Some More On the Macdonough Monument in Plattsburgh-- Part 3: Great-Great Granddaughter to Speak

Thomas Macdonugh's great-granddaughter and Isabelle Verkaart Parlin's mother, Isabelle Agnes Macdonough, who was 11 at the time, unveiled the monument at its dedication in August 1926.  Her daughter will speak at this anniversary.

The monument is 135 feet high and topped by an eagle with a 22 foot wingspan.  It serves as a constant reminder of the great victory that was there and the lives lost.

The Macdonough Monument stands in the park directly across from the Plattsburgh City Hall.  The monument overlooks the Saranac River which glows into Cumberland Bay which is connected to Lake Champlain.

--Brock-Perry

Some More on the Macdonough Monument in Plattsburgh-- Part 2

However, World War I disrupted plans for the monument.  A federal act was passed to prohibit the spending of federal funds for the construction of monuments indefinitely passed.  Additionally the cost of construction increased dramatically.

All this delayed Plattsburgh's memorial until  1921, when citizens became very urgent that the matter of erecting the memorial became very urgent."

An Act of the Legislature of 1921 abolished the former commission and established a new one in favor of having more locals serve and more frequent meetings.  The state appropriated more funds for the project, and after some revisions of the original plans forced by budget limits, the commission selected a man named John Young Jr. to construct the memorial.

--Brock-Perry

Some More on the Macdonough Monument in Plattsburgh-- Part 1

From the September 10, 2014, Press-Republican (NY)  "Ceremony to honor Macdonough Monument" by Cara Chapman.

The great-great granddaugher of Thomas Macdonough will speak at a ceremony marking the 88th anniversary of the monument that honors him in Plattsburgh, New York.

Isabelle Verkaart Parlin will be among family members at the event scheduled for 1 pm Friday.  There will be a large number of direct descendants as well as many descendants of his brother.  There is hope that the families of those people involved in the monument's construction will also be there.

It was erected in 1926 and dedicated August 18 if that year.

Plans for the monument began as early as 1913 in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the battle in 1914.  This was the work of the Plattsburgh Centenary Commission which hoped that "by itself, or in cooperation with  the government of the United States, to provide for, erect, and establish a suitable memorial to  Thomas Macdonough in the city of Plattsburgh, N.Y."

In 1914, the state of New York and U.S. Congress appropriated funds to do just that.  The commission used these funds to acquire the land and selected architect John Russell Pope to design it.  Pope also had designed buildings such as the Roosevelt memorials, the Plattsburgh City Hall and the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C..

--Brock-Perry

Macdonough Monument in Plattsburgh, NY-- Part 2: Unveiled By His Great Granddaughter

The Plattsburgh Sentinel had this to say about the proceedings:  "Macdonough Monument Is Unveiled Before Thousands.  Hero of the Battle of Lake Champlain is Given Fitting Memorial in Honor of Glorious Deed in Defense of Plattsburgh and the Young Nation." 

The Plattsburgh Centenary Commission printed a booklet to mark the occasion.  A Macdonough descendant expressed gratitude.

Thanks to an allotment appropriated by New York state during the centennial celebration and matched by the federal government, the dream of a monument honoring the Battle of Plattsburgh, first proposed in 1886, was realized.

The young girl unveiling the monument on August 18, 1926, was 11-year-old Isabelle Agnes Macdonough, great-granddaughter of Commodore Thomas Macdonough, hero of the September 11, 1814, naval battle.  Of interest, Isabelle returned on September 9, 2001, to cut a ceremonial ribbon  at the door with Mayor Dan Stewart to mark the 75th anniversary of the monument.

Newspaper articles leading up to the big day of the monument's unveiling, August 18, 1926, emphasized that there was no admission fee for it, but come early as the commission could not guarantee seating for everyone.

