Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Mark (b. circa 1789 - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-001668
War of 1812 Escaped Slave, Harford County, Maryland, 1814

Biography:

In September 1814, Mark fled from Aquila Nelson's farm to Sir Peter Parker's ship, the Menelaus, in the Chesapeake Bay. He escaped with the slaves Peter and George, with a fourth slave, Primus, arriving later. According to Aquila Nelson, the escape took place "shortly before the Battle of North Point."

A short time later, the four men were using their knowledge of the area to guide the British up the Bush River on a raid. The troops burned three ships at Park Point, near Nelson's home, and stole the schooner Fox from Stump & Company at Harford Mills.1
 

Geographic representation of Nelson property, Mark's escape, and overview of slavery in Harford County on historical map available here (Google Earth required to open file).


Footnotes

1.     Claim of Aquila Nelson, Case 803, Case Files, compiled ca. 1827 - ca. 1828, documenting the period ca. 1814 - ca. 1828, *ARC Identifier 1174160 / MLR Number PI 177 190,* National Archives, College Park.
3.     Walter W. Preston, History of Harford County, Maryland (Baltimore, MD: Press of Sun Book Office, 1901) 217.
 

Return to Mark's Introductory Page


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