Brief guide to manuscripts collections| William L. Clements Library The University of Michigan Oliver Hazard Perry Papers |
Oliver Hazard Perry, born in Rock Brook, R.I., was the oldest son of a distinguished naval officer, Christopher Raymond Perry (1761-1818). Oliver entered the navy at age 14, serving under his father in the West Indies and in the Tripolitan War. He became a lieutenant in 1807 and at the outbreak of the War of 1812 was given command of the naval force on Lake Erie. In March, 1813, he began building a fleet at his headquarters at Erie, Pennsylvania. Perry engaged the British fleet under the command of Robert H. Barclay on September 10, winning the battle decisively. The Battle of Lake Erie made Perry an instant hero, although he was soon involved in a controversy over the role played by Captain Jesse D. Elliot in the encounter. For the remainder of the war Perry worked closely with General Harrison, participating in the recovery of Detroit and in the battle of the Thames. From 1814 to 1817 he commanded the Java in the Mediterranean. Perry was sent on a diplomatic mission to Venezuela in 1819, and on the return voyage he died of yellow fever.
Papers of Oliver Hazard Perry, United States Navy officer, War of 1812 hero.
This collection contains approximately 200 items related to Perry's participation in the War of 1812. These include an order book, July 7-September 27, 1813, 44 pp., and a notebook with instructions for troop landing and the use of rocketry as well as copies of letters written from March to November, 1813, 58 pp. There are approximately 200 letters dealing with his Mediterranean duty and the Venezuelan mission, including a notebook with diary entries made during his last cruise, 39 pp. Fifty items concern his career before the War of 1812. A group of 35 letters, 1795-1800, relates to Christopher R. Perry. There are about 100 items concerning Perry's son Oliver Hazard Perry, Jr., and other members of the Perry family. the collection contains a considerable amount of genealogical material, financial accounts, and printed items dealing with Perry's career.
Purchased, 1966-1973
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