Towson, Nathaniel

Born: 1784-01-22 Maryland

Died: 1854-07-20 Washington, D.C.

Flourished: Washington, D.C.

Also known as Nathan Towson, Nathaniel Towson was an army officer and paymaster general of the United States Army. Born in the village of Towson, Maryland, seven miles north of Baltimore, Towson received a rudimentary education at country schools and home with his parents. He studied and worked on his parent's farm until the age of sixteen, when he moved to Kentucky to reside on and cultivate a farm recently purchased by his father. Finding the land in dispute upon his arrival, Towson moved on to Natchez, Mississippi, where he joined a volunteer artillery company. He advanced through the ranks, eventually coming to command the Natchez artillery company. In 1805, Towson returned to Maryland, where he engaged in farming and served in the Maryland Militia, becoming adjutant of the Seventh Regiment. In March 1812, Towson entered the U.S. Army as a captain in the Second Artillery. During the War of 1812, he saw action at Fort Erie, Lundy's Lane, Chippawa, and numerous other engagements. In October 1812, the War Department promoted Towson to brevet major for his role in capturing the HMS Caledonia, a British brig, under the guns of Fort Erie. The War Department breveted him lieutenant colonel in July 1814 for distinguished and gallant conduct at the Battle of Chippawa. At the close of the war, Towson returned to his permanent rank of captain. In August 1819, he received appointment as paymaster general of the army. He received promotion to colonel of the artillery in June 1821, but the U.S. Senate negated this promotion in March 1822. In May, he received promotion again to colonel and paymaster general of the army, a position he would hold until his death. The War Department breveted Towson brigadier general in June 1834 and major general in May 1848, the major general brevet for meritorious conduct in performing his duties during the Mexican War.

Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1903), 1:968; A Sketch of the Life of General Nathan Towson, United States' Army (Baltimore: N. Hickman, 1842), 5-20.