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VOLUME 23, ISSUE 1 MARCH 2012

Quarterly Newsletter of the Captain Amos Lusk of Hudson, Ohio in the War of 1812 By Gwen Mayer The summer of 1812 was a stress-filled time for Hudson, Ohio. As the War of 1812 raged on, the town of less than 500 anxiously awaited news of the American surrender at Fort Detroit to the British. The War of 1812 had arisen due to the rising tensions between the two nations over the frequent Member of the impressments of American sailors, interference with overseas trade and the Ohio Genealogical Society strong belief the British were encouraging Native American attacks on American frontier settlements. In early June, Congress voted its first th Board of Directors declaration of war and the conflict officially began June 18 when President James Madison signed the measure into law. In response, Hudson formed a President local militia company and commenced military training. With the fall of Fort Mary Hughes Detroit, there was great concern that the British and their ally Tecumseh, leader Vice President Helen Soblosky of the Shawnee nation, would advance into Ohio and the Western Secretary Reserve. Several Hudson residents had served during the American Revolution Betty Franklin and were willing to do so again for their country. Over sixty men from Hudson Assistant Secretary under the command of thirty-nine year old Captain Amos Lusk prepared for Carleen Welch Treasurer battle. Jack Bowers Assistant Treasurer Dick Satava This War of 1812 flag flew Trustees Linda Brodine at Fort McHenry and inspired Marion Else the Star Spangled Banner, our John Franklin National Anthem. It has been Ted Minier preserved and is on display at Immediate Past President the Smithsonian National Nancy Brock Museum of American History

Honorary Board Members in Washington, DC. Jean Allread Willis I. Else Elsie M. Thomas Captain Lusk, the father of 9 children, had moved to Hudson in 1801 with In this Issue his wife Mary and set up a homestead, farming in the northern part of

Veterans of the War of 1812 Who town. Lusk can perhaps best be remembered as the future father-in-law of are Buried in Hudson, Ohio 2 Abolitionist John Brown. Lusk’s second oldest daughter, Dianthe, married

President’s Message 5 Brown in 1820, well after her father’s death. Unfortunately, little is known of

War of 1812 Ceremony 5 Lusk’s temperament and his death predates photography’s development so there are no known images of him. Recent Acquisitions to Library 6

Nominating Committee Report 6 th Lusk’s militia unit was attached to Ohio’s 4 Division under the command Index to the 2011 Hudson Green 7 of General Elijah Wadsworth and later under Brigadier General Simon Perkins.

Field Trip to the The Hudson militia signed up for three months of service (many ultimately Kent State Map Library 8 served beyond the initial time period) and equipped themselves at their own

Searching Military Records expense. During the fall of 1812 Lusk and his men were directed to help guard with fold3 8 the frontier from British and Indian attacks. During this time there were

War of 1812 Websites 9 skirmishes with both British naval vessels and Indian War parties. Captain

National Archives Lusk and his men eventually marched to Camp Avery - near modern day

Transcription Pilot Project 9 Huron, Ohio. On September 28, 1812 the Indians raided a frontier settlement in 1 12

HUDSON GREEN MARCH 2012

what is known as Danbury Township, VETERANS OF THE WAR OF 1812 WHO ARE Ottawa County. At the Battle of Marblehead Peninsula, as this was later BURIED IN HUDSON: called, Lusk and his men participated in CHAPEL STREET, DRAPER, O’BRIEN, the fighting. Muskets were fired, a canoe LINDLEY AND MARKILLIE CEMETERIES chase ensued, and men were engaged in Compiled by Sharon Myers fierce hand-to-hand combat. Some men were wounded and died, although none from Hudson. Reverend Joseph Badger, Corp. A.M.H. Baldwin died of senility. He served in the OH a Congregational minister formerly from