Washington District of Columbia
Michael Shiner
Written and furnished by : John Sharp ©
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Michael Shiner, 1805 - 1880, Slave, Freeman and Entrepreneur
Extracts from the Diary of Michael Shiner
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Michael G. Shiner is famous for his diary chronicling events at the Washington Navy Yard and the District of Columbia
from 1813 to 1869. Among the diary's better known passages are Michael Shiner's accounts of the War of 1812 and the
1833 abduction of his family by slave dealers. In Michael Shiner's lifetime (1805'1880), few if any of his acquaintances or
family knew of his diary. It is only within the last few decades that historians have begun to examine the manuscript more closely.
The Michael Shiner manuscript was acquired by the Library of Congress sometime after 1905 (the exact date is uncertain).
To date, except for the more celebrated passages mentioned above, there is no complete transcription of Michael Shiner's diary.
What follows is my attempt to place Michael Shiner before a wider audience by providing a transcription of approximately one third
of his manuscript.
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A lithograph from Naval Historical Center collection. The litho is of the Washington Navy Yard waterfront during the Civil War. The two Ship Houses Michael Shiner frequently refers to in many of his diary entries are clearly visible.
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Michael Shiner was born in Maryland in 1805 and his early years were spent enslaved. In January 1828 he was sold to Thomas Howard
(the Chief Clerk at Washington Navy Yard). Thomas Howard had Michael Shiner leased out to the WNY Paint Shop where over the
next decade Shiner learned his trade. Upon Thomas Howard's death in 1832 a provision in Howard's will stipulated that Michael
Shiner was to be manumitted in eight years making his manumission date circa 1840 (his exact manumission date is unknown).
To gain his freedom, Michael Shiner mostly likely had to come to some financial arrangement with the Howard family (such
arrangements were often known as ’working out” or purchasing one's freedom for a specified sum.). The 1850 District of Columbia
census enumerated Michael Shiner as living in Ward # 6 and in that year he was listed as a free Blackman, age 46 years. His family
was listed as: Jane 19 years (2nd wife), Sarah 12, Isaac 5 and Braxton 6 months. Michael Shiner continued to work at WNY until 1869
and in his later years he became prosperous and a leader in the black community. He died in 1880 at the age of 75 during an outbreak
of smallpox.
When Michael Shiner opens his diary in 1813, the year of the British invasion of North America, we know from other evidence that in 1813 Michael Shiner was just eight or nine years old. So, what we have for this first section of the manuscript, is an important narrative memoir, his recollections of important events as seen in his youth, but written down much later. What Michael Shiner wrote down in ’his book” was for his own recollection. In the manuscript he concentrates primarily on the public events in his life with some limited important personal incidents as well. Many of Michael Shiner's observations can be checked against other contemporary WNY records and each ring genuine; from his description of the gleam of British soldier's bayonets to his recounting of painful conversations with such people as ’Mrs. Read”. Some of his early passages strongly suggest they were later reworked to provide additional detail such as the lengthy descriptions of the District of Columbia militia units, the colors of the soldier's uniforms and the names of their unit members. Much of this information, including the unit member's names, would only have been listed after the events had been recorded. On occasions Michael Shiner appears to have read and incorporated contemporary newspaper accounts such as those found in the Washington Intelligencer for some events e.g. U.S. Mexican War (1846-1848). After describing the British troop withdrawal at the conclusion of the War of 1812 Michael Shiner goes on to other entries describing the daily routine at the Navy Yard and provides illuminating details of early conditions and attitudes at WNY toward slaves and freeman. The Shiner diary also allows some glimpses of military/civilian relationships and the struggles of civilian workers for better pay and conditions of employment. Michael Shiner provides a valuable account of volatility of the early Distinct of Columbia especially the crucial events of the year 1835. Here we have important account of WNY labor strike which sadly and rapidly morphed into the ’Snow Storm” of 1835; a bitter race riot that required the active intervention of President Andrew Jackson and a contingent of U.S, Marines to finally bring under control. Occasionally to relieve the pressure and pain of his everyday existence Michael Shiner like many ship yard workers drank too much and when he did (24 & 25 December 1828, June 17, 1831 & September 1, 1835) he records some very close calls. As a result of these near catastrophes he took the pledge on December 4, 1836 and gave up liquor for good. Michael Shiner's diary includes vivid descriptions of other perils early workers endured. In one particular harrowing incident (February 20, 1829) while working in a small boat he fell overboard, nearly drowned and later came close to freezing to death as he and his colleagues searched for a fire. He also casts a careful eye to the heavens where he records notable celestial events such as total eclipses of the sun on February 12, 1831, June 26 1855 and the Denali Comet of 1858.
Lastly, what I believe the manuscript conveys best is Michael Shiner's genuine love of the Navy Yard, his city and his country. All of this
is evident throughout his manuscript (see June 1, 1861). The donor of the the Michael Shiner manuscript to the Library of Congress
annotated it with the following tribute which I think best captures the man and his work: ’This book is a very valuable book and is very
interesting. It is worthy of perusal. Note on the transcription: Michael Shiner is doubly rare; first as an early African-American who has left a written account of his life and secondly he is unique in providing a first person account of working at the Washington Navy Yard prior to the Civil War. While Michael Shiner had little or no formal education and his handwriting can be difficult to decipher, he could write a vigorous, colorful prose. His spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization were very much his own and I have done my best to transcribe his words as he wrote them. In a very few cases, where it was necessary for clarity, I have silently made some changes in punctuation and spelling. Lastly I have added a few notes in brackets to identify some of the personalities and incidents mentioned. A photo of the original Michael Shiner manuscript can be seen at following website: Photo of the Original
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This Matthew Brady photo is the Washington Navy Yard waterfront circa 1866 shows the Yard as Michael Shiner would have known it .
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Extracts from the Diary of Michael Shiner
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1813
There was a Horse Company organized in this City of Washington by Captain Lower Caldwell. Doctor Edward Clark belonged to it and James Friend formally; a baker on the Hill, Thomas Formally, a tavern keeper, at the Eastern Branch Bridge on Pennsylvania Avenue and James Kelley formerly kept a reserve on the Navy Yard Hill. A baker next belonged to this company by the name of Burns formerly used to have a house south of the long row and a brother in law of Lawyer George Waterstone all those above named gentleman used to belong to the organized in 1809 by Captain Thomas Carley a young man by the name of Spanagle his father was John Canon was a blacksmith formerly and kept a blacksmith shop south of the Congressional Burial Ground. There was a company of field artillery organized at the same time by Captain Samuel Burch and Thomas Howard and Thomas Warfield and Lloyd Phumphrey and Joseph Ross formerly a police of the 5th Ward. Isaac____use to belong to it, his mother, formerly kept a little shop below the Capitol. All these named gentleman use to belong to it. A militia company organized by Captain Thomas Huse, (who) formerly kept a store on Pennsylvania Avenue, near the central market, Elisha Phumphrey use to belong to it (and) John Moody belonged to it. A company was organized at the same time by Captain Joseph Lassen on the navy yard hill. William Lasky belongs to it and Henry Adams belongs to it. A rifle company was organized the same time by Captain William Doughty. Henry Aukward belonged to it. James Roads belong to it. The dress of this rifle company was green nankeen yellow fringe and the caps were made of wild bear skin. When I was a boy those captains use to attend to their drill all day and drill the men the rest of the night as for Colonel Draughty he was like a killer. Captain Stalls company of Georgetown was organized in 1813 (they wore) blue nankeen and red fringe and was a splendid and well organized company and well drilled in them days they were active as cats. Another company were organized at that time by Captain William Moore a son in law of Captain William Nailer the father of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Nailer. Lieutenant Alexander McCormack belonged to Rushes Artillery Company and Mr. James Young brother in law of Mr. Alexander McCormack Lieutenant Shadrick Davis (also) belonged Rushes Artillery Company in 1813 and 1814.
