard on June 7, 1820. Not only did the HORNET participate in the changing of the flag ceremony on July 17, 1821, gaily decked out in Pensacola Bay for the festivities, we brought James G. Forbes from Havana to Pensacola with the official orders from the Captain General of Cuba authorizing the transfer. We were also one of the vessels that evacuated Spanish officers and citizens who were leaving Pensacola when it became American.