Benjamin Williams (b. circa ? - d. circa ?)
MSA SC 5496-050823
War of 1812 Claimant, Calvert County, Maryland
Biography:
Benjamin Williams was a slaveholder who lived in Calvert County, Maryland. Williams was employed as a doctor. He had three children, Cecelia, Francis, and Benjamin H. Williams.
In 1814, Maryland was at war with Britain. On July 20th, the British military with the assistance of a few enslaved people burned the Calvert County courthouse to the ground. On the same day twenty slaves belonging to Benjamin Williams were carried off by British Vessels lying in the Patuxent River. All of the slaves were members of the Jones family. One of the enslaved men Prince Jones, was tied up by the British as he was carried away.
Following the war of 1812 Dr. Benjamin Williams filed a claim in order to be compensated for the loss of his property. Two Calvert County Residents, Thomas Billinglsey and Wood, gave accounts stating that they saw Dr. Williams slaves being carreid off by the British. Dr. Williams was awarded $280 for each slave that escaped, with the exception of one that didnt have enough supporting evidence. The total reperations that Dr. Benjamin Williams received amounted to $5,320.
Benjamin Williams died about 1855. In his last will and testament, Dr. Williams devised and bequeathed unto his daughters Cecelia and Francis, all his real estate during their lives. In the event that Cecelia or Francis Williams' died the real estate should then be passed on to their brother Benjamin H. Williams. Cecelia Williams relinquished her rights to the real estate which did then place ownership with her brother Benjamin H. Williams. On June 12, 1855, Benjamin H. Williams and his wife Zeanith sold the property to Elizabeth Bowen.
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