Society War of 1812 in Virginia Publishes Summer Newsletter

3 Responses to Society War of 1812 in Virginia Publishes Summer Newsletter

1. Cranston Williams, Jr. says:

   July 12, 2014 at 11:23 am

   Cannot get the Summer Newsletter off web site. tried three times on Friday and stayed on the line Saturday for 8 minutes without any luck.

   Cannot either of the two other recent postings.

   Can get the May 2014 Merchandise posting

   Cranston
2. Michael L. Mankin says:

   July 24, 2015 at 1:55 pm

   Greetings and hoping all is well with you all. I read somewhere and I can not find it now, two compatriots were making a list of 1812 Veterans that were previously unknown. My 4th GGF was in the War of 1812 and I can not find him previously listed anywhere in Virginia. Charles Mankin, born 1778 Port Tobacco, Charles Co., Md. died 10Nov1840 in Alexandria, Va. & he’s buried in Plot E2 in the Protestant Methodist Cemetery, Wilkes & Hamilton St.s, Alexandria.

   In April 1879, Elizabeth McEroy Mankin, widow of Charles Mankin, Jr., filed for a Widow’s Pension, Wid. Pens #35917. In her affidavit, she states that she married Charles Mankin in August 1819, that he was a Captain of a militia company from Alexandria and that he was at the ‘Battle of the White House.’ Presumedly, he watched as the British looted and burned the White House. She was 74 years old at the time of her affidavit and stated that “she is old & infirm; that by reason of age and infirmity, her memory is much impaired…’ She could not name any officers that he served under or any other facts in connection with his service. A search was conducted for his service in Virginia and none was found. Quite naturally she was denied a pension. All of the above information was obtained from her pension file application.

   While conducting research on Charles Mankin, Jr., I came across a Muster Card for ‘Charles Mankins, Sergeant, War of 1812, Alexandria Rifle Co., 1st Regiment District of Columbia Militia.’ At that time, part of Alexandria was in the District of Columbia and it seems natural to assume some of the men were recruited from Alexandria, Independent City, Virginia. It appears that Elizabeth was correct in recollecting that Charles was a veteran of the War of 1812, in some sort of supervisory capacity.

   Following the burning of Washington and surrender of Alexandria in August 1814, the Americans fought back at the “White House Battery” — manned by sailors of the United States Navy and Virginia militia — exchanging fire with British ships of war on the shore of the Potomac at the White House Plantation at Belvoir Neck as they withdrew down River, 6-9 Sept 1814. See: http://www.nps.gov/fowa/learn/historyculture/the-fall-of-fort-washington-and-the-battle-of-white-house-landing.htm. In this site, http://www.alexandria1814.org/Alexandria_1814/History.html, it lists the American Forces at engaged as the U.S. Navy & Marines and the Virginia and District of Columbia Militia. Both Mankins were members of the Alexandria Rifle Co., 1st Regiment of District of Columbia Militia.

   At the same time, I found a Muster Card for ‘David Mankins, Lieutenant, War of 1812, Alexandria Rifle Co., 1st Regiment District of Columbia Militia.’ David was a brother of Charles.
   • Mike says:

     July 28, 2015 at 4:53 pm

     Michael:
     He is listed by me, the compiler, in the Society’s burial book, “Burials of war of 1812 Veterans in the Commonwealth of Virginia” on page 178. The entry is as follows on page 178.
     MANKIN, Charles; b 1773; d 10 Nov 1840 RU: Sergeant, 1st DC Regiment of Militia CEM: Methodist Protestant; Alexandria; Wilkes St GS: Y SP: mar in Alexandria on 29 Jul 1819, to (—–) Merclerouz VI: No further data P: None BLW: No PH: N SS: A rec 31873 BS: 32 pg 166.

     Looks like you have gathered all the pertinent records. His service records are also at the National Archives which may reveal additional information, I did not have his marital information so will use it in an up-coming second edition to the book.
     Mike Lyman

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