1814
On the 23rd day of August on Tuesday night the American Army laid on their arms and bivouacked for that night. Then next morning on the 24th day of August 1814 on Wednesday's day between 3 and 4 o'clock in the morning they (the Americans) burnt the eastern branch bridge. That were done to prevent the British from crossing for fear they should reverse their march and then they went forth and burnt the sloop of war on the stocks and one or two other vessels and all the orders that that were carried out were given by the president of the United States the honorable James Madison and the honorable Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Jones. At sun rise the same morning two men came on horse from the direction of Bladensburg bringing news the British Army were advancing over the Bladensburg Bridge and this news reaching the American camp aroused the spirit of the Americans to force their march in double quick time to assail the British at Bladensburg Bridge. Just as the American Army got to Bladensburg the British Army were just advancing down the hill and about two hours after the American Army left the city of Washington under the Command of General Winder. Commander Barney through his skill forced his march all night on the 27 of August 1814 on Tuesday through Maryland and arrived at Washington and landed his men between North East and South East of Washington Navy Yard. Which at that day were called the Ferry Wharf and today goes by the name of the Old Ferry Wharf. After he (Commander Barney) landed his men he taking up the line of march for Bladensburg in marching across those men to the last ward of the capital and they were two blood red flags were discovered by the people in the 5th ward I shall never forget the remarks that were made that day Lord have mercy on us then the British comes now and it were hard to convince some of them but what they were the British Army. My but olde Mr. William Phumphry told them that it were Commander Barney still. Still Mrs. Betsy Brown, the wife of Mr. Joseph Brown, Miss Keithly Brown, a sister of Mr. Joseph Brown, were ringing and twisting and screaming holing the lord What is to become of us all. At that time Commander Barney had cross East Capital Street he hoisted the American Flag then some of them didn't believe but some of them were the British Army and about an hour and half after Commander Barney left the city of Washington for Bladensburg we heard a roar cannonading and Mr. Keithly and at time Commander Barney had placed himself in a position which were at spring, which to this day, is called Commander Barney's spring. Then the orders were given for the American Army to retreat and at that this time they were in confusion and fled in every direction still Commander Barney held his position. When the British columns were ordered to advance across Bladensburg Bridge where they met with gape and canister Commander Barney ordered a shower of bullets from the Marines as fast as the columns would advance the bridge drove back in disorder then at last the columns were ordered to advance across the water and in that time it were understood that General Ross said Lord what that man brought us to. At that time Commander Barney's horse was shot from under him and he were wounded and also Colonel Samuel Miller wounded. At this time, a British officer, stepped up with a roar and said: Commander Barney we have caught you. At Last drawing his sword across the back of his neck, but you (are) to good a man to kill. At that time the Americans had fled in confusion and they had heard firing at Bladensburg and at that time the Americans were flying through the city were taken prisoner and Colonel Samuel Miller. The British Army had taken up their line of march for Washington when a number of the British soldiers felled in their ranks on the way to Washington from Bladensburg from loss of blood. Between the eastern toll gate and Bladensburg the British soldiers fell in holes to the right and left and still the British Army continued the march on Washington. Jest as we saw the army coming above the toll gate in Washington we heard the tread of British army feet. Master left a Colored Man and myself, with a old lady, by the name of Mrs. Reid, on Capitol Hill then as soon as we got a sight of British Army raising that hill they looked like flames of fire all red coats and the stocks of their guns painted with red vermillion and the iron work shined like a Spanish dollar. The Colored man near Mrs. Reid saw this and myself and the Colored man started and ran and I started to run too, and olde Mrs. Reid caught hold of me Where are you running to you N**** you. What do you recon the British wants with such a N**** as you? At this time John had run and hid self in bake oven that were owned by a man named Burns. The British Army still continued their march on towards the Capitol Hill until they got against a large brick house on Capitol Hill fronting Maryland Ave and were owned by Judge Saul of Maryland and formerly occupied Judge and his family every session of Congress. This house now sets to the northeast of the United States Senate and as the British army approached the house under the command of General Ross and his aids his horse was shot from under him. In a twinkle of an eye (the) house was surrounded by British army and searched all through up stairs and down stairs in search of the man that shot the horse from under general. No man was found, after they found that they couldn't find the man, they put a slow match to the house and then stood off a certain distance and before long those Congreve Rockets burnt until they came to the explosion part. They made the rafters fly east and west and then they marched on farther to a hotel. Below this house to the eastward of the United States Senate there they found ammunition and guns and this house was were formerly occupied by a gentleman by the name of Tumbelson he kept a large boarding house for members of Congress and for other gentleman and (so) forth and (they) burnt that down. There was a Scotchman kept a store on the East Capital Alexander McCormack Sr. kept a store in the same square. He was at that time a Lieutenant in Captain Ruches Artillery Company. The goods were taken out by the British and distributed among anyone that needed to receive them. Mr. McCormack had a very large store of groceries of all kinds of dry goods and lickers of all kinds. A great many of his goods of all kinds had disappeared I don't believe many of them but this Scotchman's store wasn't interfered with it was supposed that he escorted General Ross and his officers into the United States Senate and House of Representatives this was done before it was set on fire then after they had been in the Senate and the House of Representatives they went forth into the night and burnt the Capital and the Presidents House and all the other public buildings and perused all the city of Washington over the 25th of August 1814. On Thursday who can forget that day of the awful storm which raged for a long time without interruption it thundered, lightened, hailed and rained it taking some old houses up from there foundations and brining them down. The British Army stood as if they were unmovable never went in shelter whatever, no ready shelter for themselves. On the 20th day August 1814 on Friday, the British Army were taking their last round in the City of Washington and putting on a great many airs as they formally do in any other country when they get a foothold of others segars and throwing them about, then throw them down a well where there were some powder thrown down by the American people and there were many of them in Turkey Bay Creek, some in front of the arsenal and general Ross came to the conclusion that it was time to vacate the city. What they didn't lose by explosion a great many of them ran away. The British Army left the city under the Command of General Ross the 26th day of August 1814 on Friday night. That night I believe the wheels were muffled and the horses feet for they went a way so easy that you could scarcely could hear . The American Army that were commanded by General Winder who had taking up there quarters after the siege at Bladensburg on the 24th day at Montgomery Court House in the State of Maryland they came to the City of Washington the 27th on Saturday night laid on their arms all that night and on a Sunday morning on the 28th day of August 1814 the army operation as soon as practical and was sent down to Indian Head. Commander Rodgers and Commander Porter filled a chapel up with old logs and stretched a chain a cross the river. The American Army had formed a line on the Maryland shore and Virginia shore and as the British ships of war drifted down the American pored into them on both sides the British through their shot starboard and larboard the siege for a while raged with great fury. On the 29th day of August 1814, Monday, the siege ended and the flagship called the Seahorse, which was Admiral Cogburn's (Admiral George Cockburn) flagship, with her guns starboard and larboard, when the smoke cleared away every vessel was gone but they were built like a sieve. Before they did leave the Commander of the British Squadron in 1814 came up to the Potomac River. (He) didn't act no way like a Gentleman where ever he landed the worst of veterans would not have acted anymore heathenly then he did. He behaved very villainously, treacherously at Hampton Virginia by letting his sailors and marines at Hampton to do as they please. Then on the same day the 29th of August 1814 after the siege at Indian Head, the British forces, sailed for Baltimore with the intension of an invasion but got sorely disappointed thank God. Then on 30 August 1814, on Tuesday, the United States Army that was reinforced by the troops from Virginia had taken up their line of march from Washington in double quick time under the Command of Major General Winder. The were forced speedily without delay until they arrived in Baltimore and the hearts of the Baltimoreans were filled with joy at the arrival of troops from their sister states and they jest arrive in time to anticipate the arrival of the British for the British commenced throwing their rumes and rockets and all other combustible stuff . Thank God this were all in vain for Major General Smith of Maryland and Major General Winder and the Commander of Fort McHenry were determined not to be raddled by the British Commanders so they were not at Washington and the siege continued with vigor. This siege at Baltimore between the American forces and the British forces it were drizzling and raining on the 29th day of August 1814 on Monday and were drizzling and raining all day the 31st day of August 1814 and the wind continued to the eastward and drizzling and raining on the 1st day of September 1814 so it continued to rain the whole week. An for several days and nights you could hear the guns distantly from Fort Mc Henry and the British ships of war. We heard them from Baltimore to Washington so the siege continued until the 10 of September 1814 and the siege ended and the British ships of war and the army were drove back in disorder and they were glad to get away and we never heard from the British no more until General Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans in the State of Louisiana. The British commenced with their daring movements in attacking various things and very near doing as they pleased which surprised a great many of our people. It was distantly understood that the Honorable Major General Andrew Jackson was not there when this proceeding was going on and all this were done about the last part of December 1814. When the Honorable Major General Andrew Jackson arrived at the city of New Orleans in the last part of December 1814, he found the city in an awful condition. The People were moving out and making no effort whatever to defend the city. The General found that such effort was exhaustin he immediately made requisition on the on the governor of the state of Louisiana and he immediately made effort to prevent the invasion of the British Army into the city. As the generals request to the governor were not speedily gratified, he taking the responsibility of the legislative power in his hands and commenced heaving up entrenchments and directing batteries in position that would flank the enemy right or left or in the front and so place the city under marshal law for none to go out and for every man to a man to work to carry a musket, sword or pistol or that could help drag a cannon or shove the wheel or use a pick axe or shovel. He was no respecter of person for he made every man come that could at that time. It was a trying time for the general and he was very lucky and successful in all particulars the short time that he had been there.
