Veteran of the War of 1812. Served under Captain Walker and Captain John Spenser's Company. As a Lieutenant he had command after Hull's surrender in battle at Lake Erie.
John was the husband of Abigail (Mitchell) Mefford (1794-1867). Abigail's family were early settlers of Knox County, Ohio. John and Abigail were married February 2, 1815 in Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio. This union produced 5 children - 3 daughters and 2 sons. His middle daughter Susan (Mefford) Peeples (1826-1912), wife of Alexander Peeples, is the only one currently missing a memorial. Susan and her husband lived most of their married lives in Weller Township, Richland County, Ohio. The couple had four children together - 2 sons and 2 daughters.
John's younger brother William Mefford (1791-1866) married Abigail's younger sister Hannah (Mitchell) Mefford (1798-1897). That couple would remain in Knox County, Ohio until William's death.
John was a saddler by trade. He served as both a Justice of the Peace and then later as an Associate Judge for Hancock County, Ohio.
Among his many talents John was known as a great singer and an accomplished poet. Among his poetry was an homage to his service in the War of 1812 and lines in a poem written below in memory of James Bird, who John personally knew and served with, who bravely fought alongside Commodore Perry but was later shot for deserting the Niagara Brigade.
JAMES BIRD
COMPOSED BY JOHN H. MEFFORD.
Sons of Freedom! listen to me,
And ye daughters, too, give ear .
You a sad and mournful story
As was ever told, shall hear.
Hull, you know, his troops surrendered,
And defenseless left the West;
Then our forces quick assembled,
The invaders to resist.
Amongst the troops that marched to Erie,
Were the Kingston Volunteers
Captain Thomas then commanded
To protect our West frontiers.
Tender were the scenes of parting,
Mothers wrung their hands and cried;
Maidens wept their swains in secret,
Fathers strove their tears to hide.
But there's one among the number,
Tall and graceful in his mien,
Firm his step, his look undaunted,
Scarce a nobler youth was seen.
One sweet kiss he snatched from Mary,
Craved his mother's prayer once more;
Press'd his father's hand, and left them
For Lake Erie's distant shore.
Mary tried to say, farewell James!
Waved her hand, but nothing spoke.
Goodbye, Bird, may heaven protect you!
From the rest at parting broke.
Soon they came where noble Perry
Had assembled all his fleet;
There the gallant Bird enlisted,
Hoping so on the foe to meet.
Where is Bird? the battle rages;
Is he in the strife or no?
Now the cannons roar tremendous,
Dare he meet the hostile foe?
Aye, behold him! See him close by Perry,
In the selfsame ship they fight,
Though his messmates fall around him,
Nothing can his soul affright.
But, behold a ball has struck him
See the crimson current flow,
Leave the deck! exclaimed brave Perry;
No! cried Bird, I will not go!
There, on deck, I took my station;
Ne'er will Bird his colors fly.
I'll stand by you, gallant Captain,
Till we conquer or we die!
Still he fought though faint and bleeding,
Till our Stars and Stripes arose,
Victory having crowned our efforts,
All triumphant o'er our foes.
And did Bird receive a pension?
Was he to his friends restored?
No; nor never to his bosom
Clasped the maid his heart adored!
But there came most dismal tidings
From Lake Erie's distant shore,
Better if Bird had perished
Midst the battle's awful roar.
Dearest parents, said the letter,
This will bring sad news to you,
Do not mourn your first beloved,
Tho'this brings his last adieu;
I must suffer for deserting
From the brig Niagara;
Read this letter, brothers, sisters,
'Tis the last you'll have from mel
Sad and gloomy was the morning
Bird was order'd out to die!
Where's the breast, not dead to pity,
But for him would heave a sigh?
Lo! he fought so brave at Erie,
Freely bled and nobly dar'd;
Let his courage plead for mercy,
Let his precious life be spared!
See him march and bear his fetters!
Harsh they clang upon the ear.
But his step is firm and manly.
For his heart ne'er harbor'd fear!
See, he kneels upon his coffin I
Sure, his death can do no good I
Spare him I hark! O, God! they've shot him!
Oh! his bosom streams with blood.
Farewell, Bird, farewell forever!
Friends and home he'll see no more;
But his mangled corpse lies buried
On Lake Erie's distant shore.
Bird was shot a dozen times, by firing squad, just moments before his pardon arrived. This event and circumstance made him forever a heroic martyr.
John was the husband of Abigail (Mitchell) Mefford (1794-1867). Abigail's family were early settlers of Knox County, Ohio. John and Abigail were married February 2, 1815 in Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio. This union produced 5 children - 3 daughters and 2 sons. His middle daughter Susan (Mefford) Peeples (1826-1912), wife of Alexander Peeples, is the only one currently missing a memorial. Susan and her husband lived most of their married lives in Weller Township, Richland County, Ohio. The couple had four children together - 2 sons and 2 daughters.
John's younger brother William Mefford (1791-1866) married Abigail's younger sister Hannah (Mitchell) Mefford (1798-1897). That couple would remain in Knox County, Ohio until William's death.
John was a saddler by trade. He served as both a Justice of the Peace and then later as an Associate Judge for Hancock County, Ohio.
Among his many talents John was known as a great singer and an accomplished poet. Among his poetry was an homage to his service in the War of 1812 and lines in a poem written below in memory of James Bird, who John personally knew and served with, who bravely fought alongside Commodore Perry but was later shot for deserting the Niagara Brigade.
JAMES BIRD
COMPOSED BY JOHN H. MEFFORD.
Sons of Freedom! listen to me,
And ye daughters, too, give ear .
You a sad and mournful story
As was ever told, shall hear.
Hull, you know, his troops surrendered,
And defenseless left the West;
Then our forces quick assembled,
The invaders to resist.
Amongst the troops that marched to Erie,
Were the Kingston Volunteers
Captain Thomas then commanded
To protect our West frontiers.
Tender were the scenes of parting,
Mothers wrung their hands and cried;
Maidens wept their swains in secret,
Fathers strove their tears to hide.
But there's one among the number,
Tall and graceful in his mien,
Firm his step, his look undaunted,
Scarce a nobler youth was seen.
One sweet kiss he snatched from Mary,
Craved his mother's prayer once more;
Press'd his father's hand, and left them
For Lake Erie's distant shore.
Mary tried to say, farewell James!
Waved her hand, but nothing spoke.
Goodbye, Bird, may heaven protect you!
From the rest at parting broke.
Soon they came where noble Perry
Had assembled all his fleet;
There the gallant Bird enlisted,
Hoping so on the foe to meet.
Where is Bird? the battle rages;
Is he in the strife or no?
Now the cannons roar tremendous,
Dare he meet the hostile foe?
Aye, behold him! See him close by Perry,
In the selfsame ship they fight,
Though his messmates fall around him,
Nothing can his soul affright.
But, behold a ball has struck him
See the crimson current flow,
Leave the deck! exclaimed brave Perry;
No! cried Bird, I will not go!
There, on deck, I took my station;
Ne'er will Bird his colors fly.
I'll stand by you, gallant Captain,
Till we conquer or we die!
Still he fought though faint and bleeding,
Till our Stars and Stripes arose,
Victory having crowned our efforts,
All triumphant o'er our foes.
And did Bird receive a pension?
Was he to his friends restored?
No; nor never to his bosom
Clasped the maid his heart adored!
But there came most dismal tidings
From Lake Erie's distant shore,
Better if Bird had perished
Midst the battle's awful roar.
Dearest parents, said the letter,
This will bring sad news to you,
Do not mourn your first beloved,
Tho'this brings his last adieu;
I must suffer for deserting
From the brig Niagara;
Read this letter, brothers, sisters,
'Tis the last you'll have from mel
Sad and gloomy was the morning
Bird was order'd out to die!
Where's the breast, not dead to pity,
But for him would heave a sigh?
Lo! he fought so brave at Erie,
Freely bled and nobly dar'd;
Let his courage plead for mercy,
Let his precious life be spared!
See him march and bear his fetters!
Harsh they clang upon the ear.
But his step is firm and manly.
For his heart ne'er harbor'd fear!
See, he kneels upon his coffin I
Sure, his death can do no good I
Spare him I hark! O, God! they've shot him!
Oh! his bosom streams with blood.
Farewell, Bird, farewell forever!
Friends and home he'll see no more;
But his mangled corpse lies buried
On Lake Erie's distant shore.
Bird was shot a dozen times, by firing squad, just moments before his pardon arrived. This event and circumstance made him forever a heroic martyr.
Veteran of the War of 1812. Served under Captain Walker and Captain John Spenser's Company. As a Lieutenant he had command after Hull's surrender in battle at Lake Erie.
John was the husband of Abigail (Mitchell) Mefford (1794-1867). Abigail's family were early settlers of Knox County, Ohio. John and Abigail were married February 2, 1815 in Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio. This union produced 5 children - 3 daughters and 2 sons. His middle daughter Susan (Mefford) Peeples (1826-1912), wife of Alexander Peeples, is the only one currently missing a memorial. Susan and her husband lived most of their married lives in Weller Township, Richland County, Ohio. The couple had four children together - 2 sons and 2 daughters.
John's younger brother William Mefford (1791-1866) married Abigail's younger sister Hannah (Mitchell) Mefford (1798-1897). That couple would remain in Knox County, Ohio until William's death.
John was a saddler by trade. He served as both a Justice of the Peace and then later as an Associate Judge for Hancock County, Ohio.
Among his many talents John was known as a great singer and an accomplished poet. Among his poetry was an homage to his service in the War of 1812 and lines in a poem written below in memory of James Bird, who John personally knew and served with, who bravely fought alongside Commodore Perry but was later shot for deserting the Niagara Brigade.
JAMES BIRD
COMPOSED BY JOHN H. MEFFORD.
Sons of Freedom! listen to me,
And ye daughters, too, give ear .
You a sad and mournful story
As was ever told, shall hear.
Hull, you know, his troops surrendered,
And defenseless left the West;
Then our forces quick assembled,
The invaders to resist.
Amongst the troops that marched to Erie,
Were the Kingston Volunteers
Captain Thomas then commanded
To protect our West frontiers.
Tender were the scenes of parting,
Mothers wrung their hands and cried;
Maidens wept their swains in secret,
Fathers strove their tears to hide.
But there's one among the number,
Tall and graceful in his mien,
Firm his step, his look undaunted,
Scarce a nobler youth was seen.
One sweet kiss he snatched from Mary,
Craved his mother's prayer once more;
Press'd his father's hand, and left them
For Lake Erie's distant shore.
Mary tried to say, farewell James!
Waved her hand, but nothing spoke.
Goodbye, Bird, may heaven protect you!
From the rest at parting broke.
Soon they came where noble Perry
Had assembled all his fleet;
There the gallant Bird enlisted,
Hoping so on the foe to meet.
Where is Bird? the battle rages;
Is he in the strife or no?
Now the cannons roar tremendous,
Dare he meet the hostile foe?
Aye, behold him! See him close by Perry,
In the selfsame ship they fight,
Though his messmates fall around him,
Nothing can his soul affright.
But, behold a ball has struck him
See the crimson current flow,
Leave the deck! exclaimed brave Perry;
No! cried Bird, I will not go!
There, on deck, I took my station;
Ne'er will Bird his colors fly.
I'll stand by you, gallant Captain,
Till we conquer or we die!
Still he fought though faint and bleeding,
Till our Stars and Stripes arose,
Victory having crowned our efforts,
All triumphant o'er our foes.
And did Bird receive a pension?
Was he to his friends restored?
No; nor never to his bosom
Clasped the maid his heart adored!
But there came most dismal tidings
From Lake Erie's distant shore,
Better if Bird had perished
Midst the battle's awful roar.
Dearest parents, said the letter,
This will bring sad news to you,
Do not mourn your first beloved,
Tho'this brings his last adieu;
I must suffer for deserting
From the brig Niagara;
Read this letter, brothers, sisters,
'Tis the last you'll have from mel
Sad and gloomy was the morning
Bird was order'd out to die!
Where's the breast, not dead to pity,
But for him would heave a sigh?
Lo! he fought so brave at Erie,
Freely bled and nobly dar'd;
Let his courage plead for mercy,
Let his precious life be spared!
See him march and bear his fetters!
Harsh they clang upon the ear.
But his step is firm and manly.
For his heart ne'er harbor'd fear!
See, he kneels upon his coffin I
Sure, his death can do no good I
Spare him I hark! O, God! they've shot him!
Oh! his bosom streams with blood.
Farewell, Bird, farewell forever!
Friends and home he'll see no more;
But his mangled corpse lies buried
On Lake Erie's distant shore.
Bird was shot a dozen times, by firing squad, just moments before his pardon arrived. This event and circumstance made him forever a heroic martyr.
John was the husband of Abigail (Mitchell) Mefford (1794-1867). Abigail's family were early settlers of Knox County, Ohio. John and Abigail were married February 2, 1815 in Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio. This union produced 5 children - 3 daughters and 2 sons. His middle daughter Susan (Mefford) Peeples (1826-1912), wife of Alexander Peeples, is the only one currently missing a memorial. Susan and her husband lived most of their married lives in Weller Township, Richland County, Ohio. The couple had four children together - 2 sons and 2 daughters.
John's younger brother William Mefford (1791-1866) married Abigail's younger sister Hannah (Mitchell) Mefford (1798-1897). That couple would remain in Knox County, Ohio until William's death.
John was a saddler by trade. He served as both a Justice of the Peace and then later as an Associate Judge for Hancock County, Ohio.
Among his many talents John was known as a great singer and an accomplished poet. Among his poetry was an homage to his service in the War of 1812 and lines in a poem written below in memory of James Bird, who John personally knew and served with, who bravely fought alongside Commodore Perry but was later shot for deserting the Niagara Brigade.
JAMES BIRD
COMPOSED BY JOHN H. MEFFORD.
Sons of Freedom! listen to me,
And ye daughters, too, give ear .
You a sad and mournful story
As was ever told, shall hear.
Hull, you know, his troops surrendered,
And defenseless left the West;
Then our forces quick assembled,
The invaders to resist.
Amongst the troops that marched to Erie,
Were the Kingston Volunteers
Captain Thomas then commanded
To protect our West frontiers.
Tender were the scenes of parting,
Mothers wrung their hands and cried;
Maidens wept their swains in secret,
Fathers strove their tears to hide.
But there's one among the number,
Tall and graceful in his mien,
Firm his step, his look undaunted,
Scarce a nobler youth was seen.
One sweet kiss he snatched from Mary,
Craved his mother's prayer once more;
Press'd his father's hand, and left them
For Lake Erie's distant shore.
Mary tried to say, farewell James!
Waved her hand, but nothing spoke.
Goodbye, Bird, may heaven protect you!
From the rest at parting broke.
Soon they came where noble Perry
Had assembled all his fleet;
There the gallant Bird enlisted,
Hoping so on the foe to meet.
Where is Bird? the battle rages;
Is he in the strife or no?
Now the cannons roar tremendous,
Dare he meet the hostile foe?
Aye, behold him! See him close by Perry,
In the selfsame ship they fight,
Though his messmates fall around him,
Nothing can his soul affright.
But, behold a ball has struck him
See the crimson current flow,
Leave the deck! exclaimed brave Perry;
No! cried Bird, I will not go!
There, on deck, I took my station;
Ne'er will Bird his colors fly.
I'll stand by you, gallant Captain,
Till we conquer or we die!
Still he fought though faint and bleeding,
Till our Stars and Stripes arose,
Victory having crowned our efforts,
All triumphant o'er our foes.
And did Bird receive a pension?
Was he to his friends restored?
No; nor never to his bosom
Clasped the maid his heart adored!
But there came most dismal tidings
From Lake Erie's distant shore,
Better if Bird had perished
Midst the battle's awful roar.
Dearest parents, said the letter,
This will bring sad news to you,
Do not mourn your first beloved,
Tho'this brings his last adieu;
I must suffer for deserting
From the brig Niagara;
Read this letter, brothers, sisters,
'Tis the last you'll have from mel
Sad and gloomy was the morning
Bird was order'd out to die!
Where's the breast, not dead to pity,
But for him would heave a sigh?
Lo! he fought so brave at Erie,
Freely bled and nobly dar'd;
Let his courage plead for mercy,
Let his precious life be spared!
See him march and bear his fetters!
Harsh they clang upon the ear.
But his step is firm and manly.
For his heart ne'er harbor'd fear!
See, he kneels upon his coffin I
Sure, his death can do no good I
Spare him I hark! O, God! they've shot him!
Oh! his bosom streams with blood.
Farewell, Bird, farewell forever!
Friends and home he'll see no more;
But his mangled corpse lies buried
On Lake Erie's distant shore.
Bird was shot a dozen times, by firing squad, just moments before his pardon arrived. This event and circumstance made him forever a heroic martyr.
Family Members
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
