Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Betty Bruce (b. circa 1811 - d ?)
MSA SC 5496-51391
War of 1812 Refugee, Prince George's County, Maryland

Biography:

Betty Bruce was born around 1811 in Maryland to James "Jim" and Nelly Bruce. Betty and her mother Nelly and brother James were the slaves of Joseph Coombs and his wife Mary Meeky Lyles of Prince George's County. Enslaved children followed the condition of their mother, which is why Betty belonged to Joseph and Mary Coombs. Betty's father, James Bruce, Sr., was enslaved at Barnaby Manor the home of  Anthony Addison, which was also in Prince George's County. 

In 1814, Betty along with her family and other eslaved people belonging to Mary L. Coombs escaped to British ships, which were lying in the Potomac River. The ships carried the slaves to Nova Scotia. Betty's parents James and Nelly, settled their family on the Windsor Road in Halifax. The Bruce family lived near other enslaved families who also escaped from Mrs. Coombs.

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