They Are American Citizens-War Of 1812.

At the out brake of the war of 1812, many American citizens were caught behind the enemies lines, if you can say the sea had lines. Before the war many men of the United States worked on board British ships, and many citizens were passers on British ships, and when the war broke out they found themselves prisoners of war. While most American citizens were permitted to depart within a reasonable time after the declaration of war. This was not so for many seamen who were impressed and forced to serve against their county by threats by corporal punishment and even with immediate execution.

When the declaration of war came many U. S. citizens found themselves behind enemy lines and were taken from their homes and put on prison ships and taken from their beloved country and taken to foreign lands, never to see their homes or family’s again. Not only did the citizen and soldier have to deal with the British but the Indians as well. If there was any rules to this war the British did not follow them. The enemy talked the Indians into helping them, and a lot of citizens were killed or held for ransom by both enemies. The British give no honor to are soldiers and citizens that fell in battle their body’s were left to rot where they fell. It’s no wonder the enemy started calling us barbaric and a backwards country when we started following their rules of war.

Note. This information comes from Military affairs Vol. I., which is housed at the Library of Congress.

Captain Jeduthan Upton, was the commander of the privateer Brig Hunter, of Salem. He was taken in the month of November 1812, off the Western Islands, by the British Frigate Phoebe, commanded by Captain Hilliard. Captain Upton and his first Lieutenant Mr. Wayne were taken to Plymouth in England and immediately put in Mill prison. There they were confined for three or four months. In the month of March, they were taken on board the prison Chatham. At the end of April, they were still there and in a worse situation then had been while in Mill prison.

William Nichols, was a commander of the private armed brigantine Decatur, out of Newburyport and was captured January 18, 1813, by his britannic majesty’s frigate Surprise, commanded by Captain Cochran and carried to Barbadoes. Captain Nichols with the officers of the Decatur were paroled. Then about two months after their arrival, the britannic majesty’s frigate Vesta, arrived in Bardadoes. Soon after its arrived Captain Nichols was arrested and put on a prison ship in close confinement where he was not at liberty to speak to any of his officers or any other American. His place of confinement was four feet in width and seven feet in length. He was there thirty-four days then taken on board his majesty’s ship the Tribune, and taken to England.

These men were being held on a prison ship, in and about Nassau, and other ports. They were allowed six ounces of bread, three gills of rice, eight ounces of the worst beef with bone and all the water they could use. They are guarded day and night by ten or fifteen savage Africans who show no humanity. They are confined every evening at sun-down, and not released until sun-rise. They were never permitted under any conditions to visit the shores, and faced many barbarous acts to numerous to describe. This men were:

1. Lieutenant Autine Lambert 2. William L. Robeson 3. John Crandel 4. David Ashton 5. John Gamache 6. John Hynes 7. Darius Swain 8. John M’Kenzie 9. Captain Lameson 10. Peter La Vella 11. George Alexander 12. Simon West 13. James T. Miller 14. Francis Martin 15. Gaugion Bigulows 16. Matthew Bridge.

These men were being held at Milville prison and Halifax, Nova Scotia as prisoners of war, the year was 1812. When their ship struck their colors as a sign of given up, they were fired upon by cannon and muskets fire, some of the men were killed. After they were boarded by their captors some men were struck and severely wounded with cutlasses without the least of any provocations. They were robbed of everything even of the necessary clothing, as they were going from ships to prison, they were not permitted to take any of their clothing or baggage, it being stated it would be sent on a head, of course they lost everything. Some of these men and other men from other ships were marched thirty and some sixty, and others one hundred and sixty miles, over miserable county. Many were forced beyond they strength, and half starved and many were in irons. They were allowed to eat per day one pound and a half of bread, a half a pound of poor beef with bones, one gill of peas and one -third of an ounces of salt. They were without clothing and no money for getting any, and with winter coming on many will never leave, at this time there were twelve hundred in Milville prison. These men were:

1. Joseph Starr, of Boston. 2. Frederick Johnson, of New York. 3. Robert McKearny, of New York. 4. Richard Rhea, of New Jersey. 5. George Batterman, of Boston. 6. John Hazelton, of Boston. 7. William Dyer, of Boston. 8. James Trask, of Boston. 9. Solomon Norton, of Boston. 10. Alexander B. Latham, of New London. 11. Darius Denison, of New York. 12. Eastwick Pray, of Portsmouth. 13. William Temold, of Portsmouth. 14. Fobes Dala, of Portland. 15. Charles Thompson Jr., of New York.

