A victory off the coast of Brazil inspired John Contee to name this property “Java’s Farm.” Contee was a lieutenant on the USS Constitution when it captured and burned the British frigate HMS Java on December 29, 1812. In 1819, he purchased a plantation here called “Sparrow’s Rest,” and although legend claims he used prize money from the battle with HMS Java, there is little doubt that the victory influenced his choice of the new name. Captain Isaac Hull later praised Contee, writing to Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton on August 28, 1812, that Contee took command of the Marines and conducted himself as “a Brave good Officer,” while the Marines behaved with great coolness and courage during the action and annoyed the enemy very much. Contee was also aboard the USS Constitution on August 19, 1812, when it defeated HMS Guerriere and earned the nickname “Old Ironsides.”