Orlando Brice House

July 27, 2014, 7:38 pm

≪ Previous: Frederic Remington (1861 - 1909)

Wisconsin, Eau Claire County, Eau Claire

Historic Building Built in 1918, this house is the most significant example of Georgian Revival architecture in Eau Claire. Orlando Brice was the treasurer and manager of the Wisconsin Refrigerator Company.

Designated District February Twenty-Seven
Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five

(Notable Buildings) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

John Cephas

July 27, 2014, 7:39 pm

≫ Next: What Happened To The Patriots

≪ Previous: Orlando Brice House

Virginia, Caroline County, Bowling Green

Born in Washington D.C., John Cephas grew up there and in Caroline County. He was influenced at an early age by his mother's singing. A cousin taught him the highly syncopated and danceable guitar style now known as Piedmont Blues, which employs a complex, finger -picking approach. Cephas performed at rural dance parties and developed his rich voice as a gospel singer. He and harmonica master Phil Wiggins made numerous award-winning albums and performed all over the world, earning the W. C. Handy Award as Blues Entertainers of the Year in 1987. Cephas received the coveted National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1989.

(Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

What Happened To The Patriots

July 27, 2014, 7:49 pm

≫ Next: Commanding the Forces

≪ Previous: John Cephas

New York, Saint Lawrence County, Ogdensburg

Even though the Patriots only numbered about 180 in the windmill, Ogdensburg was home to a host of sympathizers, many of whom were prevented by the American infantry from joining or supplying their comrades. But many of the most vocal and active members who had urged the invasion, when the fighting began, were no where to be found.

Not all the Patriot sympathizers were unwilling to come to the aid of those trapped at Windmill Point. The St. Lawrence County Board of Supervisors, meeting in Canton, could hear the sound of the cannon firing 20 miles away in Ogdensburg. Isaac Ellwood, a member of the board, urged the board to help marshall a force to rescue the Patriots. His resolution read:

Whereas, the members of the Board of Supervisors of St. Lawrence County, having received information and believing the same to be authentic, that the Patriots have made a noble stand at Windmill Point, near Prescott, in Upper Canada, and have had a severe engagement with the advocates and minions of British tyranny and oppression on the 13th inst. and having every reason to believe from said information, unless the said Patriots are reinforced in the perilous situation in which they are placed, that they will meet defeat, and sacrifice their lives in contending against a merciless and cruel foe:

And whereas, this board feels a deep interest and intense anxiety in the success of that patriotic struggle which would spread the light of liberty over our oppressed brethren in Canada, and for the preservation of the lives of those Patriots who are contending for the rights of men born free, and for the republican principles for which our venerable forefathers shed their blood,

Resolved, that this board adjourn, to meet again at the court house in the said county, on the last Monday of the present month at 1 o'clock p.m. in order to enable the members thereof to rescue that Spartan band of patriotic friends and preserve their lives from the hands of their enemies, the tyrants and advocates of the British crown.

The majority of the board of supervisors, perhaps sensing the future of the Patriots, tabled the resolution, choosing to leave that Spartan band to face their fate.

In Ogdensburg, the community's attention was riveted on the progress of the Patriots, surrounded in the Windmill, cut off from outside aid by both the British, and by American troops in Ogdensburg who were enforcing American neutrality.

A group of prominent citizens, concerned that the Patriots could not be reinforced and would shortly face capture, on Wednesday sent a contingent to the British commander, suggesting that they be allowed to remove the Patriots from the Windmill to prevent further bloodshed. The British colonel refused, pointing out that no British officer could allow an enemy to escape when they were obviously within his power. He delicately pointed out, however, that all his ships had gone upstream for repairs, and would not return until the next morning.

The Americans, seeing an opportunity to help the embattled Patriots, dispatched a ship to Windmill Point to bring home the Patriots. Preston King led a group of volunteers to the Windmill on a small steamer to help the Patriots make a get away. Unfortunately, the fighters were convinced that they would soon see large reinforcements that would aid them in their conquest of Canada. They refused to escape. King arrived back in Ogdensburg shortly before the British ships returned, cutting off any future hopes of removing the besieged Patriots. On Thursday, the Patriots found themselves waiting not for reinforcements, but for the end.

