Eliza Stewart
MSA SC 5496-50843
War of 1812 Refugee, Calvert County, Maryland
Biography:
Eliza Stewart was an enslaved girl who was owned by Elizabeth Ballard of Calvert County, Maryland. Eliza was born in Maryland about 1804 to Charles and Sarah Stewart, who were both enslaved in Calvert County. Eliza's mother Sarah was also owned by Elizabeth Ballard, but her father Charles was the property of Ballard's son Levin. She had four sisters Betty, Jane, Juliet, and Rebecca Stewart. Eliza was a house servant in the home of Elizabeth Ballard.
America went to war with Britain in 1812. British ships came to America and placed a blockade on American waterways. By 1813, the ships were blocking Maryland waterways and British soldiers were plundering the homes of residents. Maryland slaves took this opportunity to escape to British Vessels. In April of 1814, British Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued a proclamation offering immediate emancipation to any person wishing to take up arms with the British military or wanting to relocate to a British territory. In June of 1814, while Eliza was in the home of her mistress, her father Charles carried her away to freedom. Charles Stewart, who was armed came to the dwelling house of Elizabeth Ballard accompanied by British soldiers. He had an exchange of words with Mrs. Ballard who was in her bed, then proceeded to take his daughter away. Eliza was 10 years old at the time of her escape.
After the war was ended by the Treaty of Ghent, Maryland slaveholders filed claims seeking compensation for the loss of their property, which included slaves, tobacco, livestock, and household items. A commission was formed through the Department of State to handle the claims. The commission decided that Maryland and Virginia property owners would receive $280 for each slave that they lost to the British. Eliza was worth $250. Levin W. Ballard filed a claim with the Department of State as acting executor of his mother Elizabeth Ballard.The commission awarded Elizabeth Ballard $3,640 for the loss of thirteen slaves.
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