ESPA: Eastern Shore Police Association
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MENU: Board of Directors Plans and Ideas Our Police Memorial Colonel William Smith Harper Gravesites Membership Newsletter Members and Agencies Membership Application Favorite Links Sponsors Feedback from our Sponsors Forms	DID YOU KNOW, that interned on Camp ESPA property are two historic gravesites. The Camp ESPA property used to be referred to in the early 1800’s as the Old Harper Mansion or the Red House on the Marshy Hope. This landmark was used by those that traveled up and down the Marshy Hope to aid safe river navigation. The graves are those of: Colonel William Smith Harper, Commissioned June 5, 1812 War June 19, 1812—February 17, 1985 Nancy Wheatley Harper, (his wife) Jack Lewis, our member and one of our Board Directors has taken on the job of trying to restore the marble grave toppers for these two graves. Colonel Harper’s marble grave top slab has greatly deteriorated due to time and weather. Pieces are missing. Mrs. Harper’s slab is in the same deplorable condition. During the youth summer camps, police volunteers assist the children in experiencing the wonders of the outdoors, teach activity safety for fishing, swimming, canoeing, archery, volley ball, basketball and the youth meet Law Enforcement persons in a non confrontational mode. They are also taught National Flag etiquette, history about the Eastern Shore and Colonel Harper. It is a sad ending to such an informative journey through history for the youngsters to view the deteriorated unreadable grave tops with missing parts of the marble slabs. Their diminishing attention and interest is quite noticeable due to the very poor condition of the slabs. With true respect and homage for Colonel and Mrs. Harper, Jack is working diligently to acquire financial support to restore the two historic grave top slabs before the War of 1812 Bi Centennial. He has taken up an expensive cause for which Camp ESPA has no budget for. However, Jack feels the need to preserve the heritage and history of this war hero, who served so honorably long ago, protecting our (then) new country and he feels that should never be forgotten. He has learned that Colonel Harper was a person of strong character moral convictions and a religious patriot. Jack is looking for a museum, an organization or any other known War of 1812 enthusiast, to assist with this respectful tribute to Colonel Harper and his wife, Nancy. Anyone who would like to work with Jack on this endeavor please contact him at 410-943-1066