1828
On the 24th day of December 1828, after getting this pass from Captain Stephen, I came out of the Yard with the intention of going over to my master which was Thomas Howard, which at that time was Chief Clerk of the Navy Yard. As I was going over home I came across a parcel of boys and I had a couple pounds of powder in my pocket and I was going to carry it down the country to have some sport among the youngsters. The boys surrounded me with fire crackers and I had Christmas in me too they made a great noise for a while and I went right in front of them and you may depend upon it torch light fashion for a while with the fire crackers They wasn't a fighting but there were nineteen or twenty boys around me and in the mean time while we were having our sport there came along a peace officer by the name of Mr. Clemmon, then he said you scamp what are you doing here? to me. He hauled off and struck me and I hauled off and struck him a hard blow, but if I had of know, at that time, he was of the Justice of the Peace, I never would have offered to raise my hand to him. I have often regretted it although there weren't nothing turned out serious remiss for us. Mr. Hewitt's duty as an officer to stop all quarrels and all gatherings in the street and at that time they run me up in an alley smack all on N**** Hill and I kept them all out of the alley until my Master came. When Master Tom came up he said Mike you scamp what is the matter with you? Do you know who I am? Yes sir Master Tom I said. He said come along and go with me. Yes says I Master Tom my I will with you any where. He took hold of me and took me to the Navy Yard Gate. At this time they were about two hundred men and boys together and after they got me down to the gate, it were some time before they could get inside. I was cutting up my monkey shines and at that time, Adjutant Henry R. Tyler, that is now where first Lieutenant at the gate, at that time of the Marines. After they got into the guard house they put me into the cells and put me in double irons hand and foot and then they kept me until the 25th day of December 1828 on Thursday between 4 and 5 o'clock in the morning when Master Tom came and take me out and carried me down home. As we were going along Master Tom asked if I know I had done. I answered him, and told him, I didn't know exactly what I had done. Well sir said he you have struck Mr. Hewitt the Justice of the Peace. Well sir if I did I am very sorry for it After he takein me home he gave me my breakfast and gave me some money, and told me for the Lords sake to go down in the country and see your friends and behave yourself and don't drink any more whiskey. I started from home on Christmas Day on the 25th of December 1828 on Thursday and I never stopped until I arrived in Piscataway and I got in company with a colored man by the name of Patrick Butler. Both of us happen at a tavern in Piscataway which at that time was kept by a colored man name George Butler We go to drinking freely of egg nog and we got pretty high. Then we retired from there to Mr. Louis Rowman's farm and there we had great pleasure seeing that farm on Christmas Day at night. As of December 1828, I never enjoyed myself better in all my life. We danced all night then on the 26th on Friday between 12 and 1 o'clock. Mr. Rowman acted v ery kind with me and he let his men put me across the Piscataway Creek in his boat and when I started leaving his farm Mr. Rowman himself did not want me to come away after they landed me at Fort Washington. No sooner then I landed on the wharf they were a passel of soldiers on the wharf and I dressed sailor fashion blue frock shirt and blue trousers and blue round about and red vest tarpaulin hat. Hello Jack where did you come from? I told them I came from Washington Navy Yard. . Some of them (said) I don't believe that that, I believe this fellow is a run away from the St. Louis. I had terrible time affray with them on the wharf; anyhow I got them off me some how or another. In the meantime in the affray I heard a corporal say step up and tell the major that there are a Black fellow down here cutting up, I believe he is from the United States Sloop of War St. Louis. At this time I had I had got away from them and I had got up to an old lady that was set a little northwest from the fort. (She) was a very fine white old lady by the name of Mrs. Norfolk. The house that Mrs. Norfolk lived in were built by a man named of ........brother-in-law to the one that built Fort Washington and Fort Monroe. I were in Mrs. Norfolk's house and then came soldiers at the door and ask Mrs. Norfolk didn't a colored man call there? Mrs. Norfolk said no, and I had been a telling Mrs. Norfolk about the affray and it appeared that these men was to kick up a row with me anyhow after that I didn't stay but a very little after that and I bid Mrs. Norfolk farewell. Says she Mike there is a wild set of men here now Mike for the Major haves a heap of trouble with them at that time Fort Williams was Commanded by Major Mason, United States Army and his company were ordered to the eastern part in 1824 under the Command of Captain, Thomas Childs of the United States Army. After leaving Fort Washington the 26th day of December 1828, on Friday I had to go along the shore of Swan Creek for to get out of those fellows for they were after me like hawks and I never stop until I reach Washington. I didn't go in the yard that night I stop at man's house by the name of Mr. Jesse Morrison near the navy yard and ship carpenter by trade and a finer family of White people that ever lived on the hill and on the 27th of December 1828 on Saturday and I reported my self in the yard to the officer. The 31st day of December 1828 on Wednesday we bring the lighter from the Washington Navy Yard and landed at General Vernes wharf on 18th street to move First Lieutenant William Ramsey to Washington Navy Yard which at that time was where the first Lieutenant lived. He lived on Pennsylvania Avenue a little above the War Department house sitting back some distance from the avenue and this ended the proceeding of 1828.
1829
Mr. Smith says Mike take that barrel and carry it forward so as to give yourself room to move, so I taking hold of the barrel and went backward to pass it forward ran into the gunnels of the jolly boat that was very shallow. The hoops slipped off the barrel and over board I went, the barrel of bread still remained in the boat. (There) was ice floating on the river, and I went down the third time and by the providence of god I came up every time right by the boat and the last time I came up, John Thomson, grabbed me by the top of the head and I secured hold of the boat. I was so overjoyed when I got in the boat. Thank God Michael Shiner aint done ground yet. Thomson was sitting aft in the boat told Mr. Smith by the power of Moll Kelly, Mike Shiner over board after we got all the things fixed in the boat said Mr. Smith says now boys as you all ready well Mike come in here and get something to drink and Mr. Smith take me into the team boat tavern that was kept by a man named Stuart. (Later) in the boat now and warm ourselves after we got in the boat we rowed up from Alexandria in forty-nine minutes and I had just belonged to Mr. Howard one year that day.
February 20, 1829
We went out to the fire at that time a little before the bell rang for twelve and stayed at the garrison until between 1 and 2 o'clock in the
night and the coldest night I ever felt in my life the hose were led from the garrison to reservoir at the Market House it were so cold that the
hose freeze up. They formed lines in different sections passed the water with a bucket to the fire. They worked like men, there were a little
disturbance occurred between a firefighter from the city and Samuel Brigs a fireman on the coaster but that was soon settled by Captain
William Easley interfering which at that time were master Boat Builder of the Washington Navy Yard. That was a hard winter there was not
a cord of wood on the commercial wharf they wasn't no wood in the navy yard and they were not ten ton of coal in the yard condemned
from the war which laid near the iron foundry that is now. They had to chip off that to fire the engines. About 1 o'clock that night we came
in the yard and it were so cold that our feet were wet and stiff that we didn't know hardly where we were walking on the ground or no and
after we came down to the cook house they were not so much as a fire in the cook house as you could hold in your two hands.
