Sophia Smith
MSA SC 5496-50852
War of 1812 Refugee, Calvert County, Maryland
Biography:
Sophia Smith was an enslaved girl who was owned by Elizabeth Ballard of Calvert County, Maryland. Sophia was born in Maryland about 1811 to two enslaved people Ben and Mary Smith. Sophia's mother was owned by Elizabeth Ballard, but her father Ben was owned by Richard T. Hall a resident of Calvert County.
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, Sophia's parents carried her away from the home of Ballard. The family, lead by Sophia's uncle Adam Green and another slave Charles Stewart, escaped to British vessels lying in the Patuxent River at Lower Marlboro. Adam and Charles came to the house of Mrs. Ballard accompanied by British soldiers who helped them secure the freedom of their family members. The war ended when the Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814.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. Sophia who was 3 years old at the
time she escaped was worth $175. 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.
Return to Sophia Smith's Introductory Page
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|