Roster of the U.S.S. Ceres
The following ship roster is provided by the Civil War Plymouth Pilgrims Descendants Society. We are interested in obtaining copies of any records, photos, diaries or letters pertaining to these Sailors. We are also interested in receiving family information and grave location. Also of interest would be ship information, photos or drawings. Additions, changes or comments to this roster are welcome. Please respond to Edward Boots.
Sailors are listed by Name - Rank - Race (If other than White) - Service History
BELL, Felix - Landsman.
BRENNAN, Michael - Landsman.
CARMACK, John - Landsman - Mulatto - Born in Baltimore, MD. Enlisted 2 Feb `64 at Baltimore, MD; a 20 year old Waiter. Later was assigned to the USS Kineo.
CONNER, James - Coal Heaver.
DEAN, George A - Acting Third Assistant Engineer. Rated Acting Third Assistant Engineer on 6 Jan 1864. Wounded and captured 19 April 1864 at Plymouth, NC. Sent to Andersonville, GA. Released. Resigned 29 March 1865. Living in Baltimore, MD in 1890.
DENNETT, Robert O. - 2nd Assistant Engineer. Born about 1830 in New Hampshire, the son of Nathaniel & Catherine Dennett. Enlisted from Portsmouth, Rockingham Co., NH. Rated Acting 3d Assistant Engineer on 17 Dec `62 and Acting 2nd Assistant Engineer on 1 Feb `64. Appointment to 2nd Assistant Engineer revoked 10 Oct `64 due to illness. Assigned to the USS Delaware in 1864.
DONNELLY, Peter - Landsman.
DUBBS, Abraham - Landsman.
FLYNN, John J. - Landsman. Born Jan 1845 in Maine. Wounded during an engagement with 7 batteries on the Roanoke River, NC. A shell struck the Ceres and took his right arm off and part of his left. Taken to the hospital at Plymouth, NC. Captured 20 April 1864 at Plymouth. Held captive at a jail in Raleigh, NC and then Augusta & Andersonville. Exchanged via Libby Prison, under guard, then to Washington for discharge. Harbor Master at Bangor, ME & member of Beale Post GAR. Died 1 Dec 1920 in Bangor, Penobscot Co., ME.
FOSTER, Henry H. - Acting Master. Born in New York. Rated Acting Master's Mate 6 March `62 and Acting Master 8 May `62. Assigned as the commanding officer of the Ceres in 1864. Honorably discharged 4 Nov `65.
FOSTER or FOWLER, Richard - 3d Assistant Engineer.
FRANK, John A. - 3d Assistant Engineer. Born in Virginia. Enlisted from Maryland. Rated Acting 3d Assistant Engineer 24 Nov `63. Honorably discharged 26 July `65. Re-entered the Navy as Acting 3d Assistant Engineer 24 March 1866. Assigned to the USS Miantonomoh with the European Squadron in 1867. Also listed as FRANKS.
GALLAGHER, Edward - Quarter Master
GIDDINGS, Edward - Landsman - Black - Born in Baltimore, MD. Enlisted 18 Jan `64 at Baltimore, MD; a 24 year old Waiter.
HAND, Alexander - Quartermaster. Naval Medal of Honor. Born 1836 in New Castle Co., Delaware, the son of Alexander & Rebecca Hand. Assigned to the Ceres on 1 Sept `61. Served on board the U.S.S. Ceres in the fight near Hamilton, Roanoke River, NC on 9 July 1862. Fired on by the enemy with small arms. He courageously returned the raking enemy fire and was spoken of for "good conduct and cool bravery under enemy fire," by the commanding officer.
HARTY, Patrick - Landsman.
HILL, Robert - 2nd Class Boy - Black - Born in Bertie Co., NC. Enlisted 1 Feb `63 at Plymouth, NC; a 19 year old Slave. Served on the Commodore Perry until transferred to the Southfield. Transferred to the Ceres after the sinking of the Southfield. Deserted 1 July `64.
HITCHENS, William - Landsman - Mulatto - Born in Baltimore, MD. Enlisted 2 Feb `64 at Baltimore, MD; a 20 year old Waiter.
HOPKINS, James B. or R. - Acting Master's Mate. Born in Massachusetts. Rated Acting Master's Mate 22 or 28 Jan `63. Honorably discharged 26 Oct `65.
JAMES, William - Landsman.
JONES, Isaiah - Landsman - Mulatto - Born in Baltimore, MD. Enlisted 7 Feb `64 at Baltimore, MD; a 36 year old Cook & Waiter.
KEATING, James - Coal Heaver.
KELLEY, John - Second Class Fireman. Naval Medal of Honor. Born in Ireland. Served as second class fireman on board the Ceres in the fight near Hamilton, Roanoke River, NC on 9 July 1862. When his ship was fired on by the enemy with small arms, Kelley returned the raking fire, courageously carrying out his duties through the engagement and was spoken of for "good conduct and cool bravery under enemy fires," by the commanding officer.
KOONTZ, William - 2nd Class Fireman.
LYNN, Robert - Coal Heaver.
McCOY, Francis - Coal Heaver.
MULLEN, Thomas - Landsman.
MYERS, George R. - 2nd Class Fireman.
O'BRIEN, Thomas - Landsman.
PASCALL, Samuel - Landsman - Mulatto - Born in Baltimore, MD. Enlisted 25 Jan `64 in Baltimore, MD; a 34 year old Cook & Waiter. Killed 17 April 1864 at Plymouth, NC.
PETERSON, John - Seaman.
POPE, Austin - Landsman.
POWERS, George - Seaman.
REED, Wallace W. - Acting Master's Mate. Rated Acting Master's Mate 10 Sep `61. Resigned 9 Nov `64 due to illness.
ROSE, William - 1st Class Fireman - Killed 17 April 1864 at Plymouth, NC.
RUSSELL, T. S. - Acting Ensign.
SCHAPPART, Jacob - Coal Heaver.
SHARKS, Joshua - Landsman.
SHEA, Columbus - 1st Class Boy. Born about 1846 in Maryland. Also served on the Allegheny. Enlisted 24 Nov `63. Mustered out 11 June `65. Living in Dunbar, Fayette Co., PA in 1890.
SHERWOOD, John R. - Officer - Wounded at Plymouth and sent to hospital.
SMITH, Peter - Seaman.
SMITH, Thomas - Landsman.
SOMERS, John - Seaman.
TENNIHAN, James Patrick - Landsman. He was born in Ireland around 1842 and lived in South Boston, MA. Served on the Ceres in 1861. Married Bridget L. O`Connor in 1866 and they had 7 children. He died in 1880. Bob Tennihan
TOUCHTON, William H. - 3d Assistant Engineer. Born in Maryland. Rated Acting 3d Assistant Engineer 31 March `64. Honorably discharged 9 Jan 1866. Re-entered the Navy on 9 Oct 1866 as Acting 3d Assistant Engineer. Assigned to the USS Daffodil on the North Atlantic Squadron in 1867. Mustered out 28 April 1869.
WESKETT, Samuel - Acting Ensign.
WILSON, Peter - Carpenter's Mate.
WOOD, John - Landsman.
WOODHULL, Byron Joseph - Pay Steward. Born 4 April 1841 in Pultneyville, Wayne Co., NY, the son of Ezra R. & Elizabeth (Waters) Woodhull. Enlisted 10 Feb `64. Mustered out 15 Feb `65. Married Louise Stanford. Died 30 Oct 1911 in Pultneyville, Wayne Co., NY.