We looked
in our chest and tinder box and the flint and struck a light and we looked around out doors to see if we could make a fire, we couldn't find
any wood out doors and the snow was banked up all around the house. We came in and they were a long bench sitting before the fire place.
There was man laying on it by the name of James Sims we found that we could not get any wood and we rolled him off and he fell off on the
floor like a log drunk and half frozen. Together we takes an axe and we split the bench up and we made a fire out of this bench and warmed
and dried our feet. After we warmed and dried our feet the man who was laying on the bench he got up and then he wanted to fight. He put
me in mind of a snake, but we cooled him off. It snowed on the 22nd of February 1829, on Sunday. Died in Command of the Washington Navy Yard, Commander Thomas Tingey on the 23 of February 1829 on Monday a fine officer he was and a gentleman, snow on the ground. Commander Isaac Hull, taking Command, of the Washington Navy Yard, the 11th day of April 1829, on Saturday (Commodore Isaac Hull commanded the Washington Navy Yard March 31, 1829 to October 1, 1835). When Commander Hull, taking command of the Washington Navy Yard, he found it in an awful condition in holes, and gullies and piles of lumber laying about the yard. All that square in front of the First Lieutenant's quarters and 2 Lieutenants and the doctor it was nothing but yellow clay and that square in front of the Commanders quarters was in the same condition and all the guns piled up on the left hand side of the road as you go into the gate from the flag staff clear down to the Commanders office that were at that time the Commanders Land all those places aft in the square and had them fence in the square where the paint shop is now where all cultivated and all this square where the ordnance shop is and the brass gun foundry, and the shell house and laboratory and the rocket house and the water ran all along there. When Commander Hull came to the yard he had to timber sheds, built the mould loft , built and all is laid as Commander Hull laid it off. The water run jest back of the Commanders office that is now and all the dock at the upper ship house were caving in and wharfs caving in all those wharfs were extended out were done by Commander Hull except that piece done by Captain William S. Sanger Civil Engineer of the Washington Navy Yard of the Washington Navy Yard.. When all this work was going on and he went filling up and building some of those days says he This yard will be full of buildings. The day that Commander Hull taken command of the Washington Navy Yard they were a seamen of the St. Louis by the name of Wells that had been missing since the 19th of December 1828 on Friday and it was supposed that he run away and they never could learn anything from him until the 4th day of April 1829 and he came up at the northwest corner of the lower ship house. He came up right under the frigate Congress larboard bow. It was supposed that he was to go a shore the night before the Saint Louis went away and got hung up under the chain cable. Wells were a Welshman by birth and there was inquest held over him and he was buried in Potters Field
1830
The darkest eclipse that I ever saw was in 1831 the 12th of February on Saturday. It lasted from half past 11 o'clock until half
past 3 o'clock. It was so dark at our diner in Washington Navy Yard that we had to light the candles to see how to eat in each ordnance room.
At that time Mr. Howard could hardly see how to haul the coal. I never shall forget a remark that a painter made he said to Mr. Howard that
you ought to have a candle now to light the room. The painters name was William Prince (he) was painting the water casks for the United
States Frigate Potomac which was fitting out at the Washington Navy Yard at that time. 3 United States schooners embarked from Washington Navy Yard on where commanded by Lieutenant William P. Pearson one were commanded by Carry Seldon Jr the son of the late Major Seldon Sr. formerly naval storekeeper at the Washington Navy Yard. The third Schooner was commanded by Lieutenant Kennedy. I don't know weather Mr. Pearssy was senior officer or Mr. Kennedy they embarked on the 17th of June 1831 on Friday I shall never forget that day Mr. Inch sent me out that day in a boat with some canvass hose to them vessels as the vessels were getting ready to go away and I put the hose on board the vessel and I got so drunk when starting to come ashore instead of coming to the yard the boat drifted down towards the Poplars Point. Poor Lieutenant Seldon made the men lower one of his boats down to bring me back to the yard. They brought me back to the yard and I was around the Ordinary House and there was a ladder laying there. Basil Brown the cook of the Ordinary at that time he suggested to me I bet you can't take this ladder over on your neck and go around the yard and bellow like a bull. I says to Basil, Stop I want to carry some light wood over to the Navy Store first. I taken a piece of the beam of a frigate and I taken it out of that bottom where the Camboose Shop (Camboose is an old nautical term for a metal ships kitchen constructed to prevent a fire aboard wooden war ships , these were constructed at WNY) is now at that time it were rotten so I take the beam and carry it over to the navy store and throw it down in the store . At that time Mr. James Adams was Storekeeper and he says What's a matter with old Mike? He has been where the sun shines. I went over to Ordnance and got my ladder ten feet long and then I went by the Captain's house and every step I made I went like a wild varmint and I made toward the gate, I changed my voice to a Whipper poorwill and at that the painters were painting the Doctors House I went to the Doctors Gate and tried to get in to the Doctors Gate with the ladder around my neck I found that I couldn't get in that away I taking the ladder off of my neck and left outside and I met Mr. Inch (Phillip Inch, Master Painter and Michael Shiner's day to day supervisor) at the door says I Believe me Mike going crazy and they were a colored man in the house of the (name) of Jim Sims he told Jim to catch hold of me and clinch him and I fling him clear in the basement and at that time the porches belong to those quarters were separate and put a hand out the door . By the time the Bell rang for twelve and I had got out of the Doctors and had my ladder around my neck and I started from the Doctors House down the yard and as I came to along by the flag staff I met First Lieutenant Joseph Coors Second Lieutenant Cook and the Master workman and Mechanics they all were going out to dinner and the next men I met were my Master Mr. Howard and at that time were Clerk of the Navy Yard he caught hold of the ladder and says this fellow got the devil in him for three weeks , He hung onto the ladder and I carried him from the flag staff clear around to the ordinary house ( Where the ordinary seamen were lodged)and when I was going along with the ladder I hardly felt that he had hold of the ladder and we got around to the Ordinary House he stuck me over the face and eyes and in them days it was called a snout and grouter and by this time Captain Aulick came along and he called to me to come him ask me what was the matter with me . I told him that I was drunk sire Captain Aulik told me to step to the gate with the Marines until I got sober. I told Captain Aulick he had eagle buttons on and I was down on the ground in the dust on my hands and feet rap my head into the dust made a yell and Captain Aulick says I believe the fellows crazy anyhow at that time the relief was coming up and Captain Aulick called the Marines and I told him that I didn't want to go with the Marines and I wouldn't go with them and the Corporal of the Guard by the name of Lee a Irish man by birth he taking hold of me. Corporal Lee and me and his gun both fell to the ground and we broke our fall and got up the Marines of the guards had me by the hands and feet and Lee got so mad that he stuck his bayonet in my left shoulder and Commodore Hull was standing at the corner of the offices and told them not to hurt him and take me along carefully and at last Mr. (Maraduke) Dove the Sailing Master had to take me up to the guard house they ironed me hand and foot and put me in the cells. Some of the Mechanics lost their dinner that it was a complete (mêlée?) and nex moring on the 18th they brought me out before Captain Aulick . There were 2 Sergeants and 2 privates brought me out. Captain Aulick ask me what was the matter with me yesterday. I told him that I was drunk Sire. Well what do you think ought to be done with you? Anything that Captain the officers chose to do with me. You went a hollerin about the yard yesterday like a crazy fellow don't let me heare anything more of it Shiner. He said Mr. Dove don't let Shiner have any more grog today. And Captain told me go and report yourselve to Mr. Inch Master Pinter for duty. The Officers were kind too they never stop my liberty when I used to get tight I merely done it to have fun I never done it to have any ill feeling against any man White or Black and on the 18th of January 1831 on Saturday Commander Hull and Captain Aulick (Captain John H. Aulick Commanded the Washington Navy Yard March 7, 1843 to February 21, 1841) and First Lieutenant Joseph Cross and Second Lieutenant Cook a son in law of Mr. James Owner sr. formerly Master Ship Builder of the Washington Navy Yard. At that time the Commander of the Washington Navy Yard and those officers granted me my liberty again and as I were going home that evening before I got to my Masters house I saw one of the children and it came up to me then he left me and ran back to the house says he grand Mother Mike is coming and all ways I was going towards the house said I com home come home come home and jest as I got right against the door my old Mistress were standing in the door with a stick in her hand and she had 3 good raps at me sais she, owe you n**** villain is it now I wonder where he got that at that some others about here our red eye n***** look at his eyes is red as a cock terrapin, you n**** you. This lady was the mother of Master Thomas Howard Sr. Master Thomas Howard and Mrs. Nancy Howard they were as fine a Mistress and Master that ever were born may the Lord Bless them and I hope they are at rest and may the Lord grant them I may see them may they rest in peace. On the 16th day of December 1831on Friday night the wind blew from the north Wsrt with out intermission it blew so that night that the window blinds got loose from the buckles and they shattered six or seven large lights large light of glass twelve by 18 ½ on the seventeen of December 1831 on Saturday the wind continued to blow and it came with a hurricane and in puffs the bell rang as usual sat sun rise on the 17th after all the fires were Commodore Hull had them all put out and they were no work in the yard that day Commodore Hull had the yard closed that day for fear of fires taken place . Commodore Hull had 3 or 4 large holes cut in the River and the engines putout in case fire should take place. Right below Commodores Office that is how those preparations were made there by Commodore Hull so there were no person worked in the Washington Navy Yard but Mr. Phillip Inch and my self I held the ladder while Mr. Inch put those large light of glass in . It was colder that day to freeze anything that fell particular anything like water.
