1776 DELMARVA: Intro and 1774

1776 DELMARVA: 1775

1776 DELMARVA booksigning Saturday August 22, 2015 Wicomico Tourism Center 9AM to 12 Noon

Phil Webster will have a booksigning on Saturday August 22, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Wicomico County Tourism Center between Delmar, Maryland and Salisbury Maryland on Rt. 13.

John Henry of Vienna, Maryland: Maryland's First United States Senator

Francis Makemie pioneered the planting of Presbyterian churches on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. Churches at Rehobeth (Maryland), Manokin (Princess Anne, Maryland), Snow Hill (Maryland), Rockawalkin (Salisbury,Maryland) Pocomoke (Maryland) (Virginia) and (Virginia) all claim their heritage from Francis Makemie. Reverend John Henry replaced Francis Makemie at Rehobeth, Maryland (the oldest Presbyterian church in the United States). Rev. John Henry and his wife had a son who became Colonel John Henry and lived on the Nanticoke River near Vienna, Maryland. They also had three other sons and five daughters. Colonel John Henry died in 1781.

John Henry III (born 1750) received his education by travelling up the Chesapeake Bay to Cecil County where he attended the famous Nottingham Academy. Being from the stock of Rev. John Henry, John Henry III attended and graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University today) and studied under Rev. John Witherspoon. After graduating from Princeton, Henry studied at the Temple in London (as did Arthur Middleton and John Blair). Henry defended the American position while studying and received much opposition. During the American Revolution, John Henry III became a delegate in Continental Congress. IN 1787 Henry served on a committee which made the Northwest Ordinance. This committee could have followed the historical pattern of colonies being subservient to the mother country. This committee and ordinance gave the colonies and territories the freedom to self govern and eventually become equal states.

Article Three of the Northwest Ordinance states that "Religion and morality... shall forever be encouraged until 1962." Scratch that last phrase; it is what the anti-God Gestapo want you to believe. The real quote is "Religion and morality...shall forever be encouraged."

The same year that the Northwest Ordinance was passed (1787) was the same year that the United States Constitution was adopted. The Maryland Convention voted for John Henry to be the first Senator under the Constitution for Maryland. John Henry and the other Senators and Congressmen attended George Washington's Swearing In Ceremony where he took the Oath of Office by putting his hand on the Bible and said "So help me God." That group of Senators and Congressmen followed President Washington on a six block march to St. Paul's Chapel where the government leaders dedicated the new government to God. It is worthy to note that the same church where the government dedicated itself to following God was saved by the falling wreckage of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Imagine that a guy from Vienna Maryland attended the church service that dedicated the country's government to God. What have we done with what our Founding Fathers passed down to us?

Below are two quotations from John Henry while he served in Continental Congress. John Henry to Thomas Johnson (Apr. 20, 1778) IX, 454. “...I make no doubt you have heard of the insurrection in the Delaware State. By a Letter from a Mr. Patterson we are informed that a considerable Number of the disaffected have assembled at a place near the head of the Chester River. They are exerting themselves to add to their Numbers and those who will not join them, they deprive them of their Arms and Ammunition. It is said here they have British officers among them and expect to be reinforced from Philadelphia. This Matter is viewed as very serious by some. Mr. Carroll gives his Compliments to you and desires me to acquaint you that there is a considerable quantity of provision at Charles Town at the Head of our Bay which appears to be in a dangerous Situation. There’s also as I am informed by Mr. S. Stewart quantities of provisions at Princess Ann in Somerset, and other places in that neighbourhood.”

John Henry to Thomas Sim Lee (Aug. 8, 1780) XV, 562. “...The General and the Army have returned to this side of the N. River and it is a very happy and fortunate Event that his movements called back the Attention of the Enemy to N. York. If they had proceeded to attack Rhode Island the General informs us he should have attempted N. York. He is now busily engaged in some preparatory steps toward the accomplishment of the great object of the Campaign. God grant him success. My Expectations are slender.”

1776 Delmarva Now Available on ebook

1776 DELMARVA now available in ebook format

Many people have the misconception that nothing happened on the Delmarva Peninsula during the American Revolution. On the contrary, my friend, every community had to struggle in one way or another during the struggle for independence. The population at the time turned out to be approximately one third patriot, one third Tory and the other third in the middle ground. Soldiers from Delaware, Maryland and Virginia played a huge role in the Continental Army in battles in the North and South.

