Some More on Richard Hill of the New York Flotilla's Gunboat No. 47

From "African American Historic Burial Grounds" by Glenn A. Knoblock.

Richard Hill (ca. 1792-1861)  Born in Maine according to census records and living in Portland, Maine, by 1830.  Served on Gunboat 47, part of the New York Flotilla during the War of 1812.

Gunboats such as he served on were small sloop or schooner rigged vessels about fifty feet long manned by a crew of about 40 and carried several guns.  The gunboats of the New York Flotilla saw quite a bit of action in Long Island Sound, and some of them, possibly including Hill's vessel were present at the Battle of Baltimore and witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry.

After the war, his whereabouts were not known until 1830, but it seemed he served as a sailor.  he was married by 1830 and had at least one child, a son named Richard, and worked as a laborer.

He was a widower when he was shot to death by his troubled son Richard on September 12, 1861.

--Brock-Perry

So, Was There a Gunboat 47?

Richard Hill, according to his gravestone, served aboard Gunboat 47.  I have not been able to find any mention of this ship anywhere.  If someone knows about it, please let me know.

I do know that the Jeffersonian Gunboats were numbered as opposed to having names.

Also, I'm not sure that he would have been on that ship if it was in the New York Flotilla at the Battle of Baltimore and the attack on Fort McHenry.  It would have had to sail in open water to get from New York to Baltimore and that stretch was controlled by the British navy and a gunboat would not do well against a British warship.

I'm thinking he did serve in the U.S. Navy, but perhaps the information we have on him is wrong.

So if anyone out there has any information on Gunboat No. 47, let me know.

So, Lots of Questions About His Service.  --Brock-Perry

Richard Hill Gets His Due-- Part 3: His Story

Historian Hern Adams of Portland, Maine, has found information on the life of Richard Hill, including newspaper accounts of his death. 

Hill was born about 1792, but it is not clear if he was born in Portland or moved there later in life.  records show that during the War of 1812, he served on the  U.S. Gunboat  47 with the New York Flotilla.

"The U.S. Navy was not segregated then, and that might have been the first time in his life that Hill was on equal footing with his co-workers," Adams said.  His gunboat was probably in  Baltimore Harbor on  September 14, 1814, when the British shelled Fort McHenry.  "Both Hill and Key witnessed one of the iconic moments of U.S. history," according to Adams.

I have not been able to find if Gunboat 47 was at the battle.

After the war, he returned to Portland and worked as a common laborer.  He was one of 400 Blacks who lived in  neighborhoods  at the foot of Munjoy Hill.  At one point, he applied for and received 160 acres of government land in the Ohio hills as an 1812 veteran.  Adams said Hill probably sold it for a fraction of what it was worth.

That was the only veterans benefit he ever received (well, now he has the government-issued headstone, even with the incorrect death date).

--Brock-Perry

Caroline Abbott and the War of 1812-- Part 2: Burning of Washington, D.C. and Battle of Baltimore

**  The completion of the USS General  Pike following the Second Battle of Sackets Harbor.

**  President Madison receiving the news of the British invasion of Washington, D.C. after the Battle of Bladensburg.

**  First Lady Dolley Madison, who saved several important papers as well as the Lansdowne portrait of George Washington before fleeing the White House.

**  The burning of Washington, D.C., and its impact on American citizens.

**  Mary Pinkersgill who was commissioned by George Armistead to create a flag "so large the British will have no difficulty seeing it from a distance", resulting in the "Star-Spangles Banner" flying over Fort McHenry.

**  The Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814,  witnessed by Francis Scott Key, and the presence of the flag following the battle, signaling that Fort McHenry had not been captured.

**  "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem Francis Scott Key wrote following the Battle of Baltimore and later set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven",  a popular drinking song of the time.

