Society of the War of 1812 in Maryland scrapbook

The Society of the War of 1812 in Maryland began in 1841 as the Association of the Defenders of Baltimore in 1814. Veterans of the war, and more specifically the battles of Baltimore and North Point, met to remember their service and the battles fought against the British. Each year on September 12, the group celebrated Defenders Day, a holiday commemorating the battle of Baltimore. The veterans also performed charitable services, such as supporting widows and orphans left by the war and covering funeral costs for fellow veterans. The society eventually included the veterans’ sons due to the deaths of the original members, but by 1883, the association disbanded. The association reemerged in 1892 as the Descendants of the Defenders of Baltimore of the War of 1812-1814, which allowed women to join.

The group once again reorganized in 1893 as The Society of the War of 1812 in Maryland of Baltimore City. The members decided to join with the society in Pennsylvania to create a national organization. Female members were excluded from participation, but they later formed a Maryland chapter of U. S. Daughters of 1812. The mission of the society, in accordance with the Pennsylvania chapter’s charter, was to “cultivate patriotic sentiment,” maintain and collect publications pertaining to and from the war, and honor the memories of the events of the war. Only those directly descended from 1812 veterans could take part. Many prominent figures in Baltimore and Maryland society joined. Edwin Warfield served as president in 1895 before being elected governor of Maryland in 1904.

The newly re-formed society continued the work of the original members. The celebration of Defenders Day became the centerpiece of the group’s efforts. Every year, the society hosted a parade on September 12 that took place in Baltimore at Fort McHenry. Society members marched in uniform alongside active servicemen and veterans of past wars. Important members of the military and government were often in attendance. The society also secured an annual salute at Fort McHenry honoring the bombardment of Baltimore. Many of the war monuments being built at the time received support from society members as well and during the 1900s, they turned their focus and influence to the preservation of the fort. The fort became a national park, and Defenders Day events were opened to the public.