Joshua Stuart
MSA SC 5496-50914
War of 1812 Refugee, Charles County, Maryland
Biography:
Joshua Stuart was an enslaved man who was owned by Alexander
Greer of Charles County, Maryland. He was a slave for life and worked
as a laborer on Greer’s farm.
In June of 1812, America
declared war on Britain. By 1813, British vessels of war arrived in the
Chesapeake Bay, placing a blockade on Maryland Waterways. On April 2,
1814, British Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued a proclamation offering
immediate emancipation to any person looking to take up arms with the
British or wanting to relocate to a British Territory.
In
August of 1814, Joshua along with two enslaved men, York and Moses,
escaped from Alexander Greer. The three men went on board the
British vessel, Euryalus, while it was ascending the Potomac
River. At the time of his escape, Joshua was 32 years old and worth
$500. The three men were never seen or heard from in Charles County. On
December 24, 1814 the Treaty of Ghent was signed ending the War of 1812.
Following the war property owners in Maryland, Virginia, Louisian, and Georgeia submitted claims to the Department of State. A commission was established to handle the claims of the property owners who were seeking compensation for the loss of their slaves, livestock, tobacco, and household items. The commission decided that Maryland and Virginia claimants would receive $280 for the loss of each enslaved person they lost to the British. Claims for other property were rejected and no award money was handed out. Alexander Greer submitted his claim and was awarded $280 for the loss of Joshua Stuart.
Return to Joshua Stuart's Introductory Page
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|