11 Facts About Silas Talbot

Captain Silas Talbot was an American military officer and slave trader.

Silas Talbot's performance proved outstanding, and by 1772 had saved up enough money to buy property on Weybosset Street in Providence, Rhode Island, and build a stone home, having learned the trade of stone masonry earlier in life.

However, since Congress had no suitable warship to entrust to him, Silas Talbot put to sea in command of the privateer General Washington.

Silas Talbot took one prize in it but soon ran into a Royal Navy fleet off New York.

Silas Talbot was not only an enslaver, but from 1783 onward, was the partial owner of two slave ships, the sloop Peggy and ninety-ton brigantine Industry.

Silas Talbot was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1792 and 1792 to 1793.

Silas Talbot commanded the US Navy squadron which operated off the French colony of Saint-Domingue from 1799 to 1800 and was commended by the Secretary of the Navy for protecting American commerce and for laying the foundation of permanent trade with the colony.

Silas Talbot was reportedly wounded 13 times and carried 5 bullets in his body.

Silas Talbot resigned from the Navy on September 21,1801, and died in New York City on June 30,1813.

Silas Talbot was buried in Trinity Churchyard in lower Manhattan.

Silas Talbot was an original member of the Rhode Island Society of the Cincinnati.