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Reid, Samuel Chester 1783-1861

Naval officer; born in Norwich, Conn., August 25, 1783; went to sea when only eleven years of age, and was captured by a French privateer and kept a prisoner six months. Acting midshipman under Commodore Truxtun, he became enamoured of the naval service, and when the War of 1812-15 broke out he began privateering. He comhanded the General Armstrong in 1814, and with her fought one of the most remarkable of recorded battles, at Fayal (see General Armstrong, the). Captain Reid was appointed sailing-master in the navy, and held that office till his death. He was also warden of the port of New York. Captain Reid was the inventor of the signal telegraph that communicated with Sandy Hook from the Narrows, and it was he who designed the present form of the United States flag. He died in New York City, Jan. 28, 1861.

Harper and Brothers Publishers. . New York. 1902.

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