Commodore Garrett Jesse Pendergrast (5 December 1802 – 7 November 1862) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

Pendergrast was born in Kentucky. He was married to Virginia Barron, the daughter of James Barron. Upon the Secession, she reportedly refused to accompany him in his alligience to the United States and swore she'd never live with him again.

His nephew was Lieutenant Commander Austin Pendergrast , who took command of Congress when she was sunk by Virginia.

By 1832, he had been promoted to Lieutenant. He commanded Boston during the Mexican-American War in 1846. In 1856, he commissioned Merrimack, the ship that would later become Virginia.

Subsequently, he held command of both the Home Squadron and the West India Squadron .

He was in command of Cumberland in 1861, at the outbreak of the war and, at age 58, one of the oldest officers in service.

Promoted to Commodore on July 16, 1862, he was assigned to command the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and held that position when he died of a paralytic stroke on November 7, 1862. He is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery .

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Photo of Pendergrast