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44-643: The son of Joseph and Hannah Scott Nicholson, Samuel Nicholson was born in Chestertown, Maryland . He married Mary Dowse, sister of Edward Dowse , on February 9, 1780, and had "a large family of children". They lived in Dedham, Massachusetts , and at least three of their daughters were baptized in the Episcopal Church there. Nicholson was a captain in the Continental Navy . He served as

88-563: A humid subtropical climate , abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. As of the census of 2010, there were 5,252 people, 1,971 households, and 984 families living in the town. The population density was 2,020.0 inhabitants per square mile (779.9/km ). There were 2,361 housing units at an average density of 908.1 per square mile (350.6/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 74.2% White , 20.4% African American , 0.3% Native American , 1.8% Asian , 1.0% from other races , and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.2% of

132-578: A lieutenant aboard Bonhomme Richard under John Paul Jones who at the time was commander of Deane , which was used to capture three British sloops-of-war . Nicholson also commanded Dolphin in 1776. By the time the American Revolution was finally won there were few ships to speak of in the young American Navy. The navy, like the army, was largely disbanded, with many naval vessels being sold or turned into merchantman vessels. Now that America had won its independence it no longer had

176-439: A prize : off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina , on 8 September, she intercepted Niger , a 24-gun ship sailing with a French crew en route from Jamaica to Philadelphia , claiming to have been under the orders of Great Britain. Perhaps not understanding his orders correctly, Nicholson had the crewmen imprisoned, placed a prize crew aboard Niger , and brought her into Norfolk, Virginia . Constitution sailed south again

220-592: A county to be in Progressive Farmer's Best Places list, they hold them to the usual standards — good schools, health care, safety and other desirable qualities. But what makes Kent stand out is its residents' resolve to maintain a solid rural heritage." On the first Friday of each month, Chestertown residents, as well as neighboring towns' residents make their way down to Chestertown's main street. Many shops open their doors to visitors and put their merchandise on display. This event draws many people from

264-481: A re-enactment of the legendary "tea party." A parade begins the festival, marching down High Street to the Chester River, and then follows with colonial music and dance, fife and drum performances, puppet shows, colonial crafts demonstrations and sales, military drills, and a walking tour of the historic district. In the afternoon, re-enactors, playing the part of angry citizens and Continental Soldiers, march to

308-545: A religious man and began each day at sea with a reading from the Bible. He had great regard for his crew and their well-being, making sure they were properly provisioned while at sea. During his naval career, Barry commanded the U.S. warships Delaware , Lexington , Raleigh , Alliance and United States . Captain Barry's first American command was USS  Lexington , of 14 guns, which began on December 7, 1775. He

352-583: A week later to escort a merchant convoy, but her bowsprit was severely damaged in a gale; she returned to Boston for repairs. In the meantime, Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert determined that Niger had been operating under the orders of Great Britain as claimed, and the ship and her crew were released to continue their voyage. The American government paid a restitution of $ 11,000 to Great Britain. After departing from Boston on 29 December, Nicholson reported to Commodore John Barry , who

396-641: Is a town in Kent County, Maryland , United States. The population was 5,532 as of the 2020 census . It is the county seat of Kent County. Founded in 1706, Chestertown rose in stature when it was named one of the English colony of Maryland's six Royal Ports of Entry . The shipping boom that followed this designation made the town at the navigable head of the Chester River wealthy. In the mid-eighteenth century, Chestertown trailed only Annapolis and

440-509: Is by road. Maryland Route 213 is the most significant highway serving the town, and is the main north–south road along the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Other state highways serving the town include Maryland Route 20 , Maryland Route 289 , Maryland Route 291 and Maryland Route 514 . John Barry (naval officer) John Barry (March 25, 1745 – September 13, 1803) was an Irish-born American naval officer who served in

484-583: Is known nationally as the home of the Sophie Kerr Prize , which is awarded to the graduating senior with the most literary potential. The award is near $ 50,000 annually. The most recent prize, worth $ 61,382 was awarded at a ceremony in Baltimore to Alex Stinton, an Eastern Shore native. The town is also home to Radcliffe Creek School, founded in 1996. The school is open to students with, and without, diagnosed learning disabilities. Radcliffe Creek

