In 1814, while this lawyer & poet was helping to free his friend William Beanes, he saw the bombing of Fort McHenry
The next day he showed the poem to his wife's brother-in-law, Judge Joseph... [DOC] [TLE] NPS Historical Handbook: Fort McHenry - National Park Service [PAR] According to family tradition, Dr. Beanes was entertaining some of his friends 
when ... which brought about the composition of the poem, "The Star-Spangled 
Banner.