Frerick Messer Obituary: "His Wild Vocation of Hunting and Trapping"

From Charlotte, North Carolina.  February 20, 1907.

FEDERIC MESSER DEAD, WAS 114 YEARS OF AGE

South's Oldest Citizen Dies at His Home Near Waynesville, N.C.-- His Age Proved By Authentic Records.  Used Tobacco and Whiskey.

Another obit described him as "Trapper Messer."

Federic Messer, the South's oldest citizen, famous as a hunter and trapper before civilization blazed across the Blue Ridge  mountains, is dead at his home in Haywood County, at the age of 114 years, 6 months and 5 days.

Messer was born Aug. 12, 1792, in Lincoln county, and in early life when western Carolina was an unexplored wilderness, people by the Cherokees, he located in the mountains 21 miles from what is now Waynesville, the county seat of Haywood county, there pursuing his   wild vocation of hunting and trapping.

He was hale and vigorous up to within a few months of his death, frequently walking to Waynesville to attend the county court, and once every year, on his birthday, swimming the Pigeon river, which runs by his mountain home.

He married a woman of Milmington, this state, (probably Wilmington) who bore him  nine children, and lived to the age of 84.  But one child, now a woman, survives him.  His age is established by authentic records.

He used tobacco and corn whisky of the mountains, in moderation, all his life, and attributed his great longevity to his regular sleeping and waking hours, most of which were spent outdoors.

Now, That's A Life.  --Brock-Perry

North Carolina's War of 1812 Personalities-- Part 1

From the October Newsletter of the Federal Point Historical Society.

On Monday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m., the Society will have a meeting and presentation at the Federal Point History Center at 1121A North Lake Park Boulevard, adjacent to the Carolina Beach, North Carolina, Town Hall.  (Carolina Beach is south of Wilmington.

Presenter will be Andrew Duppstadt, Program Development and Training Officer, Historic Weapons Program coordinator, N.C. Division of Historic Sites, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

He also used to have a blog on the Civil War Navy, which I miss a lot.  I still have one on the Civil War Navy.

His presentation is "North Carolina's War of 1812 Personalities."

--Brock-Perry

Joseph G. Swift-- Part 1: First USMA Graduate

From Cullom's Register.

Joseph Gardner Swift was the first graduate of the USMA.

Born December 31, 1783, on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.  He was one of the original cadets at the USMA in October 12, 1802, when he became second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers.

From 1802-1804, he was superintending engineer during the construction of  Fort Johnston, North Carolina.  This fort was at the mouth of the Cape Fear River by Wilmington.  Part of it still remains.

Promoted to 1st Lt., Corps of Engineers, Captain October 30, 1806.

he was at West Point 1804-1807.

--Brock-Perry

John H. Dent, USN-- Part 2

During the War of 1812, he was senior officer in charge of U.S. Naval affairs in Charleston, S.C..

He married in South Carolina and made it his home and is buried in Jacksonboro, South Carolina.

From another source:

John H. Dent commanded the USS Hornet from 1801-1809, took a cruise to the Mediterranean Sea and served on the Hornet while acting as senior naval officer in Charleston, S.C.  He next commanded the USS John Adams and operated along the southern U.S. coast and in 1811, took a voyage to Europe.

Promoted to captain in 1811 and was sent back to Charleston to serve as commandant of the naval station there and the one in Wilmington, North Carolina.  he held this post during the entire War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry

Did the Cape Fear Region Play Any Significant Role in the War of 1812?

From the April 30, 2010, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "My Reporter" by Meston Vanoe.

No battles were fought in North Carolina, but the British did occupy Ocracoke and Portsmouth islands in the Outer Banks from July 12-16, 1813.  This scared the state and the militia was called out, some going to Wilmington.

Johnston Blakely was a naval hero from Wilmington who commanded the sloop USS Wasp that captured the HMS Reindeer

Captain Otway Burns was from Onslow County and was a leading privateer.  he is buried in Beaufort in a tomb topped with cannons from his ship, the Snap Dragon.  His desk and a model of his ship are at the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

Brunswick County raised a company of volunteers for the North Carolina Militia.

After the war, the government increased the size of the Navy.  Seven ships-of-the-line, the most powerful ships of their day, were built.  One was the USS North Carolina which was launched in 1820 and commissioned in 1824.

--Brock-Perry

North Carolina in the War of 1812: Call for Wilmington and 1812 and 1814 Musters

From the NC1812 site.

Detached militia called to Wilmington by orders issued September 28, 1814, when it appeared the British were about to attack.

Militia from Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, New Hanover, Robeson and Sampson counties.

1812 Muster

1st Brigade N.C. Militia
2nd brigade N.C. Militia
1st Regiment N.C. Cavalry
1st Regiment N.C. Artillery
1st Regiment N.C. Riflemen

On the 1814 Muster

1st through 7th Regiments N.C. Militia

--Brock-Perry

A History of American Privateers-- Part 3: Wilmington, N.C.