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528-490: The Boston Tea Party , the citizens of Chestertown wrote a set of resolves that prohibited the buying, selling, or drinking of tea. Based on these resolutions, a popular legend has it that the citizens held their own "tea party" on the Chester River in an act of colonial defiance. The Chestertown Tea Party Festival celebrates Chestertown's colonial heritage with a weekend of events on Memorial Day weekend, including

572-600: The Charles Sumner Post No. 25, Grand Army of the Republic , Thornton , Washington College: Middle, East and West Halls , and White House Farm (Chestertown, Maryland) are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Chestertown is at 39°13′10″N 76°4′6″W  /  39.21944°N 76.06833°W  / 39.21944; -76.06833 (39.219328, -76.068424). According to

616-758: The Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War . He has been credited by some as "The Father of the American Navy", sharing that moniker with John Paul Jones and John Adams , and was appointed as a captain in the Continental Navy on December 7, 1775. Barry was the first captain placed in command of an American warship commissioned for service under

660-538: The U.S. Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 2.91 square miles (7.54 km ), of which 2.60 square miles (6.73 km ) is land and 0.31 square miles (0.80 km ) is water. As of the first US Census in 1790, Chestertown was the geographical center of the nation's population. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Chestertown has

704-461: The USS Alliance fought and won the final naval battle of the American Revolution 140 miles (230 km) south of Cape Canaveral on March 10, 1783 . Barry was successful in suppressing three mutinies during his career as an officer in the Continental Navy. On February 22, 1797, he was issued Commission Number 1 by President George Washington , backdated to June 4, 1794. His title

748-592: The American colonies, where merchant fleets were in need of experienced sailors. When the American Revolution began, Barry found himself sympathetic to the Patriot cause and decided to volunteer his services. Barry was formally commissioned as a captain in the Continental Navy on March 14, 1776; his warrant was signed by John Hancock , president of the Second Continental Congress . Barry was

792-523: The British blockade. In 1777, Barry was assigned to command USS  Delaware , a brig sailing under a letter of marque to prey on British naval shipping in the Delaware River . In 1778, Barry assumed his third command, USS  Raleigh , capturing three prizes before being run aground while fighting an action on September 27, 1778. He and his crew escaped and scuttled the ship, but she

836-625: The Continental flag. After the Revolutionary War, he became the first commissioned American naval officer, at the rank of commodore , receiving his commission from President George Washington in 1797. Barry was born on March 25, 1745, in Ballysampson, Tacumshane , County Wexford , Ireland to a Catholic family. When Barry's family was evicted from their home by their Anglo-Irish landlord, they moved to Rosslare on

880-576: The coast, where his uncle worked a fishing skiff. As a young man, Barry determined upon a life as a seaman, and he started out as a cabin boy on commercial vessels. He later served in the Royal Navy , gaining invaluable command experience. Being raised in the Barony Forth , his first language was Yola , as that was the only language used for daily communication at that time in the area. Barry eventually left his native country and immigrated to

924-611: The construction and home of the ship to be centered in Chestertown. In the same year the non-profit group Sultana Projects, Inc. was formed by Swain and supporters to fund construction of the ship. A shipyard was constructed and the keel for the Sultana was laid in October 1998. Over 3,000 students participated in the community and educationally led effort, with a core group of volunteers logging over 150,000 hours of time building

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968-647: The country's largest private, nonprofit preservation organization, named Chestertown, Maryland, to its 2007 list of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations , an annual list of unique and lovingly preserved communities in the United States. Chestertown was selected from 63 destinations in 27 states that were nominated by individuals, preservation organizations, and local communities. In 2008, Progressive Farmer magazine honored Kent County and Chestertown by naming it #1 in "Best Rural Places to Live in America". "For

1012-546: The docks where redcoats (played by members of the Maryland Loyalist Battalion) defend the ship for a short skirmish, then retire. The ship, the schooner Sultana , is then boarded by the angry citizens, and the tea is thrown into the Chester River. In 1997, John Swain came up with blueprints for a reproduction of the American-built yacht, later Royal Navy schooner HMS  Sultana , planning

