Vinton, John Rogers, 1801-1847

Army officer, from Providence, R.I.

John Rogers Vinton was born on June 16, 1801, to David and Mary Vincent of Providence, Rhode Island. In 1829 he married Lucretia Dutton Parker of Boston, Massachusetts, with whom he had at least two children. Parker died in 1838 and Vinton never remarried. Vinton was killed in action on March 22, 1847, in Battle of Vera Cruz, during the Mexican-American War. In his honor, a military outpost in Florida was renamed "Fort Vinton."

John Rogers Vinton was born on June 16, 1801, to David and Mary Vincent of Providence, Rhode Island. In 1829 he married Lucretia Dutton Parker of Boston, Massachusetts, with whom he had at least two children. Parker died in 1838 and Vinton never remarried. Vinton was killed in action on March 22, 1847, in Battle of Vera Cruz, during the Mexican-American War. In his honor, a military outpost in Florida was renamed "Fort Vinton."

Vinton entered West Point Academy at the young age of fourteen and completed his course of study in two and a half years rather than the customary four. He received a commission as Third Lieutenant in 1817, at the age of 16. By 1819, he had become First Lieutenant 4th Artillery. He served as Adjutant of the Artillery School for Practice at Fort Monroe, Virginia, from 1824 to 1825, and Aid-de-camp to Maj. General Jacob Brown (General-in-Chief of the Army) from March 1, 1825, to May 24, 1828. He became Brevet Captain in 1829, Captain in 1835, and Brevet Major as a result of his conduct during several battles of the Mexican American War.

In addition to military pursuits, Vinton was well versed in the Greek, Latin, Hebrew languages, and well-read in theology, physics, ethics, and several other academic disciplines. His skill for drawing was noted while at West Point and this lead to him assigned to topographical duty on the Atlantic coast and Canadian border. He later became an artist in his own right, creating portraits, landscapes, and documenting the Seminole War (in which he participated) through painting.

Vinton, John Adams. The Vinton Memorial Boston: S.K. Whille and Company, 1858.

Military captain.

John Rogers Vinton was a Captain in the United States Army during the time of the Seminole Wars.

U.S. Army captain, artist.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, 16 June, 1801, Vinton graduated from the United States military academy in 1817, served in the U.S. Army in Florida and Mexico. He was promoted to captain in the 3d artillery on 28 December, 1835, was brevetted major on 23 September, 1846, for gallantry at Monterey, and the degree of A.M. was given him by Brown in 1837. He died near Vera Cruz, Mexico, 22 March, 1847 from wounds sustained at the Siege of Vera Cruz.