GRACE FOUNDATION OF TAYLORS ISLAND, MD
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    • Old Post Office
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    • Self-Guiding Nature Trail
    • Map showing Taylors Island from 1670
    • 1877 Map of Taylors Island
    • Historic Structures >
      • Becky Phipps Cannon >
        • 1912 Balt. Sun Article - Cannon Blown Apart
        • Cannon re-dedication 1999
        • Cannon - MD Historical Trust Info
      • Historic Old School House >
        • Historic Schoolhouse (MD Historical Trust Info)
      • Ridgeton Hall >
        • Ridgeton Hall - Maryland Historical Trust Info >
          • Judge Levi Travers
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        • General Store (MD Historic Trust Info)
        • Christmas Eve General Store Tradition
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          • Article About Mulberry Grove
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        • Maryland Historical Trust Info - Kirwin Farm
      • "The LeCompte" a/k/a "Cator" house >
        • Cator-LeCompte House (MD Historic Trust Info)
      • Other Structures (inventoried by the Maryland Historical Trust)
      • Old Windmill >
        • Windmill locations 1877
      • The Canning House >
        • Tomato Picking Time
    • 1920's - photos
    • Visit by sitting U.S. President
    • Geological Survey
    • Radio Program Transcript - 1969
  • Battle of the Ice Mound
    • Oral History of Battle of Ice Mound (as memorialized in 1931)
    • Audio Description of Battle
    • Bicentennial celebration of the battle >
      • Recognition for a well planned event
      • USPS recognition of Battle of Ice Mound Bicentennial
    • Floeberg 1936
    • British on Punch Island Creek
    • BRITISH ON SLAUGHTER CREEK
  • Churches
    • Grace Episcopal Church >
      • Interior of Grace Church
      • MD HISTORICAL TRUST INFO
      • The Story of the Bell
    • Chapel of Ease >
      • Interior Chapel
      • Interior Chapel from balcony
      • Historical Marker
      • MD HISTORIC TRUST INFO
    • Bethlehem "Brick" Church >
      • Interior photos
      • MD HISTORICAL TRUST INFO
      • Ministers of Bethlehem Church 1820--1900
      • Church Minutes (selected minutes 1860, 1873 & 1876)
    • Chaplain Memorial >
      • Interior Photos Chaplain Memorial Church
      • MD HISTORICAL TRUST INFO
    • Lane Methodist Episcopal Church >
      • Lane Church Images
      • MD HISTORIC TRUST INFO
    • Video Tour of Churches
    • History of Island Methodism
  • Cemeteries
    • Grace Foundation Graveyard Policy
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    • Robson Cemetery >
      • Robson Cemetery Grave Photos
    • Hoopers Point Cemetery
  • Notable Islanders
    • Early Islanders
    • Samuel M Travers
    • HON. LEVI D. TRAVERS
    • Dr. Washington A Smith
    • J. Hooper Bosley
    • Tall Family >
      • Family Burial Ground of Elijah Tall
    • THOMAS BROOME TRAVERS >
      • Thomas Broome Travers (genealogy)
    • Revolution
    • T. Reynolds Carpenter
  • Schools & Students
    • School used as museum
    • Schoolhouse MD Historical Trust Info
  • African American Schoolhouse
    • African American School - MD Historic Trust Info
  • Slaughter Creek & The Bridge
    • Old Store at bridge
    • Bridge to Meekins Neck
    • Ferry to Meekins Neck
  • Island Folklore
    • The Tea Set
    • The Story of Polly
    • Taylors Island During Prohibition
    • Clara Bow
    • The Tale of the Swan Decoy
  • Lists of Business Persons & Farmers
    • 1887
    • 1894-95 >
      • Wm. D. Travers
    • 1908-09
    • 1915-17
  • Taylors Island Ship Building
    • Travis Spicer & Sons Shipbuilders
    • Historic Ships of Taylors Island >
      • Moses Henry Geoghegan
  • Slaughter Creek Marina
    • Coast Guard Station Photo
  • James Island
    • James Island photos
    • James Island sketches
    • James Island Videos
    • Aerial Photos of James Island
    • James Island Articles
    • James Island School
    • Sika Deer of James Island
    • James Island Restoration
  • Remembrances from bygone days
    • History by Laura Robinson Navy -1977
    • Old mode of transportation
  • Grace Foundation History
    • Senator George L. Radcliffe
    • The Promise
    • 1st Meeting of Grace Foundation May 13, 1951
  • Membership Information
    • 2022 Membership Letter
    • 2020 Membership Letter
    • 2020 Membership Roster
    • Membership Application
    • 2019 Membership Letter
    • 2015 Membership Letter
  • Champion Trees of Taylors Island
    • Bicentennial Tree
    • Persimmon Tree
    • Post Oak
    • Trees harvested to be used as roads
  • Taylors Island Volunteer Fire Company
    • TIVFC articles
    • TIVFC Photos over the years
    • Tragic Fire
  • Transpeninsular Line
    • 1971 Article on Transpeninsular Line
  • Home
  • About Taylors Island
    • History of Taylors Island
    • Directions and Driving Tour
    • Old Post Office
    • Tour Pamphlet
    • Self-Guiding Nature Trail
