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 New York Flotilla?

The gravestone of Richard Hill in Eastern Cemetery in Portland, Maine says he served during the War of 1812 on Gunboat 47 of the New York Flotilla.  In the last post I said that I have had no luck finding mention of Gunboat 47 anywhere.

A flotilla refers to a fleet or group of boats.

I also went looking for mention of a New York Flotilla.  I found plenty about a Chesapeake Flotilla.  I have written about it before.  But, at first I was having no luck with a New York Flotilla.

But, eventually I found a source that listed several American flotillas:  Baltimore, Chesapeake, Delaware, Gosport (Virginia), New York and Potomac.

I even came across the name of Jacob Lewis who is listed as the commander of the New York Flotilla.

So, there was evidently such a thing as a New York Flotilla.

But, I'd sure like to find information on Gunboat 47.

--Brock-Perry

Richard Hill Gets His Due-- Part 4: His Death

Richard Hill was the father to a troubles son named Richard L. Hill, who robbed a boot store as a teenager.  At the time, prominent Portlanders unsuccessfully lobbied to have the sentence repealed.

After he was released, the young Hill killed his father by shooting  him with double pistols in 1861.

June McKenzie of Portland,  whose black roots go back generations in the city, said she was happy to  help unveil Hill's  new grave marker.

"It's about time he gets some recognition.  He served well and still had a hard life," McKenzie said.

She said it is important to tell the stories of people like Hill.

I wish I could have found out more about him.

--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

Richard Hill Gets His Due-- Part 2: Most Maine Men Served in War as Massachusetts Militia

Richard Hill's story very likely wouldn't have been told had it not been for the diligence of Larry Glatz of South Portland, Maine,  who rediscovered Hill during research on Mainers who fought as federal troops against the British in the War of 1812.

According to him, some 20,000 men served in the state militia when called upon to defeat Portland when it was thought a British attack was imminent.  (And, these men were fighting as Massachusetts militia.)

Another 5,000 Mainers fought as federal troops during the three-year war.  "Most of the federal troops were buried in unmarked graves," according to Mr. Glatz.  A desire to mark the War of 1812 graves sparked his research.  Several other 1812 graves have been found in Eastern Cemetery.

--Brock-Perry

Richard Hill Gets His Due for War of 1812 Service-- Part 1

From the September 15, 2002, Central Maine.com "War of 1812 veteran gets his due" by Beth  Quimby, Portland   Press Herald.

Taps was finally played for Richard Hill on Saturday, some 151 years after his death.  He was a black War of 1812 sailor and these military honors were delivered at the so-called "Colored Ground" burial area at Portland, Maine's Eastern Cemetery.

Hill is believed to have witnessed the British attack on Fort McHenry in 1814 which led to Francis Scott Key writing the words to what is today known as the "Star-Spangled Banner."

He and his grave site were forgotten after his death in 1861 at the hands of his son, who murdered him outside their home on Munjoy Hill.  Unfortunately, all is not yet correct with him as his new stone is engraved with his death year as being 1881.

Military honors were  provided by the Harold T. Andrews American Legion Post 17 of Portland and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6859 0f Portland.

His new stone was paid for by the  federal government and stands  beside Portland's black American Revolutionary War veterans at Congress and Mountfort streets.

--Brock-Perry

Richard Hill, OS. So, What Is an OS?

Richard Hill is listed as an OS in the U.S. navy on his grave marker at Portland, Maine's Eastern Cemetery.  So, that got me to wondering, what is an OS, presuming it might indicate his ship rank.

I looked it up, and in today's Navy, OS stands for Operations Specialist. They are key members of the ship's combat team with jobs  ranging from navigation and plotting specialists, operations administrator,  warfare operator, electronics systems operator and combat air controller.

None of these would seem applicable to the U.S. Navy of the War of 1812.

So, what was an OS during the War of 1812?

More Research Needed Here.  --Brock-Perry

Black War of 1812 Sailor Richard Hill gets His Due in Portland, Maine

From the September 15, 2012,  WMTW Channel 8, ABC, Portland (Maine)  "War of 1812 veteran gets his due." 

Yesterday, I included the name Richard Hill, a seaman on the Gunboat 47 in the New York Flotilla during the War of 1812, who is buried at Portland, Maine's Eastern Cemetery.

Seaman Richard Hill, a black man who fought in the War of 1812,  has finally received honors at Portland, Maine's Eastern Cemetery,  150 years after his death in 1861.

The honors were delivered Saturday by the local American Legion and veterans of Foreign Wars posts.

His new headstone, paid for by the federal government,  stands beside the graves of Portland's Black American Revolution veterans who are buried in the historic cemetery.

The Portland Press-Herald newspaper said Larry Glatz of  South Portland came across Hill's name while researching Portland residents who served in the country's federal forces during the War of 1812.

