TOTTEN, Benjamin J., naval officer, born in the West Indies in 1806; died in New Bedford, Massachusetts, 9 May, 1877. He entered the navy as a midshipman, 2 March, 189,3, became a passed midshipman, 20 February, 1830, was promoted to lieutenant, 29 March, 1834, and was commissioned a commander, 14 September, 1855. He was in charge of the sloop "Vincennes " in 1858-'60 on the coast of Africa to suppress the slave-trade, and the "Brandywine" of the North Atlantic squadron, 1862-'3, most of the time being stationed at Hampton Roads, Virginia He was placed on the reserved list in July, 1862, and served at the naval rendezvous at New Bedford, Massachusetts, during the rest; of the war after May, 1863. He was retired, 1 October, 1864, and promoted to commodore on the retired list, 4 April, 1867, after which he was governor of the naval asylum at Philadelphia for two years, tie was the author of " Totten's Naval Text-Book" (Boston, 1841; revised eds., New York, 1862 and 1864).