From Essex Events, Spring 1997
"It is an unusual event when a
parade is held to commemorate a defeat or loss, but such is the case
locally.
In May, The Sailing Masters of 1812 lead a parade that, in effect,
celebrates
a rather disastrous defeat at the hands of the British Navy. It
might
be helpful to give a short history of what happened during that
momentous
event and how it affected the local population.
"In the early morning of April
8, 1814, at approximately 4 a.m., five English oared boats carrying a
total
of 136 sailors and marines, plus an American guide, landed at the foot
of what is now Main Street.
"They were from British ships
that
were anchored at the mouth of the Connecticut River. These people
quickly commandeered the town, and in a very efficient manner destroyed
(by burning) the fleet of ships throughout the harbor. Many of
these
vessels were in the process of being built, and included the famous
"Black
Prince," a schooner outfitted by Captain Richard Hayden as an 18 gun
Privateer.
As a matter of fact, there were four other ships of the same definition
"on the stock," all the more reason for the British interest. In
less than six hours, the sailors had completed their task, destroying
26
ships with a value of close to $200,000. It is obvious they knew
exactly where to go, for destruction was rampant not only among the
immediate
river shoreline, but in North and Falls River Coves as well.
"They were guided by the American
"turncoat." For example, the famous 400 ton ship "Osage" was
under
construction at the Samuel Williams Shipyard on the north bank of Falls
River Cove, where it was finally burned, after desperate attempts by
the
locals to save it by launching.
"At the conclusion of their work,
around 11 a.m., the British force left Potapaug (name of Essex prior to
it being called Essex Borough in 1820), taking the two ships they did
not
burn with them, the "Black Prince" and a schooner named "Eagle."
Subsequent attacks upon the British by the Lyme and Killingworth
militia
forced them to also burn these two ships and they then beat a hasty
retreat
to their home ships. Two sailors were killed, and one wounded, by
the American force.
*****There Was no Local Resistance*****
"Certain questions have risen
about
this event, which for some unknown reason has been largely ignored by
history
books. It was, after all, the greatest financial loss suffered by
the American side during the War of 1812. Why was there no real
resistance
by the Potapaug Militia, either during the initial attack, or during
the
British retreat? The head of this force lived in a home on the
lefthand
side of Main Street, close to the shore which is the site of the
current
Spooner homestead.
"There is strong suspicion that
he agreed not to oppose the raiding force, in return for their promise
not to harm homes or residents. Recently uncovered minutes of the
local Masonic Lodge add greatly to this speculation for George Jewett,
the Militia commander, was also Master of the Lodge. Captain
Richard
Coote, the person in command of the British, who had apparently spared
the ships of one Judea Pratt of New City Street, due to Masonic
influence,
could undoubtedly have "cut a similar deal" with fellow Freemason
Jewett.
*****Identity of the "Turncoat"*****
"The other big question
centers
on the identity of the American "Spy" or "Turncoat" who guided the
British.
Jeremiah Glover, who lived on South Main Street (current Essex Village
at South Cove rest home), had his boat spared from British destruction
and actually was with the attackers as they retreated down the
river.
He was ultimately deposited on Fishers Island.
"Was he the guilty party?
There is no definite proof, and he was essentially exonerated by local
officials, but the suspicion remains, as do suspicions concerning the
whole
affair. The Essex people were strangely quiet about the attack
which
remains one of the momentous military events in the history of our
state.
"In any case, a stinging defeat
was suffered by our side on that early April day. Perhaps the
whole
story will someday be revealed. A fine pamphlet by Russell
Anderson
and Albert Dock, entitled The British Raid On Essex, published
in
1981 by the Essex Historical Society, gives a great view of this
attack,
especially from a British standpoint. Many of the facts in this
article
came from that source."
Note: this county and town is up for adoption.
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