SSB - Darnall's Chance Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

SirCrab: Unfortunately the owner did not respond to the previous note so this is being archived. Should the owner decide to repair/replace this and have it unarchived, it can be done as long as it still conforms to the guidelines.

Regards,
SirCrab
Volunteer Cache Reviewer

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Hidden : 4/2/2010
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

The Star-Spangled Banner Geotrail
Darnall's Chance

During the first challenge along the Star-Spangled Banner GeoTrail, over 400 first edition SSB geocoins were awarded. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Star-Spangled Banner GeoTour. We are currently out of geocoins but stay tuned for other opportunities along the Star-Spangled Banner GeoTour! A new challenge with a new prize will be ready in 2015.



Come on a journey to remember and commemorate the dramatic chain of events, people and places that led to the birth of our National anthem.

The story of the Star-Spangled Banner was shaped by the events of the Chesapeake Campaign during the War of 1812. From February 1813 until February 1815, the Chesapeake Bay was the center of a fierce struggle between the British and Americans. Places and landscapes still exist today that provide a touchstone to the past. The trail traces events and related sites that figured prominently in the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812 that have national significance, physical integrity, and the potential for contemporary recreation and interpretation.

The Star-Spangled Banner (SSB) Geotrail launched February 27, 2010 with over 30 caches within Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. A trackable geo coin will be awarded to the first 400 geocachers, while supplies last, for locating at least 20 SSB caches. To be eligible for the coin, geocachers must download a passport from either the "http://friendsofchesapeakegateways.org/projects/ssb_geotrail">SSB Geotrail or "http://www.mdgps.org">Maryland Geocaching Society website. Geocachers must find and log at least 20 SSB finds, record the code word from each cache on their passport and post a picture of yourself at each cache location. After discovering the 20 required caches, geocachers may have their passports validated in person or via mail at the Friends of Chesapeake Gateways office located at 410 Severn Ave, Suite 314, Annapolis, MD 21403. Please refer to the passport for complete validation instructions.

Participating in the SSB geotrail is fun and we hope that many people join in. However, it is not a requirement for logging your find on this cache once you find the container.


The actions of two Upper Marlborough civilians were of great significance during the War of 1812. The story of one of these men, Dr. William Beanes, is well known: Dr. Beanes imprisoned several disorderly British soldiers on August 27, 1814 during the British retreat through Upper Marlborough following the burning of Washington D.C. Beanes was, in turn, taken hostage by the British and held aboard a vessel during the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. During the attack, Francis Scott Key, who was sent to negotiate Beanes’ release, was inspired to pen the words to the Star Spangled Banner.

The story of Dr. Beanes’ neighbor, John Hodges, is not so well known. In fact, his role in the same event has been largely forgotten, despite its lasting legal implications. The British not only took Dr. Beanes and two others hostage, but they threatened to burn Upper Marlborough to the ground unless their soldiers were released by noon the following day. John Hodges, a wealthy merchant who lived at Darnall's Chance between 1799 and 1825, was awakened around midnight at his residence by Captain John Brookes and Bradley Beanes (Dr. Beanes brother) who alerted him to the town impending peril. The men urged Hodges and his brother Benjamin to go to Queen Anne jail to seek the release of the soldiers. The Hodges brothers agreed and arrived at the jail where John Hodges pleaded the town’s case to Major General Robert Bowie. The General relented and put Hodges and Captain William Lansdale in charge of the prisoner exchange. Hodges ordered one of the guards to assist them in conducting the prisoners to the rendezvous. The guard initially refused, but capitulated when “Hodges said every American must do his duty, without regard to danger or inconvenience.

John Hodges, for his part in the return of the soldiers, was indicted for treason. At his May 1815 trial, he was defended by the illustrious lawyer, William Pinkney. He was found not guilty by the jury; who, in a decision that is still cited, considered that the “circumstances under which he acted formed a good and sufficient excuse.” To date, John Hodges is the only known person to be tried for treason during the War of 1812.

Darnall’s Chance was built in 1742 by James Wardrop, a Scottish immigrant, who amassed a fortune as a merchant. The house reflects 1760, the year James Wardrop died and a room by room inventory was taken of the contents of the house. Darnall’s Chance House Museum is opened year-round (except major holidays) for house tours and specials events. For information visit www.pgparks.com.

Edward Moran depicts legendary moment of the morning of September 14th, 1814. Francis Scott Key with his compatriots Colonel John Skinner and Dr. William Beanes spy the American flag waving above Baltimore's Fort Mc Henry. This inspired Key to write the work to become the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. Credit: Wikipedia


This is a simple puzzle cache. The final is a standard Lock & Lock container.

At the posted coordinates, you will discover a sign.
To learn the final coordinates, located the following information:

_ _ _ _ (year) deed in which Alice Hawkins & Mary Williams Lettice, sell the property, except “the family vault.”
This would be considered A, B, C, D.

There were nine individuals discovered in _ _ _ _ (year) E, F, G, H.

The remains were reinterred in _ _ _ _ (year). This would be considered I, J, K, L.

FINAL:
N 38 49. A, L+E, C
W 076 44. F, D, L
Thanks to the Maryland Geocaching Society and the Calvertcachers for assisting with this project!

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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