Cedar Point sits at the mouth of the Patuxent River as it empties into the Chesapeake Bay in St. Mary’s County. Its location was useful for the British during the colonial period as they established customs official there to collect taxes from the passing ships laden with tobacco. In the 18th century, the land wasContinue reading “Lewis and Beck Medley | the British came”
Abraham Clarke (ca. 1815-1891)
Group 1: Polly & her children This post is one in a series in an attempt to identify members of the Clarke family groups among the people enslaved by Robert D Sewall at “Poplar Hill” in Prince George’s County Manumission In 1852, Robert D. Sewall wrote his will, devising his property to his nieces andContinue reading “Abraham Clarke (ca. 1815-1891)”
George Brown | Escape
This post speculates about the possible relationship between George Brown who escaped Robert D Sewall’s captivity and Fanny Brown, whom Robert D Sewall sold in 1842.
Henrietta Clarke
This post is one in a series in an attempt to identify members of the Clarke family groups among the people enslaved by Robert D Sewall at “Poplar Hill” in Prince George’s County. 1842 Bill of Sale In April 1862, Congress emancipated people enslaved within the District the Columbia. In May 1862, William J Stone,Continue reading “Henrietta Clarke”
Nathaniel Clark (1810-bef. 1880)
Group 2: Sue and her Children This post is one in a series in an attempt to identify members of the Clarke family groups among the people enslaved by Robert D Sewall at “Poplar Hill” in Prince George’s County. Nathaniel Clark, Carpenter Near Woodyard, Martenet marked a mill on his 1863 map of Prince George’sContinue reading “Nathaniel Clark (1810-bef. 1880)”
Charity Clarke (ca. 1816-unk)
Group 1: Polly & her Children This post is one in a series in an attempt to identify members of the Clarke family groups among the people enslaved by Robert D Sewall at “Poplar Hill” in Prince George’s County. Charity in 1821 Charity is listed in the 1821 inventory alongside Abraham Clarke, who was manumittedContinue reading “Charity Clarke (ca. 1816-unk)”
William Hannibal Brown Gantt | Proposed Parentage
William Hannibal Gantt, a Black landowner in Cheltenham, died prior to 1898 and the use of death certificates in Maryland. The purpose of this post is to propose a set of parents and siblings for William Hannibal Brown Gantt. A Note, first, on William Hannibal Brown Gantt and his Surnames Connecting the 1870 & 1880Continue reading “William Hannibal Brown Gantt | Proposed Parentage”
Thomas Reeder, Sr |
Jane Reeder and her children are recorded in the records of the Freedmen’s Bureau, both as residents at Kendall Green, a converted army hospital for refugees from chattel slavery, and as depositors in the Freedmen’s Bank. These records suggests that Jane and her children were among the refugees who came to DC looking for freedomContinue reading “Thomas Reeder, Sr |”
Nancy | Sold
The legal authority to enslave Nancy passed from Lewis Smith, when he died, to his heirs, including his children, George L and Sarah C Smith. Nancy, age 7, was listed in his 1853 inventory of goods and chattel. Her estimated birth year is 1846. Parentage It is unclear who her parents were. Nace, age 45,Continue reading “Nancy | Sold”
Reeder Children | Escape
Known Information Thomas, James, John, and Mary Ellen Reeder were enslaved by Edward S Abell; he listed their names on the enumerated list submitted to the Maryland Commission of “Slave Statistics” in hopes of federal compensation in 1867. He submitted the list as guardian of Sarah and George L Smith. He documented that they leftContinue reading “Reeder Children | Escape”
stories of Then 