And, I'd Never Heard of This Monument Before.  Well, before I started this blog, I had never heard of Thomas MacDonough or the Battle of Plattsburgh (I only knew of the Battle  of Lake Champlain.)--Brock-Perry

Macdonough Monument in Plattsburgh, N.Y.-- Part 1

From HMdb  "THOMAS MACDONOUGH MEMORIAL MONUMENT"

Commemorates the American naval victory at the Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814 and was designed by John Pope.  It commands the park which is opposite of the Plattsburgh City Hall, which was also designed by John Pope.

Inscribed at the base are Macdonough's four primary vessels:  Ticonderoga, Saratoga, Eagle and Preble.

The monument is 14 feet square at its base.  The bronze eagle at the top has a twenty-foot wingspan.  Pope also designed the National Archives and Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C..  He used Indiana  limestone for the Macdonough Monument and City Hall.  Pope's firm, established in New York City in 1900, consistently produced  dignified architecture of classical inspiration.

The formal dedication of the monument took place on August 18, 1926, "an ideal summer day."  Secretary of State Frank Kellogg spoke to the vast throng.  It was reported that an estimated 7,000 people attended the ceremony in front of City Hall.

--Brock-Perry

The Battle of Plattsburgh/Lake Champlain-- Part 3: John Russell Pope

John Russell Pope (1874-1937) designed the obelisk in downtown Plattsburgh as well as the 1917 City Hall across the street from it.

But, he is better known for designing the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.  The Jefferson memorial and City Hall share some stylistic similarities with the dome and columns.

The Plattsburgh obelisk was erected in 1926 and features the name of each of the major American ships in the battle on each side:  Eagle, Saratoga, Preble and Ticonderoga.  The names are accompanied by intricate reliefs and BOP-contemporary  uniforms.  (Not sure what BOP stands for.)

HOWEVER, in keeping with the current climate of destroying and defacing public monuments in the United States, the obelisk was recently vandalized on some of the reliefs.  The one for the Saratoga had anti-police sentiments painted on it, but since have been removed.

The eagle atop the monument has a twenty-foot wingspan is associated with local, college-town lore and nearly matches the length of the monument's base.

Even in Plattsburgh.  Hey, That Wasn't Even a Confederate Monument.  --Brock-Perry

The Battle of Plattsburgh/Lake Champlain 2020 Commemoration-- Part 2

Macdonough's limited naval experience was  irrelevant  given unanticipated winds that impacted the otherwise overpowering British Navy's ability to  to maneuver on the lake, with intentions of heading south through the state of New York toward New York City.

During the action, the British naval commander was killed and the British general  ordered his forces to retreat to Canada.  Thus, British attempts to secure Lake Champlain was thwarted and this eventually led to the Treaty of Ghent and the end of the war.

--Brock-Perry

The Jewish Patriots of Fort McHenry-- Part 1

From the June 3, 2020, Jewish Press  by Sail Singer.

The Battle of Baltimore is probably better known as the Battle of Fort McHenry, but it was fought both on the sea in the British bombardment of the fort and the land attack on defenses.  But thanks to that poem by Francis Scott Key, the fort's role is better known.  Of course, "The Defence of Fort McHenry" whose words were put into our National Anthem.

Baltimore was defended by about 1,000 volunteer citizen-soldiers, including several Jews  who made important contributions to ensure that "the star-spangled banner yet wave[d]."  There is no definitive list of Jews who fought at Fort McHenry, or even the War of 1812 for that matter, but it is known that many Jews did serve on the American side in that war (out of a probable total population of just 10,000 in the country at the time).

According to the book"A History of Jews in the United States," there is a definite record of 43 Jews who served in the military during the war, and a special group in Baltimore who enlisted in the home defense  force of the city when it was attacked.

--Brock-Perry

The Battle of Plattsburgh/Lake Champlain Commemoration-- Part 1

From the June 3, 2020, Plattsburgh (NY) Sun  'Monumental' drone footage by Alina Walentowicz.

