Francis Wrightson (b. circa ? - d. 1825)
MSA SC 5496-050788
War of 1812 Claimant, Talbot County, Maryland
Biography:
Francis Wrightson was a property owner who lived in Bay Hundred, Talbot County, Maryland.1 Wrightson was born in Maryland, the son of James and Rebecca Canady Wrightson.2 He married Mary Ann Lowe.3 Francis and Mary Ann became the parents of eleven children: James, Sarah, John, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Francis, William, Joseph, Thomas, Ann, and Rebecca.4 Wrightson was a farmer who owned land and enslaved people. His father, James Wrightson, Sr. left land to Francis and his brother James, Jr. in his last will and testament.5 However, his brother James Wrightson, Jr. sold him the rights to that land.6 He held 15 enslaved people in 1810, but that number dwindeled down to four enslaved people on his property in 1813.7 There were two men Daniel and Irvine (Erving) and two females Deb and Rebecca. The men were valued at $120 and the women were valued at $80.8 Irvine was purchased by Wrightson from Sarah Dawson for a term of years and would be manumitted in 1830.9 In 1817, there were two additional slaves Darcus "Darky" and Gulliver.10
In 1812, America went to war with Great Britain. British ships arrived in Maryland in 1813 putting a blockade on all waterways.11 Some enslaved people took this opportunity to escape. Wrightson's enslaved man, Daniel Wright, escaped from him in August of 1813.12 Wrightson served 21 days with the Maryland Militia in August of 1813.13 During this time Wrightson was captured along with several neighbors and held prisoner on Admiral Warrens ship St. Domingo.14 While on the ship, Wrightson saw Daniel Wright in company with British officers and soldiers.15 British forces recognized that the enslaved population were a potential ally and on April 2, 1814, Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued a proclamation offering immediate emancipation to any person who wold take up arms with the British against the Americans or wishing to be resettled in a British Territory.16 After the issuing of the proclamation, more slaves began to escape from Maryland farms. The war lasted for two years until the signing of the Treaty of Ghent which ended the War of 1812.17 By the end of the war more than 760 slaves escaped from Maryland.18
The Treaty of Ghent was
signed December 24, 1814 ending the War of 1812.19 Under the first
article of the Treaty of Ghent, the American government would recieve
compensation for the loss of their property from the British
government, to be disbursed among its citizens for the losses they
suffered during the war.20 After the war American citizens in Maryland,
Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, and other states submitted claims for
indemnity to the Department of State.21 A commission was formed to handle
the claims and divide the reperation 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.22
Wrightson gave his testimony in 1821 before Thomas Kemp, a Justice of
the Peace for Talbot County.23 Thomas Bridges and James Wrightson gave
supporting depositions for Wrightson’s claim for the loss of his
enslaved man Daniel. All of the evidence was then submitted to the
Department of State for review.
Francis Wrightson died intestate in Talbot County on August 24, 1825.24 Wrightson's death occured prior to the settlement for his claim for indemnity under the Treaty of Ghent. After his death, Wrightson's wife Mary Ann obtained letters of administration from the Orphan's Court of Talbot County, making her the Administratrix of the estate.25 Items from Francis Wrightson's estate were offered at a public sale in 1826.26 There were 8 slaves assessed to Wrightson's heirs including Ervin, Andrew, Harry, Moses, Deborah, Darky, Maria, and Clarinet. His slave's Rebecca and Gulliver, were not listed on this assesment.27 It's possible that they might have been manumitted or enslaved by another owner. In 1828, Wrightson's wife, Mary Ann, wrote a letter of inquiry to Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams, in regards to having heard about the claims under the Treaty of Ghent.28 After the claim was reviewed, Mary Ann Wrightson was awarded $280 for the loss of Daniel Wright during the War of 1812.29 When Mary Ann Wrightson died the slaves that belonged to she and her husband were divided among her children.30 Darcus was given to James L. Wrightson, Deborah and Emory were given to Mary Ann Lowe.31 John Wrightson was given a boy Thomas and a girl Celia. Francis A. Wrightson was given a girl named Cinderella, William L. Wrightson received a boy Henry, and Rebecca Ann Wrightson received a Samuel.32
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|