Richard Hill is believed to have witnessed the British attack on Fort McHenry which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner."

He was killed by his own son in 1861.

His gravestone says that he served on Gunboat 47 of the New York Flotilla.  I can't find out anything about this gunboat.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veterans Buried in Portland's Eastern Cemetery-- Part 4

**  SGT. JAMES HENLEY

Mass Militia  1782  1843

**  SEAMAN RICHARD HILL

Gunboat 47, New York Flotilla 1792 Sept. 12, 1881

**  PVT. DANIEL HOW

Died  Sept. 16, 1819, age 57

**  SGT. JOHN SIMON HOW

Died June 26, 1859

**  CAPT. JOSEPH HOW

Died Aug. , 1820

**  CORP. NATHAN HOWE  

Mass Militia  1781  1859

**  GEORGE INGRAHAM

Mass Militia   1795  1875

**  DEACON WILLIAM JENKS

So, the Hows.  --Brock-Perry

War 1812 Veterans Buried in Portland's Eastern Cemetery-- Part 3

**  EBENEZER M. CORRY

Born May 7, 1793  Died Jan. 12, 1881

**  SGT. JOHN DENNISON

Brewer's  Mass. Mil.

**  PVT. SEWALL DRINKWATER

Mass. Militia   1796-1878

**  COL. SABINE EMERY

9 Me. Vols. /  Feb. 8 1884 / Mar. 24, 1868.  Okay, this one didn't make sense.  I figured it was wrong as far as the war he was credited to and probably the birth date was wrong as well.

As it turns out, I was correct.  He was from the Civil War.  

I will write about him in my Saw the Elephant:  Civil War blog.

**  ANTHONY FERNALD

Died May 29, 1863

**  ISAAC FICKETT

**  SAMUEL DEANE FREEMAN

Died 17 Sep 1831, age  50 y

**  PVT. RICHARD S. GOODHUE

Died Dec. 6 1856

**  LEONARD GRIFFIN

 

Mass Militia   1793  1822

**  COMPT.  STEPHEN HALL

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veterans Buried in Portland's Eastern Cemetery-- Part 2

**  LT. OLIVER BRAY

Lieut.  Mass Militia  1776 1823

**  DR. JOHN P. BRIGGS

Died July 28, 1858

**  CAPT. WILLIAM BURROWS

Commanded the USS Enterprise in the battle against the HMS Boxer.  I have already written about him.

**  CAPT. DUDLEY CAMMETT

Died 14 June 1863  age 74

**  CAPT. WILLIAM CAMMETT

Died 6 April 1880 at age 94 years 7 months

**  GEORGE CHADWICK

Mass Militia 1794 1853

**  ENSIGN JOHN W.  CHASE

Ensign Mass Militia 1790 1819

CAPT. SAMUEL  CLARKE

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veterans Buried at Eastern Cemetery in Portland, Maine-- Part 1

From Spirits Alive Veterans.

**  Lt. Joseph Baker  Died  July 20, 18__.

**  Col. Thomas Baker   Died September  5, 1838.

**  Private Joseph  Barbour (two Stones)  Died 30 May 1854 at age 78.

**  John Bean  Nichols Regt. War of 1812 1782 to 1822.

**  Corp. Joseph Berry, Massachusetts  Militia War of 1812  1792 to 1871.

**  William B, Berry  Father William.  Died May 28, 1863.   Age at death 73.

**  Captain Samuel Blyth, British.  I have already written about him.  Click on his label.

**  Major Joseph Cotton Boyd   Dist. paymaster, US Army, War of 1812.  1760 to My 12, 1823.  First Maine state treasurer.

**  Pvt  Andrew Bradberry   Mass militia 1780 to 1852

--Brock-Perry

Abel Willard Atherton

Lt.Col. Martin Nichols' Regiment, militia. 

MUSTER ROLL OF CAPT. A.W. ATHERTON'S COMPANY

April 16, 1814,   Service at Portland

RANK AND NAME

Abel W. Atherton, Captain

Henry Smith, Lieutenant

John Watson, Ensign

Also:  4 sergeants, 12 corporals, 1 musician and 43 privates.

--Brock-Perry

Abel Willard Atherton Service in Lt.Col. Martin Nichols' Regiment 1814

From the same source as Captain Atherton's 1813 service.

Lieut.  Col. M. Nichols' Regiment

Martin Nichols, Lieutenant. Lieutenant Colonel, Portland

John Pratt, Major, Portland

John Storer, Major, Portland

John Sampson, Adjutant, Portland

Edward Barneywell, Adjutant, Portland

 Christopher Wright, Quartermaster, Portland

William Swan, Paymaster, Portland

Nathaniel Coffin, Surgeon  (Personally, I might have a problem seeking his help with that name.)

