Kent in the
War of 1812-1814
The weekly Register printed in Baltimore City in its issue of April 24, 1814, states that
the English had landed on Pool’s Island,
where they erected a small battery to cut off trade in the upper bay. Under date of April 28, six
hundred of the enemy landed in barges on Spesutia Island, nearly opposite the mouth of the
Susquehanna River. At the time of the
landing about one hundred persons (fishermen) on the island escaped to
Hartford County. News was received from
Kent that two persons
suspected of having supplied the British with provision, were arrested and
sent to General Chambers, at “Charlestown” (evidently Chestertown). On
April 26th “The enemy’s force, consisting of one 74, three
frigates, two brigs, two schooners, and a number of tenders are nowly off
from Werton Point. They are
on shore on Pool’s Island every day,
having got possession of it.
On Saturday they mad an attempt to land at the mouth of Still Pond,
but were repulsed by the force collected on shore. “On the morning of the
3rd of May, Havre de Grace was destroyed, but one house
remained uninjured. Stage coaches, together with the baggage of their
passengers, were destroyed.”
The following interesting extracts from a “letter from Kent” and
“Georgetown X Roads” are given. The first extract says: “A ship of war
passing down the bay last Tuesday, commenced a bombardment on S. Wilmer’s
house (of your city), and after firing 15 shots at the house, 6 of which
lodged in the wall, and two passed through the house,; they also landed at
a Mr. Medford’s with extreme rudeness, robbed him of all his sheep,
cattle, hogs, bacon and even setting poultry and escaped with their booty
thus honorably obtained.” The editor adds: “We learn by another channel
that after killing Mr. M.’s cattle the militia came upon the British
before they could carry them off.”
The letter from Georgetown said: “The enemy landed at Mr.
George Medford’s, at Plum Point, in Werton, and robbed his meat house, hen
house, and sheepfold; they even went into the kitchen, stole the kitchen
furniture and took the Negroes’ weekly allowance of meat. The Maidstone frigate lies so near Howell’s Point that
she has thrown some of her shot a mile into the
country.”
It is also stated that while trying to effect a landing in Fairlee
Creek the British were attacked, and it is believed, lost several of their
number.
History of Kent County Maryland 1630-1916, Fred G.
Usilton
