Anthony Addison (b. 1754 - d. 1830)
MSA SC 5496-050645
War of 1812 Claimant, Prince George's County, Maryland, 1828
Biography:
Anthony Addison was born on April 25, 1754, in Prince George's County to Rachel Dulany and Rev. Henry T. Addison, who were first cousins. Anthony was the eldest of three children born to the Addison's, his siblings were Daniel Dulany and Eleanor Addison. Anthony's father Rev. Addison was the rector of St. John's Parish at Broad Creek and Addison Chapel. Reverend Addison, a Loyalist, left for England before the Revolutionary War. He returned to Maryland in 1787 and died two years later leaving to his son Anthony, "all lands restored to me by Act of Assembly and other lands," which included his home Barnaby. Anthony Addison married his cousin Rebecca Murdock, daughter of Margaret and William Murdock, July 26, 1794.
Like many of his contemporaries, Anthony Addison was a slave owner. He retained, sold, willed and manumitted slaves over the years. A few of Addison's slaves petitioned the Prince George's County court for their freedom. In 1779, Addison's slave, Rosamund "Rose" Bentley sued for her freedom. Her siblings William, Mary, Margaret, and Eleanor Bentley, also brought a suit against their owners. After two years, Rjosamond siblings recovered her freedom through the court. In 1793, Rose Bentley requested that Anthony Addison draw up a deed of manumission for her and her daughters. At that time Rose and her children were out of Addison's service for eight years. Addison manumitted his Negro woman Mary Lane in 1796. However, Addison sold members of the Spencer and Bruce family to William Bayley in 1797. The Bruce family had a long history working as slaves in the Addison family. Addison manumitted William Pinkney in 1798. Anthony Addison, who was raised in a wealthy family, was heavily in debt and at times forced to sell his slaves. In 1802, William Lyles offered at public auction the following slaves who belonged to Addison: Peter, his wife Nell and their four children, George, his wife Rose and their 5 children, Jack a blacksmith, Sam a shoemaker, Forrester, Jem, Daniel, Jem, Sr., Clair, Isaac, Dennis, Jack, and Bob. The ad specified that families would be sold together and not seperated. Addison at a later date manumitted more of the Lane family, including Charles, Will, Thomas, and Robert. Charles Lane, who was raised in the Queen Anne's District of Prince George's County in the family of Margaret Murdock, Addison's mother-in-law, was manumitted April 8, 1804. The other siblings who were also raised in the Queen Anne's District, were manumitted on April 28, 1804. The following year, Addison manumitted his enslaved woman Hannah Hopkins, but also placed an ad in the Washington Federalist for the sale of men, women, and children.
America went to war with Britain in 1812. By 1813, British vessels of war began arriving in the Chesapeake Bay and placed a blockade on Maryland waterways. Many slaves fled to the British ships looking to escape a life of servitude. The British recognized that the enslaved population could help them against the American military. Many slaves, who were familiar with the landscape, helped the British to navigate through the rivers. As a result of the help they received,British Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued a proclamation on April 2, 1814. The proclamation offered immediate emancipation to any person looking to join forces with their military or looking to relocate to a British territory. Addison's enslaved man James Bruce, also called Jim, escaped to the British. Jim lived and worked at the home of Addison's nephew Henry A. Callis (the son of his sister Eleanor Addison Callis). Jim regularly visited his wife and children, who were the enslaved property of Mary L. Coombs of Prince George's County. When he arrived at Mrs. Coombs home one night in August 1814, he found out that his family had fled to the British. Jim went off in search of them, eventually boarding the British fleet lying in the Potomac River. On Christmas Eve, the Treaty of Ghent was signed ending the War of 1812.
After the war was over, Maryland residents were extremely frustrated with the losses they suffered at the hands of the British military. During the war many homes were plundered by the British, who stole tobacco, livestock, household items, and slaves. Some of the homes were also burned to the ground. Claims began to flow in to the Department of State regarding these losses. A commission was formed at the Department of State to handle the claims that were being submitted by Marylanders, as well as residents in Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, etc. It was decided that Maryland and Virginia property owners would be compensated $280 for each slave that they lost to the British. In 1828, Addison submitted a claim to the Department carrying off Bruce. His nephew Henry Callis gave a deposition stating what he knew about Jim Bruce. Anthony Addison was awarded $280 for the loss of Jim.
Anthony Addison relocated to Washington, DC
with his wife Rebecca. Addison's wife, Rebecca Murdock Addison, died in
Georgetown DC on July 31, 1828. Anthony Addison died two years later at his home, Barnaby Manor, on January 22,
1830 at the age of 76 . Having not legitimate heirs, Addison willed Barnaby Manor to his nephew Henry Addison Callis.
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