Wilmington N.C. sent out three privateers.

The 5-gun schooner Hawk, under Captain W.H. Trippe, went to sea March 1814 with 68 men.  Its only prize was the schooner Phoebe with a cargo of rum and molasses.  It was sent to Wilmington.

On April 26, 1814, the Hawk was captured by the frigate HMS Pique while off Silver Keys.

The Lovely lass privateer was a 5-gun schooner under Captain J. Smith, USN.  It went to sea in 1813 with a complement of 60 men.

In March it sent a captured schooner to New Orleans valued at $10,000.  On May 4th, the HMS Circee chased it 19 hours causing the Lovely Lass to throw four guns overboard before it was captured.  It had been out 40 days when captured

The most famous and successful was the 6-gun Snap Dragon commanded by Captain E. Pasteur and later by the famous Captain O. Burns.

--Brock-Perry

Known U.S. Naval Officers Who Served in North Carolina

From N.C. in the War of 1812.

All of these men were stationed in Wilmington.

E.D. Morrison--  surgeon's mate
Julius Humphreys--  midshipman
William Jaspar--  midshipman
Joseph Spiknall--  midshipman
John Mooney--  sailing master
James Moore--  gunner

--Brock-Perry

U.S. Gunboat No. 168-- Part 2: First, Last and a Hurricane

I am unable to find out any more about the battle between the Sappho and 168, however.

From NC1812.

Gunboat No. 168 was built at Wilmington, N.C., one of three Jeffersonian gunboats built there to defend the state as fears of war with Britain grew.  In March 1808, the U.S. Navy issued contracts to shipbuilder Amos Perry to build three gunboats.  They were Nos. 166, 167 and 168.  Jeffersonian gunboats were only numbered and no names given to them (other than 166 which later became known as the USS Alligator).

On March 13, 1812, so, you could say that it fired the first naval shots of the War of 1812.  It is also given credit for firing the last shots of the naval war as well on 16th March 1815.

In 1813 it was driven ashore by a hurricane.

--Brock-Perry

A Poem to Wilmington's "Battle of Greenfield"-- Part 2

To slumber in darkness should not be its fate,
But to shine on the pages of story.

For true were the patriots engaged in that strife,
To valor, to freedom, their country--
Though they drew not a sword nor a glittering knife,
They were crowned with the laurels of victory.

Long, long has it been since the dark cloud of war,
Insultingly threatened our town,
Yet the renowned plain of Greenfield still beams from afar,
With lustre of its glorious renown.

A Bit, As You Say, Tongue-In-Cheek.  --Brock-Perry

A Poem to Wilmington's "Battle of Greenfield"-- Part 1

As in Wilmington, North Carolina.

This poem appeared in the June 12, 1852 Tri-Weekly Commercial newspaper in Wilmington.  Of course, this was essentially tongue-in-cheek as the battle that almost took placed involved Americans on both sides and a big factor in it had to do with mosquitoes.  Check out the Wilmington NC  labels to find out about this "battle."

We've sung of the heroes of red Waterloo.
Of the deeds that were done on that field.

While we've tuned not a note to the true and the brave,
Who contested the plain of Greenfield.

Shame for the historians of our brave State,
To have left unrecorded its glory,

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

USS Rattlesnake

From Wikipedia.

As mentioned in the last post, it was captured on June 22, 1814, 200 years ago.

Fourteen-gun brig built in Medford, Massachusetts as a privateer and purchased by U.S.Navy in 1813.  Sailed from Portsmouth, New Hampshire 10 January 1814 under Master commandant John O. Creighton and sailed with the USS Enterprise to the Caribbean and took three prizes before being forced to split up and run for it ny a British frigate.

It put into Wilmington, North Carolina.

It was back to sea under Lt. James Renshaw and captured eight more merchant ships along the Atlantic coast.  On May 31st it was again chased by a British frigate and managed to escape after throwing all but two guns overboard.

Its evading luck ran out on June 22, 1814, when it was captured by the HMS Leander off Cape Sable, Nova Scotia.  The Leander's captain reported that the Rattlesnake had 22 cannons aboard, but had thrown all overboard during the chase and it had a crew of 131.

The British Admiralty recorded the USS Rattlesnake being captured on July 7. 1814, however, and that is considered to be most likely the capture date.

It was purchased by the British Navy, but no further records of the ship have been found.

When Chased, Throw Those Heavy cannons Overboard.  --Brock-Perry

In Case You're Wondering What Antifogmatic Was

Antifogmatic referred to a liquor taken to counteract the effects of damp or wet conditions.  An alcoholic drink.

--Brock-Perry

Wilmington's Great "Skeeter" Battle-- Part 4: "To the Right About Face"

"The officers of the two parties met, shook hands, took antofogmatic together which some provident souls had secured in portable flasks, and brought along to keep off the chill.  (One has to wonder what an antofogmatic is?)

