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

Canada's Coloured Corps-- Part 4: Captain Robert Runchey

But, instead of making Richard Pierpont commander of the corps,  that went to a local white officer,  Captain Robert Runchey.

Characterized as a "worthless, troublesome malcontent" by his superiors, Runchey fulfilled his  reputation for poor leadership by segregating  black men from  other militiamen.  In  some cases, Runchey hired out black soldiers as domestic servants to  other officers.

Not surprisingly, recruitment in  the Niagara Peninsula proved to be very difficult and "Runchey's Company of Coloured Men" remained small.    In early October 14, 1812,  14 black soldiers were transferred to the unit from the 3rd York Militia.

The majority of the men of the unit lived in Upper Canada -- in towns and villages in the Niagara region, in York (Toronto) and Bay of Quinte, near Belleville.  One of the men, George  Martin, from Niagara, had been freed from slavery by his father, Peter, in 1797.

Four years before that, Peter Martin had witnessed and reported the Chloe Cooley Incident to Lt.-Gov. Simcoe--  an event that led to the Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada.

Once raised to about 40 men, the unit began training at Fort George.

--Brock-Perry

Canada's Coloured Corps-- Part 3: Raising the Coloured Corps

Toward 1812, the prospect of war with the United States and a possibility of invasion from them posed a major threat to the liberties of black Canadians, leading many black men to join militias.  Many understood that an American victory would lead to re-enslavement of them and their families

Free black men had served in the Canadian militia since its organization in 1793.   However, the formation of an independent unit consisting solely of Blacks was not proposed until the eve of the War of 1812 when Richard Pierpoint offered to raise a corps of black men in the Niagara region.

The offer was initially refused by the Canadian government, but reconsidered upon the American occupation of Sandwich (Windsor) on 12 July 1812.

By late August, the core of the all-black company  had formed in Niagara, as part of the 1st Lincoln militia.

Next:  Who is to command the company?

--Brock-Perry

Admiral Cochrane's Proclamation to Blacks in the United States: A Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation?

From American Battlefield Trust.

A British Appeal to American Slaves:  Bermuda, April 2, 1814

Proclamation of Vice Admiral Sir Alexander F.I. Cochrane, R.N.

"Whereas, it has been represented to me, that many Persons now resident in the United States, have expressed a desire to  withdraw therefrom,  with a view of entering  His Majesty's Service, or of being received as Free Settlers into some of His Majesty's Colonies.

"This is therefore to Give Notice,

"That all those who may be disposed to emigrate from the United States will, with their Families, be received on board His Majesty's Ships or Vessels of War, or at the Military Posts that may be established, upon or near the Coast of the United States. when they will have their choice of either entering into His Majesty's  Sea or Land Forces, or being sent as Free settlers to  the British Possessions in North America or the West Indies, where they will be met with due encouragement.

Given  under my Hand at Bermuda, this 2nd day of April, 1814, ALEXANDER COCHRANE.

By Command  of the Vice Admiral, William Balhetchet (Secretary)   GOD SAVE THE KING.

A Way Out of Slavery.  --Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan B. Noble-- Part 4: The Drum Is One of the Most Impiortant Historical Artifacts of New Orleans.

Jordan Noble was sold back into slavery four times, but died a free man.

Historian Shelene Roumillat said:  "In my opinion, the drum is one of the most important historical artifacts that we have here in New Orleans.

I certainly agree and not just because of its connection to the battle, but also his service in four wars as well as his impact on New Orleans music, traditions and the movement for equality.  I certainly hope someone or some group buys it and puts it on display for all to see.

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan Noble-- Part 3: "Broke Down Race and Class Barriers"

Jerry Brock continued on about Jordan Noble:  "He broke down race and class barriers as a soldier (veteran of four wars), musician and statesman.  He pioneered New Orleans marching music and parade traditions and demonstrated bravery, free spirit and dignity in his personal quest for liberty and will to survive and prosper.

"Through his music and community involvement Jordan Noble nurtured a joy of life and love of humanity in a city that underwent massive expansion and sociocultural upheaval during his time."

--Brock-Perry

Jordan Noble's Life Would Make a Great Movie

Before the auction, I had never heard of this man before, but he was certainly something.

I think this would make a great big-screen movie, perhaps with Morgan Freeman playing the older Jordan Noble.

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan B. Noble-- Part 2: "Advanced the Cause of Black Freedom and Human Rights"

One music historian, Jerry Brock, said that Jordan Noble "was arguably the most celebrated black musician in 19th century New Orleans and in a life that bridged nine decades, Noble advanced the cause of black freedom and human rights."

On his death in 1890, the Daily Picayune headlines:  "Answered the Last Roll:  Death of the Drumer Boy of Chalmette," and noted "many will remember the white-headed old man and his well-worn drum."

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan B. Noble-- Part 1: Expecting $250,000 for His Drum

From WWL 4 CBS.

Neal Auction Company expects to get as much as $250,000 for Jordan Noble's War of 1812 drum.  They have it listed as "The Exceptionally Important Jordan B. Noble Infantry Snare Drum."

It is part of a collection of some 200 items of the Gaspar Cusachs collection who assembled a massive array of New Orleans local history objects before his death in 1929.

Noble's name is signed inside the drum.  It is believed he was born a slave in Georgia around 1800.

The National Parks Service says he joined the 7th U.S. regiment in 1913 as a free man and became a drummer.  At the Battle of New Orleans, he was one of nearly 900 free men of color who defended his adopted city.

--Brock-Perry

"Old Jordan" The Drummer of Chalmette-- Part 1

From 2009 New Orleans Nostalgia by Ned Hemard.

This is more information on the man whose drum from the Battle of New Orleans was recently auctioned off.

In New Orleans, Jordan Noble was generally called "Old Jordan" and "The Drummer of Chalmette."

Chalmette is another name for the battlefield where the Battle of New Orleans was fought.

He was 14-years-old at the Battle of New Orleans and had enlisted in the 7th U.S. Infantry.

During the Civil War he participated in the organizing of the Native Guards, General Benjamin Butler's 1st Regiment of Louisiana Native Guard.  He was sworn into service on September 27, 1862, the first black soldiers officially mustered into the Union Army.  The 2nd and 3rd Regiments of the group were organized in the next two months.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Gadsden, Fla.-- Part 3: British Post, Negro Fort

Before he left Florida, Edward Nicholls built a fort at Prospect Bluff, 15 miles above the mouth of the Apalachicola River and 60 miles below U.S. territory.

 It was originally known as British Post and served as base for British troops (though in Spanish Florida) and actively recruited former slaves into the new Corps of Colonial Marines.  It also was the local rallying point for Seminole Indians for attacks on U.S. territory.

When the British evacuated the fort in the spring of 1815, they left a well-constructed and fully armed fort on the east bank of the Apalachicola River and about 400 Colonial Marines assumed command.  News of the "Negro Fort" attracted 800 black fugitives (runaway slaves) ro the fort who settled around it.

--Brock-Perry

The British Corps of Colonial Marines-- Part 2

The 1814-1816 reincarnation of the Colonial Marines saw action from Canada to Georgia.  they proved of great assistance because they had extensive knowledge of the lands where they were formerly enslaved.  They helped the British capture Washington, D.C..

The Colonial Marines also assisted in the British Southern Coastal Campaign and guarded their right flank in attack on and subsequent Battle of New Orleans.

At the end of the war they were transferred to Bermuda.

In 1816, they were ordered to Prospect Bluff, Florida where they defended a Spanish fort overlooking the Apalachicola River (Fort Gadsden).  American troops were threatening the fort which had a lot of escaped slaves who had gone there for protection, so many in fact that it was referred to as Negro Fort.

Major General Andrew Jackson attempted to capture it in July 1816 when he led a flotilla of American gunboats and troops.  They overran the stockade and forced the British force to surrender.  Many of the Colonial Marines were then enslaved again.

--Brock-Perry

Black Canadians Fought For Their Freedom: Richard Pierpoint-- Part 2

During the War of 1812, the threat of re-enslavement was real if the Americans won. Knowing this, Richard Pierpoint petitioned the government to form and lead a "corps of men of colour," saying "I fight for my freedom." //// The unit was eventually formed, but commanded by a white officer and known as Captain Runchey's Company of Coloured Men. It was the first all-black unit in Upper Canada, present-day Ontario. //// They fought in key battles including Fort George, Stoney Creek, St. David's and Lundy's Lane. They were among the first reinforcements at Queenston to help take back Queenston Heights. ///// As many as 20% of combatants in the war were black, many servinf in the Navy. //// After the war, blacks were granted land in the rtemote Oro land, but the land proved too difficult to clear and cultivate and many left. //// In 1821, at age 77, Pierpoint petitioned for passage back to Senegal but was given 100 acres near present-day Fergus. He died impoverished around 1835. //// Quite An Amazing Story. --Brock-Perry

Black Canadians Fought For Their Freedom: Richard Pierpoint-- Part 1

From the February 25, 2013, Toronto Globe and Mail "In 1812, black Canadians fought for their freedom" by Rosemary Sadlier. //// The Bicentennial of the war continues and Black History Month winds down. The United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent continues, and, unfortunately, Black p[articipation in te War of 1812 is largely ignored. //// Richard Pierpoint was born around 1744 in Bondu, West Africa, (now Senegal). He was captured at the age of 16 and brought to the Americas and became the property of a British military officer. //// During the American Revolution he accepted British military service to achieve his freedom. He served in Butler's Rangers and like thousands of other black Loyalists, was granted land in Canada, working 200 acres near Twelve Mile Creek in Ontario. //// Other Blacks helped settle Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. //// --Brock-Perry