Culture Keepers examined an original manuscript signed by U.S. president James Madison, which was a report of expenses incurred in Washington DC and Maryland after the war of 1812. Students examined Prince George's County's line items of property including land, assets, and the number and property value of enslaved African Americans after the War of 1812. Students also learned more about the War of 1812 and how African Americans impacted the war.
About the War of 1812: The War of 1812 was a 32 month war fought between the U.S. and England. Thousands of African Americans including entire families escaped to
British ships to escape Slavery, but many enslaved and freed African
Americans fought on the side of the U.S. for opportunity of economic and
social advancement.
Students are examining an original manuscript signed by James Madison in 1816, the manuscript accounts for property lost in the War of 1812. In 1813 there were 9,898 enslaved people in Prince George's County, which was a little over 1/3 of the population in the county.
Alvin, Darlin, David and Ms. Compton are in the photo. The manuscript gives the amount of enslaved people in 1813 and 1816 in every county in Maryland.
Thousands of enslaved African Americans escaped during the War of 1812 which was a precursor to the Civil War which officially ended Slavery.
