Henry Carroll
MSA SC 5496-50907
War of 1812 Refugee, Prince George's County, Maryland
Biography:
Henry Carroll was an enslaved child who was owned by Ann Sprigg
of Prince George’s County, Maryland. Henry was the son of George and
Kitty Carroll. His mother was also enslaved by Ann Sprigg, but his
father was owned by another slave holder, Trueman Tyler.
When
Henry Carroll was one years old his parents escaped from their masters.
At the time America was at War with great Britain. Henry was
carried by his parents to British Vessels lying in the Patuxent
River. Four other slaves, Charles, Tom, Maria and her daughter, also
belonging to Ann Sprigg also fled to the British. When the war ended
Henry and his parents were taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia along with
hundreds of escaped slaves from the Chesapeake.
Following the
war, Maryland citizens filed claims for indemnity for the loss of
property. Henry’s former mistress, Ann Sprigg, died in 1816 and wasn’t
able to file a claim. However, Israel Canby the executor of Ann
Sprigg’s estate, filed a claim and was awarded $1680 for the loss of
the six escaped slaves. County resident Phillip V. Weems, who was taken
prisoner by the British, testified that he saw Henry and his parents on
board the vessel on which he was being held.
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