1056-521: The former Chestertown High became Chestertown Middle School. The middle school became the consolidated Kent County Middle in 2010. The town is home to Washington College , a private liberal arts college founded in 1782. Washington College is the tenth oldest college in the USA. George Washington was a founding patron. Kent County public library maintains the Chestertown Branch. The college

1100-442: The population. There were 1,971 households, of which 18.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.7% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 50.1% were non-families. 42.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

1144-495: The precious powder rowed ashore during the night, leaving only 100 barrels. A delayed action fuse was left inside the brig, exploding and killing the British boarding party that had just seized Nancy . This engagement became known as the Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet . Barry retained command of Lexington until October 18, 1776. He was noted for his success in capturing several privateers operated by Loyalist crews to help enforce

1188-559: The protection of the British navy and had to defend its own interests abroad. The idea of an American Navy was the subject of much debate between the Federalists who favored a strong navy and the anti-federalists who felt the money required for a navy would be better spent elsewhere. However the repeated threats from France and the Barbary states of North Africa had given cause to now consider resorting to more forceful measures to procure

1232-508: The security of American shipping interests. USS  Constitution was one of six frigates authorized by act of Congress which was approved on March 27, 1794. Nicholson was commissioned as one of the first six captains in the reborn United States Navy on June 10, 1794. The vessel was designed by Joshua Humphreys, and built at Hartt's Shipyard in Boston , Massachusetts, under the supervision of master shipwright George Claghorn . Nicholson

1276-403: The ship and her crew the next morning. Upon joining Barry's command, Constitution almost immediately had to put in for repairs to her rigging due to storm damage, and it was not until 1 March that anything of note occurred. On this date, she encountered HMS  Santa Margarita , the captain of which was an acquaintance of Nicholson. The two agreed to a sailing duel, which the English captain

1320-605: The ship. Over 10,000 people were at the launching of the ship in March 2001, and since then more than 8,000 students a year have boarded the Sultana for educational trips. The Sultana also plays a key role in the Chestertown Tea Party, as it is now the official boat of the staged re-enactment. The Schooner Sultana website offers more detailed information on the ship. The National Trust for Historic Preservation ,

1364-577: The surrounding town area, as well as many students from Washington College . It is in the Kent County Public Schools . Henry Highland Garnett Elementary School ( Henry Highland Garnet ), which had about 264 students as of 2021, and Kent County Middle School are in Chestertown, while Kent County High School is in an unincorporated area with a Worton postal address. The former Chestertown High School moved from its original 1915 building in 1953. In 1971 Kent County High opened and

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1408-412: Was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.65. The median age in the town was 34.9 years. 12.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 28.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.4% were from 25 to 44; 19.1% were from 45 to 64; and 23.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 43.1% male and 56.9% female. In May 1774, five months after the British closing the port of Boston after

1452-818: Was March 6, 1801, when he brought USS  United States into port, but he remained head of the Navy until his death on September 13, 1803, from asthma . Barry died childless. Barry died at Strawberry Hill, in present-day Philadelphia on September 13, 1803, and was buried in the graveyard of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church . The executors of his estate were his wife Sarah, his nephew Patrick Hayes and his friend John Leamy . On October 24, 1768, Barry married Mary Cleary, who died in 1774. On July 7, 1777, he married Sarah Austin, daughter of Samuel Austin and Sarah Keen of New Jersey . Barry had no children, but he helped raise Patrick and Michael Hayes, children of his sister, Eleanor, and her husband, Thomas Hayes, who both died in

1496-502: Was confident he would win. But after 11 hours of sailing Santa Margarita lowered her sails and admitted defeat, paying off the bet with a cask of wine to Nicholson. Resuming her patrols, Constitution managed to recapture the American sloop Neutrality on 27 March and, a few days later, the French ship Carteret . Secretary Stoddert had other plans, however, and recalled Constitution to Boston. She arrived there on 14 May, and Nicholson

1540-432: Was considered Maryland's second leading port. A burgeoning merchant class infused riches into the town, reflected in the many brick mansions and townhouses that sprang up along the waterfront. Another area in which Chestertown is second only to Annapolis is in its number of existing eighteenth century homes. As of the 1790 census, Chestertown was the geographical center of population of the United States. Chestertown

