Stephen Decatur, Sr.

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For other persons named Stephen Decatur, see Stephen Decatur (disambiguation).

Stephen Decatur, Sr. (June 1752 - 11 November 1808) was an American naval captain in the Revolutionary War and later in the Quasi-War. He was the father of Stephen Decatur, Jr. During the Revolution he commanded the Royal Lewis and the Fair American.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Decatur was a merchant captain before the Revolution. He married Ann Pine; in addition to their famous son, they had two children, John Decatur and Ann Decatur McKnight.

In 1800, Decatur commissioned Philadelphia, the very vessel that his son later burned.

He died in 1808, probably in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he is interred next to his famous son at St. Peter's Church.

A crewman aboard the 'Royal Lewis was James Forten.