Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Fanny Green
MSA SC 5496-50845
War of 1812 Refugee, Calvert County, Maryland

Biography:

Fanny Green was an enslaved girl who was owned by Elizabeth Ballard of Calvert County, Maryland. Fanny was born in Maryland about 1812 to an enslaved woman, Phillis, who was also owned by Mrs. Ballard and an enslaved man, Jack, who was owned by Robert H. Smith.

America went to war with Britain in 1812. British ships came to America and placed a blockade on American waterways. By 1813, the ships were blocking Maryland waterways and British soldiers were plundering the homes of residents. Maryland slaves took this opportunity to escape to British Vessels. In April of 1814, British Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued a proclamation offering immediate emancipation to any person wishing to take up arms with the British military or wanting to relocate to a British territory. In June of 1814, when Fanny was about 3 years of age, she escaped with her parents and other family members to British vessels lying in the Patuxent River. Fanny’s uncle Adam Green helped to lead the group into the safety of the British vessels. On December 24, 1814 the Treaty of Ghent was signed ending the War of 1812.

After the war, Maryland slaveholders filed claims seeking compensation for the loss of their property, including slaves, tobacco, livestock, and household items. A commission was formed through the Department of State to handle the claims. It was decided by the commission that property owners in Maryland and Virginia would receive $280 for each slave that was lost to the British. Fanny who was only 2 years old when her family escaped was worth $150. Levin W. Ballard filed a claim with the Department of State as acting executor of his mother Elizabeth Ballard. The commission awarded Elizabeth Ballard $3,640 for the loss of thirteen slaves.

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