Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)
Fanny Green
MSA SC 5496-50845
War of 1812 Refugee, Calvert County, Maryland
Biography:
Fanny Green was an enslaved girl who was owned by Elizabeth Ballard
of Calvert County, Maryland. Fanny was born in Maryland about 1812 to
an enslaved woman, Phillis, who was also owned by Mrs. Ballard and an
enslaved man, Jack, who was owned by Robert H. Smith.
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, when Fanny was about
3 years of age, she escaped with her parents and other family members
to British vessels lying in the Patuxent River. Fanny’s uncle Adam
Green helped to lead the group into the safety of the British vessels.
On December 24, 1814 the Treaty of Ghent was signed ending the War of
1812.
After
the war, Maryland slaveholders filed claims seeking compensation for
the loss of their property, including slaves, tobacco, livestock, and
household items. A commission was formed through the Department of
State to handle the
claims. It was decided by the commission that property owners in
Maryland and Virginia would receive $280 for each slave that was lost
to the British. Fanny who was only 2 years old when her family escaped
was worth $150. 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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