War of 1812

Francis Mallaby: Witness to Sackets Harbor History

January 20, 2022 by Constance Barone Leave a Comment

The name Francis Mallaby may not be familiar in New York history but sailing master Mallaby served at the Sackets Harbor navy yard in a prosperous time of lake shipping and community growth. He helped make a difference by initiating purchase of land which is cherished today as the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site.

This War of 1812 veteran received high compliments from Lake Ontario navy commander Isaac Chauncey and Captain Woolsey that helped influence Mallaby’s 1817 appointment as master of the first steamboat on Lake Ontario, based in Sackets Harbor in Jefferson County, NY. [Read more…] about Francis Mallaby: Witness to Sackets Harbor History

Horse Island’s War of 1812 Secrets Unearthed

July 30, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Last year, archaeologists from the Public Archaeology Facility (PAF) at Binghamton University (SUNY) completed an exploratory cultural resources survey of Horse Island at Sackets Harbor.

Stewardship of the island by New York State Parks came after the American Battlefield Trust purchased the property as their first War of 1812 battlegrounds acquisition in the nation. [Read more…] about Horse Island’s War of 1812 Secrets Unearthed

Hard Times For War of 1812 Veteran Amasiah Ford

June 17, 2021 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

In 1845, Amasiah Ford of Ballston Spa wrote a multi-page manuscript for his application seeking a veteran’s pension. The account of his military experience 30-plus years earlier would be used 150 years later as references in several books on the War of 1812. [Read more…] about Hard Times For War of 1812 Veteran Amasiah Ford

War of 1812: Politics, Society and Combat in New York State

January 21, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Book purchases made through this link support New York Almanack’s mission to report new publications relevant to New York State.

British demands to move the northern border as far south as the Ohio River put New York on the first line of defense during the War of 1812. The leadership of Governor Daniel D. Tompkins however, distinguished the state’s contribution to the war effort, effectively mobilizing the considerable human and material resources that proved crucial to maintaining the nation’s sovereignty. [Read more…] about War of 1812: Politics, Society and Combat in New York State

Ballston Spa’s Abandoned 1814 Factory Awaits Rediscovery

November 26, 2020 by Guest Contributor 2 Comments

In November, 1813, nine men met in the city of New York to sign an agreement, handwritten by Nicholas Low, to form the Ballston Spa Company for the manufacture of cotton, wool and linen fabrics. They pledged an initial capital of $100,000 in shares of $100 each. A month later the Company announced it would “extend the capital stock” to $800,000, a staggering sum for those days.

Low was a businessman and friend of the rich and powerful of the nation. One was his late colleague Alexander Hamilton. During the 1790s, Low helped midwife the birth of the village of Ballston Spa, in Saratoga County. He owned most of the land upon which it was laid out and spent a fortune developing the village, including the famous Sans Souci Hotel. [Read more…] about Ballston Spa’s Abandoned 1814 Factory Awaits Rediscovery

War of 1812: The Invasion of Sandy Bay (Podcast)

April 24, 2020 by Bob Cudmore Leave a Comment

This week on The Historians Podcast, environmental educator Anita Sanchez has history stories from the War of 1812 (the invasion of Sandy Bay, Massachusetts) and the Civil War (President Lincoln and the Shakers). Malta historian Paul Perreault tells the tale of a missing metal eagle. And history authors are interviewed at the 2016 Chronicle Book Fair in Glens Falls. [Read more…] about War of 1812: The Invasion of Sandy Bay (Podcast)

Castle Clinton: New York’s Almost Forgotten Landmark

March 24, 2020 by Theresa DeCicco Leave a Comment

An often overlooked and forgotten New York City landmark, Castle Clinton welcomed many of the city’s residents into its walls as a place of innovation, entertainment, and new beginnings.

The circular sandstone fort which currently stands in Battery Park, was built to improve harbor fortifications in 1811. The Southwest Battery, as it was known, never fired a shot. [Read more…] about Castle Clinton: New York’s Almost Forgotten Landmark

War of 1812: The 15th Infantry’s 180-Mile March

March 23, 2020 by Constance Barone 1 Comment

For a second time in US history, a 15th Infantry formed as the War of 1812 began. In the harsh winter of 1813, well-respected Brigadier General Zebulon Pike commanded this regiment on their perilous 180-mile march over-land from Plattsburgh at Lake Champlain to Sackets Harbor on Lake Ontario. [Read more…] about War of 1812: The 15th Infantry’s 180-Mile March

Sackets Harbor War of 1812 Grand Tactical

February 26, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site is set to host the annual War of 1812 North American Grand Tactical on Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26.

Participants include hundreds of War of 1812 re-enactors, a dozen watercraft, musicians & dancers, living history specialists, and War of 1812 historians and authors. [Read more…] about Sackets Harbor War of 1812 Grand Tactical

Uncle Sam: Progenitor of America’s National Symbol

October 22, 2019 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

Uncle Sam, an American icon and a national symbol for the United States of America, is believed to have originated during the War of 1812.

Samuel Wilson was a meat packer and inspector of beef and pork at the E&S Wilson Company, owned by Samuel and his brother Ebenezer. After the United States declared war against Great Britain on June 18, 1812, the E&S Wilson Company was chosen to supply meat for the northern army of the United States. [Read more…] about Uncle Sam: Progenitor of America’s National Symbol