A tumultuous chapter in the Island’s relations with the US was recalled this morning as dignitaries gathered in a Smith’s churchyard to pay respects to former US Consul Charles Maxwell Allen.

Mr Allen represented the Union in Bermuda during the US Civil War — at a time when local sympathies tended toward the side of the Confederacy.

His fight against the use of St George’s by blockade runners trading with the South made the outset of his 27-year service in 1861 a miserable one.

In the end, however, Mr Allen came to love Bermuda, and served until his death in 1888. He now lies in the grounds of St Mark’s Church and this coming Christmas Eve marks the 125th anniversary of his passing.

Laying a wreath at his predecessor’s grave, US Consul General Bob Settje said he saw the ceremony as a chance to celebrate “the long and friendly co-operative, collaborative relationship between Bermuda and the US, and between the UK and the US”.

“He faced a lot of hostility at the beginning, when he was not terribly welcome, but he persevered and developed relationships here,” Mr Settje said. “When that horrible unpleasantness finally passed, he decided he liked Bermuda so much that he wanted to stay, and passed the rest of his life here until he died at the age of 66.”

Mr Settje added: “I believe that’s the last time the US and Bermuda had any real conflict.”

Governor George Fergusson called Mr Allen’s story “a symbol of the friendship between this Island and the US”.

“It’s quite a sobering thought, as a former British Consul General to Mr Allen’s home state of Massachusetts, the idea of a 27-year-posting,” Mr Fergusson said.

“If I were to be posted as Consul General anywhere for 27 years, Boston and Bermuda would both work pretty well.”

Representing Government, Finance Minister Bob Richards called Bermuda’s links with the US “one of the most important relationships that we have”.

“Since the War of 1812, it’s been a good relationship overall — despite blockade runners and rum runners,” Mr Richards added. “But we have to do what we have to do in Bermuda to survive.”

The significance of the grave and the 125th anniversary was brought to light by US Customs officer Tiziana Riccitelli and US Consulate employee Lauren Paoletti, who happened on Mr Allen’s story while browsing online, and came to St Mark’s graveyard to find the tomb.