**  The formal adoption of "The Star-Spangled Banner"  as the national anthem of the United States  on March 3, 1931.

These Girls Will have a Good Understanding of the War of 1812 After Reading This Book.  --Brock-Perry

U.S. Presidents Who Served in the War of 1812-- Part 2: Andrew Jackson and Others

As mentioned in the previous post, James Buchanan served in the War of 1812 as a private in Henry Shippen's Company, 1st Brigade, 4th Division of the Pennsylvania Militia and participated in the defense of Baltimore.

As stated before, only two of the Founding Fathers served in the American Revolution, but a total of five were in the War of 1812.  Starting with Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) and then William Henry Harrison (1841), John Tyler (1841-1845), Zachary Taylor (1849-1850) and James Buchanan (1857-1861).

But, the War of 1812 is forever linked to Andrew Jackson who led American forces to victory at the Battle of New Orleans.  It was a battle where a ragtag American Army defeated a larger trained professional British Army in a battle that saved the Mississippi River from British control and was actually fought after the war was over, but due to slow communication no one knew it was over.

It should also be noted that Jackson's military career began when he was just thirteen.  as a teenager, he served as messenger for an American unit during the American Revolution.  But he was definitely not one of the Founding Fathers at that age.

Moreover, during his quite colorful life, Jackson took part in 103 duels -- however killing just one man.

--Brock-Perry

University of Kentucky's Protest Against 'Star Spangled Banner'

From the Jan. 24, 2021, Lexington (Ky) Herald-Ledger "UK's protest an action that dates back to national anthem's 'very origins' by Jerry Tipton.

It was a peaceful protest  during the playing of the National Anthem at Florida earlier this month.  The whole University of  Kentucky basketball team, including coaches, kneeled during the National Anthem.

Mark Clague, an associate professor of musicology at the University of  Michigan has written a book about the anthem "Singing Citizenship: A Political History of the  Star-Spangled Banner" which is being published early next year.

He said the anthem was originally written as a poem, entitled "The Defence of Fort McHenry," written by Francis Scott Key who witnessed  the famed battle.

"It's a political song from the get-go.  Francis Scott Key's  song is a call for unity.  It's a call for a central government that can defend itself.  Neither of those things were  true of the United States in 1814."

--Brock-Perry

HMS Asia-- Part 2: Took Part in the War of 1812 at Baltimore and New Orleans

The Asia was off the Chesapeake Bay in the United States in July 1814.  The Royal Marine Artillery Company of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Marines were ferried from Bermuda to the Chesapeake aboard the Asia, via the HMS Tonnant. 

During the bombardment of Fort McHenry, guarding Baltimore, the Asia was anchored off the city along with the Seahorse, Surprise and Severn.

Later, the Asia was one of Admiral Cockburn's fleet at New Orleans  at the start of 1815 in support of the attack on Andrew Jackson's position.  Some 107 Royal marines disembarked from the ship to assist in the attack.

In 1819, the Asia was renamed the HMS Alfred.  From 1822 to 1829, the Asia was reduced  to a 50-gun fourth rate frigate and was eventually broken up in 1865.

--Brock-Perry

St. Mary's County Museum Division Exhibits Detailed Model of British Ship of the Line HMS Albion

From the November 24, 2020, Southern Maryland Chronicle .

The St, Mary's County Museum Division in Leonardtown, Maryland, has partnered with a local  model ship builder to have a special exhibit of a model of the British ship HMS Albion, the flagship of a fleet of British ships that raided Leonardtown and St. Mary's County during the War of 1812 Chesapeake Campaign of 1814 which led to the burning of Washington, D.C., and the Battle of Baltimore.

The model enthusiast is retired Marine Colonel Robert Ballard who has loaned the stunning and intricate model to  display at the Old Jail Museum.

Several display panels give the history of the ship, her raids along the Chesapeake Bay and Admiral Cockburn (I've been writing about him recently because of his proclamation to Blacks to emigrate from the United States.

Mr. Ballard said this model took a year to make and he wanted people to see it.

--Brock-Perry

The Jewish Patriots of Fort McHenry-- Part 1

From the June 3, 2020, Jewish Press  by Sail Singer.

