Jesse Duncan Elliott, 1782–1845, American naval officer, b. Hagerstown, Md. In the War of 1812, he helped capture two British vessels on Lake Erie and was made commander of the lake. He began building the fleet that O. H. Perry was to use after he succeeded (1813) Elliott. In the battle of Lake Erie (1813), Elliott was second in command. His conduct in the battle brought about a brisk argument with Perry—giving rise to a controversy that was continued long after the death of both and is still not completely settled.