Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Hoffman, Beekman Verplanck

HOFFMAN, Beekman Verplanck, naval officer, b. in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 28 Nov., 1789; d. in Jamaica, L. I., 10 Dec., 1834. He entered the navy as midshipman on 4 July, 1805, was commissioned lieutenant on 21 May, 1812, and commander on 5 March, 1817, and reached the grade of captain on 7 March, 1829. He served first in the “Argus” under Capt. Trippe, and was attached later to the frigate “Constitution,” and participated in all her battles. He was present at the victory over the English ship “Guerriere” on 19 Aug., 1812, at that over the “Java” on 29 Dec., 1812, and at the combat with the “Cyane” and “Levant” off Madeira on 20 Feb., 1820, and carried the “Cyane” into New York.