Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

William Hockton alias William Whiddenton
MSA SC 5496-50937
War of 1812 Refugee, Calvert County, Maryland

Biography:

William Hockton alias William Whiddenton, was an enslaved man who was owned by William Whittington of Calvert County. He was the son of Judy Hoxton an enslaved woman. In 1814, William Hockton escaped from Whittington's farm in Friendship, Maryland. When he left he did not let his mother know he was going off with the British. At the time of his escape Hockton was 21 years of age and valued at $500. He was carried by British vessels to Nova Scotia. Upon his arrival, Hockton was in very poor health. However, he was taken in by a man named Dr. Boggs, who took him into his service and nursed him back to health. In 1816, Hockton wrote a letter to his mother, which was addressed to Annapolis cabinet maker, Washington G. Tuck. The letter was intercepted by his former master and later used as evidence in a claim for indemnity under the Treaty of Ghent.


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