Samuel Tyler
MSA SC 5496-50834
War of 1812 Refugee, Prince George's County, Maryland

Biography:

Samuel Tyler was an enslaved man who was owned by Austin Allen of Prince George's County. When Austin Allen died in 1805, Sam became the enslaved property of his son, Benjamin W. Allen. In August 1814, while the British were passing through Upper Marlboro on their return from burning Washington, Sam Tyler escaped from Benjamin W. Allen. Tyler, who was 29 years of age when he escaped, fled with three enslaved men Davy Gant, Dennis Magruder, and Tom Magruder. The four men were never seen or heard from 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 Allen filed a claim for the loss of his four enslaved men. He was awarded $260 for each of the slaves that escaped.

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