By Friday, the British had been reinforced with 400 regular troops, gunships armed with heavy cannon capable of leveling the windmill. The Patriots, who had waited for more than five days for the Canadian uprising, had given up hope. They had hung a white flag on the mill, but the British commanders ignored it.

(Disasters • Patriots & Patriotism) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Commanding the Forces

July 27, 2014, 7:58 pm

≫ Next: The Battle of Big Sandy

≪ Previous: What Happened To The Patriots

New York, Oswego County, near Scriba

A Diverse Group
The war effort was lead by distinguished men on both sides whose effectiveness at their jobs varied, but the impacts of their campaigns on border communities were dramatic. Their ranks and commands changed frequently, they celebrated successes and failures, they disagreed with each other, some went on to greater fame, and others fell into disgrace. Their legacies live on in the lore and names of Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River places.

The British
The British were focused on defeating Napoleon in Europe; at the same time they had to defend Canada against repeated American attacks. British commanders were ultimately successful. Canada remained a part of the British Empire until 1867.

Sir George Prevost
Lieutenant General Prevost became Governor General of Canada in 1811 at age 44. Conservative and cautious, he did not work well with the Royal Navy. Although successful in defending Canada, Prevost returned to England in 1815 to face a court martial, but died before his trial convened.

Sir Gordon Drummond
Lieutenant General Drummond was 41 in 1813 when appointed to command the British Army in Upper Canada. Competent and aggressive, he attacked Oswego, captured Fort Niagara, burned Buffalo, fought to a draw at Lundy's Lane, but failed to recapture Fort Erie.

Sir James Lucas Yeo
A former frigate captain, Yeo was 31 in 1813 when he became Commodore commanding on the lakes. He unsuccessfully attacked Sackets Harbor but succeeded at Oswego. He raided several communities along the south shore of Lake Ontario.

The Americans
The Americans were intent on conquering Canada, but one plan after another failed due to poor leadership. By the time the American leaders got organized it was too late; the British had defeated Napoleon, freeing up thousands of reinforcements for the was in America.

Henry Dearborn
A Revolutionary War Colonel, Congressman and Secretary of War, he was 61 in 1812 when he became Major General commanding the United States Army in upstate New York

John Armstrong
A former Senator, Minister to France, and Brigadier General, at age 54 he became Secretary of War. He mismanaged the attack on Montreal in 1813, and in 1814 he was blamed for the burning of Washington and forced to resign.

Jacob Brown
Brown's first military service was as a militia Captain in 1807. In 1814, at age 39 he became an army Major General. He fought the British five times during the war, never losing a battle.

Isaac Chauncey
Chauncey was 40 when he became Commodore, commanding on the Great Lakes. A superb administrator but ineffective as a combat commander, he never forced the British to fight a decisive battle.

Melancthon Woolsey
Navy Lieutenant Woolsey commanded on Lake Ontario from 1808, at age 28, until relieved by Isaac Chauncey in 1812. A competent officer, as Master Commandant he replaced Chauncey in 1815.

James Wilkinson
A Revolutionary War veteran, he was the army's senior officer from 1800 to 1812. He was 56 in 1813 when he replaced Dearborn as Major General, commanding in upstate New York. Wilkinson lost battles at Crysler's Farm and Lacolle Mills.

(War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 7 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

The Battle of Big Sandy

July 27, 2014, 9:26 pm

≫ Next: Benjamin Forsyth: The Daring Commando

≪ Previous: Commanding the Forces

New York, Jefferson County, near Ellisburg

Americans Set An Ambush
An American flotilla carrying critical shipbuilding supplies to Sackets Harbor was forced to land along South Sandy Creek. Near this spot Major Appling's 120 riflemen, 150 Oneida Indian warriors and naval Captain Woolsey ambushed a pursuing force of 180 British seamen and marines in 7 gunboats and cutters. In this short but sharp action the entire British landing force was defeated - 18 killed, 50 wounded, and the rest captured.