Most Marylanders (let alone the rest of the country) do not realize that Maryland has the unique privilege of flying their flag at the same height as the United States’ flag because of the sacrifice of Maryland soldiers at the battle of Brooklyn. Delmarva soldiers fought at Brooklyn, Kip’s Bay, Harlem Heights, Fort Washington, Washington Crossing, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Stony Point and Paulus Hook. That sounds like enough right there but in 1780 they were called upon to march south to the Carolinas and fight eventually at Camden, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, the Race to the Dan, Hobrick’s Hill, Ninety Six, Eutaw Springs and Yorktown.

The ten year struggle for independence happened on Delmarva itself. Neighbors fought against and spied on neighbors. In quite a few occasions family members were against each other. Raids came up rivers at night time and either captured patriots or burned their houses. As you read, check out how your area fared during the struggle. Find out about people like Tench Tilghman, John Dickinson, Robert Morris, William Richardson, Robert Kirkwood, Allen McLane, Enoch Anderson, Levin Winder, Alexander Roxburgh, John Gunby, Southey Simpson, John Haslet, Lambert Wickes and others.

1776 DELMARVA Available now on ebooks through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Xulon Press Available in paperback form in about 2 weeks (mid July 2015 or earlier)

AMAZON http://www.amazon.com/1776-DELMARVA-Defending-Delmarva-Revolution-ebook/dp/B010M7GTZK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435612883&sr=8-1&keywords=1776+Delmarva

BARNES AND NOBLE http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1776-delmarva-phil-webster/1122218990?ean=2940150964990

Richard Wickes Signs the Declaration of Independence With His Life

The time has come to allow the Wickes Brothers’ Light to shine on the nation’s naval history. In this author’s humble opinion, Lambert Wickes blazed the trail for the Continental Navy. John Paul Jones was certainly a great sailor but the one preceding him blazed a brighter trail. While being given the duties of Captain on the Reprisal, Lambert Wickes had to first break through the British Navy blockade of the Delaware Bay. He successfully did that on June 28, 1776. After breaking through the Royal Navy blockade, Wickes and another ship saw that the ship Nancy was trying to bring a sorely needed load of gunpowder to the Continental Army.

Lambert put his brother Richard in charge of getting the ship Nancy to shore. Richard carried out his responsibilities and beached the ship on Turtle Gut Island near Cape May, New Jersey. On shore people helped unload about 250 barrels of gunpowder out of a total of 386 barrels. The British tried to prevent this and ended up blowing up the ship. Richard Wickes and those still on board paid with their lives. On July 2, 1776; the day that the actual Declaration of Independence was signed, Richard Wickes signed with his life.

1776 DELMARVA Welcome and Index

Welcome to 1776 DELMARVA (www.1776delmarva.blogspot.com) This blog attempts to chronicle and make interesting the history of the American Revolution on the Delmarva Peninsula. 2015 -1776 DELMARVA Welcome and Index -1776 DELMARVA book coming out soon! -Ship life Continental navy- Tribute to Captain Lambert Wickes of the Reprisal -Oxford Maryland:Tench Tilghman and Robert Morris -Robert Morris Senior and Robert Morris Junior Oxford MD -Tench Tilghman buried in Oxford Cemetery -Parker Mill Pond Update Feb. 2015 -Rock Hall and Chestertown Maryland: Breeding Ground for Sea Captains in the American Revolution -Colonel William Richardson -Maryland and Delaware Soldiers on February 2, 1781 Crossing the Yadkin River 2014 -Maryland Continental Soldiers at Valley Forge -New Castle -Chincoteague's Blanket Part in Washington Crossing the Delaware -Delaware Continental Army Regiment -St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Hebron, Maryland from 1773 Burned Down July 22, 2014 -Maryland flag at same height as US flag because of... -Wye Mills -Churches of Delmarva During the American Revolutio... -Chestertown Tea Party -HMS Roebuck Visit to Parker Mill Pond Salisbury Ma... -Rockawalkin Presbyterian Church from 1767

1776 DELMARVA book coming out soon!

Coming Soon: The Publication of 1776 DELMARVA Hopefully available by July 4th, 2015 through Xulon Press

