Major Childhood InfluencesSummer - 1791

TERRA RUBRA, FREDERICK, MARYLAND

At 12 years old, met President George Washington, my childhood hero, during a visit to family home. Washington suggested that I continue with my schooling for as long as possible.

First Major Legal Case1807

REPRESENTED SWOTORT AND BOLLMAN IN CONNECTION TO AARON BURR TREASON CASE

Argued for clients up to the Supreme Court to reverse President Jefferson’s order to suspend writ of habeas corpus in favor of my clients who were not only freed, by declared innocent of high treason.

First Significant Connection to War of 18121812

SETTLED ESTATE OF GENERAL JAMES LINGAN

My client General James Lingan was killed in the Baltimore Riots surrounding pro vs. anti-war protestors. The pro-war protestors were attempting to burn down an anti-war newspaper office which General Lingan was trying to protect. This cemented my anti-war sentiments.

Enlisted in US Army Reserves1813

PRECIPITATED BY BRITISH ATTACK ON HARVE DE GRACE

When the British Attacked the town of Harve De Grace it sparked my patriotism as our family continued to own some plantation land in the area and so we were now defending our homeland from a foreign enemy. With my patriotic sentiments now fired, I became an officer in the reserve army primarily for two reasons - my education, and I could afford to buy the uniform.

Battle of Bladensburg24 August, 1814

FIRST PARTICIPATION IN A MAJOR BATTLE

I was a Jr. Officer in an Artillery unit, but I found it more interesting to give advice to the generals who were defending Washington, DC.

Battle of Baltimore1812

PARTICIPATED IN SUCCESSFUL PRISONER EXCHANGE NEGOTIATIONS

My dear friend Dr. William Beans was taken prisoner by the British for treason after the battle of Bladensburg. I asked President Madison personally if I would negotiate for his release. Colonel Skinner and myself were successful in convincing the British to release Beans and that it was a misunderstanding but we were all detained until the British were done attacking Baltimore. The rather large flag at Fort McHenry impressed me and I wrote a little poem that got published in a local newspaper. The resulting fame haunted the rest of my life

American Bible Society1816 - 1843

FOUNDING VICE-PRESIDENT

World Famous at this point and hating it, but I realized that my fame may help me achieve great things, so I helped to organize this major religious organization and help me to become responsible for helping to spread God’s word.

American Colonization Society21 December, 1817

CO-FOUNDER AND PRO-BONO LEGAL REPRESENTATION

Having a hard time getting work, so I turned to my other major interest in helping to end slavery and was part of the founding and management of this organization that became unfairly demonized by Northern abolitionists and referred to as the “Back to Africa” movement.

Prosecutor for District of Columbia1833-1841

APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON

1833 - Successfully negotiated a settlement of Creek Indian situation in Georgia that resulted in stopping Georgia from succeeding from the union and starting a civil war. 1835 - Prosecuted Richard Lawrence for his unsuccessful attempt to assassinate President Jackson. 1836 - Defended Reuben Crandall and opened up slavery debate by offering justification for slavery, and against abolitionists in an attempt to achieve a lasting settlement to the national slavery issue.

helped President Andrew Jackson fill a supreme court vacancy1836

PER REQUEST OF PRESIDENT JACKSON, CONVINCED BROTHER-IN-LAW TO SERVE IN COURT

Roger B. Tawny became chief justice but our conversations about slavery probably later led to his “Dred Scott” decision and unfortunately sparked the Civil War.

star spangled banner becomes national anthem3 March, 1932

POEM SET TO A BRITISH DRINKING SONG WRITTEN DURING BATTLE OF BALTIMORE IN 1814

In 1922 Robert Ripley of “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” fame brought to national attention the fact that America did not have an official anthem. I was long dead and thought that the poem and song would be forgotten but apparently it survived and after quite a political battle was finally chosen as our National Anthem and made official by congress..

St. John's College, Annapolis, MD1789-1800

HS, BA, MA, LLD

[ NEED TO PUT REAL CONTENT HERE TO FIX SPAN ISSUE ] In 1922 Robert Ripley of “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” fame brought to national attention the fact that America did not have an official anthem. I was long dead and thought that the poem and song would be forgotten but apparently it survived and after quite a political battle was finally chosen as our National Anthem and made official by congress..

Bible Expert, Amateur Poet, Philosopher, Pacifist, Father of six boys and five girls, Also tone deaf writer F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of my direct descendants