John Hodges (of Thomas) (b. 1763 - d. 1825)
MSA SC 5496-002849
War of 1812 Claimant, Prince George's County, Maryland
Biography:
John Hodges was born December 6, 1763 in Maryland to Thomas Hodges and his wife Jemima Plummer Hodges. John Hodges married Rebecca Berry on January 12, 1799, and had the following children: Mary Ellen, Caroline, Cornelia, John, Mary, and Benjamin Hodges. Hodges purchased several tracts of land around the county. However, the Hodges family made their home at Darnall's Chance in Upper Marlboro. John Hodges, a lawyer, was in business with his brothers Thomas and Charles Hodges. He attended the Trinity Episcopal Church where he was a subscriber of the congregation, paying $40 in tithes annually.
In addition to being a prominent landowner in the county, Hodges was also a slaveholder. In 1806, he purchased two enslaved women, Nell and Margery, from Isaac Grimes. The following year he purchased two slaves from Josias Ferguson, a negro man Bob and an unnamed woman aged about 44 years. Robert Hay sold several slaves to John Hodges. Among the slaves were an enslaved woman Chloe and her children Lyd, Mary, Pheby, Hannah, Lonnon, Bob, and Bet.
In August of 1814, Hodges' enslaved man Washington was carried off by British forces on their return from Washington, DC through the town of Upper Marlboro. During this time four British soldiers were arrested as deserters by Dr. William Beanes and other residents. Beanes directed Hodges to escort the British soldiers to the jail in the town of Queen Anne in Prince George's County. The British military became aware of the absence of their four soldiers and quickly set out to retrieve them. A message was sent to Hodges stating that if the four deserters were not let go, the British military would return to Upper Marlboro and burn the town. It is important to note that at this point in time Dr. William Beanes was captured by the British and being held in exchange for the four soldiers. Hodges, under pressure to have his friend released by the British, made arrangements to have the four deserters returned to the British. The negotiation for the release of Dr. Beanes was coordinated by Francis Scott Key and John S. Skinner. Dr. William Beanes, along with Key and Skinner, was released after the attack on Fort McHenry.
As a result of his actions during the war, Hodges was tried for High Treason in the Circuit Court of the United States in Baltimore, MD. The charges were brought against Hodges because it was a crime for him to release the four British soldiers to the enemy. Hodges' case was presided over by Gabriel Duvall and he was defended by William Pinkney and found not guilty. However, like other Marylander's during the war John Hodges suffered the loss of his property including enslaved people and livestock. Following the war he submitted a claim, through his agent Alexander Mundell, to the Department of State in order to receive compensation for the loss of his enslaved man Washington. Mundell also happened to be Hodges son in law, married to his daughter Caroline. Two free colored men Francis Wilkinson and William Smith testified on behalf of Hodges, that they saw Washington being carried of by the British and that he had not been seen since that time. Hodges was later awarded $280 for the loss of Washington.
Slaves continued to flee from Hodges property following the war. In 1820, Hodges enslaved man William escaped with his wife Nancy. Hodges had purchased the husband and wife from Mrs. Ann Berry, who lived in his neighborhood. Two additional slaves, William and Chloe, left from Darnall's Chance in 1824. He offered a $40 reward for the return of these two slaves. Hodges also sold and manumitted slaves during the remainder of his life. In 1823, he sold his enslaved woman Ritty to David Barnum of Baltimore for a term of five years. At the end of that term Hodges manumitted Ritty who was 17 years of age and able to make a living for herself. John Hodges also sold his negro boy Samuel Dorsey for a term of 14 years to Cephas W. Benson who was a resident of Prince George's county. At the end of the term Samuel Dorsey was to be manumitted.
John Hodges died May 11, 1825 in Prince George's County and was buried at the Hodges family cemetery, Omaha Hill.
At his death Hodges owned 50 enslaved men and women. In order to
satisfy his debt following his death, Hodges' enslaved men Tom and Ben
were sold.
In his will Hodges stated that he would like his home to be sold and
that the proceeds from the sale of the home should be divided among his
daughters Caroline, Mary
Ellen, and Cornelia. The executors of the estate were unsuccessful in
selling the property and decided to assign the home to Alexander and
Caroline Hodges Mundell as their 1/3 share of the property. After the
division Alexander Mundell was able to sell the house to Horation C.
Scott for $1000.
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