Alfred Lubaugh Bernier di Zerega was born February 3, 1838 in New York, New York. the son of Augustus Zerega Di Zerega and Eliza Morch (Van Uytendaele, Baroness Von Bretton) Zerega Di Zerega. Alfred belonged to a large family, he being the eldest of 11 children.

Alfred father, Augustus Zerega (1803-1888) became a shipping magnate and was owner of the Red Z clipper line. The family used the surname of Zerega, Di Zerega, DiZerega, De Zerega, and DeZerega. The family was very prominent in many circles. Alfred’s brother John Augustus di Zerega married Katherine Berry, who was also the author of "The Children's Paradise" (published by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 1877) and their daughter, Charlotte di Zerega (d.1892), married Sir Frederick William Francis George Frankland, which the wedding was the social event of that London in 1890. Another one of Alfred's nieces was Elizabeth Zerega di Zerega (d.1946). She married Charles Stapleton Pelham-Clinton, the son of Lord Charles Pelham Pelham-Clinton and Elizabeth Grant.

The family purchased a manor in Aldie, Loudon County, Virginia and its acreage in 1843, calling it by the name of Hillcrest, which became Alfred home. Hillcrest was sold in 1965 and renamed The Briar Patch. It is currently (2006) a Bed & Breakfastm ⁽¹⁾.

Alfred was ordered on May 24, 1861 to the U.S. Naval Rendezvous in New York, New York, was appointed Acting Master on July 24, 1861, and ordered to duty at the Burling Slip on August 13, 1861. On August 17, 1861, he was ordered to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for duty on the U.S.S. Susquehanna, which he served on until he was detached on May 14, 1863. During this period he participated in the capture of Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina on August 28-29, 1861; the capture of the Forts at Port Royal, South Carolina on November 7, 1861; the attack on Sewell’s Point Batteries, Hampton Roads, Virginia; the capture of Norfolk, VA in May, 1862; and blockaded the whole coast from Hampton Roads, Virginia to Mobile, Alabama. On June 3, 1863, he was promoted to Captain and was ordered to the command of the U.S. Steamer Jasmine, which he served as until he was detached on November 13, 1863 and transferred to the command of the U.S.S. Antona. While in command of the Antona, he was participated in several small actions on the Texas coast and blockaded the coast from the Mississippi River to the Rio Grande. He was detached August 22, 1864 and ordered to the Naval Rendezvous in New Orleans, Louisana until his resignation on September 1, 1864, which was accepted by Rear Admiral David G. Farragut.

Alfred became an original companion of the District of Columbia Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS)(Insignia #10420) on February 7, 1894. As a member of the MOLLUS, he contributed two papers on his personal experiences from the Civil War:

The Last Days of the Rebel Iron-Clad Merrimac and Occupation of Norfolk, as Seen from the U.S.S. Susquehanna

The Expedition for the Capture of the Forts at Port Royal, November 7, 1861, as Seen from the U.S.S. Susquehanna

Alfred married Alice Almeda Gasquet, who was born August 22, 1842 in New York, New York and died August 13, 1920 in Aldie, Virginia. He was a farmer in Loudon County, Virginia until his death. Alfred died January 11, 1920 at his later residence, Aldie Manor, in Loudon County, Virginia and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

Children:
1) Emily A. Di Zerega was born 1866 in Louisiana.

2) Augustus Di Zerega III was born September 8, 1868 in Virginia, married Agnes Green (October 24, 1870 Virginia - June 10, 1953), and had 11 children. He purchased "Sleepy Hollow" in Aldie, Virginia. Augustus died March 7, 1951.

3) Martha A. Di Zerega was born 1873 in Louisiana.

4) Frances Di Zerega was born 1877 in Virginia.

5) Gasquet (August/Gasguoth) Di Zerega was born 1880 in Virginia, married Fredericka Foote Hauser (10 August 1883 - March 1977 Virginia) of Prince William County , and had two children. Upon his father’s death, he became the owner of Hillcrest.

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Footnote:
1. See see http://www.briarpatchbandb.com/history.htm.

Source:
Membership Records of the MOLLUS.

Copyright © 2006 Douglas Niermeyer, Missouri Commandery, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States

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