Upper Marlboro in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Turn of Events

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Turn of Events Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

1. Turn of Events Marker

Inscription.
Dr. William Beanes, who opposed the war, cooperated with the British when they occupied Upper Marlboro August 22-23, 1814. Beanes reportedly dined with Major General Robert Ross.

Later Ross ordered Beanes taken prisoner for arresting British looters. While helping to negotiate Beanes's release, Francis Scott Key witnessed the Fort McHenry bombardment and penned the lyrics for the "Star-Spangled Banner."

"To our no small surprise we saw our friend Dr. Bean[es] brought in as a prisoner. On enquiring into the cause we learned that...he had armed his slaves, and sallied forth cutting off all our stragglers." - British Lt. George Robert Gleig, August 28, 1814.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.

Location. 38° 49.054′ N, 76° 45.131′ W. Marker is in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on Governor Oden Bowie Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14701 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro MD 20772, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

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other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dr. William Beanes (a few steps from this marker); William Beanes (a few steps from this marker); Marlboro Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); The Site of the Residence of Dr. William Beanes (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of John Rogers (1723 - 1789) (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Walk of History (about 500 feet away); Protests at the County Courthouse (about 500 feet away); Schoolhouse Pond (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upper Marlboro.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

2. Turn of Events Marker

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

3. Turn of Events Marker

in front of the Beanes Cemetery

Dr. Beanes and One of His Slaves Capture a British Straggler image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

4. Dr. Beanes and One of His Slaves Capture a British Straggler

Dr. Beanes stopped British looters in Upper Marlboro and started a chain of events that led to the national anthem of the United States. Close-up of Gerry Embleton image on marker

The Star-Spangled Banner image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

5. The Star-Spangled Banner

Francs Scott Key's original manuscript that became the "Star-Spangled Banner" Close-up of photo on marker
Maryland Historical Society

Walking Tour image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

6. Walking Tour

Dr. Beanes grave is next to his house site (fire destroyed the home in 1855). Two more 1812-related sites are nearby. At the site of Trinity Church (0.3 mile south) British Soldiers tore pages from the parish register. Darnall's Chance (0.3 mile east) was home to the only known person tried for treason during the war. Close-up of map on marker

The Graves of Dr. Beanes and his wife Sarah image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 25, 2014

7. The Graves of Dr. Beanes and his wife Sarah

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 489 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 1, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.