    • Map showing Taylors Island from 1670
    • 1877 Map of Taylors Island
    • Historic Structures >
      • Becky Phipps Cannon >
        • 1912 Balt. Sun Article - Cannon Blown Apart
        • Cannon re-dedication 1999
        • Cannon - MD Historical Trust Info
      • Historic Old School House >
        • Historic Schoolhouse (MD Historical Trust Info)
      • Ridgeton Hall >
        • Ridgeton Hall - Maryland Historical Trust Info >
          • Judge Levi Travers
      • General Store >
        • General Store (MD Historic Trust Info)
        • Christmas Eve General Store Tradition
      • Mulberry Grove >
        • The History of Mulberry Grove >
          • Article About Mulberry Grove
          • Silk Worms of Mulberry Grove
          • Mulberry Grove - MD Historic Trust Info
      • Spicer Bungalow
      • Kirwan Farm >
        • Maryland Historical Trust Info - Kirwin Farm
      • "The LeCompte" a/k/a "Cator" house >
        • Cator-LeCompte House (MD Historic Trust Info)
      • Other Structures (inventoried by the Maryland Historical Trust)
      • Old Windmill >
        • Windmill locations 1877
      • The Canning House >
        • Tomato Picking Time
    • 1920's - photos
    • Visit by sitting U.S. President
    • Geological Survey
    • Radio Program Transcript - 1969
  • Battle of the Ice Mound
    • Oral History of Battle of Ice Mound (as memorialized in 1931)
    • Audio Description of Battle
    • Bicentennial celebration of the battle >
      • Recognition for a well planned event
      • USPS recognition of Battle of Ice Mound Bicentennial
    • Floeberg 1936
    • British on Punch Island Creek
    • BRITISH ON SLAUGHTER CREEK
  • Churches
    • Grace Episcopal Church >
      • Interior of Grace Church
      • MD HISTORICAL TRUST INFO
      • The Story of the Bell
    • Chapel of Ease >
      • Interior Chapel
      • Interior Chapel from balcony
      • Historical Marker
      • MD HISTORIC TRUST INFO
    • Bethlehem "Brick" Church >
      • Interior photos
      • MD HISTORICAL TRUST INFO
      • Ministers of Bethlehem Church 1820--1900
      • Church Minutes (selected minutes 1860, 1873 & 1876)
    • Chaplain Memorial >
      • Interior Photos Chaplain Memorial Church
      • MD HISTORICAL TRUST INFO
    • Lane Methodist Episcopal Church >
      • Lane Church Images
      • MD HISTORIC TRUST INFO
    • Video Tour of Churches
    • History of Island Methodism
  • Cemeteries
    • Grace Foundation Graveyard Policy
    • Bethlehem Church Cemetery Records
    • Grace Episcopal Church Burial Records
    • Lane Cemetery
    • Robson Cemetery >
      • Robson Cemetery Grave Photos
    • Hoopers Point Cemetery
  • Notable Islanders
    • Early Islanders
    • Samuel M Travers
    • HON. LEVI D. TRAVERS
    • Dr. Washington A Smith
    • J. Hooper Bosley
    • Tall Family >
      • Family Burial Ground of Elijah Tall
    • THOMAS BROOME TRAVERS >
      • Thomas Broome Travers (genealogy)
    • Revolution
    • T. Reynolds Carpenter
  • Schools & Students
    • School used as museum
    • Schoolhouse MD Historical Trust Info
  • African American Schoolhouse
    • African American School - MD Historic Trust Info
  • Slaughter Creek & The Bridge
    • Old Store at bridge
    • Bridge to Meekins Neck
    • Ferry to Meekins Neck
  • Island Folklore
    • The Tea Set
    • The Story of Polly
    • Taylors Island During Prohibition
    • Clara Bow
    • The Tale of the Swan Decoy
  • Lists of Business Persons & Farmers
    • 1887
    • 1894-95 >
      • Wm. D. Travers
    • 1908-09
    • 1915-17
  • Taylors Island Ship Building
    • Travis Spicer & Sons Shipbuilders
    • Historic Ships of Taylors Island >
      • Moses Henry Geoghegan
  • Slaughter Creek Marina
    • Coast Guard Station Photo
  • James Island
    • James Island photos
    • James Island sketches
    • James Island Videos
    • Aerial Photos of James Island
    • James Island Articles
    • James Island School
    • Sika Deer of James Island
    • James Island Restoration
  • Remembrances from bygone days
    • History by Laura Robinson Navy -1977
    • Old mode of transportation
  • Grace Foundation History
    • Senator George L. Radcliffe
    • The Promise
    • 1st Meeting of Grace Foundation May 13, 1951
  • Membership Information
    • 2022 Membership Letter
    • 2020 Membership Letter
    • 2020 Membership Roster
    • Membership Application
    • 2019 Membership Letter
    • 2015 Membership Letter
  • Champion Trees of Taylors Island
    • Bicentennial Tree
    • Persimmon Tree
    • Post Oak
    • Trees harvested to be used as roads
  • Taylors Island Volunteer Fire Company
    • TIVFC articles
    • TIVFC Photos over the years
    • Tragic Fire
  • Transpeninsular Line
    • 1971 Article on Transpeninsular Line
GRACE FOUNDATION OF TAYLORS ISLAND, MD
Picture
Above is a painting of Admiral Cockburn
There are some great War of 1812 stories from Taylors Island. Here is a one from Tom Flowers as is found in his book Shore Folklore:

