Representatives
of Columbus chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution meet
with Columbus Mayor Robert Smith June 13 at City Hall for signing of a
proclamation observing today’s 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.
Pictured in front, from left, are Kay Box, past regent of the Bernard
Romans chapter, Mayor Smith and Wilda Thomas, vice regent of the
Shuk-ho-ta Tom-a-ha chapter. Jerry Gibson, representing the American
Legion, holds the flag. “The Star Spangled Banner” was written by
Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. Photo by: Sam Gause/Dispatch
Staff
Maj.
Thomas Garton Blewett, a veteran of the War of 1812 who settled in
Lowndes County, is buried at historic Friendship Cemetery in Columbus.
He is Wilda Thomas’ great-great-great grandfather.
Photo by: Courtesy photo
Photo by: Courtesy photo
June 18, 2012 9:49:45 AM
On June 18, 1812, the young United States of America shocked
the world by declaring war on Great Britain. Two centuries later, the
conflict known widely as the "second war of independence" is being
recognized in Columbus.
Members of the Bernard Romans and Shuk-ho-ta Tom-a-ha chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution met June 13 with Columbus Mayor Robert Smith and city officials for the signing of a proclamation marking the bicentennial. Representatives of veterans' organizations were on hand as well.
"It's important for the DAR to commemorate this anniversary because our forebears fought to defend this country and we feel it's very important for us to respect their service and uphold these values of patriotism," said Alice Lancaster, regent of the Bernard Romans chapter.
Family ties
For residents like Betty Wood Thomas of Columbus, the historic conflict has a personal connection and significant ties to Lowndes County.
Maj. Thomas Garton Blewett, Thomas's great-great grandfather, earned his rank in the war. He later settled in Columbus, which was founded in 1821.
"In William Lowndes Lipscomb's 'A History of Columbus, Mississippi, During the 19th Century,' Maj. Blewett is cited as having built the first bridge for crossing the Luxapalila River without a toll and helping establish the Mississippi Female College (where Mississippi University for Women now sits). He was also a driving force for the building of the original First Baptist Church," shared Thomas, regent of the Shuk-ho-ta Tom-a-ha chapter. Blewett is buried in historic Friendship Cemetery.
Lipscomb also lists War of 1812 veteran William Ellis as a notable early settler to Columbus. Both Ellis and Blewett moved to Mississippi from South Carolina. Ellis' family tree would go on to include former Columbus Mayor Mayo Ellis and well-known athletics coach Chubby Ellis. Many other Ellis descendants still live in Lowndes County today. Six generations of the family are buried in Beersheba Cemetery.
"I'm sure there are many others who would find they have ancestors who fought in the war if they researched," said Lancaster.
Legacy of a war
The triggers of the War of 1812 were numerous, and many historians characterize the end result in 1815 as a "draw," or stalemate, but it's important to note that war produced milestones in history, Thomas said.
After the British had burned the Capitol and White House in Washington, D.C., in 1814, they moved on to Baltimore. It was there, by "dawn's early light," that Francis Scott Key was so moved by the sight of a worn 30-by-42-foot American flag raised over Baltimore's Fort McHenry that he began scribbling the immortal lyrics that would become "The Star Spangled Banner," our national anthem.
That very flag, missing many snippets given to war veterans and families while in private hands, is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History.
The last great land battle of the war occurred not 300 miles from the Golden Triangle. Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson defeated a British army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the U.S. had acquired with the Louisiana Purchase.
"The War of 1812 happened 200 years ago, but there are people living around us every day who are descended from brave citizens who fought then for this country,'' Lancaster said. "It's important to realize it changed the shape of America and to keep teaching the next generations to uphold the values the country was built on."
Ancestry
To begin a search for your own family's recorded history and connections, if any, to the War of 1812, Lancaster suggested visiting genealogy sites like ancestry.com and rootsweb.ancestry.com. Even an Internet search with a family name and "War of 1812" may yield a starting point.
"And the resources at your public library, like the local history room at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library and archivist Mona Vance, are wonderful," she said. "But something you can do right now for future generations of your family is to get a video recorder and sit down with your grandparents or parents who may be veterans and get them talking about their experiences, about your family tree. It's the best thing anybody can do."
Members of the Bernard Romans and Shuk-ho-ta Tom-a-ha chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution met June 13 with Columbus Mayor Robert Smith and city officials for the signing of a proclamation marking the bicentennial. Representatives of veterans' organizations were on hand as well.
"It's important for the DAR to commemorate this anniversary because our forebears fought to defend this country and we feel it's very important for us to respect their service and uphold these values of patriotism," said Alice Lancaster, regent of the Bernard Romans chapter.
Family ties
For residents like Betty Wood Thomas of Columbus, the historic conflict has a personal connection and significant ties to Lowndes County.
Maj. Thomas Garton Blewett, Thomas's great-great grandfather, earned his rank in the war. He later settled in Columbus, which was founded in 1821.
"In William Lowndes Lipscomb's 'A History of Columbus, Mississippi, During the 19th Century,' Maj. Blewett is cited as having built the first bridge for crossing the Luxapalila River without a toll and helping establish the Mississippi Female College (where Mississippi University for Women now sits). He was also a driving force for the building of the original First Baptist Church," shared Thomas, regent of the Shuk-ho-ta Tom-a-ha chapter. Blewett is buried in historic Friendship Cemetery.
Lipscomb also lists War of 1812 veteran William Ellis as a notable early settler to Columbus. Both Ellis and Blewett moved to Mississippi from South Carolina. Ellis' family tree would go on to include former Columbus Mayor Mayo Ellis and well-known athletics coach Chubby Ellis. Many other Ellis descendants still live in Lowndes County today. Six generations of the family are buried in Beersheba Cemetery.
"I'm sure there are many others who would find they have ancestors who fought in the war if they researched," said Lancaster.
Legacy of a war
The triggers of the War of 1812 were numerous, and many historians characterize the end result in 1815 as a "draw," or stalemate, but it's important to note that war produced milestones in history, Thomas said.
After the British had burned the Capitol and White House in Washington, D.C., in 1814, they moved on to Baltimore. It was there, by "dawn's early light," that Francis Scott Key was so moved by the sight of a worn 30-by-42-foot American flag raised over Baltimore's Fort McHenry that he began scribbling the immortal lyrics that would become "The Star Spangled Banner," our national anthem.
That very flag, missing many snippets given to war veterans and families while in private hands, is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History.
The last great land battle of the war occurred not 300 miles from the Golden Triangle. Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson defeated a British army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the U.S. had acquired with the Louisiana Purchase.
"The War of 1812 happened 200 years ago, but there are people living around us every day who are descended from brave citizens who fought then for this country,'' Lancaster said. "It's important to realize it changed the shape of America and to keep teaching the next generations to uphold the values the country was built on."
Ancestry
To begin a search for your own family's recorded history and connections, if any, to the War of 1812, Lancaster suggested visiting genealogy sites like ancestry.com and rootsweb.ancestry.com. Even an Internet search with a family name and "War of 1812" may yield a starting point.
"And the resources at your public library, like the local history room at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library and archivist Mona Vance, are wonderful," she said. "But something you can do right now for future generations of your family is to get a video recorder and sit down with your grandparents or parents who may be veterans and get them talking about their experiences, about your family tree. It's the best thing anybody can do."
