James Bowie

From enslaved at Sotterley Plantation to freeman with the British during War of 1812, he took a gamble.

1792? – 1855

James Bowie was 20 years old when he escaped to British forces anchored in the Patuxent River during the War of 1812. Enslaved by John Rousby Plater of Sotterley in St. Mary’s County, James was one of 49 individuals who escaped to British forces in the summer of 1814. The British offered freedom to any enslaved individual who made it to British lines. This offer was known as Vice Admiral Cochran’s Proclamation or Promise,

In John Rousby Plater’s claim for reparations following the war, James Bowie was listed as being 20 years of age and was appraised at $600. He is listed as one of the four men seen boarding the British ship, H.M.S. Lorie in the Patuxent in June 1814. Later, James and these three men returned to Sotterley to helped others escape to the freedom of the British ship.

James Bowie joined the war effort by enlisting in the Colonial Marines. Of those who fled from Sotterley, James is one of the two recorded freedmen who enlisted in the military and were later taken to Trinidad and given land for their service. While in Trinidad, James married and had three children. He died in 1855.

Did you know?

The following text is British Vice Admiral Cochrane’s Proclamation/Promise to Americans the summer of 1814. Although the proclamation did not directly address slaves, all knew who was intended to hear the call. This offer was part of Cochran’s larger plan to defeat the Americans.

Cochrane’s Proclamation/Promise 

“,,, All those who may be disposed to emigrate from the UNITED STATES will, with their Families, be received on board His Majesty’s Ships or Vessels of War, or at the Military Posts that may be established, upon or near the Coast of the UNITED STATES, when they will have their choice of either entering into His Majesty’s Sea or Land Forces, or being sent as FREE settlers to the British Possessions in North America or the west Indies, where they will meet with due encouragement.

Given under my Hand at Bermuda, this 2^nd day of April, 1914,

ALEXANDER COCHRANE”

Additional Resources

Admiral Alexander Cochrane: “Let the Landings you may make be more for the protection of the desertion of the Black population than with a view to any other advantage” | Baltimore 1814 (baltimoreheritage.org)

www.sotterley.org

Black History and the War of 1812, a story, Black History And The War of 1812, a story – African American Registry (aaregistry.org)

Enslaved African-Americans confront difficult choices (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Historic Sotterley, Sotterley Plantation (Images of America) by Jeanne K. Pirtle

The Maryland State Archives