1584-704: Was created for students ages 4 through 14, but a preschool program called 'little creek' was recently added as well. Students from several counties throughout Maryland attend the school. The Chestertown Spy is an online news source for Chestertown and the Chester River community. The Kent County News , a weekly newspaper, covers news of the town and county. WCTR Radio has been a local community resource since 1963. Originally an AM daytime station, it now has two FM frequencies: FM 106.9 in Chestertown serving Kent County, and FM 96.1 in Wye Mills, serving Queen Anne's County. The primary means of travel to and from Chestertown

1628-536: Was flying his flag in United States , near the island of Dominica for patrols in the West Indies . On 15 January 1799, Constitution intercepted the English merchantman Spencer , which had been taken prize by the French frigate L'Insurgente a few days prior. Technically, Spencer was a French ship operated by a French prize crew; but Nicholson, perhaps hesitant after the affair with Niger , released

1672-720: Was incorporated in 1805, and was named for the Chester River. Airy Hill , the Bernice J. , Brampton , Carvill Hall , Chester Hall , the Chestertown Armory , the Chestertown Historic District , Chestertown Railroad Station , Denton House , Gobbler Hill , Godlington Manor , the Island Image , Lauretum , Radcliffe Mill , Reward-Tilden's Farm , Rose Hill , the Silver Heel ,

1716-464: Was raised by the British, who refloated and converted her into a Royal Navy vessel. Eager to improve the fighting capabilities of the Continental Navy, Barry authored the first American navy signal book, published in 1780, to improve communications at sea among American vessels traveling in formation. Barry was seriously wounded on May 29, 1781, while taking part in the capture of HMS Atalanta and her sister ship Trepassey . He and his crew of

1760-999: Was relieved of command. Nicholson was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati , and the first commandant of the Boston Navy Yard when it was established in 1800. He remained on active duty with the Navy for the remainder of his life. Nicholson died at Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1811, and is buried in the crypt of the Old North Church in Boston. The U.S. Navy ships named USS  Nicholson were named for him and other members of his family who served as naval officers: his elder brother, James Nicholson , his younger brother John Nicholson , his nephew, William Nicholson and his grandson James W. Nicholson . Chestertown, Maryland Chestertown

1804-572: Was still not ready to sail, and eventually had to borrow sixteen 18-pound (8.2 kg) cannons from Castle Island before finally being ready. Constitution put to sea on the evening of 22 July 1798, commanded by Captain Nicholson, with orders to patrol the Eastern seaboard between New Hampshire and New York . A month later she was patrolling between Chesapeake Bay and Savannah, Georgia , when Nicholson found his first opportunity for capturing

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1848-745: Was the first officer, army or navy, to receive a commission from the Continental Congress. Lexington sailed on March 31, 1776. On April 7, 1776, off the Capes of Virginia, Barry fell in with Edward , a tender servicing the British man-of-war HMS  Liverpool , and after a desperate fight of one hour and twenty minutes captured and brought Edward into Philadelphia. On June 28, the Pennsylvania brig Nancy , carrying 386 barrels of powder in her hold, ran aground while attempting to elude British blockader Kingfisher . Barry ordered

1892-539: Was the naval inspector who also oversaw her construction. Upon her completion Constitution was launched at Boston on September 27, 1797, under the command of Nicholson. His first Lieutenant was Charles Russel. Upon her completion Constitution was launched at Boston on September 27, 1797, under the command of Nicholson. His 1st Lieutenant was Charles Russel. President John Adams ordered all Navy ships to sea in late May 1798 to patrol for armed ships of France, and to free any American ship captured by them. Constitution

1936-462: Was thereafter "commodore". He is recognized as not only the first American commissioned naval officer but also as its first flag officer. Appointed senior captain upon the establishment of the U.S. Navy, he commanded the frigate United States in the Quasi-War with France . This ship transported commissioners William Richardson Davie and Oliver Ellsworth to France to negotiate a new Franco-American alliance. Barry's last day of active duty

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