Alternative planning continues for the Battle of Plattsburgh (BOP)  commemorations which will be virtual this year in September.  Local history enthusiast Tom Donahue has gotten drone footage of the Macdonough monument across from city hall in downtown Plattsburgh.

It is sometimes called the Battle of lake Champlain (which is what I've always called it, but then I'm kind of a Navy guy myself, so).

Commodore Thomas Macdonough was around 30 years of age at the time of the battle and had been promoted to the rank of master commandant  the year before.  He commanded a small American fleet of 14 ships which were mostly constructed in Vergennes, Vermont.

The monument honoring him is 135-feet and made of Indiana limestone.  At the battle, he was serving under General Alexander Macomb.

Total number of Americans at the battle were 4,000.  The British numbered 14,000 and the battle took place on both land and water.

--Brock-Perry

"The Old Ironsides" Poem

In case you read the last two posts about the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides" and were trying to remember that poem you had to memorize in days gone by, here is the first stanza.

I don't remember if we had to learn all three stanzas or just the one.    Either way, I really only just remembered the first two lines anyway.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

Aye tear her tattered ensign down

Long has it waved on high,

And many an eye has danced to see 

That banner in the sky;

Beneath it hung that battle shout, 

And burst the cannon's roar;--

The meteor of the ocean air

Shall sweep the clouds no more.

Nor can I remember if we were forced to memorize it in fourth or fifth grade in North Carolina.

Glad this helped save the ship.  That is one magnificent sailing ship.

Rememberizing.  --Brocktution

Saving the USS Constitution-- Part 2: Thanks for the Poem, Mr. Oliver

The USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides" was once saved as well.

On September 16, 1830, a young doctor in Boston, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.  read in his newspaper that the USS Constitution, that legendary frigate from the War of 1812 was going to be sold for scrap.  He immediately dashed off an indignant poem that many of us had to learn in elementary school and sent it to the paper.

I was one of those kids who had to memorize it, which I did in either 4th or 5th grade.  I can see you, if you are of a certain age (I don't think they make kids memorize anymore), mouthing the words right now.  You know:  "Aye, tear her tattered ensign down/Long has it waved on high."

In case you're wondering, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was the father of Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr..

That poem went viral.  Children all over the United States sent in their pennies.  Adults followed suit.  Enough money was collected to save her.  Today, she is berthed in honored glory at Pier One  of the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, the world's oldest commissioned warship

After all, the Navy's official motto is "Don't Give Up the Ship."

Talk About a Great U.S. Navy Duty Station!!  --Brock-Perrry

Saving the USS Constitution in 1830-- Part 1: Also the WW II USS Hornet Saved

From the May 19, 2020, East Bay (Massachusetts) Times  "Snapp Shots:  Closed USS Hornet too great a treasure to be lost" by Martin Snapp.

The aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-12) was slated to be scrapped on September 2, 1995, the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.  This was the second aircraft carrier by that name.  The first one (which had launched the famous Doolittle Raid) was sunk in battle during the war and this aircraft carrier was renamed from the Kearsarge in the former's honor.  It participated in the rest of the war and continued service to its country, even picking up those first astronauts to land on the moon on their return to earth back in 1969.

She was towed across San Francisco Bay for the occasion and afterwards, those in attendance decided she would be better as a museum ship, which she became.  The USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum formally opened on October 17, 1998, in Alameda, California.

This was not the first ship in the U.S. Navy to be saved from destruction.  An earlier one was the famous USS Constitution, veteran of the Barbary Wars and War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry

First Printing of "Star-Spangled Banner" At Auction This Month-- Part 2: Expected to fetch between $300,000 and $500,000.

Francis Scott Key's patriotic poem "Defence of Fort McHenry" made its debut just three days after the event.   Key was 35 at the time.

In 1814, the United States was still a young nation, divided by the War of 1812.  Key witnessed the fighting at Fort McHenry from a distance away on a British ship where he had gone to arrange the release of an American citizen.  In the morning, as the smoke cleared, he was elated to see the American flag still flying.

