Ship's Crew
Morris Dumry
Rank(s): Marine Private
Dates of Service: -
Birth Date: 1778
Early Life
Dumry was born around 1778 in Montreal, Quebec. His name was alternately spelled as Maurice Demary, DeMaray, Dermares, Demorest, or Dumary.
Early Experience
When Dumry joined the Marine Corps in 1812, he signed his enlistment papers with an “X” and so was likely illiterate. Before enlisting, he worked as a tobacconist.
Dumry enlisted for five years as a private in the Marine Corps on September 28, 1812 at Boston, Massachusetts under Captain Henderson. He was transferred to USS Constitution in August of 1813, serving aboard until he was transferred to the prize crew of the captured HMS Cyane off the coast of Madeira.
Marine privates served as the shipboard police force and were, in effect, seagoing soldiers. They used the same manual of arms as the army and trained in much the same way. Unlike the army, Marines had to be familiar with naval work and warfare. Marines could not be ordered aloft to do the work of the seamen there, but they could expect to man the capstan or serve as gun crews on the gun deck. Marines stood watch as sentries at sensitive parts of the ship, to see that no unauthorized people passed into those spaces (such as the captain’s cabin or the spirit room). In battle, Marines armed with muskets or rifles took up station along the gangway or in the tops to keep up a constant fire on the enemy’s decks. The Marine private received $6.00 per month.
Battles and Engagements
In early 1814, Dumry participated in a war cruise capturing three merchantmen and a small British man-of-war. He later served in the victories over HMS Cyane and HMS Levant on February 20, 1815; he received a share of the $20,000 prize for the Cyane and $22.19 in prize money for the Levant.
Dumry was discharged from the Marine Corps some time in 1815. His place and date of death are unknown.
Crew ID
3675
