I am not sure that I would refer to Captain Rutherford as an American sea captain. He left the United States when he was about 12 years old and was loyal subject of the British Crown for 41 years. Had he had a ship command during the war of 1812, pretty sure Captain Rutherford would not have had the least problem firing an American flagged ship.
I was wondering if the Rutherford family was related to Rutherford B. Hayes.