The Battle of Baltimore is probably better known as the Battle of Fort McHenry, but it was fought both on the sea in the British bombardment of the fort and the land attack on defenses.  But thanks to that poem by Francis Scott Key, the fort's role is better known.  Of course, "The Defence of Fort McHenry" whose words were put into our National Anthem.

Baltimore was defended by about 1,000 volunteer citizen-soldiers, including several Jews  who made important contributions to ensure that "the star-spangled banner yet wave[d]."  There is no definitive list of Jews who fought at Fort McHenry, or even the War of 1812 for that matter, but it is known that many Jews did serve on the American side in that war (out of a probable total population of just 10,000 in the country at the time).

According to the book"A History of Jews in the United States," there is a definite record of 43 Jews who served in the military during the war, and a special group in Baltimore who enlisted in the home defense  force of the city when it was attacked.

--Brock-Perry

How the British Invasion of Maine in 1814 Led to Statehood-- Part 2

In Castine, prior to its eight month occupation by the British, town officials had condemned  the declaration of war and held a dim view of President James Madison and his predecessor, Thomas Jefferson.  They were Democrat-Republicans whom they felt were "anti-commerce" and "anti-New England."

The War of 1812 interrupted New England trans-Atlantic trade.

After Napoleon's defeat in 1814, the British ramped up their efforts in North America and sailed into several Maine ports with no opposition.

In early July, British ships, including the bomb ship HMS Terror sailed into Passamaquoddy Bay and took control of Fort Sullivan, Eastport and all the islands and towns along the bay.  In September, the HMS Terror took part in the Battle of Baltimore which led to "The Star-Spangled Banner."

--Brock-Perry

John Rodgers, U.S. Navy-- Part 2: Quasi-War, Barbary War and War of 1812

United States Navy officer.

He married Minerva Denison in 1806 and they had eight children.  Many of the children served in the military.

He became a hero in the pre-War of 1812 naval squabbles with France and Great Britain.  Served with distinction in the Quasi-War with France.  Helped defeat the Tripolitan naval forces in the Barbary War and defeated  a British sloop-of-war  in 1811, which brought back a measure of respect  for the U.S. Navy in the wake of the USS Chesapeake-HMS Shannon affair.

He commanded several squadrons in the War of 1812 and helped defend to successfully defend Baltimore against the British  in 1814.

After the war, he was named President of the U.S.  Navy Board of Commissioners (which included fellow  commodores Isaac Hull and David D. Porter).

--Brock-Perry

Passed 3000 Posts to This Blog

This post marks the 3019th for this blog.  I started it back in 2012 during the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

I started it mostly to find out more about the war, which is often relegated to "forgotten" status.  I found that it was an interesting war and had a lot more about it than just the burning of Washington, D.C., the Battle of Baltimore and "The Star-Spangled Banner" which is about the most many Americans know about the war.

Actually, I had envisioned this blog stopping after the war ended 200 years ago, but as you can see, it continues.

The Brock-Perry sign-off for this blog refers to British and Canadian hero Isaac Brock and American hero  Oliver Hazard "We have met the enemy and they are ours" Perry.

Let's See How Much Longer It Goes.  --Brock-Perry

Sept. 14, 1814: By the Dawn's Early Light, "The Star-Spangled Banner"

On this date in 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote his poem "The Defence of Fort McHenry" after witnessing the British bombardment of Baltimore's McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812.

It was later set to music and renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner" and, you know the rest.

--Brock-Perry

Edward Johnson-- Part 2: Defender of Alexander Hanson and "Light-Horse Harry" Lee

His third term as mayor coincided with the War of 1812  Shortly after the outbreak of the war, despite his his strong anti-British sentiments and anti-Federalist political views, he was nearly killed unsuccessfully trying to stop a mob who had stormed Baltimore City Jail intent on lynching Alexander Hanson, publisher of an extreme Federalist newspaper.

