Robert Coursey
MSA SC 5496-51183
War of 1812 Claimant, St. Mary's County, Maryland
Biography:
Robert Coursey was an enslaved man who was owned by Robert L. Young of St. Mary’s County. Robert Coursey was the husband of an enslaved woman Jenny, who was the property of William C. Somerville.
During the War of 1812, four enslaved people escaped from Young, who was a minor. One of the four escaped slaves was Robert Coursey who fled on November 1, 2013. He was in company with Maria Fuller and her two children Thomas and Stephen. In addition Bob Coursey's wife Jenny and Ben Fuller the husband of Maria also fled from their master William C. Somerville. The slaves were taken on board the British ship called the Dragon, lying in the Potomac River, which was commanded by Commodore Barry. When the war ended Robert Coursey and the Fuller family was carried to Nova Scotia where they settled. At the time of his escape Robert Coursey was 61 years of age and valued at $80.00.
At the end of the War of 1812, Maryland's slave owners were devastated at the loss of their enslaved people. They sent their complaints to the Department of State seeking to be compensated for the loss of property. A commission was established to handle the claims put forth by angry citizens. The commission decided that Maryland's property owners would be compensated $280 for each slave that escaped to the British. Robert Young's claim was submitted by his guardian Henry Smith Hawkins. The commission awarded Robert Young $1120 for the loss of his five enslaved people.
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