Philip
MSA SC 5496-51112
War of 1812 Refugee, Charles County, Maryland
Biography:
Philip alias “Phil” was an enslaved boy who was owned by Jesse Edwards of Charles County, Maryland.
In
June of 1812, America declared war on Britain. By 1813, British vessels
of war arrived in the Chesapeake Bay, placing a blockade on Maryland
Waterways. On April 2, 1814, British Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued
a proclamation offering immediate emancipation to any person looking to
take up arms with the British or wanting to relocate to a British
Territory. In 1814, British officers landed at Benedict and then
arrived at the home of Jesse Edwards.
On August 18, 1814, Phil
escaped from Jesse Edwards in the company of British Officers. Phil and
other enslaved men and women were previously sent by Edwards to hide in
the woods from the British. However, a party of British officers
discovered the group of slaves in the woods hiding out with a cart and
oxen. Phils master, Jesse Edwards, came to the woods and demanded that
his property be returned. The officers complied by returning some of
the oxen and slaves with the exception of Phil. They also kept the cart
and two oxen.
Under the guidance of the British, Phil became a
Colonial Marine, therefore securing his freedom. Using a cart that
belonged to his master, Phil helped the British to transport a cannon
to their camp held at Benedict. Philip's owner thought that he would
retrieve him after helping the British, but was turned away by the
officers.
After the war Marylanders submitted claims with the
Department of State. A commission was formed to handle the claims and
decided that Maryland and Virginia property owners would receive $280
for each enslaved person that they lost to the British during the war.
At the time of the escape, Phil who was 18 years old, was worth $450.
Return to Philip's Introductory Page
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