This was huge considering the debacle the previous month when the British captured Washington, D.C..  That flag still floating on the breeze inspired him.

Key's words were put to music, but it did not become the national anthem until 1931.  That is the same year the copy of that newspaper was received.

The American Antiquarian Society has the largest trove of American newspapers in existence -- about two million issues -- and acquires about 15,000 new issues a year through gifts and purchase.  When it was confirmed that they had duplicate issues of the  1814 Baltimore Patriot & Evening Advertiser,they made the decision to sell the extra copy.

The idea is to use the profits from the sale to increase the group's collection.

Christie's auction house estimates the value of this newspaper at between $300,000 and $500,000.  And, my wife says I have too many old newspapers.

So, Do You Have $300,000 or More Burning a Hole in Your Pocket?  --Brock-Perry

First Printing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' Goes to Auction at a Fraught Time-- Part 1

From the June 2, 2020, WBUR by Andrea Shea.

"We all know  the words penned by Francis Scott Key more than 200 years ago.  As school children, we sang about the dawn's early light and the rockets red glare.  We've heard countless celebrities and millions of sports fan belt it out how--even through it all-- our flag was still there.

"Professional football players (and many others) have refused to participate in that tradition as an act of cultural dissent  against racial  oppression and police-involved killings of unarmed black Americans.  Now, after a pain-filled weekend of peaceful-turned-violent protests against enduring racial  injustice  and deadly inequality, people across the nation are stoking questions about what freedom and patriotism mean in 2020."

But, now, one of the few original newspaper printings of Keys' lyrics are going up for auction online at Christie's Auction House.  It opens for bid on June 2 and runs through June 18.

The American Antiquarian Society in Worcester owns two of the three original copies known to exist.  They are putting one up for sale and never would have believed this would happen at the same time as a pandemic and wide spread social unrest.

What is at auction is a September 20, 1814, copy of the Baltimore Patriot & Evening Advertiser.

--Brock-Perry

Frederic Messer's Father Was in the American Revolution and Two of His Sons and a Nephew Were In the Confederate Army

In addition, Frederick Messer's father, Christian Sargeant Messer (1760-1850) served in the North Carolina militia during the American revolution.

And, two of his sons were in the Confederate Army as well as a son-in-law and a nephew.  One son and his nephew died during the war.  The nephew died in Chicago's infamous Camp Douglas Prison.

I am writing about the Confederates in my Saw the Elephant:  Civil War blog right now.  Click on that 

--Brock-Perry

Federic Messer

From Find-A-Grave.

FEDERICK "UNCLE FED" MESSER

BIRTH:  12 August 1791 in Lincoln County, N.C.

DEATH: 18 February 1907 in Haywood County, N.C.

BURIAL:  Teague Cemetery, Waynesville, Haywood County, N.C.

He was of an age where he might have fought in the War of 1812, but I couldn't find anything about his service.

I've also seen his first name spelled several different ways.

--Brock-Perry

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

Two North Carolina Men-- Part 3: Both Lived Past Age 100 and About That Liquor

Both men remained keen of mind and strong of body until well past the age of 100.

Finally, both men had  interesting, though different perspectives on liquor.  Fed Messer claimed to take a little "nip of spirits" before breakfast each day, but otherwise, limited its use, particularly because it could affect his hunting abilities.

Carl Bryson was a deputy sheriff during Prohibition and helped federal revenue agents bust up moonshine stills, until around 1935.  However, he was known to "slip" some of that moonshine into his barn and inbibe there.

That is, until a battle for his soul was waged one night.

The story goes that his wife told him a church group was coming over for prayer.  he knew he had a half gallon of shine out in the barn and figured he would go out and drink while the meeting was going on.

But:  "I pulled that feed sack off (the liquor), and something  came over me and I couldn't open it, like I got the quivers.  ...I went back and done the same thing; I couldn't open it.  I tried that three times and never did drink the liquor."

