From 1803--1812 England and France waged war for the supremacy of the Western World.
         Neither respected the neutral rights of the United States. Our ships were searched and fined, sailors impressed and our ports blockaded.
         These events happened during the time of King George III, Napoleon and President James Madison. Finally our Congress declared war on January 18, 1812. The war was fought on land and sea. The burning of the White House and the Capitol by the British occured while Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star Spangled Banner."          Dolly Madison was thought to be a heroine because she saved the precious and secret papers, the silver, some few small "portable" treasures, and the Stuart portrait of George Washington. In a letter to her sister Dolly wrote: "I insisted on waiting until the large picture of General Washington is secured, and it requires to be unscrewed from the wall. This process was found too tedious for these perilous moments; I have ordered the frame to be broken, and the canvas taken out. It is done and the precious portrait placed in the hands of two gentlemen of New York, for safe keeping."
         The Peace Treaty was signed at Ghent, Belgium on December 24, 1814 and ratified in February 1815. Due to poor communication, we did not know the war was over. Two weeks later the Battle of New Orleans under Andrew Jackson of Tennessee was fought. The British quartered their men on Jamaica and lost over 2,000 while we lost 21.
         Our Coryell County cemeteries are proud to have these graves of men who were veterens of the War of 1812. They are as follows:

GATESVILLE CITY CEMETERY

Private Wade Love - He served in Captain John Miller's Company from Kentucky Militia. His survivor's Certificate was number SC-20715. His 2nd wife Elizaeth had Widow's Certificate WC-29736. On Tombstone:
WADE LOVE 1795-& Oct 1903, Father;
Amanda Love 7 May 1862-20 Dec. 1923
Wade married 2nd wife Elizabeth Haley July 25, 1872 - no stone

ATER CEMETERY

Private Sabert Oglesby served in Captain S. K. Sorsby's Company from the Mississippi Militia. His Survivor's Certificate was # SC-21720. His wife was Lucrecy and her Widow's Certificate was WC-34534. Wife's name-Lucretia Wilson
On Tombstone:
Sabert Oglesby 1776-1877

GATESVILLE CITY CEMETERY

Corporal John A. Powell served in Captain Andrew Patterson's Company from Tennessee Militia. There is no record of a Survivor's Certificate. His wife was Charlotte and her Widow's Certificate was WC-32693
On Tombstone:
John A. Powell November 28, 1793-November 15, 1859
Charlottie T. Powell June 20, 1800-January 8, 1892

WARREN-MILLER CEMETERY

Private 2 William Miller served with West Tennessee MTD Vols in War of 1812.

On Tombstone:
William Miller June 25, 1796-Dec. 23, 1875
First wife: Margaret Akree
2nd wife: Peggy Norman


Information on these War of 1812 veterans was recorded in "Index to War of 1812 Pension Files" Volumes I and II, transcribed by Virgil D. White and published by The National Historical Publishing Company. Anyone knowing about other War of 1812 Veterans buried in Coryell County is asked to notify Jane Creel at 865-4258 or Coryell County Genealogical Society at the Gatesville Public Library at 811 Main Street in Gatesville, TX 76528. Next, work will begin on obtaining records of Civil War Veterans buried in the County. Those with knowledge of these veterans, are asked to help research them by contacting Peggy Fox, Director of the Confederate Research Center; P. O. Box 619; Hill College; Hillsboro, TX 76645 ph. 254-582-2555 Extension 242

Copyright 2000-2005 by Bobbie Ross