1]
Under cover of night, Captain Woolsey transports men and vital supplies to the military and shipbuilding center in Sackets Harbor. He plans to land at Stoney Creek.
2]
British gunboats spot the flotilla and chase them into Sandy Creek.
3]
The British enter the creek and commence firing.
4]
British troops land on both sides of the creek and advance toward the supplies.
5]
Americans take up positions in a small grove of trees and fire on the British, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing the entire force.

Although the Americans win the battle, the British still control the lake, so the overland route becomes the Americans' only option.

Sinuous Route
Route taken by rope carriers and wagons.
You can drive the 'carrying cable route'. Follow South Landing Road to Ellisburg, County Route 289 to Belleville, then County Route 75 to Sackets Harbor.

Like a Giant Centipede
Ox carts were collected to carry most of the supplies, but the cable was too heavy for a cart, so it was carried centipede-style. Around 100 men at a time carried the cable 20 miles from here to Sackets Harbor. Each man was bearing about 100 pounds on his shoulder, and when one became tired, a new recruit stepped in.

(War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 7 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Benjamin Forsyth: The Daring Commando

July 27, 2014, 9:31 pm

≫ Next: Ogdensburgh And The War

≪ Previous: The Battle of Big Sandy

New York, Saint Lawrence County, Ogdensburg

In late July of 1812, a U.S. Army rifle company arrived on the Northern Border. It was commanded by Captain Benjamin Forsyth, "a big dashing daredevil from North Carolina," who had his own opinions on the way to wage a war. Along the Northern border, Forsyth and his Rifles pioneered the hit and run tactics that infuriated the British, and angered many of his own commanders, who disliked his brash and unorthodox methods.

Within two months after his arrival, Captain Forsyth and his force of 95 men established their reputations on Sept. 21, 1812 as daring commandoes by crossing the St. Lawrence in small boats from Cape Vincent at dawn and landing west of Gananoque, in the heart of the Thousand Islands. After a brief but fierce battle, they quickly captured Gananoque, a major staging point for British convoys.

The Kingston Gazette, upset over the ease with which Captain Forsyth and his command could capture an entire town and put the militia to flight, accused Forsyth and his men of "truly disgraceful conduct" for firing into the home of Colonel Joel Stone and wounding his wife. Forsyth said his troops were fired upon. The newspaper also claimed Forsyth's men broke into the house, ransacked the Colonel's trunks, and were preparing to steal his bedding and other belongings when Forsyth and his officers prevented it. Forsyth's commanders apparently saw the attack in a different light. Forsyth's men were awarded state funds by Brigadier General Jacob Brown. New York Governor Daniel Thompkins praised Forsyth for the attack.

Before Forsyth's arrival, the St. Lawrence frontier was a relatively tranquil border, marked by a few warlike actions by either side. The British wanted it kept that way, fearing for the safety of their convoys. Captain Forsyth had his own ideas. In Ogdensburgh, Forsyth's men launched a campaign of harassment against British shipping, sending small boats and snipers against the convoys. Their harassment angered the British into launching a major, but ill-fated, naval attack against Ogdensburgh, which Forsyth, General Brown and the militia easily repelled. That winter, Forsyth continued angering the British by mounting a daring wintertime raid on Brockville, in which his men captured the town, freed Americans being held prisoner there, and returned with the British military stores housed in the town. For his daring raid, Forsyth was promoted to Lt. Colonel.

After the fall of Odgensburgh, Colonel Forsyth and his riflemen continued to win renown. On April 26, 1813, when 1,700 American regular troops launched their invasion of York, Forsyth's rifles led the attack. Forsyth, despite heavy sniper fire on their flat-bottomed Schenectady boats landed at 8 a.m. on the shore with his assault landing force, clearing the way for Brigadier General Zebulon Pike at the head of three companies of infantry. More than 320 were killed or wounded in the succeeful [sic] battle of York, in which Pike himself was killed when the Grand Magazine was blown up by the retreating British troops.

