Jackson's Birthplace

Waxhaw, NC  2021

In 1767, somewhere near Waxhaw, Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States was born.  It is not sure if his actual birthplace was in North Carolina or South Carolina.  The exact border was not known at that time and there are conflicting  accounts.  Jackson, himself, said he was born in South Carolina, but a midwife present during his birth claims the birthplace to be in North Carolina at the spot where this monument sits.  The two possible locations are separated by only a few hundred yards or so, with the current border between them.  Both states claim Jackson as their native son.  North Carolina erected this monument in 1911, and has done little since.  Andrew Jackson State Park,  located a short distance from here in South Carolina seems to be a more fitting memorial to Jackson's birthplace.

 

Perry Monument

Newport, RI  2017

The city of Newport has had a longstanding  relationship with the US Navy,  which to this day still has a major presence in the city.  The "Hero of Lake Erie", Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, was born in nearby South Kingston, RI and lived in Newport for a brief period of time, not far from where this monument stands.  This monument was dedicated on the 72nd Anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, during which Perry lead American forces to a decisive victory against the British that served as turning point of the War of 1812.  His success as a navel commander was short lived, however.  He was stricken with Yellow Fever while in South America and died in 1819 at the age of 34.  He is buried in Island Cemetery, Newport, RI.

Historic Bell

Mystic, CT  2016

Canon Balls

Stonington, CT  2015

These canon balls grace the entrance to the Stonington Free Library pictured in yesterday's post.  I'm pretty sure these are actual cannonballs fired  into Stonington by the British during the Battle of Stonington, August 9, 1814.   The battle lasted for 4 days, but in the end, the British gave up having underestimated the tenacity of the men and women Stonington and their two cannons, which were the subject of this blog post.

Civil War Monument

Kent, CT

Canon Square

Stonington, CT

During the War of 1812, the British decided to attack the town of Stonington.  So on August 9, 1814 four British ships under the command of Capt. Thomas Hardy, appeared off of Stonington Point.  A hand written letter was transferred by rowboat to the towns people of Stonington, warning them that they had 1 hour to leave, before the village would be destroyed.  Little did the British know that hidden in a shed nearby were these two cannons.  The people decided to stay and fight, rolling out these canons, and over the next 4 days inflicted heavy damage on the British ships and successfully defended their town.  The victory had a huge psychological impact on the war for this small town defeated a much more powerful British force.  These are the actual cannons used to defend Stonington, now standing in Canon Square.

Red Hook Doughboy

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Happy Fourth of July!!

Statue of Liberty and Schooner

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Stonington Cemetery

Stonington, CT

World War II National Submarine Memorial

Groton, CT

This is the conning tower of the USS-Flasher (SS-249) now serving as the centerpiece  of the World War II National Submarine Memorial located in Groton, CT.  Engraved in granite around the memorial are pictures and the names of the 52 submarines lost during the war. The names of the submariners lost are engraved on a Wall of Honor.  It's a very simple and humbling memorial, located somewhat fittingly, only a mile or so from the place were most of our country's submarines were built.

Cannon

Portsmouth, NH

The inscription on the cannon says that it was taken from the British by Commodore Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813.  I'm not sure how it found its way to Portsmouth, NH.

Fort Griswold III

Fort Griswold II

Fort Griswold

Groton, CT

On September 6, 1781 forces under the command of Gen. Benedict Arnold arrived at the mouth of the Thames River.  He dispatched his forces to both sides of the river to attack both the city of New London on the west, and Fort Griswold on the east side of the river.  New London was captured and all properties of "military" significance were burned.  Fort Griswold, under the command of Col. William Ledyard refused to surrender to the advancing British troops.  Eventually the fort was overrun by the British and by some accounts, Col. Ledyard was killed by his own sword, after having surrendered it to the ranking British officer, Major Bromfield.  A massacre ensued resulting in the deaths of 85 of the defenders.  

To commemorate the Battle of Groton Heights, the obelisk was erected between 1826 and 1830.  The fort is preserved pretty much the way it appeared in 1781 and is one of the finest examples of earthen forts which were built in that era still existing today. 

The Collegiate School Site

Old Saybrook, CT

In 1701 a charter was granted for the establishment of a school at this site,

“wherein Youth may be instructed in the Arts and Sciences [and] through the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for Publick employment both in Church and Civil State.”

Originally called The Collegiate School, it was moved from Old Saybrook to New Haven in 1716 and re-named Yale College in 1718. Such  humble beginning for what is today one of the great universities of the world.

Lucretia's Spring

McCook Point Park, Niantic, CT

Not far from the Nehantic Burying Grounds there is this marker, commemorating Lucretia's Spring.  According to the marker the spring is named after an Nehantic Indian maiden who waited at this spring/well for the return of her husband from a fishing trip on Long Island Sound.  He never returned. One local businessman traces his Nehantic ancestry through a Lucretia Bogue, who many have claimed was Indian or part Indian.  She was born in 1863 and died in 1952.  I'm not sure if this is Lucretia Bogue's spring or not.

Civil War Memorial

Colchester, CT

Yale University

Branford, CT

The weather in Connecticut has been very mild this winter, and from all signs, spring has come early.  During my lunch hour on a recent warm, spring day, I took a walk around Branford Center and came across this monument, commemorating what was essentially the founding of Yale University.  Ministers from the colony of Connecticut met near this site in 1700 and gave books to the Collegiate School, which is now known as Yale University.    

Whale Fluke

New London, CT

New London is known as the Whaling City.  This fountain was recently erected to honor the role whales played in the history of New London.