1832
The time the cholera broke out in about June, July, August and September 1832. It raged in the City of Washington and every day they were
ten or 13 carried out to they graves a day and that were small numbers to what died in different parts of the country a day. A day the Sun
rised and set Red principally all that year out and two black spots could be discovered distant in the sun about the size of a dollar I believe
that where a taken of the areas. I never shall forget Doctor Lloyd the last part of August 1832 in the Washington Navy Yard had a firm
dollar piece of fresh beef he had it run up to the flag staff at night and next morning when it were hauled down it were Black and Green
and that convinced the people that disease was in the air.
I shall never forget in October 1832 General Scott arrived home from the Indian War to New York he hadn't been long in New York before
he was ordered by the Honorable Major General Jackson President of the United States then after he arrived in Washington he received
orders from the President to go down to South Carolina without delay the instruction that he received from the President honorably carried
out to the satisfaction the government and the people without the lost of life and may the Lord grant that South Carolina and all the other
states cling to one another with the assistance of the Almighty God Launching of the United States Revenue Cutter Jackson the 29th day of November 1832 on Thursday and built at the Washington Navy Yard by the Constructor Colonel William Doughty and built in the Upper Ship House.
The death of Mr. Thomas Howard Sr. Died the 5th of December 1832 on Wednesday in Washington formerly Chief Clerk
of the Washington Navy Yard See : Extract of Thomas Howard's last Will
1833
On the 7th day of June 1833 on Friday, the General laid a writ of Detachment on my wife and three children at Mr. Armfeild's Jail and taken them from there and put them in the county jail at Alexandria to wait the action of the court. my wife and children remained in the county jail in Alexandria from the 7th day of June until the eleventh day of June 1833 on Tuesday and the same day when Mr. Levi Phumphrey executed papers and manumitted them free the papers were executed at City Hall in Washington. She (Phillis) came up from Alexandria on the 12th of June 1833 on Wednesday. I am also under obligation to Mr. and Mrs. Steil for their kindness to my wife and children while they were in the jail in and may the all mighty Bless them. Other gave such a race at that time that all the people that were acquainted with the affair in Alexandria were sorry for me and appeared to be willing to relieve me of my distress. See : Manumission I am under great obligation to Commodore Isaac Hull for the time my wife were sold to George he had Command of the Washington Navy Yard for his kindness to me and also to Captain John Aulick for his kindness to when my wife were sold to George and also to Captain Joseph Hull for his kindness to me at that time he were First Lieutenant of the Washington Navy Yard. And (I am) also under the same obligation to Major Cary Seldon who were Naval Store Keeper and also to Mr. John Etheridge which at that time was Commodores Clerk and also to David Eaton Boatswain. All those above name Gentleman all of them were willing to help me out in honest upright way when my wife and children were snatched away from me and sold on the 5th day of June 1833 on Wednesday from near West Alley between 7th and Eighth Street South east. May the Lord Bless them all I shall never forget them. Mr. John Judge a Irish man by birth received his orders from the Navy Department on the 18th day of October 1833 at Washington Navy Yard on Thursday that his service were no more required Mr. Judge were Master of the Machinery and pattern makein. Mr. William Ellis engineer take in charge of the machinery of the Washington Navy Yard the 17th of October 1833 on Friday and where master of his business. When he came to the Navy Yard they wasn't but one engine and before Mr. Ellis left he constructed some engines in Washington Navy Yard that are hard to beat . There are in the Washington Navy Yard Copper Rolling Mill that were built by Mr. William Ellis and the engine to the ordnance shop. The meteors fell from the elements the 12th of November 1833 on Thursday in Washington it frightened the people half to Death.
1835
But they didn't come that night and the next day Commodore Hull received orders from the Navy Department from the Honorable Secretary of the Navy Mr. Tucy to hurry to fortify the Yard in such a provision to protect all government property therein and himself at risk of all hazards and the yard were as well fortified as any place I ever saw in less then not time it were in a fighting condition by Commodore Hull. I don't believe they were going to be trouble to the yard they done it to tantalize Commodore Hull. In all this excitement the 7th of August 1835 on Friday it was reported that Mrs. Doctor Thorton young Mulatto man said that he was going to knock his mistress in the head with axe and he were arrested and put in the jail . Still the mob raged with great vigor and as fast as they were arrested they were lodged in Jail. On the 8th day of August 1835 on Saturday the mob surrounded the Jail and swear they would pull the Jail down and the Constable makin threats they said their objects was to get Mrs. Thorton's Mulatto man and to hang him with out judge or juror and every effort was made by the Marshall of the District and the United States District Attorney Frances Scott Key Sr. and the Honorable William Bradley that were Mayor of Washington at that time ever effort were made by the officers to preserve peace and harmony among these me but all of it appeared in vain and there not sufficient military force to guard the Jail and orders came down from the Navy Department to Lieutenant Colonel Henderson that were at that time Lieutenant Colonel of the Marine Corps by the order of the Honorable Secretary of the Navy Levi Ward Berry to send a detachment of United States Marines without delay to the Guard the United States Jail in Washington and Lieutenant Colonel Henderson complied speedily the marines went up to the Jail on 8 August 1835 on Saturday and they done their duty without faction or favor. When the great excitement Honorable Major General Andrew Jackson that were President of the United States that time were absent from the City and when it got in it height the General arrived home and after he arrived home he sent a messenger to the Gentleman Mechanics to know what was the matter with them and if they were anything he could do for them in an Honorable way to promote their happiness he would do so. Some replied to the General that the negros had made different threats what they could do the general reply was to them by eternal God in this City there were a Jail and a court and law and if those negros had violated any law what ever they shall be tried by the court and punished severely and gentleman if you have in my disposition to seek to let me know it and I will lend you a hand in it and the General prevailed on all the officers of the Army and the Navy to stand watch and watch . All the good Citizens to preserve the law, by the eternal God the law must be preserved and shall be preserved a the risk of hazards. Captain William Ramsay Sr. United States Navy were on the Padrole and various other officers and the good citizens of Washington in a couple of weeks they had the City of Washington as quite as a church and the laws all respected and everything went on quietly. On the 12th day of August 1835 on Wednesday night those gangs had nearly expired but they gathered in the 6th Ward made a great cheering and the sentry that were on the wall at the Navy Yard gave report to Commodore Hull that those men were coming and every man were at his post in the yard from the roll of the drum. But those fellows jest done it for to tantalize Commodore Hull they hadn't no notion to the contrary. The yard and at that time in Washington Navy Yard there were 92 pound Cannonade were placed a the flag staff and the Muzzles right out the gate and charged here only with grape and canister and if discharged loads out to them they would of tore garrison gates all to pieces and all the houses. But thank God every thing was settled peacefully without that and after this flurry they still continued working on the Columbia Frigate. On the 12th day of August 1835 on Tuesday the Cars started for the first time from Washington to Baltimore and hold passel of people went and the