While Forsyth and his troops were not considered the most highly disciplined force in the Army, no one questioned their valor or ability under fire. On May 27, when American forces invaded Fort George, Major Forsyth and Colonel Winfield Scott directed the successful attack. Scott and Forsyth landed with Forsyth's rifles where they soon overpowered the British troops sent to stop them, and overran the fort. Again, when Major General James Wilkinson launched his army of 8,000 from Sackett's Harbor downriver on their ill-fated expedition to capture Montreal, Forsyth's riflemen spearheaded the advance.

By June 22, 1813, Forsyth and his men were stationed near Champlain. Forsyth, with 70 of his riflemen, crossed the frontier near Rouse's Point. They were attacked by 200 of the enemy's light troops. Forsyth beat them off, and retired to Champlain with only one man dead and five wounded. A few days later, Forsyth and his men were sent back over the line to draw the enemy across. He formed an ambush and sent a few men forwards as decoys. They were soon seen, and about 150 Canadians and Indians began chasing the decoys. As they approached the ambush, Forsyth stepped upon a log to watch the attack when he was shot through the breast by an Indian. His rifle regiment, shocked by the death of their commander, immediately rose up, pouring such a deadly fire upon the enemy that they retreated in wild confusion, leaving seventeen dead on their field.

Angered by the death of their beloved commander, and incensed by the British use of Indians, Forsyth's men resolved to avenge the death of their own leader by taking the life of the leader of the Indians. A few days later, a team of Forsyth's men crossed the lines and shot the Indian's leader. He died a week later.

(Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Ogdensburgh And The War

July 27, 2014, 9:54 pm

≫ Next: Retreat From Manassas

≪ Previous: Benjamin Forsyth: The Daring Commando

New York, Saint Lawrence County, Ogdensburg

Northern Front American War planners ignored Ogdensburg as a way to choke off the British supply lines, instead focusing their attention and troops on grandiose invasions like General James Wilkinson's ill-fated march on Montreal, illustrated above. On October 19, 1813, eight months after the British captured Ogdensburgh (partly because Wilkinson had refused to provide the Ogdensburgh troops with the reinforcements they desperately needed) Wilkinson launched his grand invasion of Montreal from Sackett's Harbor (Illustrated above). During Wilkinson's invasion, the general learned that one of the prices he and his troops had to pay for abandoning Ogdensburgh was that his men were forced to disembark above Ogdensburgh on November 8, 1813, march overland around the village (out of the reach of the British cannon at Fort Wellington which commanded the river at Prescott) and re-embark two days later. Three days later, the British (with a smaller force) overtook the Americans, defeating them on November 11 at Crysler's Farm (across the river from Waddington). On November 12-13, Wilkinson retires to Fort Covington, abandoning the attack on Montreal, forcing the U.S. Army to give up its dream of capturing Canada from the British.

(Disasters • Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Retreat From Manassas

July 27, 2014, 10:10 pm

≫ Next: Coral Gables Congregational Church

≪ Previous: Ogdensburgh And The War

Virginia, Fairfax County, Centreville

Following the disastrous defeat at the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861, the Union army retreated toward Centreville late in the afternoon with Confederate forces in pursuit. Thousands of Federal soldiers converged simultaneously at the narrow Cub Run suspension bridge, which was located near where the present-day Lee Highway bridge spans the stream.

Confederate Capt. Delaware Kemper, Alexandria Light Artillery, deployed two guns in the turnpike on the hill less than a mile west of the bridge. The first shot, fired by ardent secessionist Edmund Ruffin, caused a wagon to overturn and block the bridge. With a well-directed barrage raining down on the bridge, the Federals fled in panic, throwing away weapons and haversacks, as well as anything else that slowed them down. Unable to ford the stream, they also abandoned wagons, ambulances, and artillery pieces.

