Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Mary Smith
MSA SC 5496-50848
War of 1812 Refugee, Calvert County, Maryland

Biography:

Mary Smith was an enslaved woman who was owned by Elizabeth Ballard of Calvert County, Maryland. She had four siblings Adam Green, Sarah Stewart, Eve Ford and Phillis Green, who were all owned by Elizabeth Ballard. Mary was the wife of Ben Smith an enslaved man who was owned by Richard T. Hall. Mary and Ben had a daughter Sophia Smith who was also owned by Ballard. 

America went to war with Great Britain in 1812. However, the war didn't come to Maryland until the following year. As a result of the British placing a blockade on American waterways, many slaves in Maryland were able to flee from their homes. In 1814 British Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued a proclamation offering immediate emancipation to any person wanting to take up arms with the British military or relocate to a British territory. More than 700 slaves would escaped during this time. In June of 1814, Mary Smith escaped with her family to British ships lying in the Patuxent River at Lower Marlboro. Mary's brother Adam Green and her brother in law Charles Stewart came to the home of Elizabeth Ballard accompanied by British soldiers to rescue their family members. Mary carried her young daughter Sophia with her to the British Ships. Her husband Ben also escaped from his master during this time. The war ended when the Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814.

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. 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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