Ship's Crew
Jeremiah Coney
Rank(s): Marine Private
Dates of Service: -
Birth Date: 1791
Death Date: 8/25/1858
Early Life
Jeremiah Coney was born around either 1782 or 1791 in Sharon, MA.
Early Experience
Jeremiah Coney enlisted for five years as a private in the Marine Corps at Boston on October 12, 1812. He was stationed at the Marine Barracks at the Charlestown Navy Yard until October 17, 1812, when he was transferred to USS Constitution.
Coney was transferred to Constitution’s crew as a private on October 17, 1812. He detached from the ship on February 25, 1813. He was transferred to Constitution once again on August 13, 1813. Coney was finally detached from the ship on July 28, 1815.
Marine privates served as the shipboard police force and were, in effect, seagoing soldiers. They used the same manual of arms as the army and trained in much the same way. Unlike the army, marines had to be familiar with naval work and warfare. Marines could not be ordered aloft to do the work of the seamen there, but they could expect to man the capstan or serve as gun crews on the gun deck. Marines stood watch as sentries at sensitive parts of the ship, to see that no unauthorized people passed into those spaces (such as the captain’s cabin or the spirit room). In battle, marines armed with muskets or rifles took up station along the gangway or in the tops to keep up a constant fire on the enemy’s decks. The marine private received $6.00-$8.00 per month.
Battles and Engagements
He participated in a war cruise capturing a small British man-of-war and three merchantmen, and in the later victories over HMS Cyane and HMS Levant on February 20, 1815. He received $22.19 in prize money.
Coney remained in the Marine Corps until October 29, 1817, when he was discharged at Charlestown. He died on August 25, 1858 in North Reading.
Crew ID
2270
