Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Phillis Green
MSA SC 5496-50849
War of 1812 Refugee, Calvert County, Maryland

Biography:

Phillis was an enslaved woman who was owned by Elizabeth Ballard of Calvert County. She had four siblings Adam Green, Sarah Stewart, Mary Smith and Eve Ford, who were all owned by Elizabeth Ballard. Phillis was the wife of an enslaved man Jack who was owned by Robert H. Smith of Calvert County. Phillis and Jack had a daughter Fanny, who like her mother was enslaved by Elizabeth 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, Phillis escaped with her family to British ships lying in the Patuxent River at Lower Marlboro. Her husband Jack also escaped from his owner, Robert H. Smith during this time. Phillis and her husband Jack went aboard H.M.S. Vengeur. It is not known whether they settled in Nova Scotia or another British territory. The War of 1812 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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