Maryland State Society

National Society United States Daughters of 1812

Maryland Members Only

PRESIDENT
Dr. Sandra R. Wallis

JOIN US!

Chapters

COMMODORE STEPHEN DECATUR
Salisbury

ELLA VIRGINIA HOUCK HOLLOWAY
Mechanicsville

KITTY KNIGHT
Eastern Shore

MARY YOUNG PICKERSGILL
Baltimore

THE CHASSEUR
Frederick

Maryland Welcomes you to the our State Society
United States Daughters of 1812!

The purposes of our society are to promote patriotism, to preserve and increase knowledge of the history of the American people, by the preservation of documents and relics, the marking of historic spots, the recording of family histories and traditions, the celebration of patriotic anniversaries, teaching and emphasizing the heroic deeds of the civil, military and naval life of those who molded this Government between the close of the American Revolution and the close of the War of 1812, to urge Congress to compile and publish authentic records of men in civil, military, and naval service from 1784 to 1815, inclusive, and to maintain at National Headquarters a museum of memorabilia of the 1784-1815 period.

State Theme
Shine Bright, 1812!

State Scripture
Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NRSV)

State Projects

Light the Past by honoring the women who sewed the Star-Spangled Banner and compiling biographies of the patriot ancestors of Maryland members. Light the Present by spreading the word about Maryland Daughters to encourage membership. Light the Future by continuing the work to digitize our records.
It is incumbent upon the United States Daughters of 1812 to ensure that history stays fresh and that the heroes of the war are not forgotten. In our chapter meetings, we encourage research on ancestors including finding the location of ancestor grave sites, invite engaging speakers to spark enthusiasm in the War of 1812, plan tours to the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, Fort McHenry, the Maryland Historical Society and other War of 1812 sites, honor the histories of our ancestors to keep the history of the War of 1812 alive.

We have five active chapters in Maryland named after significant men, women, and ships who were important in our State’s History:

Commodore Stephen Decatur (1779-1820) – was a United States naval officer and commodore. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland in Worcester County, the son of a U.S. naval officer who served during the American Revolution. His father, Stephen Decatur Sr., was a commodore in the U.S. Navy, and brought the younger Stephen into the world of ships and sailing early on. Shortly after attending college, Decatur followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Navy at the age of nineteen as a midshipman.
Ella Virginia Houck Holloway (1862-1940) – Maryland State Society, United States Daughters of 1812 President beginning in 1918. She was instrumental in persuading a US Congressman to introduce the bill to mandate the “Star Spangled Banner” as our National Anthem. In 1931, it was signed into law.
Kitty Knight (1775-1855) – an early American heroine credited for saving part of Georgetown (on the Eastern Shore of MD) during the War of 1812. She bravely confronted a British Admiral and plead with him to stop burning their town. She was successful and convinced him to order his troops to leave saving many homes.
Mary Young Pickersgill (1776-1857) – a young widow who was commissioned in 1813 to sew two flags for Fort McHenry in Baltimore. One of those flags would become the Star-Spangled Banner that inspired our National Anthem. Her home is now a National Historic Landmark and museum.
The Chasseur – (built 1812) – A Baltimore Clipper ship launched out of Fell’s Point in 1812. She was the most successful merchant ship during the War of 1812 capturing or sinking 17 vessels before returning to Baltimore. Upon her return in 1815, The Chasseur was called the “Pride of Baltimore” and 2 replica ships have been modeled on her and both were named Pride of Baltimore.

If you are interested in joining the Maryland Society United States Daughters of 1812, please visit the Membership Section located on this website. We welcome your inquiry!

In Liberty, Fraternity, and Unity,

Dr. Sandra Rhodes Wallis, State President (2021-2023)
Maryland Society United States Daughters of 1812

War of 1812 Sites and Activities

Fort McHenry

2400 East Fort Avenue Baltimore, MD 21230

Birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner

Annual Defender’s Day Celebration Includes: Concert, military drills, bombardment, and fireworks.

Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum

10515 Mackall Road, St. Leonard, MD 20685

War of 1812 Re-enactment held in September

Exhibit: “Farmers, Patriots, and Traitors: Southern Maryland and the War of 1812”

Kitty Knight House

14028 Augustine Herman Hwy., Georgetown, MD 21635

Miss Kitty Knight

helped save Georgetown, Maryland, during the War of 1812. The Kitty Knight House currently operates as a Restaurant and Inn.

Maryland Historical Society

201 West Monument Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

In Full Glory Reflected

displays artifacts such as the original handwritten manuscript of The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key.

Pride of Baltimore II

also called a Baltimore Clipper,

a reproduction 1812-era topsail schooner

serves as a Goodwill Ambassador of the State of Maryland and the Port of Baltimore.

Riversdale House Museum

4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park, MD 20737

Restored home of

George Calvert and Rosalie Stier Calvert. During the Battle of Bladensburg, Mrs. Calvert reported seeing battle cannons from her home.

Star-Spangled Banner Flaghouse and Museum

844 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Site includes

the home and business of Mary Young Pickersgill, creator of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag that flew over Fort McHenry. Activities range from historical presentations about flag-makers, to hands-on demonstrations.

United States Naval Academy Museum Preble Hall

118 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21402

Collection includes:

“Don’t Give Up the Ship” battle flag flown by Oliver Hazard Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie

Maxwell Hall

17388 Teagues Point Rd, Hughesville, MD 20637

Historic Home

This property, originally known as “Maxwell’s Seat”, offers visitors a unique connection to our Southern Maryland heritage and a glimpse into Charles County’s role in the War of 1812. Maxwell Hall survived the brief British occupation of Benedict, prior to their infamous invasion of our Nation’s Capital.

Todd's Inheritance Historic Site

9000 North Point Rd, Edgemere, MD 21219

Home to Bernard Todd during War of 1812

Bernard Todd used his home as a lookout station in the War of 1812 at the Battle of North Point. He is also the great grandfather of Ella Holloway. Bernard’s father Thomas Todd served in the American Revolution. Both Todds are buried on the property.