Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

James Dawson (b. circa ? - d. 1835)
MSA SC 5496-050696
War of 1812 Claimant, Talbot County, Maryland, 1828

Biography:

James Dawson was a property owner who lived in Election District 2 in Talbot County, Maryland. Dawson married to Mary Smyth March 20, 1798 in Talbot County. He and his wife had seven children Louisa, Mary Ann, Sarah, James Charles, Thomas, and Edward. Dawson was a property owner who held a small enslaved labor force. In 1813, Dawson held six enslaved people in his possession. Among the six slaves were one adult male Thomas age 20, one adult female Mary age 22, two boys Dick and Frisby, and two girls Fanny and Easther. It is not stated how these enslaved people are related, but the ages suggest that there are two parents with four children.

During the war, Dawson was taken prisoner in his residence. The rest of his family deserted the dwelling house. On or about August 26, 1813, Dawson and several of his neighbors, including Francis Wrightson, were captured and taken as prisoners by British officers who carried them on board the St. Domingo. During this time an enslaved child Frisby, aged 2 or 3 years, was carried away by the British.  Dawson was informed that the young enslaved child was carried away by the British on to one of their vessels. At the time that Frisby was taken from Dawson’s home he was two years old and valued at $10.

After the war ended Maryland slaveholders submitted claims to the Department of State. A commission was formed to handle the claims and having to divide the money amongst property owners in several states, it was decided that Maryland and Virginia residents would be compensated $280 for each enslaved property that they lost during the war. James Dawson submitted a claim for indemnification for the British removing Frisby from his home. Dawson gave his testimony before Thomas Kemp, a Justice of the Peace for Talbot County. Kemp lived in a farm that adjoined the farm of James Dawson. Charles Smith, a resident of Tilghman Island, Talbot County, Maryland, gave a deposition to support Dawson’s claim. In the claim Dawson claimed that Frisby would have sold for $250. James Dawson was awarded $280 for the loss of his slave Frisby.  

Dawson continued to hold a small enslaved labor force. In 1817 he was assessed for seven enslaved people. There were two additional slaves, Stanley and Juliana, in addition to the above mentioned slaves. By 1826, Dawson owned nine enslaved men, women, and children. However, Thomas and Mary were not among the slaves that he owned at that time. 

In 1828, Mary Dawson left her husband. In response, James Dawson placed an ad in the local newspaper forwarning people from crediting his wife on his account. He refused to pay any debts she may incur. About the same time Dawson placed an add for the sale of his farm which was situated in the Bay Side Hundred about six miles from Haddaway's Ferry.  

James Dawson died in 1835. His slaves were distributed amongst his children. Dick was given to Dawsons son James, Bob was given to Charles Dawson, Jim was given to Thomas Dawson, and Edward Dawson received John. In the final account of administration Dawson's daughters also received slaves. Dawson's daughter Louisa Kirby was given Hester, another daughter Mary Ann was given Julia, and Sarah Dawson received Priscilla. Dawson made provisions in his will for his slaves Stanley and Dick to recieve his wearing apparel to be equally divided among them.


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