Jacob Tolson (b. circa ? - d. 1810)
MSA SC 5496-050811
War of 1812 Claimant, Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Biography:
Jacob Tolson was a property owner who lived in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. He was the father of nine children, Benjamin, Thomas Alexander, Joseph, Jacob, Susanna, Mary, Sarah Ann, Elizabeth, and Ann Tolson. Mary Alloway another resident of Queen Anne's County was the mother of Tolson's children.. Although they had five children together, Tolson and Alloway never married. Jacob Tolson died in 1810 leaving Mary Alloway as the executrix of his last will and testament. Tolson left his home to his wife and the residue of his estate was to be divided between their children.
In 1814, Tolson's enslaved woman Priscilla Clayton escaped from the home of Mary Alloway in Kent Island, Maryland. During this time America was at war with England, which was the cause of Priscilla being able to escape. British Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued a proclamation offering immediate emancipation to any person wishing to take up arms with his military forces or people wishing to resettle in a British territory. Following the war Maryland property owners submitted claims to the Department of State seeking reperations for any losses they incurred to the British including slaves, tobacco, livestock, household items, and destroyed property. Jacob Tolson's heirs sought compensation for the loss of Priscilla Clayton. Mary Alloway also submitted a claim wanting to be compensated for the loss of Priscilla Clayton. However, the commission decided to award the heirs of Jacob Tolson. They recieved the standard $280 issued out to Maryland slave owners whose slaves were carried away or ran to the British.
Return to Jacob Tolson's Introductory Page
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|