The U.S. declaration of war against Great Britain in 1812 capped off years of tensions, in part over seizures of American ships and sailors as Britain fought a string of wars with France.

Burning down the White House today seems like a thing of fiction, reserved for absurdist movies, and propaganda, but that's exactly what happened in 1812 after a British invasion and unsuccessful war.

Flora continued to serve throughout the Revolutionary War and during conflicts in 1807 and 1812, and was lauded for his bravery by both Black and white residents of Portsmouth.