The United States Corps Sea Fencibles 1813-1815.

While doing research for surnames I would run across documents about the ( Corps of Sea Fencibles ) Will I know nothing about them all I know is they had something to do with the sea. I would see the name on many promotions list for the Army, and thought how interesting to see the word sea associated with the army. I got to looking and found the Sea Fncibles were for the defense of the ports and harbors of the United States. But what I found interesting was that the commanding Officers were under the direction of the army while the rest of the company was under direction the navy. This was a joining of two services in the defense of are water ways and from a attack from the sea. This was a volunteer service with the army as the head and the navy as the body. Below you will find a list of name that served in this great company, and more.

Note. This information comes from the Naval and Military affairs and other departments of the Library of Congress.

Note. If you have any questions about this page or any other at this site, my address can be found in my profile, be glad to hear from one and all.

Background Information.

United States Sea Fencibles 1813-1815.

On July 26, 1813, during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, the United States Congress passed "An act to authorize the raising [of] a corps of Sea Fencibles ... not to exceed one year [service], and not to exceed ten companies who may employed for the defense of the ports and harbors of the United States, within the five cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Norfolk, there are a large number of seafaring men, who from their hardihood and habits of life, might be very useful in the defense of the seaboard, particularly in the management of the great guns.

At Baltimore, two companies were raised under the command of Captains Matthew S. Bunbury and William H. Addison. Though generally mariners by trade, the Sea Fencibles were equipped and organized under the authority of the War Department. Officers received the uniform, pay, and rations of the Army, while the balance of each company (boatswains, gunners, and privates) received the uniform, pay, and rations of the Navy.

Note. I was surprised to find very little information on these man, all the info I have is here, however I may be able find a little more from The Pension Rolls of the United States, so if you see a name and would like me to see if I can find more info, let me know and I will help you all I can.

A company consisted of 107 officers and enlisted men.

1. Captain at $40, per month.

1. First Lieutenant at $30, per month.

1. Second Lieutenant at $25, per month.

1. Third Lieutenant at $23, per month.

1. Boatswain, at $20, per month.

6. Gunners, at $$20, per month.

6. Quarter-gunners, at $18, per month.

90. Privates, at $12, per month.
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Corps of the Sea Fencibles.

1. William H. Addison, Captain, Maryland, April 27, 1814.

Added info, There was a William H. Addison, who was a Ensign of the 38th, infantry, Sept. 20, 1813, I don’t know if this is the same man.

In 1836, there was a petition of Anna Addison, of the city of Washington, widow of William H. Addison, praying that her name may be inscribed upon the navy pension list, in consideration of the death of her husband in service during the last war with Great Britain. I couldn’t not find that she got the pension, but she must have for in 1858, she presented a petition praying that her pension may be continued. Again I found not record that she got it.

2. Noah Terry, Captain, New York, June 18, 1814.

3. John M. Williamson, 1st, Lieutenant, New York, June 18, 1814.

4. Pardon Tabor, 2d, Lieutenant, New York, June 18, 1814.

5. John S. Davis, Captain, New Hampshire, June 27, 1814.

6. John M. Isaacs, 3d, Lieutenant, New York, July 2, 1814.

7. John McPherson, 2d, Lieutenant, New York, July 9, 1814.

8. Peleg Barker, Captain, New York, July 11, 1814.

9. John Kalm, 1st, Lieutenant, Delaware, July 22, 1814.

10. William Russell, 1st, Lieutenant, New York, June 4, 1814.

11. William P. Adams, 1st, Lieutenant, Massachusetts, June 21, 1814.

12. McQueen McIntosh, Captain, Georgia,---------------.

Added info. In 1817, he was to be the Surveyor and Inspector of the Revenue for the port of Darien.

13. Thomas M. Newell, Captain, Georgia, Aug. 1, 1813.

14. Abraham Nicols, 1st, Lieutenant, Georgia, Aug. 1, 1813.

15. Fredinand A. O’Neal, 2d, Lieutenant, Georgia, Aug. 1, 1813.

16. Henry B. Jones, 3d, Lieutenant, Georgia, Aug. 1, 1813.

17. John Nicholson, Captain, North Carolina.

CRAP. XXVII.—.—.An .act to authorize the raising a corps of sea feneibles.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized to raise for such term as he may think proper, not exceeding one year, as many companies of sea fencibles as he may deem necessary, not exceeding ten, who may be
employed as well on land as on water, for the defense of the ports and harbors of the United States.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That each of the said companies of sea fencibles shall consist of one captain, one first, one second, and one third lieutenant, one boatswain, six gunners, six quarter gunners, and ninety men.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the commissioned officers shall receive the same pay and rations as officers of the same grade in the army of the United States; that the boatswains, gunners, quarter gunners, and men shall receive the same pay and rations as warrant officers of the same grade and able seamen receive in the service of the United States.

Sec. 4. And be it farther enacted, That the officers, warrant officers, boatswains, and men raised pursuant to this act, shall be entitled to the like compensation in case of disability incurred by wounds or otherwise in the service of the United States, as officers, warrant officers, and seamen in the present naval establishment, and shall be subject to the rules and articles which have been or may hereafter be established by law, for the government of the army of the United States.

Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That this act shall be and continue in force during the present war between the United States of America and their territories, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies thereof.

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That in the recess of the Senate, the President of the United States is hereby authorized to appoint all the officers proper to be appointed under this act, which appointments shall be submitted to the Senate at their next session for their advice and consent.

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the sum of two hundred thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated to carry this act into effect, to be paid out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
APPROVED, July 26, 1813.

18. James J. Cummings, 1st, Lieutenant, North Carolina, Aug. 1, 1813.

19. William Lytle, 2d, Lieutenant, North Carolina, Aug. 1, 1813.

20. Lemuel Morris, Captain, New York, Aug. 4, 1813.

21. John Dubose, Captain, South Carolina, Aug. 4, 1813.

22. John J. Contourier, 1st, Lieutenant South Carolina, Aug 4, 1813.

23. Frederick Brooks, Captain, North Carolina, Aug. 7, 1813.

24. Richard Bayner, 1st, Lieutenant, North Carolina, Aug. 7, 1813.

25. Bird B. Mitchell, 2d, Lieutenant, North Carolina, Aug. 7, 1813.

26. John Boner , 3d, Lieutenant, North Carolina, Aug. 7, 1813.

27. M. Simmons Bunbury, Captain, Maryland, Oct. 1, 1813.

Added info. In 1799, was a Lieutenant, navy was on the Montezuma.

28. John Gill Captain, Maryland, Nov. 25, 1813.

29. Caleb P. Robinson, 2d, Lieutenant, Maryland.

30. Gregory Foy, 1st, Lieutenant, Maryland.

31. James Newman, 2d, Lieutenant, Maryland.

32. Gerard Gorsuch, 3d, Lieutenant, Maryland.

33. George W. Green, 1st, Lieutenant, Maryland.

34. George McNair, 3d, Lieutenant, Maryland.

35. John Hardwick, 3d, Lieutenant, Aug. 1, 1813.

36. John Du Bose, Captain, Aug. 1, 1813.