About that time, he heard praying coming from his house and at that moment accepted Jesus Christ as Lord.  "Before that I could drink a half gallon of liquor and work all day, but from that day, I haven't drunk  any liquor since."

He Heard the Word.  --Brock-Perry

Two North Carolina Men Whose Lives Spanned Three Centuries, from the Presidencies of George Washington to That of George W. Bush-- Part 1

From the June 2, 2020, Mountaineer (Waynesville, N.C.)  "Two local men whose lives  spanned three centuries had other traits in common" by Kathy Ross.

Two men from Hayward County, North Carolina, lived across three centuries.

Federic Messer was born in 1792, during the presidency of George Washington and died in 1907 at the age of 114.  His life spanned the early days of our country's Constitutional history, the War of 1812, the formation of Hayward County, the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.  The first time he voted in a presidential election, it was for James Monroe.

Carl Winford Bryson was born 100 years later, in 1892 and died June 28, 2001, at the age of 108.  His lifespan covered two world wars, the Great Depression,  the Cold War, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union and the internet.  George W. Bush was president when he died.

The two men had a lot in common.  Both born one hundred years apart, together, they spanned three centuries, but, they had other interesting traits.

--Brock-Perry

Two North Carolina Men-- Part 2

Both Frederic Messer and Carl Winford Bryson were born in August, 100 years apart, 1792 and 1892.  Their lives overlapped for 14 years (1892 and 1907).

Both men had large families.  Frederic and his wife Annie, had nine children.  Carl Bryson and his wife Ninnie McElroy had eleven.

Both men loved the Bible, though Fed Messer reportedly could not read or write, but he had heard and memorized the passages and stories and he was quite conversant in anything from the Bible.  Carl was known as one of the oldest and most faithful members of the Antioch Baptist Church during his lifetime.

Both men loved to walk.  Federic Messer  was reported to have walked the 21 miles to Waynesville from his home in White Oak several times  after turning 100.  Carl often walked the half mile to church services in his 90s.

Both men had distinctive styles of dress.  Fed claimed he only buttoned his shirt twice in his life.  Carl was particularly fond of his overalls.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veterans Buried at Hester Cemetery in Norwalk, Ohio

From the last post.

ELIAS BEACH

Born 1783 in Connecticut

Died 13 January 1852, buried Hester Cemetery

U.S. War of 1812  Service records 1812-1815

98th Regiment (Clark's), New York Militia

Rank at Induction--  Private

Rank at Discharge:  Private

I don't know about him being in the 98th Regiment as that was quite a high number for a regiment in the War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry

American Revolution and War of 1812 Veterans Buried at Hester Cemetery in Norwalk, Ohio

From the May 30, 2020, Norwalk (Ohio) Reflector "Blast from the Past."

This was from the May 30, 1909, Reflector newspaper.

They were doing lists of soldiers buried in local cemeteries.

BURIED IN HESTER CEMETERY

Prince Haskell, American Revolution
David Sutliff, American Revolution

Simeon Amerman, War of 1812
Elias Beach, War of 1812  (1783-13 January 1852)

Nathan Sutliff, War of 1812
John Nicholls, War of 1812

John Rhodarmell, War of 1812

Cornelius Ketcham, Mexican War

--Brock-Perry

Real Daughter Marker Returned to Proper Place-- Part 2

The rust on the rod indicated that it had been in use for many years at the grave site.  Susanna Tucker Shanstrom was born in Ohio in 1850 and died in 1939.  She was only six years old when her father died.

Much investigation was made by Kay Tatum to locate the cemetery, sexton of the cemetery and descendants of Susanna to arrange for the return of the marker.

Membership in the U.S.D. 1812  is available to women 18 and older who have proof that they are lineal  descendants of  an ancestor  who during 1785 to 1815 rendered civil, military  or naval service.

--Brock-Perry