Defoe Shipbuilding Company as a Presidential Yacht. It was called the "Barbara Anne" by President Eisenhower after his granddaughter, the "Honey Fitz" by President Kennedy in honor of his maternal grandfather John Francis Fitzgerald, and the "Tricia" by President Nixon after his daughter. In 1941, the name of the company was changed to Defoe Shipbuilding Company. During World War II, all production went to the war effort. From 1939 to 1945, the company built 154 ships, including four s, 13 destroyer escorts, 11 destroyer transports (converted destroyer escorts), patrol craft, and numerous landing craft of various types. The brand-new Defoe family yacht even
Lowell Fitz Randolph born on 7 October 1894 in Alfred, Allegany County, New York State. He was the son of farmer Alva Fitz Randolph (1867–1949), and Mary Caroline (Hoff) Fitz Randolph (1863–1944). His father was a leading farmer in the Alfred area, having earned a B.S. with honors from Alfred University in 1893 and being instrumental in establishing the Allegany County Farm Bureau, of which he served as director for many years. Lowell was also the brother of Fucia Fitz Randolph (1889–1971), Rev. Elizabeth Fitz Randolph (1890-1983)), Florence (Fitz Randolph) Lee (1899–1927), and Vida (Fitz Randolph) Barrs (1903–1973). Lowell's family had over 200