534. Commodore Thomas Scott⁸ Fillebrown Jr. (Thomas⁷, Hon. Thomas⁶, John⁵, John⁴, Thomas³, Humpfrey² Phillibrowne, Robert¹ ffilebrowne)⁽⁶¹⁸⁸⁾ was born in Washington, District of Columbia August 13, 1824.⁽⁶¹⁸⁹⁾ He was born at the family home in Georgetown on G Street between 21st and 22nd. Thomas died September 27, 1884 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, at 60 years of age.⁽⁶¹⁹⁰⁾ He "....died at the headquarters residence in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, age 60 years. Though he had long been a sufferer from a rheumatic affection of the heart, his death was wholly unexpected, and it was not until the flag on the staff in front of the official residence was stopped at half-mast at sunrise yesterday morning that attaches of the yard were appraised of the event." "Commodore Fillebrown had been even in better spirits than usual on Friday. He visited this city in the afternoon. Returning home, he ate a hearty dinner, entertained several callers early in the evening, and at 10 o'clock retired for the night. At 11 o'clock he was seized with an acute attack of his old heart trouble. Medical Inspector Spear was at once summoned and was able to give the sufferer temporary relief. The spasms returned, however, and at 2 o'clock yesterday morning the Commodore was dead. He had spent over 40 years in the service of his country, and no man in the navy, say naval officers, was held in higher esteem. 'He died,', said one of his brother officers yesterday, 'without leaving an enemy in the world - in the service or out'. It is a question if as much could be said of any other naval officer." "Had he lived two years longer he would have retired as Rear-Admiral. His body was interred circa October 1884 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶¹⁹¹⁾ Burial was at the Oak Hill Cemetery plot: Reno Hill, Lot 823, Georgetown.

Thomas married Mary Eliza Potts November 5, 1856.⁽⁶¹⁹²⁾ Mary was born August 24, 1826 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶¹⁹³⁾ Mary⁽⁶¹⁹⁴⁾ was the daughter of Samuel Potts and Mary Ann Ross. Mary died February 25, 1887 at 60 years of age.⁽⁶¹⁹⁵⁾ Her body was interred February 1887 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶¹⁹⁶⁾ Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery plot: Reno Hill, Lot 823, Georgetown.

Mary, Samuel Potts's child, resided with Samuel in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶¹⁹⁷⁾ When Mary was age 32 and Commodore Thomas Scott Fillebrown Jr. was age 34 they became the parents of John Potts Fillebrown September 23, 1858 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶¹⁹⁸⁾ When Mary was age 34 and Commodore Thomas Scott Fillebrown Jr. was age 36 they became the parents of Andrew Ross Fillebrown March 13, 1861 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶¹⁹⁹⁾ Mary was listed as Commodore Thomas Scott Fillebrown Jr.'s wife on the 1880 Census in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²⁰⁰⁾

Thomas, Thomas Fillebrown's child, resided with Thomas in Washington, District of Columbia circa 1825.⁽⁶²⁰¹⁾ The house located on G Street between 21st and 22nd.

Thomas, Thomas Fillebrown's child, resided with Thomas in Washington, District of Columbia circa 1829.⁽⁶²⁰²⁾ The house located on G Street between 21st and 22nd. The first child Maria had died in 1823 and the 3rd and 4th children, Sumner and William, died during 1829.

Thomas, Thomas Fillebrown's child, resided with Thomas in Washington, District of Columbia circa 1836.⁽⁶²⁰³⁾ The house located on G Street between 21st and 22nd. All of the children had been born in this house.

He was inducted into the U.S. Navy for military service October 19, 1841 in Maine.⁽⁶²⁰⁴⁾ "He was appointed to the Navy from Maine. For the next four years he was attached to the frigate Congress of the Mediterranean Squadron as midshipman. He was then transferred to the steam frigate Mississippi."