Ship life Continental navy- Tribute to Captain Lambert Wickes of the Reprisal

This post is dedicated to Lambert Wickes. Captain Wickes was arguably the best American sea captain of the American Revolution. Yes, I have heard and read about John Paul Jones; however let me make the case for Captain Wickes. Wickes paved the way for Jones but gets little credit. Have you ever seen a painting about Wickes? I haven't seen one either. The reason that there is no picture of Wickes is that he died early in the struggle for America's independence. In late 1776, Wickes was entrusted by Continental Congress to deliver Ben Franklin to France unharmed so that Franklin could attempt to persuade France to help the United States with a treaty as well as financial assistance. On the way over to France in the ship Reliance, Wickes captured four British vessels with Franklin on board. Apparently Wickes did not go for the evade the enemy strategy. After safely delivering Franklin to France Lambert started a huge campaign in which 18 British vessels were captured in 1777. Now do you see where I am coming from about calling Wickes the best sea captain for the United States in the American Revolution. While coming back to the United States in 1778, the Reprisal crashed off of Newfoundland and all hands were lost except for the cook. Even though we have no portrait of Captain Lambert Wickes, he still deserves recognition. Use your imagination to see what life would have been like for the crew of the Reprisal. On top of that, imagine having Ben Franklin on board with all the activity of capturing 4 British vessels. From Yorktown Battlefield Museum Preble Museum United States Naval Academy

Oxford Maryland:Tench Tilghman and Robert Morris

The tomb of Tench Tilghman, George Washington's Aide=de-camp at Oxford, Maryland

Robert Morris Senior and Robert Morris Junior Oxford MD

Robert Morris, Financier of the American Revolution Robert Morris Senior, buried at Hole in the Wall Church

Parker Mill Pond Update Feb. 2015

Parker Mill Pond Tory Staging Area Threat Stopped Before February totally leaves us, here is a remembrance of the Parker Mill Tory Staging Area Proactive Effort on mid-February 1777. John Hancock, President of Continental Congress in Baltimore stated that he had received information of a British invasion of "the Eastern Shore of Maryland." • HMS Roebuck delivered three field pieces (cannon) for the Tories in the area • Captain Dashiell with only about 100 militia in the area, asked for help to counter the assembled Tories who had about 250 in the area. • The Upper and Western Shore of Maryland sent 980 men. • The Eastern Shore of Virginia (Ninth Regiment) sent 2,000 men. • When the Tories saw such numbers against them, they scattered (maybe along Stage Road?). • The leaders were caught and taken to the Cambridge jail and were tried later at the Talbot Courthouse.

Rock Hall and Chestertown Maryland: Breeding Ground for Sea Captains in the American Revolution

What would be the response be if the normal American were asked today, “Where did most of the sailors come from that fought in the American Revolution?” The biggest response would probably be New England. However, one must give hard consideration to the northern part of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, particularly Rock Hall and Chestertown.

An overlooked group of sailors/captains were even related. Samuel, Lambert and Richard Wickes were all brothers that became ship captains. By the time the American Revolution came, Samuel had already retired. He had worked for a young man who came from Oxford, Maryland and moved on to Philadelphia by the name of Robert Morris. Lambert and Richard followed in Samuel’s steps and became fine captains. James, John and Samuel Nicholson were distant cousins of the Wickes brothers. A direct cousin of the Wickes also went into seafaring- Alexander Murray. John Nicholson even became the leader of the Continental Navy. Most people focus on the land battles and hardships of the American Revolution. If any focus comes on the naval part, John Paul Jones sucks up all the air in the room. Wait until you hear what these Rock Hall and Chestertown fellows did.

Richard Wickes served under the command of his brother on the ship Repraisal which sailed from Philadelphia on May 1, 1776. The ship was kept in the Delaware Bay until Lambert and crew broke through on June 28. A ship named "Nancy" which carried almost 400 barrels of needed gunpowder was being pursued by six British man-of-war vessels when Wickes and crew drew the British attention on to them so that the Nancy's cargo would reach the American troops. The "Repraisal" and "Lexington" kept the British occupied so that the Nancy could run ashore and let coastal forces take her gunpowder before the British could blow it up. The British ships Roebuck and Liverpool were noted by Lambert in a letter to his brother Samuel. The youngest Wickes brother, Richard was put in charge of a captured brig. A British ship named Kingfisher attacked the brig that Richard commanded and destroyed it, killing Richard and the other crew on board. Because of the efforts of these ships, 265 barrels of powder, 50 muskets, 3 three pounders, 3 swivels were saved for the Patriot cause.

