Maryland, St. Mary's County, Hollywood
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Sotterley and other nearby plantations paid a heavy price in the War of 1812. British blockades impeded trade of their principal cash crop -- tobacco -- and enemy raids plundered the region.
In June 1814 British forces landed near Sotterley, scattering some 300 American militia camped here. After burning a house and a warehouse full of tobacco, the British left with 48 of Sotterley's slaves.
"The people on either side of the Patuxent are in the greatest alarm and consternation... those that remained at home all their slaves have left them and come to us..." -- British Captain Joseph Nourse to Rear Admiral George Cockburn, July 23, 1814.
Call to Freedom
The British enticed slaves to leave the plantations -- a tactic to acquire local knowledge and cripple the economy. roughly 4,000 enslaved men, women and children escaped to the British. Many were trained for the military. Four Sotterley slave who fled in June 1813 returned to help others escape.
(War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Sotterley and other nearby plantations paid a heavy price in the War of 1812. British blockades impeded trade of their principal cash crop -- tobacco -- and enemy raids plundered the region.
In June 1814 British forces landed near Sotterley, scattering some 300 American militia camped here. After burning a house and a warehouse full of tobacco, the British left with 48 of Sotterley's slaves.
"The people on either side of the Patuxent are in the greatest alarm and consternation... those that remained at home all their slaves have left them and come to us..." -- British Captain Joseph Nourse to Rear Admiral George Cockburn, July 23, 1814.
Call to Freedom
The British enticed slaves to leave the plantations -- a tactic to acquire local knowledge and cripple the economy. roughly 4,000 enslaved men, women and children escaped to the British. Many were trained for the military. Four Sotterley slave who fled in June 1813 returned to help others escape.
(War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