One of the editor's allies was none other than Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee.  He was the father of Robert E. Lee of Confederate fame.

During the Battle of Baltimore, Johnson headed the Committee of Vigilance and Safety.  Even though General William Winder had command of Baltimore, he appointed General Samuel Smith to command American defenses of the city.

He continued with private and public work after the war.

--Brock-Perry

David Poe, Sr.-- Part 3: LaFayette Impressed With Him

Amd, Mrs. Poe, David's wife, Elizabeth, was just as patriotic as he was.  When Lafayette passed through Baltimore with his ragged Continental troops, she was one of the women who supplied clothing for them.

It was due to these services by the Poes, that LaFayette and given a ball in his honor in 1824, he remarked that he hadn't seen David Poe, Sr. or his wife Elizabeth.

Upon hearing that he had passed away, LaFayette insisted on visiting the grave.  Once there, he knelt to the ground and kissed it and said , "Here lies a noble heart."

At age 71, Poe participated in the War of 1812 in the defense of Baltimore.

Quite a Man.  --Brock-Perry

Westminster Burying Grounds-- Part 2: Notables Buried There

Some notable people buried at Westminster Burying Grounds:

JAMES CALHOUN--  (1743-1816)  Last mayor of Baltimore Town, First mayor of the City of Baltimore.

EDWARD JOHNSON--  (1767-181839)--  Mayor of Baltimore during the British attack in September 1814.  Chairman of the "Committee of Vigilance and Safety."

PHILIP BARTON KEY--  (1818-1859)--  Son of Francis Scott Key.    Shot and killed by  Daniel E. Sickles, his lover's husband in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, D.C.,  27 February 1829.   (I wrote about this in my Saw the Elephant blog this month.  Sickles and his lawyers used temporary insanity as a reason.  Sickles later was a general in the Civil War.)

JAMES McHENRY-- (1753-1816)--   Signer of the U.S. Constitution, Secretary of War and namesake for Fort McHenry.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 7: His Statue 3

At the top of the monument is a copper statue of Samuel Smith (1874-1951) standing eight feet high.  It is one a seven high granite base with the inscriptions.

The sculpture cost $10,000 and was funded from money raised by the National Star-Spangled Banner Centennial Commission.

Samuel Smith is buried at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore along with many other Baltimore and War of 1812 notables.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 6: His Statue 2

Another inscription on the monument:

"Hero of both wars for American Independence

Long Island
White Plains
Brandywine
Defender of Fort Miflin
Valley Forge
Monmouth
Baltimore"

A list of his battles.  The first six are from the American Revolution.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 5: His Statue

Samuel Smith's statue is at Federal Hill.  The monument was dedicated on July, 4, 1918. and was created by sculptor Hans Shuler.  From 1918 to 1953, it was located in Wyman Park at Charles and 29th Street.  In 1953 it was moved to Pratt and Light Street and finally moved top its present location in 1970.

From HMDB

Inscription:    "1752-1839   Under his command the attack by the British upon Baltimore  by land and sea Sept., 12-14, 1814 was repulsed.

 "Member of Congress forty successive years, president U.S. Senate, Secretary of the Navy, Mayor of Baltimore."

Quite a Busy Man.  --Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith of Baltimore-- Part 4: Victory At Hampstead Hill and Fort McHenry

The British, led by Major General Robert Ross until his death landed on North Point by Baltimore on September 12, 1814,  with 4,000 soldiers and encountered a delaying force led by Brigadier General John Stricker.

The delaying tactic worked and Smith was able to fortify Hampstead Hill, a fortified position  east of Baltimore.  He congregated thousands of militia men and whatever guns he had.  British attempts to flank the position were foiled by Smith.  He also positioned his troops so that a frontal assault would get caught in a crossfire.

The British retreated September 14 and boarded their ships.

The British also assaulted Baltimore with their Navy warships but Fort McHenry and its covering forts (Covington and Babcock) successfully withstood the famous bombardment. and they also withdrew.

--Brock-Perry