While pursuing the Union army, the 8th South Carolina Infantry captured U.S. Congressman Alfred Ely (N.Y.) who along with many northern politicians and Washington, D.C., residents had journeyed out to watch what they confidently believed would be the Union victory that would end the war. Most of the civilians observed the battle from Centreville Heights, but a small number of politicians and newspapermen ventured beyond Cub Run to the vicinity of the field hospital at Mrs. Spindle’s house. In the race for safety, they abandoned their carriages at Cub Run, further clogging the road, impeding the retreat, and adding to the panic.

(War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Coral Gables Congregational Church

July 27, 2014, 10:28 pm

≫ Next: Sackets Harbor

≪ Previous: Retreat From Manassas

Florida, Miami-Dade County, Coral Gables

George Merrick, the visionary behind the City of Coral Gables, founded Coral Gables Congregational Church in 1923, to honor his father, Solomon, a Congregational minister. The church was the first public building in Coral Gables. The Mediterranean Revival design of the building features a grand Baroque entrance and a bell tower patterned after a tower in Seville, Spain. The Spanish barrel roof tiles are from Cuba. It is the first church to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida. In 1960, it joined the United Church of Christ, a denomination begun by those seeking spiritual and political freedom in the United States including the Pilgrims from England who became Congregationalists and immigrants from the German Evangelical and Reformed traditions.

(Churches, Etc.) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Sackets Harbor

July 28, 2014, 4:06 am

≫ Next: Petronilla and James T. Barber House

≪ Previous: Coral Gables Congregational Church

New York, Jefferson County, Sackets Harbor

A Strategic Place
The shelter offered by Sackets Harbor made this an attractive place to base the U.S. Navy fleet. The growth patterns set at the time the military facilities were built are responsible for the layout of the village today. Some of the structures built then still stand, and many street and place names come from that military legacy.

Sackets Harbor 1815
A Fortified Naval Base
During the War of 1812 the harbor was teeming with naval activity and dominated by ships of war. The settlement was fortified against attack by land or sea.

Sackets Harbor Present
A Recreational Port
Historical names are being used for most of the historic structures in the Village.
Today boat traffic in the harbor is mainly recreational motorboats and sailboats, moored in the many marinas or docking to visit the village's many attractions. Ask about our Harbor Walk guidebook and guided walking tours to discover more of the area's rich heritage.

(Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Petronilla and James T. Barber House

July 28, 2014, 8:16 am

≫ Next: Gettysburg Campaign

≪ Previous: Sackets Harbor

Wisconsin, Eau Claire County, Eau Claire

Historic Building Petronilla (Bellinger) and James T. Barber built this Tutor Revival House in 1903-04. The house is designed by Minneapolis architect, Harry Wild Jones. James Barber was the president of the Northwestern Lumber Company from 1904 until his death in 1926. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Eau Claire National Bank and the National Electric Company. His wife Petronilla, died in 1936. Upon her death, the property passed to her three brothers; Roy, Nelson, and Thorp Wilcox and then to Francis Wilcox who raised his family here with his wife, Katherine (McGiveran.) The house was sold by the Wilcox family in 1998.

Designated November Fifth
Two Thousand One

(Notable Buildings) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Gettysburg Campaign

July 28, 2014, 10:31 am

≫ Next: Blair House

≪ Previous: Petronilla and James T. Barber House

Maryland, Carroll County, Westminster

After stunning victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Virginia, early in May 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee carried the war through Maryland, across the Mason and Dixon Line and into Pennsylvania. His infantry marched north through the Shenandoah Valley and western Maryland as his cavalry, led by Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, harassed Union supply lines to the east. Union Gen. Joseph Hooker, replaced on June 28 by Gen. George G. Meade, led the Army of the Potomac from the Washington defenses in pursuit. The Federals collided with Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 1, starting a battle neither side had intended to fight there. Three days later, the defeated Confederates began retreating through Maryland, retracing their steps to the Potomac River and crossing into Virginia on July 14.

