Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Sarah Stewart
MSA SC 5496-50851
War of 1812 Refugee, Calvert County, Maryland

Biography:

Sarah Stewart was an enslaved woman who was owned by Elizabeth Ballard of Calvert County, Maryland. Sarah had four siblings Adam Green, Eve Ford, Mary Smith and Phillis Green, who were also owned by Elizabeth Ballard. Sarah was the wife of Charles Stewart, who was the enslaved property of Levin W. Ballard. Mr. Ballard was the son of Sarah’s mistress Elizabeth Ballard and their slaves were well acquainted with each other. Sarah and her husband Charles had four daughters Betty, Jane, Juliet, and Eliza.

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, thirteen of Elizabeth Ballards slaves escaped to British vessels lying in the Patuxent River at Lower Marlboro. The slaves were lead by Sarah's brother Adam Green and her husband Charles Stewart. Green and Stewart, who were both armed, came to the home of Mrs. Ballard twice, accompanied by British soldiers. Sarah made her escape at approximately 10 pm when her husband and brother came to the home the first time. They later returned at 3 am to retrieve Eliza, the 10 year old daughter of Charles and Sarah from inside the dwelling house. On December 24, 1814 the Treaty of Ghent was signed ending the War of 1812. Sarah and Charles Stewart resettled in Halifax, Nova Scotia with their family. 

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. 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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