Michael Clear, U.S. Navy: Old Burying Ground at Byram Shore (1858)

One of the names of those interred at the Old Burying Ground at Byram Shore is Captain Michael Clear. He was a native of Queen Anne's County, Maryland. 

Michael Clear served as captain of the foretop on board the U.S.S. Constitution -popularly known as Old Ironsides- in the Barbary War and the War of 1812. 

The U.S. Constitution in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. 

In 1810 he had been a sailor before the mast. He reportedly aided at taking the British frigate Guerriere under Commodore Hull, at taking the British frigate Java under Commodore Bainbridge, and taking the Cyane and Levant under Commodore Stewart.

Later, he returned to the Merchant Marine and then returned to service on the Sloop of War Erie. Afterward, Clear served on the Congress. His final position was that of Sailing Master at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. 

Relics of his were reportedly given by his descendants to the Bruce Museum in Greenwich in the 1930s. These items included an old sextant and Captain Clear's name inlaid on ivory, his commission signed by President Tyler, a compass and spy glass, and a collection of old almanacs from 1825-1858. 

Captain Clear died on March 28, 1858 at the age of 75 years. 

The following are transcripts of three published articles in the Greenwich News and Graphic. 

* * * * * * * * * 

Constitution Relics Are Given To Bruce Museum by Miss Weed
Greenwich News and Graphic
Thursday, November 4, 1937

The Bruce Museum of Greenwich is the fortunate recipient of a number of instruments and personal possessions of the late Capt. Michael Clear, U.S.N., which were used by him when he served as captain of the foretop on board the United States Ship Constitution, the famous “Old Ironsides" of the Barberry War and the War of 1812. Miss Weed is the grandniece of Captain Clear, and it is with great pride that the museum announces her wonderful gift.

The collection includes, in its original box, the old and beautifully fashioned sextant, with the captain's name inlaid on ivory, made by E. and G.W. Blunt, hydrographers and instrument makers, formerly Maiden Lane, New York City; the compass and spyglass made by Jones of Liverpool, and th captain's commission signed by President Tyler.

Michael Clear was a native of Queen Anne's County, Maryland. In 1810 he was a sailor before the mast, but in two years was commissioned by President Tyler. He aided at the taking of the British frigate Guerriere under Commodore Hull; at the taking of the British frigate Java under Commodore Bainbridge, and at the taking of the Cyane and Levant under Commodore Stewart.

Captain Clear subsequently returned to the merchant marine, and after a number of years again entered the service on the sloop-of-war Erie. Later he served on the Congress, and his final position was that of a sailing master at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He died in Greenwich on March 28, 1858.

Looking upon these relics one imagines the sights which must have come to the captain's eyes through that old brass spyglass.

In addition to these things Miss Weed has donated the original brass buttons from Captain Clear's uniform, the sewing palm and needle which he used when before the mast, his notebook containing meteorological observations, seven letters and almanacs (The Farmer's and Middlebrook's) bound in sailcloth and running from 1825 to 1850.

These Constitution relics may be seen in a case on the first floor of The Bruce Museum.

In the War Alcove on the third floor may be seen the Civil War pass of Edwin A. Weed, also donated by Miss Weed.

* * * * * * * * * 

Old Almanacs Tell of Life in The Period from 1825 to 1859 (excerpt)
Once property of Capt. Michael Clear, Greenwich Mariner Who Served on the Old U.S.S. Constitution

Greenwich News and Graphic
Thursday, November 4, 1937

A canvas-bound collection of almanacs, formerly the property of the late Capt. Michael Clear and complete from 1825 to 1859, are in the possession of his great-nieces, the Misses Emily Stuart and Addie M. Weed of Weed Place. Captain Clear served both in the navy and in the merchant marine and at one time was on the old U.S.S. Constitution. 

Although the pages are well thumbed and show evidence of considerable use, the almanacs are in excellent condition despite their years. They contain all kinds of information from "necessary hints for those that would be rich" to "the rising, setting, places, and eclipses of the sun and moon," to say nothing about stories that would put Bayard Taylor's best decidedly in the shade.

* * * * * * * * * 

More Interesting Relics Are Presented to Bruce Museum (excerpt)

Greenwich News and Graphic
Thursday, November 24, 1937

Miss Adelaide M. Weed of Weed Place, Greenwich, who recently donated to The Bruce Museum, Greenwich, many relics of "Old Ironsides," has now given additional material, also of much interest.

Chief along these gifts is a stein used by Captain Michael Clear of "Old Ironsides" fame. The top of the stein, which he brought from Europe during the early 1800's, bears in pewter the heads of three kings or emperors-Franz, Alexander and Friedrich-and is dated 1824.