Thomas reported for active duty circa 1845 in Gulf Coast of America.⁽⁶²⁰⁵⁾ He was in the United States Navy. While attached to the steam frigate Mississippi of the home squadron he was "....present in all naval operations on the Gulf Coast during the Mexican war. In 1847 he returned to the Naval Academy.

He was promoted August 10, 1847 in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.⁽⁶²⁰⁶⁾ He was promoted to Passed Midshipman in the United States Navy.

Thomas reported for active duty circa 1849/51. He was in the United States Navy. "He was with the frigate St. Lawrence of the North Europe and Mediterranean squadron."

Thomas reported for active duty circa 1851 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²⁰⁷⁾ He was in the United States Navy and was stationed at the Naval Observatory.

Thomas reported for active duty circa 1852.⁽⁶²⁰⁸⁾ He was with the storeship Lexington of the Pacific Squadron.

Thomas reported for active duty circa 1853/56.⁽⁶²⁰⁹⁾ He accompanied the sloop Vincennes of the North Pacific expedition.

He was promoted September 14, 1855.⁽⁶²¹⁰⁾ He was promoted to Master and the next day he received his commission as Lieutenant the United States Navy.

He reported for active duty circa 1857/58 as a rank unknown in branch unknown in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²¹¹⁾ "He was at the Naval Observatory again."

When Thomas was age 34 and Mary Eliza Potts was age 32 they became the parents of John Potts Fillebrown September 23, 1858 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²¹²⁾ He reported for active duty circa 1859.⁽⁶²¹³⁾ He was on the steamer Release of the Brazil squadron and Paraguay expedition.

When Thomas was age 36 and Mary Eliza Potts was age 34 they became the parents of Andrew Ross Fillebrown March 13, 1861 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²¹⁴⁾ Thomas served in the military March 20, 1861 in Virginia.⁽⁶²¹⁵⁾ The "U.S. S. Anacostia, Lieutenant Thomas S. Fillebrown, was ordered to patrol off Kettle Bottom Shoals, Virginia, to prevent the obstruction 'of the channel at that point; the crew was augmented by 20 Marines from the Washington Navy Yard"

He reported for active duty circa 1860/61 as a rank unknown in branch unknown.⁽⁶²¹⁶⁾ "He commanded the steamer Anacostia on special service."

He reported for active duty circa 1861.⁽⁶²¹⁷⁾ "At the outbreak of the war he was attached to the steam frigate Roanoke off the Atlantic coast."

He reported for active duty circa 1862 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.⁽⁶²¹⁸⁾ "He was assigned to duty at the Brooklyn Navy Yard."

Thomas was promoted July 16, 1862.⁽⁶²¹⁹⁾ He was made Lieutenant-Commander the United States Navy.

He reported for active duty circa 1863.⁽⁶²²⁰⁾ "He took command of the steam gunboat Chenango. He was well down New York Harbor with his boat when her boiler exploded, 4 officers and 30 men being lost by the disaster."

Thomas reported for active duty May 1864.⁽⁶²²¹⁾ "He was in command of the ironclad Passaic in her operations against Fort Sumter."

Thomas reported for active duty July 1864 in Stone River, unknown County, South Carolina.⁽⁶²²²⁾ "He was in command of the (iron-clad) Montauk operating against Battery Pringle."

He reported for active duty circa 1864/65.⁽⁶²²³⁾ He was in the U.S. Navy. "He was sent in command of the steamer Sonomo of the South Atlantic blockading squadron."

He served as an officer in the military January 1, 1865 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²²⁴⁾ He was a Lieutenant Commander at the time commanding the Passaic as a part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, U.S. Navy.

