Ship's Crew
John Anderson
Rank(s): Marine Private
Dates of Service: 9/10/1813 - 6/15/1815
Birth Date: 1789
Early Life
Anderson was born in Scotland in about 1789.
Early Experience
Anderson worked for many years as a coachman. He enlisted for five years as a private in the Marine Corps in New York on November 8, 1811.
In 1811, Anderson was 5 feet, 3 ½ inches tall and had grey eyes, fair complexion and black hair.
Anderson joined Constitution ’s crew on September 10, 1813 at Boston. He was transferred to the Marine barracks at the Charlestown Navy Yard on June 15, 1815.
Marine privates served as the shipboard police force and were, in effect, sea-going 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
Anderson was on board for the battle with HMS Cyane and Levant on February 20, 1815. He shared in the $20,000 awarded the crew for the capture of Cyane , and received $22.19 as his share for Levant .
Anderson was promoted to corporal on April 1, 1816. He still held that rank when he was discharged from the Marines on November 10, of the same year. His place and date of death are unknown.
Crew ID
90