councilman and the aldermen went free passage to Baltimore and among those passengers were Sailing Master Maraduke Dove of the United states Navy. After all this mob were over the wife of the men that were cought with the copper in the Washington Navy Yard she went to the Honorable Major General Andrew Jackson that were President of the United States at that time Crying with tears in her eyes to the general asking him couldn't he Release he Husband from the Jail and he were in the Jail and hadn't had his trail yet and the generals reply was to the woman to go home mty good Woman and make your selve easy your husband hadn't had his trail yet I have no demands over him yet for he is to be tried by 12 men and if he convicted and found guilty and then he falls in my hands and I will carry in the one door and bring him out the other. An the man was were found guilty and convicted sentenced by the Judge and that thru the Honorable Major General Andrew Jackson complied with his promise that he made to that poor Woman for the man were turned loose and went to his family on the 6th of September 1835 on Sunday. They were one half of us out of the yard we belonged to the ordinary at that time by 1st Lieutenant William J .Bell who were 1st Lieutenant of the Washington Navy Yard at that time and then we hadn't had rain out of the yard before for 3 weeks and better and as I where going I called at the guard house and I Borrowed a Dollar from a Marine and he where a Watch maker by trade now sais he don't get drunk Mike as you have repented in the yard so long you may get tight and I said know sir I want to let you know you may depend I got as tight as I could get pretty near and I got so Wild on Capital Hill they jumped on me and I had to fight my way down until I got to the Catholic Church and when I got there all the people where going in the Church and I made noise and holle like a hound and me and Mr. Van Horsix came out after me sais come Shiner go a way from here you are a bad fellow I got down on my hands and knees and poured up the gravel and told Mr. Van Horsix that I wasn't going to hurt him then I made a noise like a Cat before I left and I told Mr. Van Hosix if could lay dead spirit he couldn't lay live one then he told me go off you scamp you drunk and I went off very quietly after he told me But after I came to my senses I were sorry I came by the Church but nevertheless after I left I contacted some fellows and they want to take me anyhow and I fought my way through them clear down on the Navy Yard. Hill and when I got down on the hill they doubled teamed on me down at farthest corner they pelted me with stones and brick bats and some tf them bounced off me as some as I lined with the injin rubber and I fought my way up as far as Mr. Nokes Alley in front of the center house they had to call out the Marines to help to take me they takin shot and they shot at me from their house and the Ball lodged somewhere by the center house but they takein me that night and put me in the lock up house they had put some men in there and I broke out of the lock up house then let the olde Woman out then they surroundered me with their forces that night and put me back again and Mr. Barry were the police officer of the 6th Ward and I were brought out next morning on the 7th of September 1835 on Monday. (I was) brought before Mr. James Marshall Magistrate and Mr. Marshall came out of his door with to try the case in the street and I ask Mr. Marshall where was his office and Mr. Marshall then (said) it was the United States case and he wouldn't try it at that moment Doctor Clark were in the yard attending to his duty and I were put back in the lock up house again until one o'clock and then they kept me in the lock up until sun down then they tried the case and Doctor Clark sais gentleman you all have appeared against this colored man and I don't see a scratch of pin on any of you. Now gentleman Who are we going to pay this mans master for beating him up with brick bats and stones? Doctor Clark said I am not going to reHumbug in this way long for I will give this man up to Commander Hull. Mr. Bury take Mike in the yard and give him to the Commodore. And this was after Sun down and Mr. Bury police office I take in me in the yard and give me to First Lieutenant William J. Belt and Bury said Mr. Belt here Shiner Sire the squire has sent him to the yard Sire. And Lieutenant Belt said oh Shiner you have been where the sun shines a lot again go along Shiner down to the ordinary house. On the 8th day of September I went to my work in the Paint Shop on Tuesday and Captain Galico came by the Riggin Loft and Called to Mr. Inch Master Painter and told him to send that Shiner out there and when I came out refers the Captain which said the Captain I let you out on Liberty Sunday and you went fighting all over the city then the Captain asked me was I fighting told yes Sire I fought all I know how for they were fighting me I will sais he go along to your work sire if you hadn't of told me the truth I was going to lick you sire and don't let hear any more of it sire , When I youngster I drink like fe I never trouble my person what ever without they would get after me and tantalize me and plough me and when I found the Tanny Roddy want to impose on me I all way ready when under all ways submission to a office civil or military. Commodore Isaac Hull and his family left Washington Navy Yard the 2nd day of October 1835 on Friday. He gave his command to Captain John Galigo Commodore Hull commanded the Washington Navy Yard 6 years and 6 months. And when he first came to the yard it was in a awful condition. Commodore Hull were a industrious officer and a sociable gentleman for his work at Washington Navy Yard proved his skill and industrious and may the Lord Bless Commodore Hull and I hope he is at rest from his labor.
1836 On the 4th day of December 1836 on Sunday I never have had a drop of liquor in my mouth since that time of no kind.
1838 There were a great drought in the city of Washington we had a smart of rain in May and in June they were but little rain, And in July it was hot and dry and everything on the earth suffering for vegetation and no rain in August that the heat would extended through the soles of your feet, particularly thin soles. And we hadn't any (rain) until the middle of September of 1838. The drought didn't only stop Washington it existence in different sections of the country. I have so much in my head that I didn't give the dates of
1840 (This entry is undated but circa 1840 )
1842
1844 A distressing affair taken place on board the United States Steamer Frigate Princeton. By the explosion of a an iron cannon that was invented by Commodore Stockton and killed several Gentleman and the names were the Honorable Judge Upshur were killed and the Honorable Mr. Gilmore was killed and the Honorable Mr. Maxwell were killed and Commodore Berdy Cannon and a colored young man were killed.
The Honorable John Tyler ex President of the United States was on board that day and members of the Cabinet members of the Congress
and various Gentlemen and Commodore John Haleck and other officers were on board that day. This happen on the 28th
day of February 1844 on Wednesday. On that day Mr. Gustavus Higdon and Mr. Selac were up on ninth street west and a singular Mark
appears in the elements and it ran from the Northwest and from the North West divided the sky between the South
1846 The Battle of the Harrington Hotel on the Navy Yard on 8th Street on the 1st day of June 1846 on Monday it commenced with John Lloyd and one of the sergeants of the Baltimore Battalion as the Blessed Lord would have it that day was election day after dinner all the Mechanics and men of different classes were out of the yard if they had not been those Baltimore men would have killed all those. Lloyd against Mr. Adams Connor Mr. James Mead caught one fellow and threw him clear across the street and look around an ask if they were any more of them and every one of those fellows that jumped the garrison wall had a stick of wood with them. Those Navy Yard men got them all before them and moved them and some women helped them with a volley of stones as they pass along the Mechanics of the 6th Ward in Washington were going to give those Battalions a handsome presentation. But they behaved so wild that the people were glad to get rid of them this old Gentleman that I referenced to Mr. James Meads Sr. was a finer old Gentlemen as ever were born were kind to everybody but it would not do you to fool with him if you did he would make the fur fly out of you.
