Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Dennis Magruder
MSA SC 5496-14784
War of 1812 Refugee, Prince George's County, Maryland

Biography:

Dennis Magruder was an enslaved man who was owned by Austin Allen of Prince George's County, Maryland. Magruder's master died in 1805, and he became the property of his son, Benjamin W. Allen. Dennis who worked as a carpenter at the home of Benjamin W. Allen was a valuable slave. In August 1814, while the British were passing through Upper Marlboro on their return from burning Washington, Dennis escaped from Benjamin W. Allen. Magruder, who was 40 years of age when he escaped, fled with three other enslaved men Tom Magruder, Davy Gant, and Sam Tyler. The four men were never seen or heard of after their escape. Following the war many Marylanders filed claims for reparations with the State Department, seeking compensation for the loss of their property to the British. Benjamin W. Allen filed a claim for the loss of his four enslaved men. Dennis was valued at $800 because of his carpentry skills. Dennis Magruder's owner Benjamin W. Allen was awarded $260 for each of the slaves that escaped. Allen believed that Dennis Magruder took on the name Dennis McGuire because of a listing under that name in British documents. 

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