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Of all the historical tombstones in Mound Cemetery, none is stranger than that of Capt. Nathaniel Saltonstall. The Revolutionary War veteran's marker does not hype what he accomplished during his career so much as it makes it clear what he did not do.
The historical cemetery in the 300 block of Fifth Street is filled with patriots that had significant roles in the war before moving west in 1788 and later to form Marietta.
At the start of the war, Nathaniel Saltonstall was in command of Fort Trumbull in New London, Conn. Saltonstall was then captain of privateer ships for Connecticut, serving aboard the General Putnam, he also led soldiers during the battle of Groton Heights.
All indications are that he did an honorable job serving his young country.
Like many, he later moved west to begin a new life in the Ohio country. Coming to Marietta after the first few waves of people, he likely caught a ride on a flatboat like so many that came before and after him.
He died in Marietta in 1807 and was buried alongside other veterans in Mound Cemetery. Thursday we celebrate the efforts of those who fought to establish our country.
His grave marker attempts to set the record straight on something that must have been bugging him for a quarter of a century.
There is another Saltonstall that served in the Revolutionary War for Connecticut and his naval career ended in disaster. How bad? Really, really bad. The Penobscot Expedition in 1779 suffered the worst American naval defeat the young country had ever had.
In fact, it would not be until the attack on Pearl Harbor 162 years later that country would suffer through a worse attack, and the blame fell squarely on Commodore Dudley Saltonstall who commanded the naval portion of the efforts to drive the British from Penobscot Bay in Maine.
Saltonstall failed to attack the British as the two sides jockeyed around Penobscot Bay and then allowed the American fleet to be driven up the Penobscot River. The sailors and their ships were trapped. Many of the ships were burned to prevent captures. The sailors retreated overland to Boston. Saltonstall was kicked out of the navy for his lack of effort. He died in the West Indies in 1796 while working in the slave trade.
Dudley was first cousin with Nathaniel. Their great grandfather was Judge Nathaniel Saltonstall, who became somewhat famous because he had resigned from the Salem Witch Trial cases.
Our Saltonstall, likely hearing things like "were you that guy that lost all those ships?" for years assured us that the mistake would not be made for the rest of eternity.
Etched in stone on the large flat marker of his grave in Marietta reads.
In memory of Capt. Nathan Saltanstall
1727-1807
Was first Commandant of Fort Trumble. During the Revolution He commanded the Warren Frigate and ship Putnam; but was not Commodore of the fleet burned at Penobscot.
Casting in stone the fact that it wasn't him that let his country down in 1799. His name is spelled incorrectly on the stone, perhaps to further distance himself from the naval battle that he was never a part of.
Art Smith is online manager of The Times, He can be reached asmith@mariettatimes.com