Edward Johnson-- Part 2: Defender of Alexander Hanson and "Light-Horse Harry" Lee

His third term as mayor coincided with the War of 1812  Shortly after the outbreak of the war, despite his his strong anti-British sentiments and anti-Federalist political views, he was nearly killed unsuccessfully trying to stop a mob who had stormed Baltimore City Jail intent on lynching Alexander Hanson, publisher of an extreme Federalist newspaper.

One of the editor's allies was none other than Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee.  He was the father of Robert E. Lee of Confederate fame.

During the Battle of Baltimore, Johnson headed the Committee of Vigilance and Safety.  Even though General William Winder had command of Baltimore, he appointed General Samuel Smith to command American defenses of the city.

He continued with private and public work after the war.

--Brock-Perry

Edward Johnson, Baltimore's Mayor When British Attacked-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

(1767-1829)

American politician and businessman.  Served as Baltimore's mayor for six terms between 1808 and 1824. He was Baltimore's mayor when the British attacked and was instrumental in organizing the civilian defense of the city.  For several years he was owner of one of the city's largest breweries as well as a director of the Bank of Baltimore.

In 1789 he was listed as a brewer. and by 1807 he was sole owner of it.  He remained as owner of the brewery for his first two terms as mayor (two-year terms) but the brewery burned down in 1812.  he rebuilt it but sold it to George Brown in 1813.

A month afterwards, Mary Pickersgill assembled the famous Star-Spangled Banner flag on the brewery floor.

--Brock-Perry

David Poe, Sr.-- Part 3: LaFayette Impressed With Him

Amd, Mrs. Poe, David's wife, Elizabeth, was just as patriotic as he was.  When Lafayette passed through Baltimore with his ragged Continental troops, she was one of the women who supplied clothing for them.

It was due to these services by the Poes, that LaFayette and given a ball in his honor in 1824, he remarked that he hadn't seen David Poe, Sr. or his wife Elizabeth.

Upon hearing that he had passed away, LaFayette insisted on visiting the grave.  Once there, he knelt to the ground and kissed it and said , "Here lies a noble heart."

At age 71, Poe participated in the War of 1812 in the defense of Baltimore.

Quite a Man.  --Brock-Perry

David Poe, Sr.-- Part 2: From Ireland and Service in the American Revolution

From FaceBook, The Macabre Edgar Allan Poe.

David Poe came from Ireland to the American colonies sometime in 1742 or 1743.  He settled in Baltimore where he became an influential and rich citizen making spinning wheels and clock reels.  With the coming of the American Revolution, he was a member of Captain John McClellan's Company of Baltimore troops in 1778 and 1779.

He was commissioned Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General for the City of Baltimore with the rank of major on September 17, 1779.  One of his duties was to transport the French Allies  from Baltimore by sea from Baltimore and across the Susquehanna River.  he did this very successfully.  The people of Baltimore were so impressed with that and other services he did that he received the honorable name of "General."

--Brock-Perry

David Poe, Sr.-- Part 1: Grandfather of Edgar Allan Poe

From Waymarking.com.  American Revolutionary War Veteran Graves.

David Poe, Sr. is a Revolutionary War veteran buried at Westminster Burial Grounds in Baltimore, Maryland.

Born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1743 and came to the American colonies and served in the American Revolution.  In addition to serving as a major in the war, he also served as Assistant Deputy Quartermaster of the City of Baltimore.

A strong supporter of the colonists, he even gave $40,000 of his own money to the cause.

He later took up arms again in the War of 1812 at the Battle of Baltimore at the age of 70.

David Poe, Sr. was the grandfather of Edgar Allan Poe whose original burial site was next to him.

--Brock-Perry

Westminster Burying Grounds-- Part 3: It's A Poe, Poe Thing

EDGAR ALLAN POE--  (1809-1849)--  Short story writer, editor and critic

VIRGINIA ELIZA CLEMM POE--  (1822-1847)  Teenage wife of Edgar Allan Poe

MARIA CLEMM--  (1790-1870)--  Mother-in-Law and aunt of David Allan Poe

WILLIAM HENRY LEONARD POE--  (1807-1831)--  Brother of Davis Allan Poe

GENERAL DAVID POE, SR.--  (1743-1816)--  Grandfather of David Allan Poe

--Brock-Perry

Westminster Burying Grounds-- Part 2: Notables Buried There

Some notable people buried at Westminster Burying Grounds:

JAMES CALHOUN--  (1743-1816)  Last mayor of Baltimore Town, First mayor of the City of Baltimore.

EDWARD JOHNSON--  (1767-181839)--  Mayor of Baltimore during the British attack in September 1814.  Chairman of the "Committee of Vigilance and Safety."