Thomas reported for active duty February 5, 1865 in South Carolina.⁽⁶²²⁵⁾ "He was in the engagement with rebel batteries in Tagoda River." The web site www.trackpads.com reported that the "U.S.S. Pawnee, Commander George B. Balch, U.S.S. Sonoma, Lieutenant Commander Thomas S. Fillebrown, and U.S.S. Daffodil, Acting Master William H. Mallard, engaged Confederate batteries on Togodo Creek, near the North Edisto River, South Carolina. Pawnee took ten hits and the other ships two each, but the naval bombardment successfully silenced the Southern emplacements. The action was one of several attacks along the coast that helped to clear the way and keep the South's defenses disrupted while General Sherman's army advanced northward. With assurance of aid from the sea when needed, Sherman could travel light and fast. On this date he was matching toward Orangeburg, on the north side of the Edisto River, and would capture it on the 12th"

Thomas reported for active duty circa 1866 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²²⁶⁾ "He returned to the Naval Observatory having done meritorious service on each of the many vessels on which he served during the war."

Thomas was promoted July 25, 1866.⁽⁶²²⁷⁾ He was commissioned Commander the United States Navy.

Thomas reported for active duty circa 1867/68 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²²⁸⁾ He "....was attached to the Hydrographic Office."

Thomas reported for active duty circa 1869.⁽⁶²²⁹⁾ "He commanded the steam sloop Narragansett of the North Atlantic squadron."

He reported for active duty circa 1870/72 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²³⁰⁾ "He was Chief of the Bureau of Equipment."

He reported for active duty circa 1873.⁽⁶²³¹⁾ "He commanded the Shenandoah."

Thomas was promoted January 6, 1874.⁽⁶²³²⁾ He was made Captain the United States Navy.

He reported for active duty circa 1874/76.⁽⁶²³³⁾ "He was executive officer of the Norfolk Navy Yard."

He reported for active duty circa 1877.⁽⁶²³⁴⁾ "He was in command of the Powhatan.'

He reported for active duty after 1877 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²³⁵⁾ "He was given charge of the rebellion records of the Navy."

Thomas was listed as the head of a family on the 1880 Census in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²³⁶⁾ Thomas was promoted May 11, 1883.⁽⁶²³⁷⁾ He was made Commodore the United States Navy.

Thomas reported for active duty before 1884 in Washington, District of Columbia.⁽⁶²³⁸⁾ "He was serving as President of the Board of Examiners."

He reported for active duty March 1884 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.⁽⁶²³⁹⁾ As a Commodore in the United States Navy he took charge of the Brooklyn Navy Yard on this date. He helkd thew post until his death.