"The word was given 'to right about face'  and we found ourselves retracing our steps toward Wilmington, the whole population of which, of all colors, orders, ages, sexes and condition, had apparently followed to see the fight & fun, or to gratify curiosity.

"And altho' North Carolina's latest & greatest historian (referring to John Hill Wheeler (18016-1882) author of "Historical Sketches of North Carolina from 1584-185.") has failed to record the mighty deed, long will the battle of Greenfield be imprinted on the memory of the people of Wilmington."

Only three participants of the battle were still alive when this account of the little-known battle was written in the 1850s.

No Bloodshed, Just Bites.  --Brock-Perry

Wilmington's Great "Skeeter" Battle-- Part 3: What Actually Happened

So, now we have a tense stand-off going on between the Wilmington soldiers and those being inhumanely pestered by mosquitoes at Greenfield.  In case you're wondering about the gaunt, hoosier-looking captain who said the mosquitoes were sucking their blood to the general, hoosier-looking mans inexperienced, awkward or unsophisticated.  (I have to wonder if Indiana is aware of this definition?)

That hoosier-looking Captain continued: "Howsomdeavor if they were to be baggonetted [bayoneted] to death he supposed they must submit.  He didn't like it nohow;but it was he, the general, who requested it, he supposed they moust stay a leetle longer.

"The general spoke soothingly to them; talked about patriotism,, love of country, and all that sort of thing.

Looking Like the Whole Thing's Not Going to Result in Bloodshed.  --Brock-Perry

Wilmington's Great "Skeeter" Battle-- Part 2 "Mosquitoes Were Sucking All Their Blood"

"We soon found ourselves marching in the direction of Greenfield, with loaded guns and pistols primed, bristling bayonets and drawn scimitars glittering in the rising sun beams.

"The tents of the Greenfield regiments were surrounded and their officers ordered to appear....  Our commander advanced and addressed them, telling them he understood they were in a state of mutiny and had threatened to go home....

"A gaunt hoosier-looking Captain replied that the mosquitoes were sucking all their blood, and that they had not even a [negro] to bring them water from the spring when they were sick; that they were not used to such hardships & he'd be darned if they would put up with it any longer."

Wonder What Happened Next?  --Brock-Perry

Wilmington's Great "Skeeter" Battle-- Part 1

Continued from June 4, 2014.

Referring to the militia unit camped at Greenfield Lake about a mile south of Wilmington.  These men were essentially under a major attack from a very hungry mass of mosquitoes and their buddy gallnippers.  Things got so bad, they were ready to have a mutiny.  Continuing with the account of the near-battle:

"News was brought to our commanding general that they (the militia at Greenfield Lake) were in  a state of mutiny.  About daybreak next morning the town division of the army was aroused from our slumbers by the drums and fifes, and the cavalry summoned by the loud blast of the bugle, issuing from the wind-pope of Philip, the mulatto trumpeter."

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

The Rest of the Story on Wilmington's 1813 Defense

The mutinous American soldiers were camped at Greenfield, describes as being a mile south of Wilmington.  The name is familiar to me as a park and lake in the city.  I imagine this to be the same one.  With the gallnippers and mosquitoes abounding there, it would make sense this is the place.

Greenfield Lake is in downtown Wilmington today, but was originally developed in the 1730s by Dr. Samuel Green to aid in his rice production.  In later years, it became a recreation destination with diving boards, docks, bathhouses and a pavilion built.

In 1918, an amusement park opened there and today it is the site of the Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre (Hugh Morton Amphitheatre which hosts all sorts of events including a concert July 5th this year by Bruce Hornsby and in September the Eli Young Band.

A far Cry From Those Skeeters.  --Brock-Perry

And, Now for the Rest of the Story of the Defense of Wilmington: What Are Gallnippers?

.
In the last post, I mentioned the American regiment at Greenfield, in defense of Wilmington, NC, in 1813, as being plagued by mosquitoes and "Gallnippers."  Whereas I am very familiar with mosquitoes (today, when I parked the boat trailer over by Kora's for the summer, I was accosted by one huge bunch of mosquitoes rising out of the grass.   It reminded me of those World War II movies when you had all those bombers and fighter in the air).

But, I was not aware of gallnippers, but figured they were something like a mosquito.

They were.

Gallnippers are especially prevalent in Florida.  It is a name given to Psorophora Ciliata, and especially large species of mosquitoes.  Adults can be 1/2 inch long and have a reputation as aggressive biters with a marked preference for human blood.

The males are harmless, but, oh those females.

--Brock-Perry
.

The Defense of Wilmington, 1813-- Part 4

The troops billeted in Wilmington, but one regiment was at "Greenfield," a mile below the town.  They constructed little log huts which they put up hastily for the occasion.

They soon became quite dissatisfied with their location; they could not even with bayonets, if they had them, drive off the invading arm of mosquitoes and gallnippers that assaulted them by day, as well as by night.

News was brought to our commanding general that they were in a state of mutiny."

Up Next, the Battle of Greenfield?  --Brock-Perry