We found the man’s name, who was buried as an “Unknown” sailor in Mystic’s Packer Cemetery over 200 Years Ago during the War of 1812.

He was William Anderson, who had been press ganged in Scotland to serve in England’s Royal Navy, and who was shot and killed in a skirmish off the coast of Mystic, CT.

The Story: For over 200 years, a Scottish sailor rested in Mystic's historic Packer Cemetery beneath a gravestone that simply marked him as "Unknown."

He died in 1814, during the War of 1812 after a dramatic confrontation between Mystic's hastily assembled militia and a British cutter from HMS Terror. Though the Mystic militia never learned his name, they buried him "with reverence" according to old chronicle reports, honoring a fallen enemy with dignity and respect.

In 2026, thanks to painstaking research by dedicated local historians on both sides of the Atlantic, we finally know his name.

William Adamson, hailed from Pittenweem, Scotland. Married, and with a baby on the way, he was, in all likelihood shanghaied by the Royal Navy in 1807 as an able seaman (AB), a terrifying and all-too-often-occurence in the small fishing villages along the Scottish coasts during the Napoleonic Wars. (We are learning now, that many cottages in fishing villages like Pittenweem had hiding holes or closets built within, so that the townsfolk could hide their menfolk whenever the Royal Navy’s press gangs were in the area. )

William was “signed on” as an “able seaman” in Leith, not far from his home village of Pittenweem, as is shown in the HMS Terror’s Muster Roll which we have found. By 1814, still with the Royal Navy, having probably had no chance or opportunity to get home, he had been promoted to quarter-gunner on the bomb ship Terror sailing in the North American campaign during the War.

(A short clip video on what William’s life must have been like aboard HMS Terror is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goW9yUUvhb0)

On August 13, 1814, a group of Mystic men rigged a sailing vessel to look as if it was carrying valuable cargo down the Mystic River. The HMS Terror spotted it , and sent out a cutter to give chase (all our waterways were being blockaded to prevent trade at that time). The cutter was lured by the false fishing vessel onto the beach at Groton Long Point, and at that point was fired upon by the Mystic militia. William Adamson, was probably the front man in that cutter (which the militia wanted for prize money), and when one shot flew too low, he was shot and killed. A Packer, part of the crew on the decoy boat, agreed to bury him in the Packer family Cemetery. They did not know his name.

On Sunday, August 23, 2026 we held a tribute in the Packer Cemetery to properly remember William Adamson by name, place his name on his gravesite, and to remember ALL those along our shores whose lives were forever changed here in southeastern CT during that War.

The Town of Groton filmed the event, and a moving promo short can be seen here: https://youtube.com/shorts/nxrp3x1RKfk?is=017M6Cs5fjLA8YX

The full story of William, how he was “discovered”, and the remembrance given him has now been covered in several publications both here and abroad (Google search "William Adamson AND Terror"), and was a front page story in the New York Times on Oct.9, 2026 “His Unmarked Grave Lay Forgotten for 200 Years…” The comments section is quite moving. If you are unable to open the story, we can ‘gift’ it to you. Forward your email address to us: gracesusan8 AT gmail.com.

Now we are raising funds to have a decent bronze plaque mounted on the gravestone, and to then begin to clean and repair the other ancient stones in the Cemetery, which have suffered from time, weather, and vandalism.

Incredibly, by piecing together the names in the different accounts we have of the action on August 13th, we’ve found that several more are buried (and named) quite near William, who took part in the “ruse” - either as the militia on land, or the crew aboard the decoy boat. We want to especially work on those gravestones immediately.

We will also use future funds raised to put proper historical signage in the cemetery to ensure that Mystic’s action during the war of 1812, (and the poignant story of this Scottish sailor pressed into service against his will and then buried amongst us), is not forgotten.

AND, WE INTEND TO HOLD A CEREMONY EVERY YEAR ON OR AROUND AUGUST 13, AND HOPE YOU JOIN US!

Whether you are passionate about local history, military history, genealogy, or simply believe that every life deserves to be remembered, we hope you'll consider supporting this effort.

Every contribution—large or small—helps us commemorate CT's role in the War of 1812.

If you're unable to donate, we'd still love your help. Volunteers to help keep the Cemetery clean are welcome, and your presence at a yearly ceremony will help remember what is so frequently called America's "forgotten war”.

As Captain Jack Aubrey (Lucky Jack) said to his ship’s crew, "There’s not a moment to lose!” (Russell Crowe, in Master and Commander)

Thanks for your deep generosity! Much obliged indeed!