In July, Lambert Wickes captured four British vessels off our coast: "Friendship," "Peter," the "Neptune," and the "Duchess of Leinster." When Wickes discovered that the Duchess of Leinster was an Irish ship, it was released. Wickes delivered William Bingham to Martinique to act as a commercial agent for the United States on Martinique. This proved quite helpful in 1779 when John Jay with his wife Sally became diverted to Martinique after a fortnight storm. In late October, Wickes became entrusted with carrying Ben Franklin to France. The surprising thing about this trip is that one would suppose that Wickes would attempt to avoid and elude the British. With Franklin aboard, Wickes and the Reprisal captured two British brigantines which were later sold to the French.

Lambert Wickes took the battle to the British. In 1777, Wickes and his crew together with two other ships in Wickes' squadron captured 18 British vessels around England and Ireland. In today's vernacular, Wickes got "inside their head." The British were concerned about these American ships disrupting British trade. Quite a diplomatic dispute arose when Wickes squadron brought their prizes into French ports. Franklin and the other commissioners in France ordered the Reprisal and “Dolphin” to return to Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Wickes started that way on September 14th. On October 1st, the Reprisal ran into a storm and sunk near Newfoundland. Only one man escaped.

James Nicholson became the leader of the Continental Navy after Esek Hopkins in 1776. James’ younger brother John served as Captain of the “Hornet.” Faced with large numbers of British ships attacking Philadelphia, John received orders to blow up the Hornet. In doing so, the British captured John and put him in the British Naval Prison in Falmouth, England. John was released in an exchange in 1780 and became Captain of the Continental Frigate “Deane”

Samuel Nicholson started in the Continental Navy as a lieutenant under Captain John Paul Jones on the Bonhomme Richard.

Alexander Murray tried at age 21 in 1776 to become a captain in the Continental Navy. No ships were available so he enlisted in the army. Murray served as a first lieutenant in the First Maryland Regiment and saw action in the Battle of White Plains. In 1777, Murray was allowed to command a privateer vessel (the “Revenge”) which was caught by the British. Murray became a prisoner in New York and was exchanged in 1781. He accepted the command of the Continental Frigate “Trumbull” which lost a fight against the British ships “HMS Isis” and “HMS General Monk.” Once again, Murray became a ‘British prisoner in New York.

Colonel William Richardson

If you ask Colonel Richardson graduates what they know about Colonel William Richardson, what kind of response would you get? Hopefully, this blog entry will help raise the level of awareness of this man who is buried on Gilpin Point (located between Denton and Preston, Maryland).

After the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 1776 turned out to be a rough year for General Washington. In the beginning of the year 1777, the nation's capital moved from Philadelphia to Baltimore, Maryland. During that time, Colonel William Richardson was entrusted to carry the nation's treasury from Philadelphia to Baltimore.

When he and his men returned to the Flying Camp, he found out his services were needed in the Salisbury area. In February 1777, Tories had a plan to use Salisbury as a staging area for the British to control. The British ship HMS Roebuck went up the Wicomico River and dropped off 3 cannon (field pieces) for the Tories at Parker Mill Pond. Captain Dashiell in charge of the Salisbury area militia asked for help when he saw 250 Tories in the area and his men numbered only 100. The Upper Shore and Western Shore came with 980 men under General Smallwood and Colonel Richardson. Two thousand came up with the Ninth Regiment of the Eastern Shore of Virginia under Southey Simpson. When the Tories saw such numbers against them, they fled. About 40 of the ringleaders were rounded up and sent to the jail in Cambridge. On this cold February, thank Colonel Richardson, General Smallwood, Colonel Simpson and all the men from the Upper Shore, Western Shore and Eastern Shore of Virginia for fighting for our freedom which we enjoy today.

Maryland and Delaware Soldiers on February 2, 1781 Crossing the Yadkin River

On February 2, 2015, the high temperature was 46 and the low was 29 degrees in the Greensboro North Carolina area. On February 2, 1781 when Maryland and Delaware soldiers crossed the Yadkin River in an attempt to escape from British General Cornwallis, I wonder what the temperature waslike. There are journals that can give us some clues. One is Robert Kirkwood's Journal and a second is William Seymour's "Journal of the Southern Expedition, 1780-1783."

Not only would the weather conditions be difficult, the tent life would be rough as well as foraging for food and having to walk 20-40 miles a day.