I'm working on a side project that may, or may not, turn into a book. While it's still being worked, it has introduced me to several Marines. One such Marine is Quartermaster Sergeant Simeon Albert Stearns.
Stearns was born on 14 March 1815 in Winchendon, Massachusetts to Lydia and Captain Simeon Stearns. Much of what is known about Stearns is from his "Find a Grave" page which is populated with information from his service records.
Stearns enlisted in the Marine Corps on 8 October 1833 and served at the Marine Barracks at the Washington Navy Yard (not to be confused with the barracks at 8th and I), under command of the renowned Levi Twiggs. Stearns rose through the ranks and shortly after his reenlistment in 1837, he was promoted to Sergeant.
This is where Stearns and I cross paths--the US Exploring Expedition or the Wilkes Expedition (1838-1842). Wilkes led a lengthy exploration of the western United States, Pacific Ocean and even confirmed Antarctica as a real place. The Wilkes Expedition had 39 Marines as part of its complement, one of whom was (by this time) Quartermaster Sergeant Simeon Stearns.
In a day and age when many enlisted men did not know how to read or write, Stearns did both. Stearns kept a journal of the expedition, now in the New York Public Library. The key piece of information I was looking for was the details on Antarctica. Alas, Stearns mentions the continent once and never again.
Stearns serves in the Corps until the end of the expedition and then disappears from the records. His life after the Corps, his exact date of death and burial location all remain a mystery at the moment.
Stearns remains an enigma, but an interesting figure in Marine Corps history. Just one more who make up the core of the Corps. QMSgt Stearns, you are remembered.
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