Provincetown's Timothy Parker Johnson's Service in War of 1812 Recognized-- Part 2

Verifying Parker's War of 1812 and raising money for the new grave marker was the work of author Amy Whorf McGuiggan and Conwell Enterprises, which operates Conwell  Lumber in Provincetown, and others.    After months of research, Johnson's service as a soldier was confirmed  by the National Society United States Daughters of 1812.

During the 19th century, the Johnson family contributed greatly to the growth of Provincetown from a remote fishing village to a prominent  whaling, cod fishing and  mackeral port.

Johnson owned a wharf between Johnson and Arch streets.  His business interests were salt works, ships ballasts and ownership of Ocean Hall, later known as Central House and now Crown & Anchor.

Between 1841  and 1848, he was managing owner of the 162-ton brig gem, one of Provincetown's first whaling ships.  He influenced the  the building of a Universalist meeting house and was selectman for two years.

Johnson died in Provincetown in 1864.  His wife lived until 1892.

The War of 1812 was fought largely outside of New England, Charlotte  Line, president of the Massachusetts State Society of the United Daughters of 1812.  "However, we did send people," she said.

A portrait of Johnson hangs in the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum.

--Brock-Perry

Provincetown, Massachusetts' Timothy Parker Johnson Recognized for Service in 1812-- Part 1

From the Nov. 1. Provincetown Banner (Mass.) by Mary Ann Bragg.

A lot of research went into the life of a prominent 1800s Provincetown citizen Timothy Parker Johnson and the result was that his grave was marked Saturday in the Provincetown Cemetery for his service in the War of 1812.

Timothy Parker Johnson was a 15-year-old when he served as a private and drummer boy in the war and is the only Provincetown resident known to have served in that war.  He is buried in a prominent family plot in the cemetery but his credentials as a soldier have only recently been verified.

He served as a member of a military unit from his Connecticut home town and after the war, settled in Provincetown with his wife.

A relative of Johnson, Martha Jaxtimer, said, "It's such an honor," when a new grave marker was unveiled.

--Brock-Perry