William M'Dowel Scott.

In a letter from Chillicothe dated June 8, 1813, it was stated, that William M’Dowel Scott is an unfortunate citizen who was seized by the British commanding officer at Detroit and sent to Quebec. Mr. Scott has been naturalized agreeably to the laws of the United States, and is will known by the British Government, and both in the territory of Indiana before that territory was divided into the territory of Michigan.
Mr. Scott is a native of Ireland and emigrated to the United States about eighteen years ago, he resided for some years in New York, and in the summer of 1800, he came to Detroit and established himself as a Physician, and has ever since resided there. Mr. Scott was sent to Quebec on the pretence of being a British subject and was found in arms in behalf of the United Stats against the British Government.

These American soldiers were from the 1st., 6th., and 13th., regiments of the United States army. They were captured on October 13, 1813, in upper Canada. They were on board the H. M. S. Namur, lying at the Nore, on February 6, 1813, and heading for England. They were being sent to England as they were born in the British dominions, but now are Americans, and there wife’s and children are now living there. These men were:

1. Henry Kelly 2. Henry Blaney 3. George M’Cammon 4. John Dolton 5. Michael Condin 6. John Clark 7. Peter Burr 8. Andrew Doyle 9. John M’Gowen 10. James Gill 11. John Fulsum 12. Patrick M’Braharty 13. Matthew Mooney 14. Patrick Karns 15. John Fitzgerald 16. John Wiley 17. John Donnely 18. John Curry 19. Nathan Shaley 20. Edward M’Garigan 21. John Dinnue 22. John Williams 23. George Johnson.

These men were being held by Captain John Berresford of the British ship Poicticrs, under the pretence of their being British subjects, they were:

1. John M’Loud, boatswain. 2. George M. D. Read, quartermaster. 3. James Gothright, seaman. 4. Thomas Philips, seaman. 5. John Stephens, boatswain’s-mate. 6. William Mitchell, seaman. 7. John Wright, seaman. 8. Peter Barron, seaman. 9. John Connor, ordinary seaman. 10. John Rose, ordinary seaman. 11. George Brooks, ordinary seaman. 12. Dennis Daugherty, marine.

Richard Moon, was the commander of the privateer Sarah Ann, and he stated that six of his crew were taken out of jail and put on board His Majesty’s brig Sappho, and sailed for Jamaica, where these men would be triad for their lives.

1. David Dick, seaman, was born in North Ireland, but has resided in the United States ever since the year of 1793; has served ten years in the United States navy. He has served on board the frigate Chesapeake, President, Constitution, John Adams, and Schooner Enterprise and gun boat No. 2. David Dick, shoemaker, in Alexandria, is his uncle. David Dick is about five feet six and a half inches high, dark hair, has a scar on his left elbow, and one on each wrist; he entered on board the Sarah Ann at Baltimore.

2. John Gaul, seaman, says he was born in Marblehead in the State of Massachusetts; where his parents, brother and sisters, now reside; married in New York, and his wife ( Mary Gaul ) lives in Roosevelt Street No. 37; has a regular discharge from the navy of the United States, by Captain Hugh G. Campbell, dated at St. Mary’s Georgia, August14, 1812; says he has served on board the United States brig Vixen, gun boats No. 10, and 158 from the last of which he was discharged. Gaul is 27 years of age, about five feet seven inches high, brown hair, light complexion; he entered on board the Sarah Ann at Baltimore.

3. Michael Pluck, ordinary seaman, says he was born in Baltimore; parents are dead, but is known by William Douland, Thomas Turner, and M’Donald of Baltimore; has a sister in some part of Pennsylvania, whose name is ( Ann Welsh ), he was never at sea before; never had a protection. Pluck is twenty-six years old, five feet six and a half inches high, has a scar on his left cheek bone; entered on board the Sarah Ann at Baltimore.

4. Thomas Rodgers, seaman, was born in Waterford , Ireland, but has resided many years in the United States, and has been duly naturalized, a copy of which naturalization is filed in the custom house at Baltimore; is known by Joseph Carey and Tom. Rodgers, cork cutter, both of Baltimore; has a wife and three children in Baltimore; has lost his protection but requests Joseph Cary to do all he can to effect his discharge from the British. He entered on board the Sarah Ann at Baltimore.

5. George Roberts, a colored man and seaman. This man is a native born citizen of the United States, of which fact he had every sufficient document, together with free papers. Roberts entered on board the Sarah Ann at Baltimore, where he is mairred.

