Edward Trenchard (1785–1824) was a captain of the United States Navy, who saw service in the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War, the War of 1812, and the Second Barbary War. He was the father of Rear Admiral Stephen Decatur Trenchard. Biography Early life and background Trenchard was born in Salem, New Jersey, the son of Curtis Trenchard. The family were descendants of George Trenchard (1655–1712) from the village of Wolverton in Dorset, who had come to America with William Penn in 1682. Edward's grandfather, also George, (1706–1780), was the Attorney-General of West New Jersey in 1767-1775 and commanded the Salem Light Horse during the Revolutionary War. Edward was initially apprenticed as an engraver under his uncle, James Trenchard, the editor of the Columbian Magazine, and a distinguished designer and an engraver of book-plates. However, a sea voyage to England at the age of 16 turned his mind to a military career, and on his return, he obtained a midshipman's warrant on April 30, 1800. War service He was appointed to the frigate for a cruise in the West Indies during the Quasi-War with France. A strong friendship sprang up between Trenchard and a junior lieutenant, Stephen Decatur, so much so that Trenchard later named his son, Stephen Decatur Trenchard. After the French war the Adams was ordered to the Mediterranean, and participated in the operations off Tripoli in 1803. The following year Trenchard was transferred to the seeing more action off Tripoli, and when his ship was fired upon by the Spanish batteries near the Strait of Gibraltar on September 21, 1805. Trenchard served aboard the in the Home Squadron from 1806 to 1810, and was assigned to duty at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1811. On August 30, 1812, he was ordered to Sacketts Harbor on Lake Ontario, to supervise the building of the sloop by Henry Eckford. The building of Madison progressed with extraordinary speed, the 500-ton ship being launched on November 26. Trenchard assumed command of the Madison with the rank of Master Commandant and took part in the naval operations on Lake Ontario during the War of 1812. Trenchard fell ill with "lake fever" (the Madison at one time having eighty of her two hundred men on the sick list) and on July 21, 1813, left the ship to recuperate. On May 15, 1814, he rejoined the ship, taking part in the blockade of