1847 General Scott left Vera Cruz after some forty five or fifty miles he follin with a strong fortified position planed by General Santa Anna name Cerro Gordo when General Scott found they were such a strong position in the front the 14th of April 1848 on Wednesday he turned too and Cut a road through the Mountain for it to save his officers and men and on the fifteenth April 1847 on Thursday in the morning when General Scott had takein on surprise the Battle of Cerro Gordo wher ended on the 18th day of April 1847 Sunday it were said that General Scott stood on a pile of shot in person until the Height of Cerro Gordo were carried. The launching of the United States iron Steamer Water Witch in Washington Navy Yard on the 6th day of May 1847 on Thursday. Commodore Charles McCauley were present an Captain Robert B. Cunningham were present and first lieutenant Hillary H. Roads were present and Sailing Master Charles Morris and Boatswain Wm. Water were present. They where a great a illuminations take in place on the 8th of May 1847 in the City of Washington Celebrating the grate Battles that were fought in Mexico by Major General Zackary Taylor and his officers and men and the men that Constructed the Fire Works were named Mr. Benjamin Franklin Costern and smarter little fellow as any you could scareun in the United States and it were a splendid affair.
1848
1851 The Library of the United States Capital was burnt on the 24th of December 1851 on Wednesday and all the engineers and the mechanics and laborers out of the Navy Yard was order to the Capital by order of Captain Powell of the U.S. Navy and all the U.S. Marines was ordered there by Brigadier General Henderson to assist putting the fire out. The death of Noble Clemens a painter in Washington the 27th of December 1851 and Mr. Clemens was a finer man as ever was free hearted and had courtesy to everybody.
1852 Mr. William Ellis made a great impression in (the) Washington Navy Yard in regards to machinery for the engines he mad they served like they would work themselves for when he came to the yard in 1833 they were but one engine in he yard and when he left the yard in 1853 he left 4 engines in operation.
December 14, 1852
1853 A visit to the U.S. Steamer Alleghany at the Navy Yard Washington by the Honorable J.G. Dobbins the Secretary of the Navy on the 22nd of October 1853 on Saturday. He was received cordially by Captain H. Paulding and Captain L. M. Powell and his officers and formal salute of the guns was fired allowed to a Secretary of the Navy he was escorted on board the Alleghany by Captain L. M. Powell and the yards an rigging all manned and that was done handsomely all to one thing they did not man the rigging as fast as I have formerly seen them. The death of George J. Young a bricklayer , a native of Baltimore fell about 30 feet from a scaffold att the northwest corner of a pile he was jammed between the piles, along side of the New Ship House on the 6th day of May 1853. A serious accident happened to Mr. Joseph Padgett Overseer of the Yard hands in the New Ordnance Shop by three boys Skylarking throwing stones at each other struck him on the side and knocked him down sprawling at Bell Ring out 12 o'clock one or two of his hands had to lead him home out of the Yard the 9th day of September 1853 on Friday the names of the three boys was William Crampton William Smoot and Francis Gartlin. On Wednesday the death of Charles Tansil a boy who was accidentally shot a son of Sergeant Tansil was shot by a discharge of a musket the 10th of May 1853 On Tuesday 12 December 1853 the explosion of the Boiler of the Steam Engine No. 1 in the Washington Navy Yard and scalded an apprentice in the machinist (shop) in that Department named Charles King and he died on the 15th of December 1853 on Tuesday 1853 a son of the late Martin King. The second stack that was that was built for the New Ordnance building the first brick was laid by Mr. J. Rose. Henery Get Sandinier died on the 3rd day of November 1853 on Thursday may God bless him and I hope that he is at rest. On the 21st November 1853 on Saturday in trying the pumps to see how they would they would work to pump out the Docks by Mr. Wellis Chief Engineer at the same time the old engine house caught on fire in the twinkling of an eye al the officers of the yard and master workman and foreman and quarterman and fire man and mechanics and laborers of all classes was present and they extinguished the fire and washed the old house as clean as a pin on the 20th of June 1853 on Tuesday the engine house of the dock at the upper Ship House took fire the second time all the officers of the yard and all the engineers was there and all the master workman and all the quarterman ,mechanics and laborers was there
1855 The House of the honorable Colonel Thomas H. Benton caught on fire on the 27th of February 1855 on Tuesday and it was consumed a great many valuable papers and books and it was so cold that water would freeze in the hole as fast as they would pump it they could have saved more of the house only for the scarcity of water. They finished framing of the U.S. Steam Frigate Minnesota at the Washington Navy Yard by the Constructor S.M. Pook and Mr. Edward Foster and their Quarterman and the last after cant piece of wood was shipped on the first day of February 1855 on Tuesday on the Larboard Side. James Barker, a Ship Carpenter, a native of Baltimore fell from the Starboard Side of the Steamer Minnesota near the Starboard quarter about 30 feet the 21st day of February 1855 on Wednesday in the Washington Navy Yard on the 16th day of February on Friday 1855.
The death of Mr. Robert Mills Architect of the Public Buildings a native of South Carolina he died at Washington the
3rd day of March 1855 on Saturday. The casting of the a Cylinder of the U.S. Steamer Minnesota on the order of Mr. L. Hunt
Chief engineer of the Washington Navy Yard and Mr. Andrew Leonard Quarterman . Commodore H. Pauling was present and Captain
Howard Pettigrew and First Lieutenant Jospeh Lanman was present and Sailing Master G. Morris and Mr. A. G. David Master Plumber
and Mr. Joseph Padgett overseer of the Yard hands and a great many other Spectators and it was cast handsomely without accident
the 3rd day of March 1855 on Saturday. The first stone that was laid for the new Trip Hammer by the order of Captain W. P. Sanger and James Philips Master mason in the Washington Navy Yard. On the 2nd day of April 1855 First commenced laying of pipes for the gas in the Washington Navy Yard under Superintendence, of Captain W. P. Sanger, the Constructing Engineer the 4th day of April 1855. I have seen several ships launched of different classes in the Washington Navy Yard and have always seen them set up the ship three times before launching. The articles that Mr. Pook had was battering rams and they was so powerful that the ship needed no setting up the third time. And it was a beautiful launch as ever I seen in all my life and there was great Preparations made on Board the United States Steamer Alleghany for the reception of visitors on the north side of the Ship House. The funniest of it was before the ship was launched the Alleghany hung underneath one of the pile on the Larboard side which was near bring her on her Beams End there were nearly four hundred lady's and gentleman was on her at that time was a great confusion Men sent on board the Allegheny by Captain Joseph Lanman to relived the Alleghany from the mud After (she) righted herself the whole party was composed and on the opposite side of the Alleghany and in the yawl. Generally there was thousands of spectators to see the launch of the United States frigate Minnesota. The U.S. Steam Engineer laid off an on the south side of the new Ship House with the President and his cabinet witnessing the launching of the United States frigate Minnesota under the Command of Captain John R. Quitman . After the launch of the Minnesota the US Steamer Engineer was under the Command of Captain William S. Lovell a son in law of Major General John R. Quitman. After the launch of the Minnesota the U.S. Steam Engineer came along side of the wharf of the south side of the Ship House near to the sheaves and landed the President and his cabinet the marines was ordered into line under the Command of Captain Robert Tansel and the Boon Rifleman to the left under the Command of first Lieutenant Henry Ober and three splendid rolls of the drums and a handsome presenting of arms from the U.S. Marines and the Boon Rifleman The Sun and the Moon fell in Contact with each other on the 26th day of May on Friday Evening at four o'clock and they was not invisible as we expected. The first day of June on Friday it rained all day and it rained the 2nd day of June 1855 on Saturday and it commenced clearing away at 6 o'clock. The death of Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Miller of the U.S. Marine Corps he died in Command of the Philadelphia Station the 9th day of December 1855 on Sunday . He was great soldier as ever lived for the 24th day of August 1814 on Wednesday I seen him with my own eyes marching to Bladensburg to meet the enemy like a man and he got wounded and may the Lord Bless him and I hope that his soul is at rest in Heaven for he died with the honor of his country. There was a fine dinner furnished by the Government to the Mechanics and Laborers of all classes in the mold loft in the Washington Navy Yard after the launch of the Untied States Steamer Minnesota and they had a plenty of to eat and they conducted themselves well as any men as I have ever seen in all my life Commodore Forrest French and his officers deserve the greatest credit for preparing for the launching of the vessel and for warning all persons to keep out of danger and with the assistance of kind providence every thing went off beautifully and handsomely on that day an not a soul was hurt and the mechanics that was selected by the superintend the dinner was from different departments The dinner was furnished by a man out side the Navy Yard and it was a splendid one. Those Mechanics that that was selected from Different Departments in the navy yard they acted as a committee and conducted the whole affair well in the first of December 1855 on Saturday. After the Dinner was over a parcel of Bread and Meat another eatables was give to me and when I got outside of the Navy Yard and coming up sixth Street and I had some on my shoulder and the Grease was running all over my Clothes and I happened to stop for to rest myself and then was a whole company of Dogs following me I tried to Drive them back and they surrounded me and was about to to take me prisoner But I retreated to my Camp in the Yard in good order. One of the Steamer Minnesota boilers was shipped on the 6th day of December 1855 on Tuesday by order of Captain Lanman and First Lieutenant Thomas T. Hunter and Lieutenant J. B. Balch and Mr. Joseph Padgett Overseer of the yard hands and men in ordinary. On the 19th day of December 1855 on Wednesday the old veterans of the War of 1812 from the state of New Hampshire paid a visit to the Washington Navy Yard and was escorted to the yard by the United States Marines and the Marine Band under the Command of Captain Tansel and other young officers of the Marine Corps and was conducted through the different Departments of the in the yard and then they were escorted to the Commodores Quarters by Commodore French Forrest and Captain Joseph Lanman and First Lieutenant Thomas Y Hunter and then was entertained there with the utmost respect and then left the Navy Yard Captain John A. Dahlgren give them a Beautiful Salute by orders of Commodore French Forrest. The Launching of the Steamer Frigate Roanoke at the Gosport Navy Yard the 13th day of December 1855 on Thursday I am sorry to say that she met with a serious accident in launching of her she had such a serious tear that she filled with water soon after she launched.
