Aquilla Beall (b. circa 1774 - d. 1840)
MSA SC 5496-050632
War of 1812 Claimant, Prince George's County, Maryland, 1828
Biography:
Aquilla Beall was born circa 1774 in Frederick County, Maryland, to Margaret Johns and Brooke Beall. After marrying Grace Contee Holliday, he left Frederick County to settle in Prince George's County. Aquilla and Grace Beall had the following children: Amelia.
Beall was employed as the clerk of the Prince George’s County Court. During the War of 1812, Beall served as a soldier. While the war between America and Britain was in progress, Beall's slave Tom Wheeler fled to the British in August of 1814. A proclamation that was issued by British Admiral Alexander Cochrane offering immediate emancipation tempted many slaves to flee from their owners. Tom was about 30 years old at the time of his escape.
In 1828, Beall made a claim against the British for Tom, who was worth $500. John Fowler acted as a witness on behalf of Beall's claim. It is likely that Tom was recaptured, since he is listed as the slave of Aquilla Beall on his marriage record in the Parish Registers for St. Paul Parish. Tom married Henny, a servant of Dr. Wooten.
Aquilla Beall died in April 1840 and his will was probated through the Prince George's County Register of Wills. At the time of his death, Beall was heavily indebted to the state of Maryland for the sum of $5,726.82. The state of Maryland passed several laws awarding pensions to soldiers and widows of soldiers who served during the War of 1812.
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