John Macy Walcutt Jr.

Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 5th ed., 1887, Franklin Co.:

CAPT. JOHN WALCUTT was born December 4, 1822, at Columbus, Ohio. His father, John M. Walcutt, was a native of Virginia and one of the pioneers of Ohio, whither he removed in 1815. His mother, Marilla Broderick, was born in in Kentucky, but removed to Ohio with her parents when quite young. He received a good English education in the best schools of the period, and at the age of sixteen entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, from which time he remained continuously in the service of the Government until 1856, when he was duly retired while in China. He served in the Navy during the Mexican war, mostly on the coast survey, and was present at the bombardment of Vera Cruz. After his retirement from the United States Navy he engaged in the merchant trade on his own account in Chinese waters, and was soon after made mate of an opium store-ship, owned by Russell & Co., one of the largest American commission firms in the world. About this time the second war between China and Great Britain had begun; and, finding his own and other vessels very unsafe in the harbor at which they were lying, he took the responsibility, in the absence of his captain, of hiring a steamer to tow them all beyond reach of danger, thus saving a large amount of valuable merchandise. For this act he was rewarded with the captaincy of one of the vessels. In 1859 he purchased a one-quarter interest in a steamer that was sent from the California coast to China for sale, and by judicious management he and his partners succeeded in building up an extensive carrying trade, and finally, after clearing considerable money on the enterprise, disposed of the vessel to the Chinese Government. Their success encouraged the formation of a large company of capitalists in the same trade, which now has a fine fleet of vessels plying between China and other countries. In 1860 Capt. Walcutt retired from active labor in this company and resolved to travel in foreign lands; and as a mark of respect and good will one of the best vessels belonging to the company was placed at his disposal and he was escorted to it by his friends and old companions with every demonstration of esteem. Among his associates in the navy he was always popular, and when he withdrew from the service was presented by them with a fine gold watch. At the time of the consummation of the treaty with China the reception and banquet given by the American Commodore to the ministers and foreign ambassadors to China was held on board of his vessel. In 1862 Capt. Walcutt returned to his native land after a long and busy career on the water, and first located at Columbus, Ohio; but, preferring a warmer climate, removed to Kentucky in 1863 and purchased the estate of Thomas B. Page, near Frankfort, where he closed his days. He added materially to the property, developed it into a beautiful and elegant country seat, and by his genial manners, sterling integrity and real worth made many friends, and left behind him the fragrant memory of an upright and honorable man. He married, on November 12, 1862, Miss Anna Brown, daughter of Henry Brown, of Columbus, one of the earliest settlers of that town, who has since been both State senator and State treasurer in Ohio. Two children resulted from the union; Brown Walcutt, who died at the age of three years, and Delano Brown Walcutt, a young man of enterprise and promise, who now owns and occupies, with his mother, the beautiful home left by Capt. Walcutt.

John married Anna Brown, daughter of Henry Clay Brown and Mary Broderick. (Anna Brown was born in 1827 in Franklin Co., OH, died on 19 Dec 1894 in Franklin Co., KY and was buried about 22 Dec 1894 in Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY.)