He was born on the island of Chios in the Greek Archipelago on October 22, 1816. As a member of a prominent Greek family, he was kidnapped along with his mother and two sisters and ransomed from the Turks after the massacre of the Greek population of the island in 1822, during the Greek War of Independence. His family's fortunes were devastated by the massacre. Most close relatives, including six brothers, were killed. He was enslaved at 6 years of age, but his father managed to buy back his freedom. By 1824, Colvocoresses was sent to Baltimore in the United States by his father. He became the adopted son of Captain Alden Partridge, the founder of the American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy in Norwich, Vermont. Colvocoresses entered the Navy after graduating from the Academy in 1831. Several generations of his family have also graduated from Norwich and followed military careers.
Naval career
In 1832, he was appointed a midshipman, and in 1836-1837 attached to the frigate on the Mediterranean Squadron. From 1838 up until 1842, he served in the United States Exploring Expedition, better known as the Wilkes Expedition of the Pacific Ocean. Colvocoresses authored a work on the Wilkes Expedition in 1852, entitled Four Years in a Government Exploring Expedition. He was promoted to lieutenant on December 7, 1843 and to commander on July 2, 1861. On January 29, 1862, the vessel, under his command, captured the Confederate schooner Stephen Hart off the south coast of Florida, carrying assorted cargo. In early August 1864 with 115 men in 7 boats from his sloop, he conducted an expedition to gather intelligence and capture enemy prisoners. Two week later, at South Newport, Georgia, Colvocoresses led 130 men in boats, capturing a lieutenant and 38 privates of the Third South Carolina Cavalry, six overseers of saltworks he had destroyed, and 71 slaves. He was promoted to captain and placed on the retired list on April 4, 1867. Colvocoresses was robbed and murdered in Bridgeport, Connecticut on June 3, 1872 while on his way to New York. The case was never solved.
Legacy
Colvocoresses was married twice. From his first union, with Adeline Maria Swasey, he had four children, including Frank E. and George P. His second marriage was with Eliza T. Halsey.
His son, George Partridge Colvocoresses—named for his father's benefactor—also led a distinguished military career, rising to the rank of admiral in the U.S. Navy. He served under then-Commodore George Dewey in the Asiatic Fleet, and distinguished himself in service during the Spanish–American War. His name appears on the Centennial Staircase at Norwich.
