USS Jefferson was a brig in the United States Navy during the War of 1812. She was named for Founding Father and third U.S. president Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was built at Sackett's Harbor, New York, for service in Commodore Isaac Chauncey's fleet on Lake Ontario and launched 7 April 1814. She was manned by a crew from sloop of war Erie which had been laid up at Baltimore because of the British blockade of Chesapeake Bay. Comdr. Charles G. Ridgeley was her captain. Notable Master Gunner George Marshall a warrant officer, was responsible for the ship's artillery. Marshall was also from the sloop of war Erie.