6. Sonty Taylor, Boy, says he was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, but has no friends or relations nor acquaintance there; says ( Jane Snowden ) of Savannah, Georgia, is his mother; never had protection. Taylor is fifteen years old, brown hair, and light complexion; he entered on board the Sarah Ann at Baltimore.

As we have seen many of our citizens who made there living at sea would faced many hardships. They were be forced by death or imprisonment if they did not join the British navy and take up arms against their home land, many would rather face death with honor, then take arms up against their beloved land. Here on the home land the avenge citizen would face many hardships as well. The sufferings of our citizens would be grate as our battle for freedom went on. The cost for freedom was high, not so much in money as the avenge citizen had very little, but in the lives these family’ would lose. Many fathers, brother and sisters, and mothers would fall in battle not all would fall on the battle field. Many would face death in their homes and in their own yards. Freedom had a high price and our ancestors were willing to pay for it with their lives. The high price for our freedom is still being felt today, as many family’s are still willing to pay this high price, to keep this freedom that our ancestors was so willing to give their lives for.

On May 6, 1813, Fredericktown and Georgetown of Cecil county Maryland were hit by the British army and many homes and property was destroyed. These seven names give depositions on what happened to them and what they saw on that day. As this information is to long to put here at this time if you would like a copy of one of the depositions one will be provided upon request. dsegelquist1@cox.net

1. Richard Barnaby, age thirty-nine.
2. Francis B. Chandler, age thirty-nine.
3. Jonathan Greenwood, age thirty.
4. Captain John Allen, age fifty-one.
5. Joshua Ward, age forty-four.
6. Toilus Robertson, age thirty-four.
7. Moses N. Cannon, age thirty-two.

Note. Some of the names on the below list are also on the deposition list above.

Here is a list of people who had their property destroyed and its value.

The town of Fredericktown.

1. Captain John Allen, had a house, kitchen and a meat house and two smaller houses, and a stable and carriage house and granary destroyed, valued at $2,800.,dollars.

2. Richard Barnaby, had furniture and apparel destroyed, valued at $411., dollars.

3. John Barnaby, had a house and kitchen destroyed, valued at $350., dollars.

4. John Brown, had wearing apparel destroyed, valued at $47., dollars.

5. Captain Francis B. Chandler, had a granary and shed destroyed near the bank, valued at $1,000., dollars.

6. Jonathan Greenwood, had a dwelling house and kitchen and a stone house and merchandise destroyed valued at $2,018, and thirty-seven and a half cents.

7. Mrs. Ann Moore, had a dwelling house and furniture and &c., destroyed valued at $1,647., dollars.

8. Joseph Jarvis, had a house destroyed valued at $50., dollars.

9. Elizabeth M’Clannan, had a house destroyed valued at $100., dollars.

10. James Mitchell, had a dwelling house and kitchen and one meat house destroyed valued at $300., dollars.

11. Moses Cannon, had furniture and apparel and &c., destroyed valued at $300., dollars.

12. Toilus Robertson, had furniture and apparel and &c., destroyed valued at $208., dollars.

13. James Williamson, had furniture and apparel and &c., destroyed valued at $153., dollars and twenty-five cents.

14. Joshua Ward, had a dwelling house and kitchen, furniture and apparel, &c., destroyed valued at $5,336, dollars and forty-five cents.

15. John Ward Ser., had a tenant house destroyed valued at $450, dollars.

The town of Georgetown.

1. Ann Bagwell, had furniture destroyed valued at $156., dollars.

2. Smith Bagwell’s heirs, had a Shoemaker’s shop destroyed valued at $200., dollars.

3. Margaret Downs, had a dwelling house and kitchen destroyed valued at $150., dollars.

4. Denis Donlevy, had a household furniture, apparel, and musical instruments, and books and provision destroyed or stolen valued at $3,744, dollars and fifteen cents.

5. Thomas Dollis, had furniture and apparel and carpenter’s tools and &c., destroyed or stolen value at $110, dollars.

6. Margaret Jackson, had a house and furniture, apparel, money and tools and &c., destroyed or stolen valued at $1,865, dollars and seventy-five cents.

7. Arthur Nicholson’s heirs, had dwelling house destroyed valued at $350, dollars.

8. Mary Nicholson, had furniture and apparel, &c., destroyed or stolen valued at $150, dollars.

9. Joseph Jarvis, had furniture and apparel &c., destroyed or stolen valued at sixty-seven, dollars and twelve and a half cents.

