09/07/2026
⚓️ ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY — SEPTEMBER 7, 1862 ⚓️
Remembering Brother John “Mad Jack” Percival
United States Navy Captain • War of 1812 Veteran • Freemason
On September 7, 1862, Brother John “Mad Jack” Percival, one of the most colorful and courageous officers in early United States naval history, passed away in Dorchester, Massachusetts, at the age of 83.
Born April 3, 1779, in West Barnstable, Massachusetts, Percival went to sea at just 13 years old as a cabin boy aboard a Boston coaster. His life at sea would eventually take him from the merchant service to the United States Navy, where he became one of the Navy’s most experienced and unconventional officers.
But Brother Percival’s story is much more than that of a sailor.
He was also a Freemason, belonging to Holland Lodge No. 8 of New York City, where he was a member in 1816. His name appears in Masonic references among notable American naval and military figures of his era.
⚓️ FROM CABIN BOY TO CAPTAIN
Percival’s early life was anything but ordinary.
As a young sailor, he was twice subjected to impressment by foreign naval forces. While in Lisbon, he was impressed into the British Royal Navy and eventually escaped. He was later impressed by the Dutch, but escaped again.
Rather than being discouraged by these experiences, Percival ultimately entered the United States Navy in 1799, serving during the Quasi-War with France.
After briefly returning to the merchant service, he reentered the Navy in 1809 as a sailing master.
When the War of 1812 began, Percival found himself in some of the most dangerous fighting of his career.
🇺🇸 THE CAPTURE OF HMS EAGLE
In 1813, Percival demonstrated the audacity and courage that would become hallmarks of his career.
While commanding an American gunboat, he devised a bold plan involving the fishing vessel Yankee. Disguising the American vessel and taking advantage of the British crew’s lack of suspicion, Percival helped capture HMS Eagle, a British tender associated with the 74-gun HMS Poictiers.
He later served aboard USS Peacock, participating in multiple cruises during the War of 1812.
During one of those cruises, Peacock captured the British warship HMS Epervier. Percival’s gallantry during that action resulted in his promotion to lieutenant, and Congress recognized his service. (Naval History and Heritage Command)
🦅 WHY “MAD JACK”?
Percival eventually became known throughout the Navy as “Mad Jack.”
The nickname wasn’t necessarily a reflection of mental illness. Contemporary accounts indicate that it was associated with his intense, demanding and unconventional command style.
A captain’s clerk recorded that Percival “carried a tight hand” and noted that he was known as “Mad Jack.”
By reputation, he was tough, eccentric, fearless and uncompromising.
Yet those qualities also made him an exceptionally effective sailor.
Commodore Isaac Hull, himself one of the great figures of the early U.S. Navy, reportedly considered Percival one of the finest sailors he had ever known.
🌎 A LIFE OF SERVICE
Percival’s career didn’t end with the War of 1812.
He served aboard and commanded several important vessels and participated in operations against West Indian pirates. He also commanded USS Dolphin, sailing into the Pacific in pursuit of mutineers from the Nantucket whaling ship Globe.
His voyage took him to Hawaii, where Dolphin became the first U.S. Navy warship to visit the islands. Percival became embroiled in controversy with American missionaries there, but a subsequent court of inquiry cleared him of wrongdoing.
He later commanded USS Cyane, where he was heavily involved in training midshipmen.
In 1841, Percival reached the highest rank then available in the United States Navy:
⚓️ Captain, U.S. Navy
🇺🇸 SAVING OLD IRONSIDES
Perhaps one of the most remarkable chapters of Brother Percival’s career involved America’s most famous warship:
USS Constitution — “Old Ironsides.”
By 1843, Constitution was in serious disrepair, and there were concerns that restoring her would cost far more than the Navy could afford.
Percival was called upon to inspect the ship.
He determined that she could be restored for dramatically less than the original estimate and personally took responsibility for preparing her for sea.
In 1844, Captain Percival took command of Constitution.
Under his command, Old Ironsides embarked upon an extraordinary voyage that ultimately took her around the world , the only circumnavigation in the ship’s long career.
The voyage lasted 495 days and covered approximately 52,370 miles.
The fact that the historic Constitution survives today makes Percival’s role in restoring and returning her to service an especially important part of his legacy.
⚓️ A LEGACY THAT LIVED ON
Percival retired from active service in 1848 and was eventually placed on the Navy’s newly created Reserve List in 1855.
He lived to the age of 83.
On September 7, 1862, Brother John “Mad Jack” Percival died in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
He was buried near his birthplace in West Barnstable’s Ancient Cemetery.
His legacy did not end there.
The United States Navy later honored him by naming a destroyer USS Percival (DD-298) after him. The Navy’s official history recognizes Percival as the namesake and recounts his extraordinary career.
🔷 BROTHER JOHN “MAD JACK” PERCIVAL
For Freemasons, there is another important part of this story.
John Percival wasn’t simply a naval officer who happened to become famous.
He was a Brother of the Craft, recorded as a member of Holland Lodge No. 8, New York City, in 1816.
His life was one of perseverance, courage, discipline and service.
He went to sea as a teenager.
He endured impressment by foreign powers.
He served his country through multiple conflicts.
He fought during the War of 1812.
He captured enemy vessels.
He trained generations of American sailors.
He commanded one of America’s most famous warships.
And he helped preserve Old Ironsides for another chapter of her legendary life.
All while carrying the reputation of an eccentric, hard-driving sailor who became known throughout the Navy as “Mad Jack.”
His story is a reminder that the men who helped build our nation were often complicated, colorful and imperfect, but their courage, perseverance and dedication to duty left an enduring mark on American history.
Today, Smithfield Masonic Lodge #182 remembers Brother John “Mad Jack” Percival , Freemason, sailor, warrior, naval commander and American patriot.
⚓️ From the sea to the Craft, his life was one of service.
May we never forget our Brothers who carried the principles of Freemasonry into their lives, their professions and their service to their country.
Brother John “Mad Jack” Percival
1779–1862
Holland Lodge No. 8, New York City
Captain, United States Navy
⚔️ So Mote It Be. ⚓️
