Tom Belt
MSA SC 5496-50910
War of 1812 Refugee, Prince George's County, Maryland
Biography:
Tom Belt was an enslaved man who was owned by Ann "Nancy" Sprigg of Prince George's County, Maryland. Tom alias Tom Blackistone, worked as a plantation hand at Sprigg's Upper Marlboro farm.
Tom fled from the home of Ann Sprigg to the safety of the British military. He left in the company of another enslaved, Charles Stewart, who was also owned by Sprigg. At the time of his escaped, the British were retreating from Washington, DC. Tom enlisted in the service of the British and was employed as a driver of a cart and oxen. Tom was valued at $500 at the time of his escape.
After the war ended
Maryland slave holders filed claims with the department of State for
the loss of their property. A commission was formed to handle the
claims for property lost to the British during the war. It was decided
that Maryland and Virginia property owner's would receive $280 for each
slave that was proven to taken away by the British. Tom's former
mistress Ann Sprigg died in 1816 without being compensated for the loss
of her slaves. However, Israel Canby, the executor of Ann Sprigg's
estate, filed a claim for the loss of the six escaped slaves. Canby who
lived with Sprigg in Maryland and Indiana was familiar with the escaped
slaves and provided sufficient evidence about their escape. He was
awarded $1680 for the loss of Tom Belt and the other slaves who escaped
from Ann Sprigg.
Return to Tom Belt's Introductory Page
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