Like many people, my knowledge of the War of 1812 is somewhat limited. (1) Frances Scott Key was inspired to pen the "Star Spangled Banner" while watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry. He had been negotiating the release of a prisoner and was retained during the siege. (2) Andrew Jackson grew to fame defeating the British at New Orleans. (3) The Brits torched several "public buildings" in DC.
Family-wise? Two of my Kentucky ancestors were on the march to invade Canada. William Simmons was active in and around DC before the British attacked.
The impending assault on Baltimore was left out of the Frances Scott Key story. The British army was preparing to attack a well-fortified Baltimore, while the naval forces were bombarding Fort McHenry and assorted artillery batteries. Miscommunication allowed both to fail.
The American defenses nearly stretched to Fell's Point, a major part of the Baltimore shipping industry. My Rhodes and Cunningham families lived at Fell's Point during the war. Ship's Captain Zachariah Rhodes married Harriet Cunningham in 1810 and was based at Fell's Point. Harriet's sisters had married mariners, ship-builders and others in the industry. Ann Bethia Rhodes [gggm] was born there in 1812.
The families had to have been anxious over the impending British attacks. What were they thinking? Had any of them left for safer grounds? Were any of Harriet's brothers-in-law with the militia defending the city?
Zachariah may have been at sea during the siege. I have yet to learn if he was actively involved in privateering during the war. He and his brother, Perry, were lost at sea en route to Puerto Rico during the summer of 1815. Storm or British cannon?
History brings family history to life.
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