War of 1812
Rochester's Road to Resilience
Gladiator ART celebrates the pioneering spirit and unwavering resilience of Rochester's early residents. Today, we delve into a pivotal chapter of Rochester's history - the War of 1812.
New Arrivals Bring a Burst of Activity (Early 1814):
Fresh faces like Joshua Bissell and the Ely brothers, brimming with Yankee energy, arrived from Massachusetts. They weren't here to play around. In just five weeks, they opened a new store, secured water rights at the Upper Falls, repaired an old mill race, and even built a sawmill! This entrepreneurial spirit laid the groundwork for future growth.
War's Shadow Looms (Early 1814):
But the threat of war cast a long shadow. The danger of invasion stalled construction at the Falls. Colonel Rochester reported minimal new housing projects. The scarcity of provisions became a growing concern as army contractors ran low on funds. The murmurings of the community were clear: "Peace now, or a long and bloody war!"
Facing Down Invasion (Summer 1814):
The war hit close to home in 1814 when the threat of invasion became a reality. The lower Genesee was in the enemy's sights. But courage and good fortune prevailed. Captain Isaac Stone recruited a company of 50 men. Cannons were brought in for defense. A local committee organized patrols and even built a makeshift "Fort Bender" to deter the enemy.
Facing Down Yeo's Squadron (June 14th, 1814):
Just as defenses were being prepared, a powerful British squadron under Commodore Yeo arrived threateningly off Charlotte. With the American fleet still under repair, the community was practically defenseless. Enterprising tavern-keeper "Colonel" William English, along with young militia captains Francis Brown and Alvah Ely, assembled a force of 30 men and boys. Armed with muskets and Colonel Ely's cannon mounted on a white horse, they put on a brave show of resistance.
Their boldness, coupled with a premature cannon misfire by the British, may have delayed any attack. Reinforcements arrived from the interior, and after a tense standoff for two days, Commodore Yeo decided to abandon the attack and sailed away.
False Alarms and Gloom (Fall & Winter 1814):
While the local militia celebrated their victory, fear persisted among the scattered settlers. Even the arrival of reinforcements and Chauncey's fleet in September couldn't dispel the gloom. The tragic death of Colonel Stone returning from duty only deepened the worries. By winter, rumors of scorched earth tactics by the enemy spread like wildfire.
Peace at Last (February 1815):
The harsh winter brought long-awaited news. News so good it seemed too good to be true - the war was over! Peace had been signed in December 1814. The relief and joy were palpable. As the villagers prepared for winter, the news spread like wildfire. Pistol shots from Silas O'Connor's store steps marked the official celebration, and Rochester could finally look forward to a peaceful future.
McKelvey, Blake F. Rochester the Water Power City, 1812 through 1854. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press, 1945. p. 42-47
For more information on Frankfort and Browns Race visit the link below for more picture and maps of early Rochester.
https://www.lowerfalls.org/frankfort/
https://www.libraryweb.org/~rochhist/v50_1988/v50i3.pdf
https://rochistory.wordpress.com/2014/05/20/more-on-the-war-of-1812-fort-bender/
Original design, quality hand-screen printed Rochester Skyline T-shirt.
These shirts are meant to promote the beauty of Rochester and our pride for this city which we love so much. Art has played an important role in all of Alex's life and it shows in his beautifully rendered Rochester architectural Skyline. All designs are original and printed in-house.
We all love Rochester and what better way to show it than wearing a beautiful Rochester shirt.
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60% cotton/ 40% polyester
