Commodore John Barry
Commodore John Barry monument on the Boston Commons
In the Boston Commons is a commemorated plaque of Commodore John Barry. It lists all the accomplishments that he did to help win the American Revolution.
John Barry was an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and later in the United States Navy. He has been credited as being "The Father of the American Navy" and was appointed a captain in the Continental Navy on December 7, 1775.
Interesting Facts about John Barry and the Memorial.
- John Barry was born on March 25, 1745 and Died on September 13, 1803.
- The tablet was commissioned in 1949 by Boston's Mayor James Michael Curley. The Mayor felt bad that there wasn't a memorial to John Barry - he wanted Bostonians to remember John Barry. The tablet was placed on the Boston Commons on October 16, 1949.
- On April 5, 1975, the tablet was stolen allegedly by some college students. It was mysteriously returned a few years later. The original tablet is now hanging in the USS Constitution Museum at the Charlestown Navy Yard.
- The original tablet was done by John Francis Paramino - who also did the Founders Memorial and the Declaration of Independence memorial and the John Endicott Resident Plaque among many others around the City of Boston.
- The Henderson Foundation funded the granite reproduction in 1977.
- President Kennedy displayed John Berry sword in the Oval Office - he admired John Barry. The sword is now in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
- Four United States Navy ships have been named in honor of him.
- John Barry is buried in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Text of the Memorial
Father of the American Navy Commodore John Barry Borm in Wexford Ireland 1745 Died in Philadelphia 1803 Received First Commission From the Continental Congress To Command the Lexington 1775 Sailed from Boston on the Raleigh 1778 Acclaimed in Boston in 1780 For Victories on the Alliance Appointed in 1794 By President Washington To Plan the Construction of And Later to be in Command Of First U.S. Navy Launched 1798 Erected by the City of Boston James M Curley Mayor 1949 Tablet restored by the George B. Henderson Foundation, 1976
Located
The Tablet is located on the Boston Commons on Tremont Street near Template Place.