10. Archibald M’Neill, had a house destroyed valued at &200, dollars.

11. Fanny M’Neill, had furniture apparel and &c., destroyed or stolen valued at $109, dollars and eighty-seven and a half cents.

12. Philip Rasin, had a granary, furniture, apparel and &c., destroyed or stolen valued at $428, dollars and seventy-five cents.

13. Isabella Faggert, had furniture and apparel and &c., stolen or destroyed valued at $135, dollars and fifty-six cents.

14. Robert Usilton, had furniture and apparel and &c., stolen or destroyed valued at $119, dollars and sixty cents.

15. Mrs. Wilson, had a dwelling house, kitchen and two out houses destroyed valued at $1,800, dollars.

16. William Inland, had a dwelling house, kitchen, stable and a carriage house destroyed valued at $850, dollars.

17. Mrs. Pearer, had a brick, dwelling house, kitchen, stable and a carriage house destroyed valued at $850, dollars.

18. Mrs. Mary Everitt, had a carriage house destroyed valued at $80, dollars.

19. Jacob Roads, had one old house destroyed valued at $40, dollars.

20. Heirs of William Pope, had a tavern house, granary, two story stable and carriage house destroyed valued at $1000, dollars.

21. Miss Stengises, had one good brick dwelling house and kitchen destroyed valued at $2,500, dollars.

22. Arthur Nicholson heirs, damages unknown value of $200, dollars.

23. Isabella Freeman, had a dwelling house, kitchen, stable and carriage house destroyed valued at $800, dollars.

24. Mrs. Mary Henry, had one Stone house destroyed valued at $250, dollars.

25. Robert Elliott, had a dwelling house, kitchen and stable destroyed valued at $300, dollars.

26. Stepney Congo, had a dwelling house destroyed valued at $150, dollars.

27. Ann Peare, had a dwelling house and kitchen destroyed valued at $150, dollars.

28. William Jackson, had a dwelling house, kitchen, stone house and a granary destroyed valued at $500, dollars.

29. Inois Spuran, had a dwelling house and kitchen destroyed valued at $1000, dollars.

30. Heirs of Alexander Williamson, had a dwelling house, kitchen and &c., valued at $1500, dollars.

* Military affairs Volume I. Pages 360-363.


Not only did the citizen have to face the British, but the Indians as they had now joined forces with the British. The Americans were now fighting two different wars at the same time. Although we were fighting the Indians before the war it would now be much worse with the British backing them with guns and other implements of war. When a town surrendered to the British they would offer protection only to pull out leaving the town and its people to the mercy of the Indians, but they would show no mercy. It was not only the towns but the out posts and the farms in the out laying country sides as will. The soldiers as well would find no mercy from the Indians as some were forced to surrender only to be tomahawked to death or shot, some were burnt or scalped while some live was still left in them, it was not only the Indians that showed such savagery the British at times would be more savage then their friends the Indian.

The names below were tomahawked to death in and around Frenchtown.

1. Captain Pascal Hickman, was of the 1st., Kentucky volunteer rifles, killed January 23, 1813 in Frenchtown.

2. Private Jas. E. Blythe, was in Hart’s company of the 5th., regiment of the Kentucky volunteer infantry, killed January 23, 1813, in Frenchtown.

3. Private Charles Gerles, was in Hart’s company of the 5th., regiment of the Kentucky volunteer infantry, killed January 23, 1813, at Sandy Creek.

4. Private Thomas S. Crow, was in Seabee’s company of the 1St. Kentucky Volunteer infantry, was killed January 23, 1823, three miles from Frenchtown.

5. Private Daniel Darnell was in Williams company of the 5th., regiment of the Kentucky volunteer infantry, killed January 23, 1813, between Sandy creek and Frenchtown.

6. Private Thomas Ward, was in Redding’s company of the 1St. Kentucky Volunteer infantry, was killed January 23, 1823, between Sandy creek and Frenchtown.

7. Private William Butler, was of Sanghorne’s company of the 1St. Kentucky Volunteer rifle’s was killed January 23, 1823, between Sandy creek and Frenchtown.

8. Private Henry Downy, was of Edward’s company of the 17th., United States Infantry, killed January 24, 1813, near Browntown.

9. Sergeant John P. Sidney, was of Martin’s company of the 15th., Kentucky volunteer infantry, killed January 26, 1813, at Rouge river.