A boro’s heroes
Vets of War of 1812 honored at Woodlawn Cemetery
AT THE TENDER age of 9, with his father’s blessing, a precocious David Farragut enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
The year was 1810, and by age 12, Farragut found himself embroiled in an all-out conflict — the War of 1812.
This month marks the 200th anniversary of the start of the nearly 3-year war waged between the U.S. and Great Britain.
On Sunday, Woodlawn Cemetery is presenting a special program honoring the veterans interred there — including Admiral David Farragut, who had a long, successful naval career.
“It is a war that has almost been forgotten by us in the United States, but it was critical to our history,” said Brian Sahd, of the Friends of Woodlawn, sponsors of Sunday’s program.
“Some of the battles and heroes were legendary,” Sahd continued. “It was an important period in our history and it should be remembered.”
The War of 1812 was the conflict that saw the torching of the White House, threatened the very existence of Canada and inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
While most of the battles were fought in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore areas, there were ripple effects.
“None of the battles were fought in the Bronx or (the rest of) the city, but it certainly had an effect here,” said borough historian Lloyd Ultan.
During the war, Great Britain ceased exporting all of its manufactured goods to the U.S. That sparked the beginnings of manufacturing industries in the Bronx, particularly West Farms.
“That was where the Bronx River and Boston Road crossed,” said Ultan. “With Boston Road being a major roadway and the river being the head of navigation, you could easily have ships going back and forth with goods.”
Among the new industries were glass and paint factories, which enjoyed great success until the war ended and cheaper British goods once again flooded local markets. From a military and political standpoint, the war ended effectively in a draw.
The British signed the Treaty of Ghent in Belgium on Dec. 24, 1814, restoring all occupied territories to their respective countries and settling the U.S. and Canadian borders. The U.S. signed the treaty two months later.
Psychologically, the effects lingered. Years later, federal officials looking to stave off future invasions built several forts at various approaches to the city.
Among them was Fort Schuyler in Throggs Neck, built to guard against naval attacks from Long Island Sound.
“No cannon was ever fired in anger,” Ultan said, “but it was there just in case.”
The fort is now part of the State University of New York Maritime College campus.
A handful of streets in Norwood are named after War of 1812 heroes, including Bainbridge Ave., named after Commodore William Bainbridge, who commanded the Constitution, and Perry Ave., named after Commodore Oliver Perry, who won the decisive Battle of Lake Erie.
Woodlawn Cemetery would become the final resting place for a few other heroes, including Pvt. Parmenas Doxey, who died in 1880 and was one of the last living veterans of that war.
His tombstone proudly reads, “Veteran of the War of 1812.”