To follow in their footsteps and to discover their stories, stop by any Welcome Center or local Visitor Center to pick up a Gettysburg: Invasion & Retreat Civil War Trail map-guide. Please drive carefully as you enjoy the history and beauty of Maryland Civil War Trails.

(captions)
(top) Gen. Robert E. Lee; Gen. George G. Meade
(bottom) Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and his staff approach Mercersburg - Ron Lesser, Artist

(War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Blair House

July 28, 2014, 2:39 pm

≫ Next: How Ogdensburgh Captured Brockville

≪ Previous: Gettysburg Campaign

Maryland, Montgomery County, Silver Spring

In 1842, Francis Preston Blair built a country house very near this park and divided his time between his 300 acre farm and his city residence "Blair House", which is now the President's official guest house in Washington, D.C. Blair was a powerful newspaper publisher and a friend of President Andrew Jackson.

Blair called his estate "Silver Spring", after a beautiful natural spring on the property which bubbled up through mica rock, giving it the appearance of being lined with silver. The town that grew up near Blair's farm became known as Silver Spring.

(Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Buildings) Includes location, directions, 7 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

How Ogdensburgh Captured Brockville

July 28, 2014, 6:44 pm

≫ Next: Kinney House

≪ Previous: Blair House

New York, Saint Lawrence County, Ogdensburg

On February 6, 1813, Captain Benjamin Forsyth learned from his spies and Canadian sympathizers that the British were holding a large number of Americans in the jail at Brockville. Repeated reports indicated that the Americans were being cruelly treated by their British captors. Forsyth also learned that some of those being held were being claimed by the British as deserters from the British army even though they had become citizens of the United States.

Spies informed Forsyth that the British intended to execute the "deserters" as an example to their own soldiers of what would happen if they fled the army to join the Yankees.

Forsyth and his officers agreed that they would launch a daring raid to rescue the prisoners. Forsyth's rifle regiment and John W. Lyttle's company of volunteers, numbering in total about 200, left at nine in the evening on foot and sleigh for the 12 mile hike to Morristown.

In Morristown, they convinced Arnold Smith, a tavern keeper, to act as their guide. Adjutant Daniel W. Church, a volunteer and veteran of many skirmishes on the ice with the British, suggested to Forsyth that the Americans march in two open columns across the river. At the shore, flank guards were sent to encircle the village, then known as Elizabethtown, now named Brockville.

The main body marched into the village, stationing themselves in the village square in front of the jail. One of the groups of soldiers, hearing the approach of a company of men, hailed them with the challenge, "Who comes there?"

He was answered by the reply, "not friends of King George."

Unfortunately, not hearing the the [sic] first word of the reply, he mistakenly assumed they were "Friends of King George." He fired, wounding one man.

The company turned out to be the left flank of the American force. Meanwhile, Captain Benjamin Forsyth, with a few men, entered the jail, and demanded the keys. They were surrendered without resistance. Every prisoner, with the exception of one prisoner being held for murder, was removed.

The freed prisoners, together with a group of prominent Brockville citizens who were taken as hostages, returned to Ogdensburgh with the daring raiders.

Forsyth's troops also seized 120 muskets, 20 rifles, two casks of ammunition, but no private property was either taken or destroyed. The prominent citizens were released after the force reached Ogdensburg.

The daring raid is described by modern historians as one of the most daring, though least known, raids of the entire War of 1812.

The raid angered the British, who feared Forsyth's daring and bravado. With his success, the British commanders were convinced that soon the American commander would set his sights on Prescott's Fort Wellington. If Forsyth could force the British from their fortifications in Prescott, the British knew, his cannon could control the river, cutting off the British supply lines to Upper Canada, starving the British troops in western Canada.

New York Governor Daniel Thompkins wrote to Brigadier General Jacob Brown to congratulate the "daring" and courageous Forsyth. Forsyth was promoted by his commanders to the rank of Lt. Colonel by brevet, his commission being dated Feb. 6 to commemorate the raid.

