Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Nan Patterson (b. circa 1755 - d. unknown)
MSA SC 5496-51437
War of 1812 Refugee, Saint Mary's County, Maryland

Biography:

Nan Patterson was an enslaved woman who was owned by John Mackall, Sr. of Saint Mary's County, Maryland. She was born about 1755 of enslaved parentage. Nan had a brother Jerry, who was also enslaved by Mackall. She was considered a sickly slave and was not valuable to her owner. When John Mackall, Sr. died his slaves were divided amongst his children. Nan and her brother Jerry were placed under the ownership of John Mackall, Jr. 

In August of 1814, Nan Patterson escaped from her new master John  Mackall, Jr. At the time the war between the United States and Great Britain was underway. Numerous slaves escaped from Maryland during this time due to the British presence in the Chesapeake Bay. Nan Patterson along with her brother Jerry, his wife Rachel, and sixteen other enslaved people fled from their owners. Patterson and eleven others escaped from the younger Mackall and the remainder fled from his son-in-law James M. Broome. The group went on board a British vessel which was lying in the Potomac River. At the time of her escape Nan Patterson was about 59 years old and valued at $5.00 because of her age and health condition. The war between the United States and Great Britain went on until the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814. The treaty wasn't ratified until February 16, 1815. Although the war was over, the British military continued to hold the escaped slaves under their protection and carry them out of the United States. Nan Patterson was never seen or heard from by her owner again. 

After the war, John Mackall's son-in-law, James Broome, filed a claim for indemnity with the Department of State. A commission was formed at the Department of State to handle the claims of United States citizens that lost property during the war of 1812. It was decided that Maryland property owners would be compensated $280 for the loss of their enslaved people who ran off or were carried away by the British. The heirs of James Broome were awarded $280 for the loss of Nan Patterson

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