and a memoir by Bishop Doane (1856), and “Life of Bishop Wainwright,” by Rev. John N. Norton (1858). After his death a church was erected to his memory in New York city. — His son, Jonathan Mayhew, naval officer, b. in New York city, 27 July, 1821; d. near Galveston, Tex., 1 Jan., 1863, entered the navy as a midshipman, 30 June, 1837, attended the naval school at Philadelphia in 1842-'3, and became a passed midshipman, 29 June, 1843. He was appointed acting master, 10 Nov., 1849, and commissioned lieutenant, 17 Sept., 1850. He was on special duty at Washington in 1861, and commanded the steamer “Harriet Lane,” which was Admiral Porter's flag-ship in Parragut's fleet during the engagements with Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip and the capture of New Orleans in April, 1862. He took part in the operations of the fleet below Vicksburg, and in October, 1862, commanded the “Harriet Lane” in Commander Renshaw's squadron at the capture of Galveston. While he was holding possession of Galveston, Gen. Magruder attacked the “Harriet Lane,” then lying above the city. Wainwright was killed while gallantly leading his men to repel the Confederate boarders, and in ten minutes after half the crew of the “Harriet Lane” were shot down and the vessel was captured by the Confederates. — The second Jonathan Mayhew's son, Jonathan Mayhew, naval officer, b. in New York city, 29 Jan., 1849; d. at sea, 19 June, 1870, was graduated at the U. S. naval academy in 1867, was promoted to master, 21 March, 1870, and while serving in the “Mohican” he had command of the boat expedition to cut out the pirate steamer “Forward,” which was operating on the coast of Mexico, manned by a crew of filibusters. The “Forward ” was lying alongside of the beach in the lagoon at San Bias when Wainwright attacked and attempted to capture the ship by boarding. The pirates fired on the boat's crew, and shot Wainwright. The crew burned the steamer, and Wainwright was carried on board ship, where he died the next day. The second Jonathan's daughter, Marie, now Mrs. Louis James, has attained some reputation as an actress.
WAINWRIGHT, Richard, naval officer, b. in
Charlestown, Mass., 5 Jan., 1817; d. near New
Orleans, 10 Aug., 1862. He entered the navy as a
midshipman, 11 May, 1831, attended the naval
school at Norfolk in 1837-'8, and became a passed
midshipman, 15 June, 1837. In 1838-'41 he served
on the coast survey in the brig “Consort.” He
was commissioned lieutenant, 8 Sept., 1841,
commanded the steamer “Water-Witch” on the home
station in 1848-'9, served again on coast survey in
1851-'7, and cruised in the steam frigate “Merrimack”
in 1857-'60. He was stationed at the
Washington navy-yard on ordnance duty in 1860-'1,
promoted to commander, 24 April of the latter
year, and given the flag-ship “Hartford” of
Admiral Farragut's fleet, fitted out for the capture of
New Orleans. During the passage of the forts
the Confederate tug “Mosher” pushed a fire-raft
alongside of the “Hartford,” which threatened
the destruction of the ship. Wainwright distinguished
himself in this conflict with the flames
and continued to fight the forts on 24-25 April.
He participated in the operations of Farragut's
fleet below Vicksburg, and was highly commended
by the admiral. At the time of his death he still
commanded the “Hartford.”
WAIT, Benjamin, patriot, b. in Markham town-
ship, Upper Canada, 7 Sept., 1813. He engaged in
the Canadian rebellion, and was appointed a colonel
in the insurgent forces that had their headquarters
on Navy island. On a raid into Upper Canada he
was captured, brought to trial for high treason, and
condemned to be hanged on 25 Aug., 1838. Only
a fortnight intervened between his sentence and its
intended execution ; but in that short time his wife,
Maria Wait {nee Smith), surmounting almost im-
possible difficulties and the strong opposition of
Sir George Arthur, governor of Upper Canada, ob-
tained from Lord Durham, the governor-general,,
a commutation of his sentence from death to trans-
portation for life to Van Dieman's Land. She then
went alone and almost penniless to London to ob-
tain his pardon. The case was laid before the
queen's council, but they opposed any clemency so
long as the disturbances continued to exist in
Canada. Mrs. Wait supported herself at first by-
acting as companion to a wealthy lady, and then
as teacher in an infant-school, meanwhile making
constant efforts for the release of her husband.
After two years, her health broken by long-con-
tinued suspense and privation, she decided to join
her husband in his banishment. She was about to
embark for Van Dieman's Land when the ministry
had decided to grant a pardon to her husband and
his six surviving companions in exile if it should
be recommended by the governor-general of Can-
ada. She set out at once for Toronto: but she
received from the governor only a kindly refusal.
Not disheartened by this, she besought the mem-
bers of the legislature to exercise their influence,
and succeeded at the end of a year in securing the
signatures of fifty of the number to her petition.
With this she again waited upon the governor,
who again declined her request. She then induced
her friends in the legislature to introduce a resolu-
tion recommending the governor to urge upon the
queen a pardon to Wait and his associate exiles.
The resolution was passed, and then the governor
yielded. In March, 1842, an order was issued for
their absolute release. Meanwhile Wait had been
allowed unusual freedom in Van Dieman's Land,
and at the very time when the British ministry
were signing the order for his release, he succeeded
in escaping from Hobart Town. He had arranged
with an American whaler to take him and a single
companion up at sea from a small boat; but they
were missed in the darkness, and then for thirteen
days they were tossed about with no food but raw
fish. At last they were seen by an American vessel
homeward bound. The ship was wrecked on the
coast of Brazil, but none perished. Seven months-
afterward, ragged and penniless, Wait reached the
United States, and rejoined his devoted wife, who
was teaching at Niagara Falls. But, worn out with
her efforts in her husband's behalf, Mrs. Wait's
health had given way, and soon after his return she
died. Wait is still living in Grand Rapids, Mich.
WAIT, Samuel, educator, b. in Washington
county, N. Y., 19 Dec. 1789; d. in Wake Forest,
N. C, 28 July, 1867. He was graduated at Colum-
bian college, Washington, D. C., and served there
for a short time as tutor. In 1827, having already
been ordained to the Baptist ministry, he removed
to North Carolina, and became pastor at New
Berne. The remainder of his life was devoted to
the promotion of the educational and religious in-
terests of that state, and few men have accom-
plished more for these interests, especially as con-
nected with the Baptist denomination. Mainly
by his exertions the Baptist state convention of
North Carolina was organized in 1830. The first
Baptist newspaper published in the state owed its-
existence to his labors. He was active in estab-
lishing Wake Forest school, which subsequently
became Wake Forest college, and was president
