Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 5).djvu/49

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PINKNEY
PINTARD

intention of joining the patriots, who were fighting for the independence of their country. But the Mexican navy was full, anil while' waiting for a vacancy he became involved in a quarrel with a native, whom he killed in a duel and was obliged to flee the country. He returned to IJaltimoiv dis- appointed, discouraged, and almost crushed by sickness and ^nrrow. The year after his return from Mexico, Pinkney was appointed professor of rhetoric and belles-lettres in the University of Maryland. There was no salary attached to the post, lnil it was given to him in recognition of his brilliant scholarship. In December, 1827, he was chosen editor of the " Marylander," a political newspaper that had been established in the interest of John Qnincy Adams, at that time president of the United States. A few months after taking charge of the "Marylander" Pinkney 's health.' which had been declining gradually, failed, and by 1 April, 1838, he was on his death-bed. Another son. Frederick, b. at sea. 14 Oct., 1804 : d. 13 June, 1*7:1, was deputy attorney-general of Maryland, ami assistant editor of the "Marylander." and sub- sequently of the " Baltimore Patriot." During the civil war he published poems and songs that be- came popular. William's brother, Ninian, au- thor, b. in Baltimore, Md., in 177G; d. there. 16 Dec., 1825, entered the U. S. army as lieutenant of infantry in 1709, became captain in 1807, was major of the 5th infantry, and aide to Gen. James Wil- kinson in 1813, became lieutenant-colonel in 1814, and commanded the 5th regiment at Lyons' creek, for which service he was honorably mentioned in the report of the commanding officer. In 1820 he was promoted colonel. In 1807-'8 he made a tour of the south of France, an account of which he embodied in a book entitled " Travels in the South of France and in the Interior of the Prov- inces of Provence and Languedoc by a Route never before performed " (London, 1809). Leigh Hunt said of this book : " It set all the idle world to going to France to live on the charming banks of the Loire." Ninian's son, Ninian, surgeon, b. in Annapolis, Md.. 7 June. 1811 ; d. near Easton. Md.. 15 Dec., 1877. was graduated at St. John's college, Annapolis. Md., in 1829, and at Jefferson medical college in 1833. He entered the U. S. navy as as- sistant surgeon in 1834, became surgeon in 1841, was fleet surgeon of the Mississippi squadron in 1863-T>. and became medical director with the rank of commodore in 1871. He received the degree of LL. D. from St. John's college in 1873. Dr. Pink- ney delivered many addresses, including ' Home and Foreign Policy of the United States " before the house of delegates of Maryland (1855); one on the presentation of the American flag that was hoisted by Com. Matthew C. Perry in Japan (1853) : and an address before the societies of St. John's college (1873). William's nephew, William, P. E. bishop, b. in Annapolis, Md., 17 April, 1810; d. in Cockeysville, Mil. 4 July, 1883, was graduated at St. John's college. Annapolis, in 1827, prepared for the ministry, and was ordained deacon in Christ church. Cambridge, Md.. 12 April. 1835, by Bishop Stone, and priest in All Saints' church, Frederick, Md., 27 May, 1836, by the same bishop. For a brief period he was in charge of the parish in Somer- set. From that place he removed to Bladensburg. where he became rector of St. Matthias's church. Several years later he accepted the rectorship of the Church of the Ascension. Washington, D. C.. which he held when he was called to the episcopate. He received the degree of D. D. from St. John's college, in 1S.V>. and I hat of LL. D. from Columbian university, Washington, D. C., and from William and Mary in 1873. Dr. Pinkney was elected assist- ant bishop of Maryland, and was consecrated in the Church of the Epiphany, Washington, D. C., 6 Oct., 1S70. On the death of Bishop Whittinghain in October, 1879, he became bishop of the diocese, lie published a " Life" of his uncle, William Pink- ney (New York, 1853), and a " Memoir of John II. Alexander, LL. D.," which he read before the Mary- land historical society (Baltimore, 1867).


PINNEY, Norman, clergyman, b. in Simsbury, Conn., 21 Oct., 1800 ; d. in" New Orleans, La., "l ( let., 1862. He was graduated at Yale in 1823, and then studied for the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church under Bishop Thomas C. Brown- ell, by whom he was ordained. In 1824 he became tutor at Washington (now Trinity) college, and in 1826 he was made professor of ancient languages, which chair he then held for five years. He was called to the charge of a church in Mobile in 1831, but, becoming a Unitarian, he resigned, and in 1839 attempted to found a college in that city. This project failed on account of his inability to secure a satisfactory faculty. In 1852 he was asso- ciated with Joseph Rindge in establishing a large boys' school, which was cUlled the Collegiate insti- tute of Mobile. Mr. Pinney was a scholar of no mean ability. He contributed poetry to periodi- cals, and was the author of a series of text-books, including "First Book in French " (New York); " Key to the Same" ; " Progressive French Reader " ; and " Practical French Reader."


PINTARD, Lewis, merchant, b. in New York city, 12 Oct.. 1732 ; d. in Princeton. N. J.. 25 Maivh, 1818. He was descended from a French Protestant family that fled to this country on the revocation of the edict of Nantes. At the age of sixteen he succeeded his father in a large shipping and commission business with the East Indies and London. During the Revolutionary war he was agent for American prisoners, and administered the scanty funds that congress was able to supply toward mitigating the sufferings of the captives with fidelity and economy, for which he received the thanks of Gen. Washington. After the war lie was the chief importer of Madeira wine into the United States, and exporter of flaxseed to Ireland, but, owing to the failure of his consignee in Dublin, his cargoes were seized and bills drawn to the amount of 20,000 were sent back protested. He then engaged in the importation of sugar and molasses from the West Indies, which he carried on with much success until the interference with American vessels by British cruisers in 1812 led to his retirement. He withdrew to Princeton, N. J.. where he spent the latter part of his life. Mr. Pintard ranked as one of the great merchants of his time, and was one of the incorporators of the Chamber of commerce, which was established by George III. in 1770 and by the New York legislature in 1784. He married Susannah Stockton, sister of Richard Stockton, and was connected with many of the best families in this country. His nephew, John, philanthropist, b. in New York city, 18 May, 1759; d. there, 21 June, 1844. On the arrival of the British troops in New York city he left Princeton college and joined the patriot forces, but returned in time to receive his degree in 1776. Subsequently he served on several military expeditions and then became deputy commissary of American prisoners in New York under his uncle, Louis. In this capacity it was his duty to examine and relieve the wants of the prisoners, and he continued so engaged until 1781. After peace had been established he turned his attention to the shipping business, having inherited a large fortune from his mother, which he