PHILIP BARTON KEY--  (1818-1859)--  Son of Francis Scott Key.    Shot and killed by  Daniel E. Sickles, his lover's husband in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, D.C.,  27 February 1829.   (I wrote about this in my Saw the Elephant blog this month.  Sickles and his lawyers used temporary insanity as a reason.  Sickles later was a general in the Civil War.)

JAMES McHENRY-- (1753-1816)--   Signer of the U.S. Constitution, Secretary of War and namesake for Fort McHenry.

--Brock-Perry

Westminster Hall and Burying Ground-- Part 1: Samuel Smith and Edgar Allan Poe Buried There

From Wikipedia.

Samuel Smith, who I have been writing about, is buried here.

A graveyard and former church at 519 Fayette Street in Baltimore, Maryland.  The site is probably most famous for Edgar Allan Poe being buried there.

The graveyard was established in January 1787 by the First Presbyterian Church.  Over the next sixty years it became the burial ground of important and influential people including merchants, politicians, statesmen and dozens of veterans of the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

In 1852 the Westminster Presbyterian Church was built over the graveyard with its brick piers straddling the graves.  People in Baltimore began referring to the burying grounds as the catacombs.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 7: His Statue 3

At the top of the monument is a copper statue of Samuel Smith (1874-1951) standing eight feet high.  It is one a seven high granite base with the inscriptions.

The sculpture cost $10,000 and was funded from money raised by the National Star-Spangled Banner Centennial Commission.

Samuel Smith is buried at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore along with many other Baltimore and War of 1812 notables.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 6: His Statue 2

Another inscription on the monument:

"Hero of both wars for American Independence

Long Island
White Plains
Brandywine
Defender of Fort Miflin
Valley Forge
Monmouth
Baltimore"

A list of his battles.  The first six are from the American Revolution.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 5: His Statue

Samuel Smith's statue is at Federal Hill.  The monument was dedicated on July, 4, 1918. and was created by sculptor Hans Shuler.  From 1918 to 1953, it was located in Wyman Park at Charles and 29th Street.  In 1953 it was moved to Pratt and Light Street and finally moved top its present location in 1970.

From HMDB

Inscription:    "1752-1839   Under his command the attack by the British upon Baltimore  by land and sea Sept., 12-14, 1814 was repulsed.

 "Member of Congress forty successive years, president U.S. Senate, Secretary of the Navy, Mayor of Baltimore."

Quite a Busy Man.  --Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith of Baltimore-- Part 4: Victory At Hampstead Hill and Fort McHenry

The British, led by Major General Robert Ross until his death landed on North Point by Baltimore on September 12, 1814,  with 4,000 soldiers and encountered a delaying force led by Brigadier General John Stricker.

The delaying tactic worked and Smith was able to fortify Hampstead Hill, a fortified position  east of Baltimore.  He congregated thousands of militia men and whatever guns he had.  British attempts to flank the position were foiled by Smith.  He also positioned his troops so that a frontal assault would get caught in a crossfire.

The British retreated September 14 and boarded their ships.

The British also assaulted Baltimore with their Navy warships but Fort McHenry and its covering forts (Covington and Babcock) successfully withstood the famous bombardment. and they also withdrew.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith of Baltimore-- Part 2: Commanded Baltimore's Defenses

Samuel Smith refused to give up Fort Mifflin without a fight and continued against huge odds.  He was struck by a cannonball and grievously injured.  Five days later, after he was wounded, the fort was set afire and finally Smith was forcibly evacuated to New Jersey.

In 1779, Smith resigned his commission and went home to Baltimore where he made a fortune in privateering.  He also got involved in politics.

Then came the War of 1812 and Smith was put in charge of defending his native Baltimore.  After the British won the Battle of Bladensburg on August 28, 1814, and burned Washington, D.C., they set their sights on Baltimore.

Smith immediately began preparations to defend the city and ordered addition fortifications to be built and called out the militia.  By early September, he had  15,000 men under his command.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith of Baltimore-- Part 1: Veteran of Two Wars

From the War of 1812 Archaeology blog.

Samuel Smith fought in both the American Revolution and the War of 1812.  There is a monument in Baltimore honoring him.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION and persevering defense.

On September  23, 1777, Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, 24, was ordered by General Washington, to take command of Fort Mifflin in the Delaware River, below Philadelphia.

Washington told him:  "The keeping of this fort is of very great importance, and I rely on your prudence, spirit and bravery for a vigorous and persevering defense."

Forts Mifflin and Mercer were important because they could help starve the British out of their newly captured Philadelphia.

However, Samuel Smith did not succeed in defending Fort Mifflin.  He was attacked and even when it became clear that he couldn't keep Fort Mifflin out of British hands, he refused to surrender.

