Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Capt. Denis N. Cottineau
(1745-1808)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 2008
1. Capt. Denis N. Cottineau (1745-1808) Marker
Cottineau later settled in the French West Indies. During the slave insurrection in San Domingo he fled to Pennsylvania where he joined several fellow French refugees in establishing a colony. Suffering from a “lingering illness,” he came to Savannah early in 1808. Capt. Cottineau died here, Nov. 29 of that year, at the residence of Abbé Carles. Cottineau’s widow was the sister of the Marquis de Montalet who once owned the Hermitage plantation near Savannah.
In 1928 Ambassador Paul Claudel of France knelt in homage here at the grave of the gallant Frenchman who helped establish the prestige of the infant American Navy.
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 23, 1850.
Location. 32° 4.506′ N, 81° 5.455′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. Marker is on Abercorn Street, on the right when traveling north. Located along the west fence within the Colonial Park Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Captain Denis Cottineau de Kerloguen (here, next to this marker); Col. James S. McIntosh (1784-1847) (within shouting distance of this marker); General Lachlan McIntosh (1727-1806) (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward Greene Malbone (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Clay, Patriot (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Vallence Bevan (within shouting distance of this marker); James Johnston (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonial Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Related marker.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, November 23, 2008
2. Capt. Denis N. Cottineau (1745-1808) Marker,seen along Abercorn St. in Savannah
Also see . . .
1. American Geographers, 1784-1812:. He commanded the "Pallas" (Submitted on February 12, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. A History of the United States Navy, from 1775 to 1898. The "Pellas" (Submitted on February 12, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
3. Battle of Flamborough Head. Jones immediately wrote a report to his own government master, Benjamin Franklin, one notable feature of which was, inevitably, the conduct of Captain Landais (of the "Alliance", Continental Navy). Furious though he was, he wrote "I forbear to take any steps With him until I have the advice and approbation of your Excellency". Captain Cottineau, on the other hand, placed himself under no such obligation, and called Landais a coward to his face. As a result, he was challenged to a duel, in which Landais once again demonstrated his superior military skill by running his sword through Cottineau’s chest, just missing the heart. (Submitted on February 12, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
3. Capt. Denis N. Cottineau (1745-1808) Marker, in Colonial Park Cemetery, Savannah
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2008
4. A separate Memorial Next to the Marker
In Honor and Grateful Memory of
Captain Denis Cottineau De Kerloguen
who was born in Nantes, France and died in Savannah Ga.,November 20, 1808, aged 63 Years. In the war for American Independence he fought with John Paul Jones in the famous battle between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis, on September 23, 1779, in which he commanded the Pallas, a ship of war of the
United States, and rendered noble service to the American cause.
For his part in this engagement he was praised by Capt. Jones and by Benjamin Franklin, and was decorated with the Cross of St. Louis by the French Government.
He was a member of The Society Of The Cincinnati in the
state of Georgia.
Erected on the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis By the City of Savannah and Patriotic Societies.
Erected on the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis By the City of Savannah and Patriotic Societies.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 2008
5. At The Main Gate to Colonial Park Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,161 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 12, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 30, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on February 12, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
