Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Eve Ford
MSA SC 5496-50844
War of 1812 Refugee, Calvert County, Maryland

Biography:

Eve Ford was an enslaved woman who was owned by Elizabeth Ballard of Calvert County, Maryland. Eve worked as a cook in the home of Elizabeth Ballard. She had four siblings Adam Green, Sarah Stewart, Mary Smith and Phillis Green, who were all owned by Elizabeth Ballard. Eve was the wife of Harry Ford who was enslaved by Robert H. Smith another resident of Calvert County. 

In 1814, America was at war the Britain. During this time British Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued a proclamation offering immediate emancipation to any person wishing to take up arms with the British military or relocate to a British territory. Many enslaved people in Maryland fled to the British who were blockading waterways including the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River, and Potomac River. In June of 1814, while the British vessels were lying in the Patuxent River, Eve escaped from Ballard. Eve Ford was lead to freedom by her brother Adam Green and her brother in law Charles Stewart, who came to her mistresses house armed and accompanied by British soldiers. Eve's husband Harry Ford also escaped from his master Robert Smith with two enslaved men Dick Ford and Jack. On December 24, 1814 the Treaty of Ghent was signed ending the war. At the end of the war, Maryland residents were devastated by the loss of property, especially their slaves. 

After the war, a commission was organized through the Department of State to handle Maryland slaveholders filed claims seeking compensation for the loss of their property, including slaves, tobacco, livestock, and household items. The commission decided that Maryland slave owners would be compensated $280 for each slave they lost to the British regardless of how much their estimated value was. Eve who was 25 years old when she escaped, was worth $350. Levin W. Ballard filed a claim with the Department of State as acting executor of his mother Elizabeth Ballard. Once the evidence was submitted the commission awarded Elizabeth Ballard $3,640 for the slaves she lost.


Return to Eve Ford's Introductory Page


 
 
 


This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user.


Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!



© Copyright August 27, 2013 Maryland State Archives