Nace (b. circa ? - d. circa ?)
MSA SC 5496-001235
War of 1812 Escaped Slave, St. Mary's County, Maryland
Biography:
In October 1814, William Smith's slave Nace escaped to the British frigate Havannah.1 Smith had two slaves by the name of Nace in 1813, ages twenty-five and fifty. The man who escaped was likely the younger Nace.2
On February 20, 1815, William Smith was visiting the home of Robert
Dunkinson when he saw Nace with British forces. Seven days later, Smith's
neighbor, George
Loker, saw Nace on board the Havannah when Loker was searching
for his own slaves.3 The British later transferred Nace to the
frigate
Orlando.4
He appeared as "Naze" on Thomas Bayly's list of black refugees present
on the Orlando on February 17, 1815.5 He was still on
board the ship in March, but we unfortunately lose track of him after this
point.6
1. Claim of William Smith, St. Mary's County, Case No. 119, Case Files, Ca. 1814-28, entry 190, Record Group 76, National Archives, College Park.
2. ST. MARY'S COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE TAX, (Assessment Record, Slaves), [MSA C1544-40], William Smith, April 4, 1813.
3. Claim of William Smith.
4. Ibid.
5. Thomas M. Bayly, No. III, Bayly's List (RG 76. Records of Boundary and Claims Commissions and Arbitration) 107.
6. Bayly 112.
Claim of William
Smith.
Return to Nace's Introductory Page
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|