Frisby (b. circa 1811 - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-50950
War of 1812 Refugee, Talbot County, Maryland, 1813
Biography:
Frisby was a young enslaved child who was owned by James Dawson of Talbot County, Maryland. He was born about 1811 in Maryland. Due to his young age Frisby was valued at $10. There were five other enslaved people who were owned by James Dawson including two adults Thomas and Mary who could be Frisby's parents. The other three slaves were children ranging in age from 4-14. Frisby was the youngest child of the enslaved children at two years of age.
In August 1813, while the war was under way, British officers came to the home of James Dawson who was carried on board Admiral Warren’s ship St. Domingo and kept as a prisoner until the next Evening. While Dawson was held under arrest British soldiers took Frisby from his dwelling home. Dawson returned to his home to find that Frisby was missing and was informed that the young enslaved child was carried away by the British and taken on board one of their vessels. Frisby who was only two years old was one of the earliest slaves to be carried a way by the British during the war. The following year British Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued a proclamation offering immediate emancipation to any person willing to take up arms with their military or wanting to relocate to a British Territory. More slaves would escaped from Maryland in 1814 looking to escape a life in bondage. While the war was under way peace talks were being held. The Treaty of Ghent was signed December 24, 1814 ending the War of 1812.
After
the war ended Maryland slaveholders submitted claims to the Department
of State seeking compensation for the loss of their property during the
war.A commission was formed to handle
the claims and having to divide the money amongst property owners in
several states, it was decided that Maryland and Virginia residents
would be compensated $280 for each enslaved property that they lost
during the war. James Dawson submitted a claim for indemnification for the British removing Frisby from his home.
According to James Dawson, Frisby was worth $250 which is a higher
value than he was assessed in 1813. Dawson was awarded $280 for the
loss of his enslaved property.
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