(Patriots & Patriotism • War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Kinney House

July 28, 2014, 7:28 pm

≫ Next: Ogdensburg And Forsyth: Friends Or Enemies

≪ Previous: How Ogdensburgh Captured Brockville

Wisconsin, Eau Claire County, Eau Claire

Historic Building Inga and Chris Kinney built this Craftsman Bungalow style house in 1911. Kinney was the treasurer of the Kinney Motor Car Company, which was located on South Barstow Street. This company operated from 1917 until 1923 and was one of eleven motor car companies in Eau Claire when it closed its doors.

Designated January Eighth
Two Thousand One

(Notable Buildings) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Ogdensburg And Forsyth: Friends Or Enemies

July 28, 2014, 8:09 pm

≫ Next: Fort la Présentation

≪ Previous: Kinney House

New York, Saint Lawrence County, Ogdensburg

By 1812, when war broke out along the border with Canada, Ogdensburgh, like other Northern bordertowns, saw little sense in Mr. Madison's War.

When Captain Benjamin Forsyth and General Jacob Brown arrived in the community, they discovered that despite the war, Ogdensburgh was still a peaceful place. The Canadians still crossed the river to shop at Joseph Rosseel's store located inside David Parish's large stone storehouse (now the U.S. Customs building) at the mouth of the Oswegatchie. Many of the British officers, under the protection of a white flag of truce, had tea or enjoyed dinner at Parish's mansion. Parish and the other businessmen in Ogdensburgh had nothing to gain from warfare with the British.

When Forsyth and General Jacob Brown arrived in 1812, the commanders made it clear to the community's prominent citizens that their undeclared state of peace was at an end. The troops began planning how they would disrupt British shipping, and Ogdensburgh's society was soon divided between those like Parish, Judge Nathan Ford, Joseph Rosseel and others who wanted to keep the community neutral, and those who like Lt. Daniel Church, St. Lawrence County Sheriff Joseph York, Col. Thomas Benedict and others who were prepared to fight the British, and defend their homes from attack.

Parish and Ford saw Forsyth as a bigger threat to the community than the British. Forsyth, a colorful, impetuous, and arrogant young officer, had established his reputation with his daring raid on Gananoque.

Judge Ford described him as a zealot with "but very little military skill. Parish and Ford were both Federalists who despised the Republicans who had launched the war. They believed the American attacks on British outposts would only anger the English and eventually result in British retaliation on their community. Their homes, businesses and lives would be at risk, their community in danger, while Forsyth would only be transferred to another post.

Among a segment of the population, the dashing Forsyth was a popular figure who drew a large number, estimated at 200, with him on his raid on Brockville. Ford dismissed Forsyth's popularity, suggesting in a letter that one of the prominent citizens who had taken part in the raid was "military mad" a "tool of Democracy" and had spent too much time with alcohol by getting into "the habit of raising his elbow too often to his head."

Among the American high command, Forsyth was controversial. His troops were high spirited, unruly, and not above plundering the enemy. A week before the British attack on Ogdensburgh, Major General Henry Dearborne refused to provide Forsyth with the reinforcements the Ogdensburgh commander requested. Forsyth correctly predicted the British attack. But Dearborne, who was well aware of the pro-British sentiment in some quarters of Ogdensburgh, suggested to Forsyth that the American army abandon the community and allow the British to invade it. Dearborne suggested that the destruction of Ogdensburgh might help the American war effort by giving the Northern border towns a cause to rally around, ending the spirit of neutrality prevalent among some. Forsyth and his officers refused to abandon Ogdensburgh, agreeing to hold it as long as they could.

After Ogdensburghh's [sic] defeat, Dearborne, who had refused to provide the reinforcements, laid all the blame for the loss on Forsyth. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of War John Armstrong, Dearborne wrote that Forsyth's "known zeal for a small partisan warfare, has induced me to give him repeated caution against such measures on his part, as would probably produce some retaliating strokes as he would be unable to resist; but I fear my advice has not been so fully attended to as could have been wished."

