From Seattletimes · · 2m
Unknown sailor's grave found after 200 years
A Scottish sailor's unmarked grave in Connecticut was identified after 200 years, with a new plaque honoring William Adamson.
In brief
A Scottish sailor's unmarked grave in Connecticut was identified after 200 years, with a new plaque honoring William Adamson. William Adamson, a Scottish sailor killed in the War of 1812, was identified and honored with a new grave marker after 200 years. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Jon Fuller's curiosity
Jon Fuller, 66, a retirement planner, found an unmarked grave of a Scottish sailor killed in Connecticut during the War of 1812.
“I was very curious. I was wondering who he was. Did he have a family? What was his history?”
The unmarked grave mystery
The sailor was buried in an unmarked grave at Packer Cemetery in Mystic, Connecticut, with no name or details.
“The grave was unmarked.”
The skirmish in August 1814
A British ship, HMS Terror, was attacked by American militiamen near Fishers Island Sound on August 13, 1814.
“A small group of local men sailed from the mystic river into fishers island sound on a vessel that appeared to be carrying valuable cargo.”
Fuller's search for answers
Fuller tried the Mystic Seaport Museum and British Royal Navy but paid $200 for a stone engraved with 'Unknown H.M.S. Terror August 13, 1814'.
“He got the help of a friend, chris malone, who took a slab of stone to a local garden center and paid around $200 to have it engraved.”
Grace Cleere's discovery
Grace Cleere, a retired historian from Connecticut, found the unmarked grave while walking in Packer Cemetery.
“I said, 'Terror.' 'That’s the ice ship that went down in 1848!'”
The Terror's history
The HMS Terror was involved in the War of 1812 and later sank in the 1845 Arctic expedition led by Sir John Franklin.
“The doomed 1845 expedition, led by sir john franklin, resulted in the loss of the terror and the hms erebus, plus all one hundred twenty-nine crew members.”
Identifying William Adamson
William Adamson, a Scottish sailor born around 1771, was killed in the skirmish and buried in Packer Cemetery.
“His name was william adamson.”
Genealogy search
A historian traced William Adamson's sixth-generation descendant, Claudia Chagnon, in Lynchburg, Virginia.
“I thought it was a bit of a wild-goose chase.”
The ceremony
Hundreds gathered at Packer Cemetery for a ceremony honoring William Adamson with a new plaque and Scottish traditions.
“Shipmate, after two hundred twelve years, you are unknown no more.”
The grave marker
A new stone plaque at Packer Cemetery marks William Adamson's grave with his name and the date of his death.
“Unknown h.m.s. terror august thirteenth, eighteen hundred fourteen.”
The connection
Jon Fuller, who placed the grave marker, was unaware he was the one who erected the stone until Grace Cleere contacted him.
“I just did it.”
The legacy
William Adamson's story was honored with a ceremony, a new grave marker, and connections to his family after 200 years.
“After two hundred twelve years, you are unknown no more.”
Here's the gist
William Adamson, a Scottish sailor killed in the War of 1812, was identified and honored with a new grave marker after 200 years.
