Born in Baltimore in 1759, Joshua Barnett embarked on his naval career in 1771 at the tender age of 12. He saw varied service around the Americas and Europe before returning to fight for the nascent United States. He arrived in America, shortly after the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he joined the colonial navy. He went on to serve aboard the sloop "War Hornet" and later other ships; distinguished at the defence of the Delaware river. He was captured and imprisoned for a short time in England. He commanded the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla during the War of 1812, culminating in his heroic efforts at the battle of Bladensburg. Six years later, in 1818, he died from the wounds he had received.