Chestertown in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Common Cause

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— War of 1812 —

Common Cause Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

1. Common Cause Marker

Inscription. The people of Chestertown---a commercial center connected to international trade---generally opposed going to war with Great Britain. Yet when war came, most supported the American effort. Chestertown sent many distinguished fighters to battle.

The town was not attacked. Several homes associated with war veterans remain, including Hynson-Ringgold House, Widehall, and Dougherty Barroll House.

Key Player
Judge and Congressman Joseph Hopper Nicholson resided at Dougherty Barroll House on High Street. He commanded a volunteer company, the Baltimore Fencibles, at Fort McHenry during the bombardment. Brother-in-law to Francis Scott Key, Nicholson is credited with the first publication of Key’s lyrics for the “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Joseph H. Nicholson image/Maryland Historical Society.

(Inscription under the photo in the upper left)
Hynson-Ringgold House, c. 1914 Image/Courtesy Kevin Hemstock

(Inscription under the photo in the lower center)
Widehall, c. 1900 Image/Courtesy Kevin Hemstock

(Inscription under the photo on the right)
Star-Spangled Banner, 1814. Image/Courtesy Library of Congress

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812

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. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 39° 12.534′ N, 76° 3.948′ W. Marker is in Chestertown, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker is on High Street. The marker is located in At War Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chestertown MD 21620, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. American Revolution Memorial (here, next to this marker); War of 1812 Memorial (here, next to this marker); Civil War Monument (a few steps from this marker); Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Memorial (a few steps from this marker); White & Black, Blue & Gray (a few steps from this marker); A County Seat (a few steps from this marker); In Memory of More Than 400 Prominent United States Colored Troops from Kent County (within shouting distance of this marker); This Monument Honors the Area Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chestertown.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, January 10, 2022

2. Common Cause Marker

Common Cause Marker with the Kent County Courthouse in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

3. Common Cause Marker with the Kent County Courthouse in the background

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 455 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 4, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on January 10, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3. submitted on February 4, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.