Hollywood in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

War Hits Home

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013

1. War Hits Home Marker

Inscription. 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.

Erected 2012 by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1814.

Location. 38°

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22.561′ N, 76° 32.493′ W. Marker is in Hollywood, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker can be reached from Sotterley Lane. The marker is on Sotterley Plantation just southeast of the main house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood MD 20636, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sotterley's Remaining Slave Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Remembering Ancestors at the Sotterley Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); Tobacco's Impact (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Port of Entry (approx. ¼ mile away); Rosedale (approx. 1.2 miles away); A Place in Chesapeake History (approx. 2.1 miles away); June 1814 — War Visits the Patuxent (approx. 2.1 miles away); Idyllic Retreat — Beach House on the Point (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hollywood.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013

2. War Hits Home Marker

Colonial Marines burn tobacco image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013

3. Colonial Marines burn tobacco

Illustration by Gerry Embleton

Enslaved African Americans escape Sotterely image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013

4. Enslaved African Americans escape Sotterely

Illustration by Gerry Embleton

Colonial Marines image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, January 6, 2013

5. Colonial Marines

Illustration by Gerry Embleton

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 563 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 14, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.