This is a bit of history.⁽⁶²⁴⁰⁾ Commodore Fillebrown left a chronological memorandum of his naval service: "Oct. 19th 1841 appointed an acting midshipman in the Navy from the State of Maine, and on Nov. 2d, same year, was ordered to the U.S. Receiving Ship Columbus at the Boston Navy Yard, and when the Columbus was ordered to be prepared for sea service, was transferred to the U.S. Line of Battleship, Ohio, remaining attached to her until April 2, 1842, when ordered to the Frigate Congress at Portsmouth preparing for service in the Mediterranean. Remained attached to her until March 14, 1845, having passed the last sixteen months of the cruise on the Brazil Station. During this cruise was warranted midshipman. MArch 14th 1845 detached from the Congress and granted three months leave. May 22, 1845 ordered to the U.S.S. Mississippi, on the Home Squadron, remaining on that station during the whole Mexican War, serving as Aide to Commodore Perry, and was present at all of the operations of the Navy on the Mexican coast, serving some time in the sloop of War Germantown, and Stm. Ship Fredonia, in which latter vessel returned too the United States under orders to the Naval School (Nov. 13th 1847). July 27th, 1848 detached from the Naval School and ordered to the Frigate St. Lawrence fitting for a cruise in the North of Europe. Sept. was warranted as Passed Midshipman dating from August 10, 1847. Nov. 8th 1850 detached from the St. Lawrence, at New York, with three months leave. Nov. 18th 1850 ordered to the Observatory. July 24th, 1851 detached from the Observatory and ordered to the Stm. Ship Lexington, bound to the Pacific and California. Sept. 22d 1852 detached from the Lexington and waiting orders. Oct. 2d, 1852 ordered to the Observatory. Dec. 18th 1852 detached from the Observatory and appointed Acting Master and to duty as Lieutenant on board the U.S.S. Vincennes, one of the vessels belonging to the North Pacific and the Behring Strait Exploring Expedition, where remained until July 14th 1856, when detached from Vincennes with three months leave. Oct. 23, 1855 warranted as Master, and on Oct. 25, 1855 commissioned as Lieutenant from the 15th of September 1855. Aug. 15th 1856 ordered to the Observatory. Jan. 11th 1858 detached from the Observatory and ordered to the U.S.S. Release carrying stores to the Mediterranean, Coast of Africa, and as part of the Expedition to Paraguay. June 22, 1859 detached form the Release with three months leave. July 9th 1859 ordered to command the 'Anacostia' where remained until May 20th 1861, when ordered to the Roanoke, where remained until Mar. 24th when detached and ordered as first Lieutenant of the New York Navy Yard. Aug. 5th 1862 promoted to Lieut. Commander from July 16th 1862. Sept. 18th 1863 ordered to be ready for sea. Nov. 11th 1863 detached from the Navy Yard, New York and wait orders. Nov. 13th 1863 ordered to command the Chemango. Apr. 18th, 1864 detached from the Chemango and wait orders. April 22d 1864 ordered to command the Monitor Passaic as Charleston S.C. where remained on blockade duty --- temporarily commanding the Monitors Montauk and Sangamon and the double ender Sonoma, from the latter detached at the New York Navy Yard, June 14th and wait orders. June 22d 1865 ordered to the Observatory. July 30th, 1866 detached from Observatory and ordered to charge of the Hydrographic Office. July 25th 1866 promoted to Commander. Dec. 19th 1868 ordered to command the Narragansett, North Atlantic Squadron. July 13, 1869 detached from Narranansett and wait orders. July 13th 1869 ordered as member of the Board of Examiners. Sept. 8th 1870 detached from the Board of Examiners and ordered to duty in the Bureau of Equipment, while attached thereto was appointed by the President Acting Chief of the Bureau of Equipment. Sept 5th 1872 detached from Bureau of Equipment and ordered to command the Wachusett on Mediterranean, and was transferred to the command of the Shenandoah. Jan. 6th 1874 commissioned as Captain. April 13th 1874 detached from the Shenandoah and waiting orders. April 28th 1874 ordered as Executive of the Navy Yard Norfolk. March 1st 1876 detached from Navy Yard Norfolk and ordered to command the U.S.S. Powhatan; Aug. 11th, detached from the Powhatan and wait orders. Oct. 9th 1876 ordered to temporary duty at the Navy Yard Norfolk. Jan. 5th 1877 detached and waiting orders. Mar. 20th 1877 ordered to command the U.S.S. Powhatan. Sept. 10th 1879 detached and waiting orders. Jan. 5th 1880 ordered to special duty at the Navy Department, compiling the records of the Dept. with a view of publishing a History of the Navy during the War. Jan. 1st 1882. 3 years and 3 mos. sea service as Captain; total sea service 23 years and one month, 15 years, 10 mos. shore duty; one year and three months unemployed on a service of 40 years and 2 months."

His funeral was held September 29, 1884 at the Brooklyn Naval Yard in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.⁽⁶²⁴¹⁾ The funeral took "....place, with naval honors, ...at 10 A.M." The Marine Battalion received the remains and acted as escort as they moved down Main street to the dock. There they were placed on the steamer Catalpa for transportation to Jersey City. They went on to Washington via the Pennsylvania Road. The remains were placed in a vault at Oak Hill Cemetery, Georgetown, until the service there. The religious service at the Naval Yard was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Hall of Trinity Church, Brooklyn.

Commodore Thomas Scott Fillebrown Jr. and Mary Eliza Potts had the following children:

+ 966 i. John Potts⁹ Fillebrown was born September 23, 1858.

+ 967 ii. Andrew Ross Fillebrown was born March 13, 1861.

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