After the battle Parish urged the U.S. Cabinet to send no more American troops to the community. They also urged the Americans to make no further attacks on neighboring Canadian villages. Judge Ford wrote that after the capture, "I feel safer than when Forsyth was here." John Ross observed "we are left quite soldierless; have not even an officer to receive or send a flag; so much the better, we remain perfectly secure."

[Upper right inset image of] David Parish [and caption reads] Among a segment of Ogdensburgh's population, Captain Benjamin Forsyth was seen as more of a menace than the British Army. His supporters among Ogdensburgh's residents were described by some prominent local citizens as "military mad" and "tools of Democracy."

(Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Fort la Présentation

July 28, 2014, 8:57 pm

≫ Next: Isle of Refuge

≪ Previous: Ogdensburg And Forsyth: Friends Or Enemies

New York, Saint Lawrence County, Ogdensburg

This monument marks the site of
Fort la Présentation
erected in 1749 by
Abbé François Picquet
for the protection of his mission among
the Indians of the Five Nations.

The fort was occupied in 1760 by the British and evacuated by them June 1st, 1796 under the provisions of the Jay Treaty

It was the first building erected where now stands the city of Ogdensburg
———————
1749 - 1969
The Abbe Francois Picquet Monument
on the site of Fort la Presentation
erected in 1749 which is now known as
the city of Ogdensburg is herewith
re-dedicated in year 1969 in honor of
Father Francois Picquet,
the founder of the community.
———————
The Abbé Picquet monument was re-dedicated July 18, 2009 following the return of the obelisk to Lighthouse Point from Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church. The Fort la Présentation Assocation Board of Directors undertook the project with the cooperation of the City of Ogdensburg, Notre Dame Parish and the Swe-Kat-Si Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Financial support came from the Sweet Grass Foundation and a David Dickinson Sponsorship from New York State's French and Indian War 250th Anniversary Commemoration Commission.

(Churches, Etc. • Forts, Castles • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Isle of Refuge

July 29, 2014, 7:02 am

≫ Next: Tajique

≪ Previous: Fort la Présentation

Minnesota, Kandiyohi County, near New London

During the Dakota Conflict of 1862, there were no casualties among the Norway Lake community settlers, although several from the nearby West Lake community were killed. On August 20, survivors from West Lake and other settlers from the Norway Lake area sought refuge on an island in Norway Lake. A crude canoe was used to bring the women, children and meager supplies out to the island. The settlers spent several days there, until a rescue party escorted them to the Paynesville area. Afterwards, this area was closed to settlement until 1864. The Norway Lake island became known as the "Isle of Refuge."

Sponsored by Austin F. Hanscom Legion Post 167 of Wilmar,
the Federal Highway Administration,
and Kandiyohi County, for the Glacial Ridge Scenic Byway Project.
Erected in 2002

(Wars, US Indian) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Tajique

July 29, 2014, 9:01 am

≫ Next: Mountainair

≪ Previous: Isle of Refuge

New Mexico, Torrance County, Tajique

The pueblo-mission of San Miguel de Tajique was established in the 1620s. In the 1670s famine, disease and Apache raids caused the abandonment of the Jurisdiccion de las Salinas (1598-1678)which included Tajique. Modern occupation of Tajique began in the 1830's with a land grant made to Manuel Sanchez.

(Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Mountainair

July 29, 2014, 9:08 am

≫ Next: Mountainair

≪ Previous: Tajique

New Mexico, Torrance County, Mountainair

Founded in 1902, Mountainair developed as a center for pinto bean farming in the early 20th century until the drought of the 1940s. The region had been occupied by the Tompiro and the eastern Tiwa Pueblo Indians from prehistoric times through the mid-17th century when it served as a major center for Spanish Franciscan missionaries.

(Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

↧

Latest Images