War of 1812

Serving at sea was an easy way for men of color – free or especially enslaved – to escape bondage and the prejudices of land. At sea, men came from all over the world, practicing many religions, representing many ethnicities and many backgrounds. George Roberts found freedoms as a simple sailor that did not exist on land.

The nation's pledge to liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness is challenged by its legacy of enslavement and the empty promises offered to African Americans during their service in both the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. This timeline gives you a listing of events in the national capital area.

James Robinson was a Black veteran who served in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 while enslaved.

The British established Fort Albion on Tangier Island off the coast of Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay in April 1814, and nearly 1,000 slaves found refuge at the site. With the help of this lesson, students will be able to unpack a complicated maritime history of agency, race, and war. Use this lesson plan to learn more about the island.

Born enslaved on Benjamin Oden’s plantation in Prince George County, Maryland, around 1793, Frederick Hall is better known as William Williams – a man of color who fought and died defending Fort McHenry during the 1814 Battle of Baltimore.

Frisby Harris, who escaped from slavery during the War of 1812, fought for his freedom with the British military in the Colonial Marines.

The natural features of Mammoth Cave National Park include the longest known cave system in the world, the surrounding river valleys, karst topography, and rolling, wooded hillsides. The cultural landscape is also a record of a 12,000-year conversation between people and land spanning the first explorations by prehistoric people, early mineral mining, pioneer homesteading, preparations for the War of 1812, and 200 years of tourism leading to development of the national park.

Lucinda "Lucy" Hall was a Black woman who escaped slavery during the War of 1812 and resettled in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

A slave in the service of Dolley and James Madison for 48 years, Paul Jennings has provided valuable insight into their character, as well as life for a slave in the White House.

Charles Ball escaped slavery to join the US Navy flotilla & served with distinction during the War of 1812, participating in Battles of St. Leonard Creek and Bladensburg in 1814.