Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Trueman Tyler (b. 1772 - d. 1829)
MSA SC 5496-050814
War of 1812 Claimant, Prince George's County, Maryland

Biography:

Trueman Tyler was a property owner who lived in Upper Marlboro, Prince George’s County, Maryland. Trueman Tyler was born September 9, 1772 to Samuel and Susannah Tyler in Prince George's County, Maryland. Tyler was baptised at the St. Barnabas Church, Queen Anne's Parish. Trueman Tyler married Grace Contee Harrison. Tyler and his wife Grace were the parents of nine children. He was the Register of Wills for Prince George's County and the cashier of the Planter's Bank. Tyler's property included land and enslaved people, which he both purchased and inherited.  In 1798 her purchased a negro woman, Nell, from the personal estate of Anne Leeke. In 1810, Tyler purchased a parcel of land in Prince George's County from David Crawford. The landthat Tyler purchased from Crawford he already resided on with his family. It was part of a tract called Kingston Park in Prince George's County.

Two of Tyler’s slaves were carried from his property on August 23, 1814, while America was at war with Great Britain. Members of the British army under the command of General Ross carried away the enslaved men, George Carroll and Chatham, on their march to Washington. A few days later the British army made a returning to Upper Marlboro on their retreat from Washington. George and Chatham, accompanied by British soldiers came to the home of Tyler. According to Trueman Tyler the two men stated that they did not wish to go with the British army on board their fleet. He also said that on August 27, 1814, George was forcibly taken by the British and placed on board one of their vessels. It was reported that Chatham was carried away by a Chaplain in the British army on the same morning. Tyler never heard from the two slaves after their escape.

Following the war American citizens filed claims for indemnity with the Department of State for the loss of their property. A commission was formed to handle to claims for indemnity and were responsible for paying reward money to the claimants. Maryland residents would receive $280 for each individual slave that ran off to or were carried away by the British. Trueman Tyler was awarded $560 for the loss of George Carroll and Chatham.

Trueman Tyler died August 13, 1829 at the banking house in Upper Marlboro, Maryland after a brief illness. At the time of his death most of Tyler's children were minors, therefore he bequeathed his estate real and personal to his wife Grace. The executors of Tyler's estate were his wife Grace C. Tyler, his two brothers John and Grafton Tyler, and his son in law John Johnson. His inventory listed twelve enslaved people: Nelly 47, Frank 17, Henny 15, George 13, Charles 11, Robert 11, Mary Ann 7, Milly 6, Eliza 4, Kitty 14, Wat 15, and Charles 38. 

Return to Trueman Tyler's Introductory Page


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