--Brock-Perry

Wells and McComas Monument, Baltimore-- Part 3:

To commemorate Defenders Day 1858, the coffins were carried in a procession to their current resting spot in Old Town's Ashland Square.  An unknown person from Baltimore even made a song for the occasion, "TheWells and McComas Funeral and Monument Song," sung to the tune of the "Star-Spangled Banner."

"Twas McCOMAS and WELLS- SO Fame the fact tells /  This heroic deed their fame evermore swells / As martyrs of liberty!  And we now raise / A monument high, to continue their praise."

In addition, , famed playwright  Clifton W. Tayleure published a play:  " "The Boy Martyrs of September 12, 1814, A Local Historical Drama in Three Acts" which played at the Holliday Street Theater.

The remains lay at Ashland Square for fifteen years until the monument was completed.  The simple 25-foot tall obelisk, made of Baltimore County marble, cost a total of $3,500.  Most of the funding was provided by the Baltimore City Council.

Monuments, Baltimore has removed Confederate Monuments.

Can You believe That?  --Brock-Perry

Wells and McComas Monument-- Part 2: Both Killed At Battle of North Point

Although evidence that they fired the shots that killed Robert Ross is scant, they have received credit for it.  There were other sharpshooters in their unit.  Regardless, the loss of General Ross was a heavy blow to the British.

Sadly, McComas and Wells could not confirm or deny the story as both were killed on the battlefield.  Two of the 24 who died at the Battle of North Point.

It wasn't until some 40 years after the battle that the two boys gained local celebrity status.  In the 1850s two military companies formed the Wells and McComas Monument Association and solicited subscriptions  from citizens to erect a monument in their honor.

They had the bodies exhumed from their vault in  Baltimore's legendary  Green Mount Cemetery and lay in state at the Maryland Institute building at Market Place.  Thousands came to pay their respects.

--Brock-Perry

The Wells and McComas Monument-- Part 1: "The Boy Heroes of the Battle of Baltimore"

From the explore.baltimoreheritage.org. site.  Wells and McComas Monument.

I wrote briefly about this monument in the last post.  These two were given credit for killing British General Ross.

The historical record, however, offers slim evidence that they did, in fact, kill Ross.  Nonetheless, Baltimore has celebrated their story for over bicentennial.

The young men, aged eighteen and nineteen were privates in Captain Edward Aisquith's Sharpshooters of the First Rifle Battalion of the Maryland Militia at the Battle of Baltimore.

Wells was an Annapolis native and McComas had enlisted in Baltimore.  Their battalion had first encountered British General Robert Ross at the Battle of Bladensburg on August 14, just three weeks before the Battle of Baltimore.

--Brock-Perry

Other Baltimore War of 1812 Monuments-- Part 3: The "Star-Spangled Banner" House and Wells-McComas Monument

**  The "Star-Spangled Banner" flag was designed and primarily sewn at Baltimore's Flag House.  The historic house was once occupied by Mary Young Pickersgill and her successful flag making business.

**  The Daniel Wells / Henry McComas Monument.  These two men were members of Captain Edward Alsquith's Militia Rifle Compnay and are credited with killing British General Robert Ross, who had led the sacking and burning of the Washington, D.C..

The monument was completed in 1873 and is made of Baltimore County marble.

--Brock-Perry

Other War of 1812 Monuments in Baltimore-- Part 2: Bomb and Rack Monument

**  The War of 1812 Bomb and Rack monument displays a shot fire from a British fleet that landed inside Fort McHenry during the bombardment.

On Redwood Street.  The bomb was found inside of Fort McHenry after the bombardment,  An officer retained it as a souvenir and eventually gifted it to iron merchant Michael Keyser who later gifted it to city.

The monument was dedicated in 1963 and was knocked over  during the Great Fire of 1904, and rededicated in 1906,  It sits at about the location of the Keyser building.

The rack, where the bomb sits, was used extensively to bend iron bars for Conestoga Wagons which were used extensively during the wagon train era.

--GreGen

Other Baltimore War of 1812 Monuments and Sites-- Parrt 1: Westminster Burying Grounds and Patterson Park

From Navy Bicentennial of the War of 11812, War of 1812 Monuments page.  Has sites across the U.S..  But I am dealing just with those in Baltimore.

WESTMINSTER BURYING GROUNDS AND CATACOMBS

Has the gravestones of many influential Americans, including many War of 1812 veterans.  Those who rest here include Brigadier General John Stricker, Major General Samuel  Smith and David Poe, Sr. (the grandfather of Edgar Allan Poe)

PATTERSON PARK

Three War of 1812 monuments are located in front of the Patterson Park pagoda.  J. Maxwell Miller's Star-Spangled Banner Monument depicts two school children holding a memorial scroll; the Rodgers' Bastion cannon commemorates the land battle where  Commodore Rodgers fought; and a row of five cannon represent the War of 1812 fortifications on Hampstead Hill (now part of Patterson Park)/

Brock-Perry