Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Alexander Sampson
MSA SC 5496-51035

War of 1812 Refugee, St. Mary's County, Maryland, 1813

Biography:

Alexander Sampson alias Ellick was a slave in St. Mary's County who was the property of William C. Somerville. Ellick Sampson escaped from William C. Somerville in November of 1813 along with five other enslaved people.. Sampson set out with James Coursey, Rawleigh Coursey, Henny Coursey, Jenny Coursey and Ben Fuller, to go on board the Dragon 74 lying in the Potomac River. He later absconded from the British fleet then in Virginia and returned to the home of William C. Somerville about April or May in 1814. It is not clear where Alexander is settled once he returned to Somerville's home, because he does not appear in the 1821 assessment for his owner's slaves.

William C. Somerville later submitted a claim to receive reperations for the loss of his slaves, which did not include Sampson since he returned after he ran off to the British. Somerville receieved $280 per slave that he lost.

Return to Alexander Sampson's Introductory Page


 
 
 


This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user.

Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
© Copyright March 24, 2015 Maryland State Archives