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

A Heavy Price

Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 30, 2015

1. A Heavy Price Marker

Inscription. British Rear Admiral George Cockburn noted Georgetown and Fredericktown “were Places of some…Importance,” and the Sassafras the only upper river “I had not examined and cleared.” He led his full force toward the villages May 6, 1813.

Militia fired upon Fort Duffy and from across the river at Pearce Point Fort. Provoked, the British destroyed much of both towns.

Forewarned
Cockburn ordered two waterman to “warn their Countrymen against acting in the same rash manner as the People of Havre de Grace”---who paid the price of resistance. Fredericktown and Georgetown suffered the consequences of ignoring the warning.

(Inscription next to the image in the upper left)
This 1813 British sketch depicts the raid on Fredericktown and Georgetown. “A” denotes Fort Duffy. Contrary to the legend below, “B” is Fredericktown and “C” is Georgetown.

(Inscription next to the image in the lower right)
According to legend, Georgetown resident Kitty Knight successfully appealed to Admiral Cockburn to spare her home and that of her elderly neighbor.

Erected 2014 by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic

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list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1813.

Location. 39° 21.746′ N, 75° 52.887′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Georgetown, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker is on Queen Street, on the left when traveling north. This marker is in Harbor View (formerly the location of Fort Duffy) and near the Kitty Knight house. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Georgetown MD 21930, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Daring to Resist (within shouting distance of this marker); Georgetown, Maryland (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mistress Kitty Knight (about 600 feet away); Sassafras River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Duffy (approx. 0.3 miles away); Downs’ Cross Roads (approx. 1½ miles away); Greenfield (approx. 2 miles away); Founded on Friendship (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Georgetown.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 30, 2015

2. A Heavy Price Marker

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 30, 2015

3. A Heavy Price Marker

A Heavy Price Marker-located in Harbor View image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, October 30, 2015

4. A Heavy Price Marker-located in Harbor View

Photographed By Carl Gordon Moore Jr., September 6, 2020

5. A Heavy Price Marker

There is damage to the lower right corner.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on September 7, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 17, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5. submitted on September 7, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.