John Merrill, Surgeon's Mate,  Portland

George Hall, Chaplain

--Brock-Perry

Abel Willard Atherton again commanded a company in the 1814 call out.

--Brock-Perry

Maine Was a Part of Massachusetts During the War of 1812

In case you're wondering why the militia defending Portland, Maine, was called out by the governor of Massachusetts in 1813, that was because Maine was still a part of that state.

However, being physically separated from Massachusetts, Maine was not keen on that idea of being part of Massachusetts.  Secessionist sentiment in Maine was stoked  during the War of 1812 when Massachusetts' pro-British merchants opposed the war and refused to defend Maine from British invaders.

In 1819, Massachusetts agreed to permit secession, sanctioned by the voters of the rapidly growing Maine the following year.

Formal secession and admission as the 23rd state came on March  15, 1820, as part of the Missouri Compromise, which maintained the  balance between slave and free states.

In Case You Were Wondering.    --Brock-Perry

Some More on Abel Willard Atherton

From the July 2, 2021, Vita Brevis site "July 4 and My Family" by Scott C. Steward.

He was looking around for something to write about things happening to his family on  or around July 4.

"On my father's side,  my great-great-great-great grandfather Abel Willard Atherton was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts on the first anniversary of Independence Day:  July 4, 1777.

"Willard Atherton was in Portland, Maine to marry the widowed  Margaret Duncan in 1809, and he died in Castine, Maine in 1821.  His daughter, my ancestor Eliza Robinson Atherton, married Samuel Henry Foster of Boston in Portland in 1830; they later lived in New York...."

Footnote:  Colonel Abel Willard Atherton (1777-1821) married  Margaret (Weeks) Duncan in 1809.

--Brock-Perry

The Coast of Maine in the War of 1812 and a Threat to Portland

With the end of the war against Napoleon, the British had more resources to use against the United States which had essentially been on the back burner for efforts as Napoleon posed a much worse threat to Britain.

By August 1814, the British were blockading Portland Harbor in earnest.  By September they captured Castine and held the Maine coast east of the Penobscot.  Rumors abounded in Portland warning that "a large fleet with troops" under  the flagship HMS Bulwark had left Castine headed for Portland.

Daily, the British would sail up to the lighthouse, but the mighty fleet never materialized.  Even so, Governor Strong  called up six to seven hundred militiamen from Cumberland and Oxford counties to defend Portland.

Portland also appropriated  $10,000 for  public defense.

It was during this scare that the former HMS Boxer was pressed into service.  The battery of the prize ship San Jose Indiano was  ordered to be mounted on her.  (The Boxer's cannons had been removed to the privateer Hyder Ally.)  The Boxer was then hauled into position so as to command the approaches to Vaughan's Bridge.

The ship's gunners amused themselves by  firing into the steep bankings on Bramhall's Hill.  All this went on for about two weeks, but since nothing happened, everyone was sent home.

Fun and Games in Portland.  --Brock-Perry

Abel Willard Atherton

From Wikitree.

Was he the one that was stationed temporarily at Fort Burrows in Portland, Maine?

BORN: 4 July 1777 in Lancaster,  Worchester, Massachusetts.

HUSBAND of Margaret (Weeks) Atherton.  Married  3 July 1809 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine.

DIED:  16 August 1821 in Castine, Hancock, Maine

*******************************

There is a gravestone in Castine Cemetery in Castine, Maine, for Abel Willard Atherton.  

He is listed as Colonel Abel Willard Atherton.

He is listed as Col. Abel W. Atherton on Find-A-Grave.  The gravestone is in very bad shape.

So, did he get as high as a colonel in the Maine militia?

--Brock-Perry

Abel Willard Atherton Served at Fort Burrows

I did come across Willard Atherton Nichols in a book titled "The Constitution and Register of the Membership of the General Society of the War of 1812" from 1908.

WILLARD ATHERTON NICHOLS was living at Redlands, California, at P.O. Box 536.

He was the grandson of Abel Willard  Atherton (1777-1821), in United States service as  Captain, Third Regiment (Nichols) Massachusetts Militia, September 16, 1813.

Detached on special service at Fort Burrows, Maine.

Also as Captain, Portland Rifle Company, same regiment, September   7-9, 1814, in defense  of Portland, Maine, and as  Aide-de-Camp on the staff of  Major General  Alford Richardson; September 10-November 9, 1814, for the defense of Portland.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Burrows in Portland, Maine

From North American Forts site.

FORT BURROWS  (1813-1815)  Portland, Maine.

A state militia fort located at  58 Fore Street, near Mountfort Street at Jordan's Point.  

No remains left.

Named after the commander of the USS Enterprise William Burrows who died in the battle with the HMS Boxer off Portland, Maine.

This is all the information I can find on this fort.

--Brock-Perry