James P. Wilmer-- Part 1: His Father

From the December 28, 2013, Cecil (Md.) Whig "Havre de Grace sailor killed in final War of 1812 battle"by Ericka Quesenbery Sturgill.

James P. Wilmer was appointed midshipman on Dec. 27, 1802.  His daring War of 1812 exploits were covered in the newspapers but overshadowed by his father, Reverend James Jones Wilmer, Episcopal clergyman who served as chaplain of the U.S. Senate..

He was then appointed chaplain in the U.S. Army in 1813 and served in that until his death in 1814 at the age of 65.  As editor of the Baltimore American newspaper, he covered the burning of Havre de Grace.  He also wrote a lot about his son, who had by then retained the rank of first lieutenant on the USS Essex.

--Brock-Perry