The War of 1812 was a mixed bag for the Hulls of the Valley.
Derby native Commodore Isaac Hull rose to worldwide fame for his victory while commanding the U.S.S. Constitution in a deadly duel with a British frigate. But a campaign led by his Uncle William to take Canada from the British culminated in a debacle — and nearly ended with William’s neck in a noose.
The Hulls’ mixed fortunes during the war were the subject of a presentation last month by the Derby Historical Society’s Carolyn Ivanoff at the group’s 25th annual Thanksgiving reception.
More than 80 people attended the fundraising event at Molto Bene Italian American Kitchen.
Ivanoff, a housemaster at Shelton Intermediate School, is a former Shelton High School history teacher. She develops and presents American history programs for schools and organizations.
In 2003 Ivanoff was named Civil War Trust Preservationist Teacher of the Year.
Her presentation, “Fame & Infamy for the Hulls of Derby in 1812,” was based on her article for Connecticut Explored.
Isaac Wins
Isaac Hull, who was born in 1773 on Commerce Street in Derby, may be best known for commanding the U.S. frigate Constitution and defeating the British frigate Guerriere during the War of 1812.
At the time of the War of 1812, the British Navy was the strongest in the world.
And it wasn’t even close — the Brits had more than 500 warships roving the world’s oceans; the Americans had about a dozen.
In addition to the long odds, public opinion was against the war.
Ivanoff called the War of 1812 “the most unpopular war our nation ever fought.”
It was particularly unpopular in New England, she said, where secession from the rest of the country was considered.
Nevertheless, after Commodore Hull’s victory against the British, he was hailed a hero when he returned with his frigate, dubbed “Old Ironsides,” to Boston.
Click here for a 2012 Valley Indy story marking the 200th anniversary of the battle.
William Loses
While Isaac Hull enjoyed a stunning victory during the War of 1812, his uncle, Gen. William Hull, who was born in 1753 in Derby, did not.
Ivanoff said William Hull “saw a lot of combat” in the Revolutionary War, and was recognized by George Washington and the Continental Congress.
Such was not the case during the War of 1812, she said.
William Hull had been named a brigadier general and was in charge of Fort Detroit.
Hull “was given command of all forces in Detroit for the invasion of Canada,” Ivanoff said.
But he was unable to capture territory in Canada and was beaten back by Native Americans who were allies of the British.
He was defeated, and surrendered Fort Detroit on Aug.16, 1812.
Hull was court-martialed and condemned to death, but President James Madison commuted the sentence, Ivanoff said.
William Hull died in 1825.
Isaac Hull died in 1843.
But their memories live on through the historical society, which is seeking donations toward the cost of a major renovation project on the David Humphreys House at 37 Elm St., Ansonia.
Albert Misiewicz, Jr., building committee chairman, said the project will cost between $250,000 and $300,000.
Paula Norton, Deputy Director of the Derby Historical Society, said the organization has received a three year, multi-year grant totaling $50,000 from the Valley Community Foundation toward the restoration.
She said funding from The Persbacker Foundation is also a multi-year grant. The organization received $20,000 this year and will receive matching funds of $30,000 over the next two years.
Norton said the Foundation will match whatever the Society raises over the next two years up to $30,000.
