Robert Pohl worked for many years as a computer programmer but recovered from that and became a full time stay-at-home dad. With his son now in school, he has expanded his horizons and become a self-taught historian. He has written books about his house as well as Emancipation in the District of Columbia. You can reach Robert at Robert[at]thehillishome.com
Last week, we looked at two deaths in 1853 at the Washington Navy Yard, and how diarist Michael Shiner reported them in his journal. Today, we will continue with the sad tales, starting with, perhaps the saddest. It occurred not directly at the Navy Yard, but just up the street, at the Marine Barracks, where […]
One of the exciting moments for me in writing these columns is when disparate sources of information come together and allow me to get a more complete idea of what happened a long time ago. I was recently looking through my stash of previously unused newspaper items that I thought might be able to work […]
I have long been intrigued by manufacturing on the Hill, and, in particular, the scientific instruments that were built here or by locals. I came across another instrument manufacturer, though one who has remained remarkably resistant to finding out much of what he did, mainly because of his utterly generic name: John Clark. As best […]
Last week, we looked at Douglas Forrest – pictured at left – who served aboard the Merrimac during the Battle of Hampton Roads. After this, he served in various positions in the military. In 1863, he was sent to carry dispatches to France via a pair of blockade runners. He reached Calais safely after some […]
I mentioned when I started in on Meads a few weeks ago that he was not the only crewmember of the Merrimac who was buried at Congressional Cemetery, so it behooves me to point out who the other one is: Douglas French Forrest. Born in 1837, he was the son of French Forrest (pictured), a […]