1856 A fire broke out in the Tank Shops in the Washington Navy Yard on the 7th day of February 1856 on Thursday about half past seven o'clock in the morning it was discovered by the watchman by the name of Lewis. The Anacostia Fire Company was there and exercised all the energy in extinguishing the fire the Columbia Fire Company was present and the Perseverance Fire Company was present and the American Fire Company was present. Commodore French Forrest was present and Captain Joseph Lawman and First Lieutenant G.B. Balch and Dr. Edwards was present and the master mechanics and the quarterman of the yard and the mechanics and laborers of all classes was present and worked with vigor in trying to extinguish the fire on the 7th day of February 1856 on Thursday. Commodore French Forrest after the fire went out gave all the mechanics a half of the day to change their clothes and dry themselves on the 7th day of February 1856. A watchman by the name of Thomas Rigsby fell down the hatchway of the U.S. Steamer Minnesota forward of the Steerage of the Birth Deck and aft of the Ships pumps on Saturday night Between 12 and one O'clock on the 29 day of March.
1857 On the 8th day of February 1857 on Sunday the Long Bridge was Carried Away. A man by the name of James Branson fell from the rafter of the South gable of the Forge Shop the 9th day of January 1857 on Friday. On the 17th day of January 1857 on Saturday it commenced Snowing. It Snowed all day the 18th of January 1857 on Sunday. And it snowed without intermission until the 19th day of January 1857 on Monday and it was cold as I ever felt it in my life. In some places I suppose in different parts of the country it drifted upwards of 30 feet in Washington City in the valleys and the ditches it drifted about 10 and 12 feet. 9th day of February 1857 on Monday the ice was piled up in front of (the) sea shore upward of ten feet then we had another freeze and the Potomac and the eastern Branch was lashed up again on the 14th of February 1857 on Friday and she broke up again on Saturday. Gentleman here is something that I have never seen about here before as cold as it had been I seen with my own eyes the day of February1857 on Monday a getting ice at the north gable end of the Ship House in the Washington Navy Yard the ice wind was eighteen or nineteen inches thick. A laborer by the name of Frenwick in Mr. Padgett's gang fell from the eves of the old ordnance shop on the 30th day of March 1857 on Monday.
June 1, 1857
The first day of June on Monday 1857, the Election taken place in Washington City and there was a great excitement among the People
at different precincts. There was about fifteen or twenty men gone from Baltimore in time of the election is going on . And called themselves
Plug Uglies and they went to the poles and interfered with the election and raised such a excitement that the mayor and the whole of the
police force could not sop them and they was forced to call on the President of the United States and the Secretary of the Navy for aid of the
U.S. Marines for to preserve the peace and the Secretary of the Navy the Honorable Mr. Toucy issued an order to Brigadier General
Archibald Henderson Commander of the Marine forces and the Marines was ordered to get ready and there was about one hundred and
ten in number and was Commanded by Captain Henry B. Tyler and Brevet Captain William R. Maddox and acting adjutant Lieutenant
Charles Henderson and they marched them to City Hall and reported to the mayor and in the mean times they formed in line . There was
stones thrown at them and pistols fired and one of the Marines was shot in the face and severely wounded and it was supposed that the
Marines fired through a mistake of order and there was several people killed. The first stone was laid for a large ice house in Washington Navy Yard by the orders of Captain W. P. Sanger on the 14 day of October 1857 on Wednesday and the Brick caved in an caught two Laborers and one was a native of Germany and the other of Ireland . The 24th day of November 1857 on Tuesday day froze across (Potomac River) The 25th day of November 1857 on Wednesday day froze across The 26th day of November 1857 on Thursday day froze across
December 8, 1857 I am in hopes that the people of this country will appreciate Commodore Paulding proceedings and all such men like him that will look out for the honor of their country and the Welfare of the People as general Walker fell into the hands of Commodore Paulding rather then for him to fall into the hands of Great Britain or any other nation for when General Walker was there before they suffered misery and death and God knows what would be the fate this time if any surrendering to be done let it to your own country When a man has violated his laws with God on his responsibility let him submit to his laws like a man.
December 25, 1857 Snowed on the 26th day of December 1857 on Saturday.
1858 The death of Mr. Philip Otterbach senior in Washington D.C. on the 6th day of February 1858 on Tuesday after a long spell of sickness and for myself Michael Shiner I have know Mr. Otterbach ever since I was a boy and for those last years I have had considerable dealing with him and I always found him to be a perfect gentleman The New Code of Laws in the District of Columbia was voted down on the 17th day of February 1858 on Monday. Captain Turner had Snow piled up in the Washington Navy Yard for to commence filling the ice house for there was a great appeared of a scarcity ice. Commenced filling the ice house with snow on the 16th day of February 1858 on Tuesday and by order of Commodore Lavallette and Captain Tierney and Mr. Joseph Padgett and the remainder of the officers of the yard the ice house was nearly full. The last ice was put in the Washington Navy Yard on the 6th day of March 1858 on Saturday. The first Commencement of calling of the Roll in the new Roll Office in the Washington Navy Yard by Richard Barney on the East part of the building and Hilson on the North Side of the building on the first day of April 1858 on Thursday. The execution of a young man by the name of Powers in Washington City DC on the 26th day of June 1858 on Saturday.
When I first Discovered the Comet it was between North West and North East until then it enlarged and work its Way South on the
13th day of September 1858 on Monday The United States sloop of War Plymouth Left Washington Navy Yard under the command of Lieutenant Murray of Ordnance on the 28th day of December 1858 on Tuesday and was towed out by the United States Steamer Dispatch and the Sloop of War Plymouth was run a ground on the 28th of December 1858 on Tuesday, North and South West of the Navy Yard and she never got of until the 29th day of December 1858 on Wednesday. If they had minded what that lad of a Boy said they would not run aground . I am not pretending to Dictate But I think it would be wise for the Government to employ some of those young men that raised about the wharf for pilot for they know every inch of the channel.
1859
April 20, 1861
April 22, 1861 An on the 22nd of April 1861 on Monday they commenced Hauling flour from the different Warehouses in Washington D C and Georgetown to the Capital of the United States.
June 1, 1861
July 27, 1861
April 16, 1862 |
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