St. Marys in Camden County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Forgotten Battle’s

Black Refugees

— St. Marys History Walk —

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020

1. Black Refugees Marker

Inscription.
In April 1814, British Vice-Admiral Alexander Cochrane issued a Proclamation encouraging any person who wished to withdraw from the United States to board British ships “as freed men” bound for British colonies.

Hundreds of black slaves from Southern plantations escaped to Admiral George Cockburn’s (pronounced co-burn) ships anchored off the Georgia coast and Cumberland Island. Many were transported to Nova Scotia or Bermuda, where their descendants live today. Some black males served as Colonial Marines in the British militia, ultimately taking residence in Trinidad after service. An authentic Colonial Marine uniform is on display at our Cumberland Island Museum in downtown St. Marys.

Erected by John F. Morrissey.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War of 1812. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1814.

Location. 30° 43.294′ N, 81° 33.243′ W. Marker is in St. Marys, Georgia, in Camden County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Bartlett Street and St Marys Street West, on the left when traveling north. Marker located within the St. Marys History Walk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Bartlett St, Saint Marys GA 31558, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

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this marker. The Last Battles of The War of 1812 (here, next to this marker); Weathering (here, next to this marker); The Forgotten Battle (here, next to this marker); Industry finds St. Marys: (a few steps from this marker); Georgia’s Coastal Gem: (a few steps from this marker); Industry finds St. Marys (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Industry finds St. Marys: (a few steps from this marker); The Enduring Gullah (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Marys.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020

2. Black Refugees Marker

Photo Insert Left: Proclamation image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020

3. Photo Insert Left: Proclamation

Proclamation Freeing Enslaved People Who Joined the British Cause

Photo Insert Right: Colonial Marine image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020

4. Photo Insert Right: Colonial Marine

A sketch of a Colonial Marine, