And To Think I Didn't Know Much About Joseph Willcocks (Or Alexander Williams)

Other than three blog entries about traitorous action on his part that I wrote back in 2016 (and, I had forgotten about them), I didn't know much about him until I wrote about him being buried in Buffalo's Forest Lawn Cemetery while researching Alexander Williams.

I could see the making of an interesting movie on this man's life.

So, now, I have spent almost a month on Alexander J. Williams and Joseph Willcocks.

--Brock-Perry

Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY-- Part 1: President Millard Fillmore

I have been doing a lot of writing about War of 1812 soldier and West Point graduate Alexander John Williams who is buried here.  Whenever I have a place of burial, I like to go to the cemetery and look at the names of other people buried there.

And, Forest Lawn cemetery has a lot of interesting burials.

From Wikipedia.

Red Jacket--  Seneca Indian Chief who sided with U.S, during the War of 1812.

Millard Fillmore--  13th President of the United States

Willis Carrier--  inventor of modern air conditioning

Shirley Chisholm--  politician and first black woman elected to U.S. Congress

Frederick Cook--  American explorer.  Said he reached North Pole first.

More To Come.  --Brock-Perry

The War of 1812 Forest Lawn Cemetery Monument

From Waymarking.

I looked all over to see if the Soldiers' Monument is still in Forest Lawn Cemetery and wasn't having much luck.  I did find that there was a Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the cemetery, but that one commemorates the Civil War.

But, I finally came across this and the accompanying picture matches the one from the 1860 drawing.  So, this must be the new name of the Soldiers' Monument.

The site says:  A Burial Monument  to War if 1812 soldiers, many in unmarked graves at this site.  The old burial site at Franklin Square was moved to Forest Lawn.

The monument notes 6  names of soldiers buried there.  Also the remains of 1158 persons buried  in this lot all of which were removed  from the old burial ground on the west side of  Delaware Street and Eagle Street in Buffalo, NY.

This lot at Forest Lawn Cemetery is designated Franklin Square, Section N City Lot 51.

Joseph Willcocks was buried at Franklin Square in an unmarked grave.  I assume  his remains  have been removed here with the rest of the soldiers and common citizens.

Alexander Williams' grave is by this monument.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander J. Williams-- Part 10: Inscription On His Gravestone

The inscription om Alexander Williams' tombstone reads:

"Sacred to the memory of  Captain Alexander John Williams, of the Twenty-first Regiment United States Artillery, son of General Jonathan and Marianne Williams, of the city of Philadelphia, who was killed in the night attack by the British on Fort Erie, August 14-15, 1814.

"In the midst of the conflict, a lighted port-fire in front of the enemy enabled them to direct their fire with great precision upon his company.

"He sprang forward, cut it off with his sword, and fell mortally wounded by a musket-ball.  He sacrificed himself to save his men.

"Born October 10, 1790.  Died August 15, 1814.   Fratri Dilecto."

--Brock-Perry

Alexander J. Williams-- Part 9: The Soldiers' Monument at Forest Lawn Cemetery

"...in commemoration of the several officers of the United States Army who were engaged in the War of 1812; also of a celebrated Indian chief (Red Jacket), and to mark the spot where the remains of over one thousand persons, which were removed from the city, lie buried.

"Near the monument *and seen in the foreground (of the line drawing of the monument) on the right is a tomb of brick, bearing a recumbent slab of marble, over the grave if Captain Williams, who lost his life at Fort Erie.

"The inscription on it is historical and briefly biographical."

--Brock-Perry

Alexander John Williams-- Part 8: Forest Lawn Cemetery and the Soldiers' Monument

Continuing with Fred Rickey's site.

This is an account from 1869 about the Soldiers' Monument and grave of Captain Williams at Buffalo's Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Accompanied by a drawing of the Soldiers' Monument.

"On the following morning [August 16, 1860] I rode out with Captain Champlin to a beautiful depository  of the dead in the suburbs of Buffalo, called Forest Lawn Cemetery.  The ground is pleasantly undulating, is much covered with trees of the primeval forest, and is a delightful resort during the heats of summer  for those who are not saddened by the sight of graves.

"There is an elevated open space, within ground  one hundred feet  square, slightly inclosed, stands a fine monument of marble, twenty-two feet in height, which was erected  by the corporate  authorities of Buffalo in the Autumn of 1852..."

--Brock-Perry

Alexander John Williams-- Part 7: USMA Facing Problems in 1811?

From Fred Rickey  Alexander  John Williams.

Son of Johnathan Williams, first Superintendent of USMA.  Brother of Henry J. Williams, who also attended West Point..

From Denton, 1964:  Eustice (Eustis) had been obstructing the Academy.   William Eustis was Secretary of War under Madison.  "Hence, by the end of 1811, there were only six cadets left at West Point, and no instruction was being given."

Jonathan Williams took his son Alexander  out of the Academy and sent him to Dartmouth while the Academy was dormant.

Fred Rickey believes this might not have been Alexander who was removed by his father, but his brother Henry.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander J. Williams-- Part 6: A Highly Regarded Officer

So perished this brave and gallant officer, not yet twenty-four years old, sincerely lamented by his friends for his private worth, and deeply regretted by the whole army, with which he was a favorite.

Though ambitious of distinction, he was perfectly unassuming; with laudable spirit, he was indefatigable in the discharge of every duty; and by his intelligence, zeal, and exemplary deportment, won the esteem and applause, not only his subordinates, but of every superior in command.


**  Note.  he was the son of Jonathan Williams, the first Superintendent of the Military Academy and Chief Engineer of the U.S. Army.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander J. Williams-- Part 5: Mortally Wounded Saving the Lives of His Men

Alexander Williams' had been on the lowlands of the Delaware River for a year (Fort Mifflin) and during that time he had contracted a dangerous fever yet he was so anxious to  share in the honors and perils of campaigning of 1814, and even though a convalescent, he applied and was accepted into the Niagara Army.

He joined just in time to take part in the defense of Fort Erie.  Here, his abilities were so conspicuous that he was selected for the important command of the old work before the assault was made on it.

Three times on the morning of August 15, 1814, he had repulsed the enemy.  As the fourth attack was being made, he perceived  a lighted port fire in front of the enemy, enabling them to direct  their fire with great precision.  Instantly, he sprang forward and cut it off with his sword, and in this act, fell mortally wounded.

He sacrificed his life to save those of his men.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander J. Williams-- Part 4: Father Was First Army Chief of Engineers, Jonathan Williams

Captain Alexander Williams was the oldest son of Colonel Johnathan Williams, the first Chief of Engineers on the U.S. Army.  He was born October 10, 1790, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   Entered the Military Academy as a Cadet, July 9, 1806, and was graduated from that institution, and promoted March 1, 1811, to 2nd Lieut. of Engineers.

He continued at duty at West Point until 1812, when he was ordered to superintend the construction of Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and was promoted to 1st Lieut. July 1, 1812.

Believing that he would see more active service and be more rapidly advanced in rank in the Artillery during the now-declared war with Great Britain, he  asked for a transfer to that Corps, in which he was commissioned a Captain, March 17, 1813.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander J. Williams-- Part 2: First In Class of 1811

From For What They Gave On Saturday Afternoon.

Captain, 2nd Artillery, killed while being engaged in the Defense of Fort Erie, Upper Canada, where, in hand-to-hand encounter, while repulsing the enemy's fourth desperate attack upon the bastion of the work.

Born in Pennsylvania.  Appointed to USMA from Pennsylvania.

Alexander John Williams:  Born October 10, 1790, Philadelphia, PA.

Cadet of Military Academy May 5, 1805, to March 1, 1811, when he graduated First in his Class, and was promoted in the Army to Second Lieut., Corps of Engineers, March 1, 1811.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander J. Williams-- Part 1: USMA Class if 1811, Killed in War of 1812

From Civil War In the East,   West Point Officers in the Civil War.

Rank of captain.

Killed in 1814 at the defense of Fort Erie, Upper Canada.

--Brock-Perry

West Point Class of 1811: Five Died in the War of 1812

From the Civil War in the East site.

Four other members of the West Point Class of 1811 besides George Ronan were killed during the War of 1812.

Marie V. Boisaubin   First Lt.  Died in 1813 in the capture of Fort George, Upper Canada.

Henry Burchstead   First Lt.     Killed 1813 in Alabama in Creek Indian campaign.

Henry A. Hobart   First Lt.  Killed 1813, Capture of Fort George, Upper Canada.

Alexander J. Williams    Captain     Killed 1814 in defense of Fort Erie, Upper Canada

George Ronan   Ensign    Killed 1812 in Fort Dearborn massacre.  First West Point graduate to be killed in action.

--Brock-Perry