Tom Belt
MSA SC 5496-50910
War of 1812 Refugee, Prince George's County, Maryland

Biography:

Tom Belt was an enslaved man who was owned by Ann "Nancy" Sprigg of Prince George's County, Maryland. Tom alias Tom Blackistone, worked as a plantation hand at Sprigg's Upper Marlboro farm. 

Tom fled from the home of Ann Sprigg to the safety of the British military. He left in the company of another enslaved, Charles Stewart, who was also owned by Sprigg. At the time of his escaped, the British were retreating from Washington, DC. Tom enlisted in the service of the British and was employed as a driver of a cart and oxen. Tom was valued at $500 at the time of his escape. 

After the war ended Maryland slave holders filed claims with the department of State for the loss of their property. A commission was formed to handle the claims for property lost to the British during the war. It was decided that Maryland and Virginia property owner's would receive $280 for each slave that was proven to taken away by the British. Tom's former mistress Ann Sprigg died in 1816 without being compensated for the loss of her slaves. However, Israel Canby, the executor of Ann Sprigg's estate, filed a claim for the loss of the six escaped slaves. Canby who lived with Sprigg in Maryland and Indiana was familiar with the escaped slaves and provided sufficient evidence about their escape. He was awarded $1680 for the loss of Tom Belt and the other slaves who escaped from Ann Sprigg.

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