Historically Important War of 1812 Massachusetts Militia Appointment dated 1814

Description: Removed from a western Maine Victorian scrapbook that included genealogical material, this page includes full documentation and provenance. The partially printed document dated April 25, 1814, at Jay, Massachusetts [now Maine] appoints Uriah Proctor as a sergeant in the 2nd Regiment, 1st Brigade of the 13th Division of the Militia of Massachusetts. (See below for full text.) His Company Commander was Ira Bartlett, whose father John Bartlett had served in the Revolutionary War under Stark at Bennington and at the Battle of Saratoga. His son Leon was a Cavalry Captain during the Civil War who fought in 17 engagements. Ira Bartlett's grandfather, Josiah, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The fictional U.S. president on the NBC television drama series The West Wing is named "Josiah Bartlet". Despite the spelling difference, the character is a fictional direct descendant who references this relationship in various episodes.*********This appointment, made during the War of 1812, came at a time when local militias were being raised to try to fight off British Navy raids against Maine’s coastal cities. British forces from Halifax, Nova Scotia invaded the Penobscot Bay area in an attempt to conquer present-day Maine. They seized and occupied Castine, Hampden and even Bangor as part of their plan to create the colony of New Ireland. At that time the District of Maine was part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Unfortunately for Maine, the Boston-based state government was fully occupied with fending off British raids against its Cape Cod ports, and did little to help. Maine communities were left to raise their own militias—and the one Uriah Proctor joined was one of those units. According to a 1913 report entitled Records of the Massachusetts volunteer militia called out by the Governor of Massachusetts to suppress a threatened invasion during the war of 1812-14, Proctor was a member of Lieut Capt. Ira Bartlett's Company, of Lieut. Col. S. Holland's Regiment—which is totally consistent with the document being offered. Proctor’s unit was mustered into service to protect the city of Portland in September, 1814. Records show he also served for an additional month with Captain J E Smith’s Company of Artillery under General Wells in Boston. The reluctance of Massachusetts officials to come to the aid of its occupied Maine outposts during the war led to calls for secession from the Bay State. In 1820, five years after the British departed, Maine would become the nation’s 23rd state.***********DOCUMENT TRANSCRIPT Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts To Mr. Uriah Proctor Greetings: You are being appointed Sergeant of a company in the 2nd regiment in the 1st brigade and 13th division of the Militia of Massachusetts: By virtue of the power vested in me I do, by these Presents, grant you this Warrant: you are therefore with vigilance and fidelity, to discharge the duty of Sergeant in said Company, according to the military rules and regulations established by law for the government and discipline of the militia of this Commonwealth: and you are to observe and follow such orders and instructions as you should from time to time receive from your superior officers. Given under my hand, at Jay, this 25th day of April 1814 (Signed) Samuel G Holland, Lieutenant Colonel, Cmd’t On the same scrapbook page are fabric swatches from the wedding dress and wedding vest of Abigail Fenno and Uriah Proctor. They were married by Seth Carpenter January 1818 at Jay. Parents of Abigail FennoOliver Fenno died January 19, 1814 at Jay, age 69 Mercy Fenno died February 25, 1821 at Jay, aged 71 Mercy Fenno‘s maiden name was Mercy Bartlett-she was a widow Barton with two children who lived in Bethel, Mass (when she married Oliver Fenno on November 4,1785. Her first husband, Asa Swan Barton, had died the previous year.) Chances are good that Mercy was related to Ira Bartlett, Commander of Uriah’s unit. NOTE: All towns listed were in Massachusetts at the time of these documents. Jay is now in Maine, and Bethel is now in Vermont. NOTE: Because 100% of the proceeds are going to a non-profit cause, no returns are accepted other than as provided in the eBay user agreement.

Price: 1995 USD

Location: Providence, Rhode Island

End Time: 2023-10-26T19:55:28.000Z

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