Aunt Mary Dove Travers of Taylors Island was an aristocratic lady of gentle breeding, whose determination not only captivated the heart of an admiral of the Royal Navy, but disarmed him from pursuing his malicious plan.

The British fleet completely dominated affairs on the Chesapeake Bay during the early years of the War of 1812. They plundered the tidewater homesteads at will, looting, burning, and wrecking havoc with all water activities.

Taylors Island, located in the British zone of control, became a target because many of its citizens were highly respected military and political leaders of the new nation.

Aunt Mary's husband had been targeted for British interrogation, in fact, he was so important that Admiral Cockburn, in charge of the Chesapeake flotilla, led the mission to place Travers and other important Taylors Island citizens in irons. Once captured, these loyal Americans were chained in the hold of the British vessel.

As soon as Aunt Mary found that her husband had been made prisoner, she dressed in her finest ribbons and laces. Carefully shielding her fair skin with a gay Paris parasol, she summoned her man servant, Reuben, to row her to the British vessel waiting a change in tide.

Reuben, panic stricken, did everything he could, "Miz Travers, you'se guine to get us both kilt."

It was like talking to an iron pot. Reuben had seen that determined look before, the chin jutting forward, giving her face a strangely-strong beauty that close friends and neighbors had come to respect.

The scene was almost ludicrous as the small boat carrying Aunt Mary as regally as the "bloody Queen of England" and a very frightened, colored oarsman, made its way to the waiting Admiral Cockburn, who anxiously watched in awe and admiration.

Aunt Mary was something to behold. A boatsman shouted, "What do you want, Madam?"

"Reuben, tell that man, I wish to speak with the captain."

"Miz Travers wants a word with the captain."

Admiral Cockburn himself reached out to assist Aunt Mary, welcoming her with the same dignity he used with the ladies of the court.

Escorting her to his cabin, he declared that it was tea time. He would listen to her entreaty after a repast. Aunt Mary, realizing the decorum of the tea time ritual, smiled and asked that someone care for her man servant.

The tea service, a richly-ornate silver tray; a finely-turned pot with matching creamer and strainer, caught Aunt Mary's attention even more than the delicate bone china cups and saucers. Admiral Cockburn noted her admiration and gave her the history of the tea service.

Aunt Mary's chin relaxed as time passed. The angular beauty of her face had softened and she became even more appealing as she came to the point, "Admiral Cockburn, I demand that you release my husband."

"You demand," but he was interrupted.

"Yes, I demand his release and charge you with a violation of the rights of citizens of the United States."

"Madam."

"He is my husband and I demand his immediate release."

Admiral Cockburn could read the determination, the courage in his guest's face. He couldn't kill a beautiful woman. There were no quarters available for a woman prisoner, especially a lady. He smiled, "Madam, you win."

Reuben could not believe his eyes as his master and mistress were escorted to the little boat. Before he shoved off, Admiral Cockburn's valet presented a heavy box to the men for Aunt Mary. He couldn't believe the Admiral's words, "My compliments, good health, and long life to a great lady whose determination has changed my plans."

Reuben was even more astonished when the heavy, wooden box was opened to reveal the exquisite tea service that Aunt Mary had so greatly admired. (Somewhere, scattered among the Travers' descendants, are pieces of that same tea service.)



​

Picture

The British raided many places in Dorchester County, Maryland during the War of 1812, including several on Taylors Island. Here is some more Taylors Island lore from the war: 
Another traditional story is told of “Polly”. With the marauding British ever present, she reputedly hid her valuables under a setting goose. Every farm family knows you don’t intentionally disturb a setting goose. She is a ferociously protective mother-to-be. One of the items hidden by Polly was a silver teapot; it survives and can be seen in the home of one of her descendants.
Story researched by Ralph E. Eshelman and Jacque-Lynne Schulman (A History of Dorchester County, Maryland During the War of 1812, which was completed in 2010 on behalf of the Dorchester County Historical Society). Displayed is a photo taken by Brice Stump showing Pat Neild at the "Ridgeton" house with the fabled teapot. The house is recorded in the National Register of Historic Places.

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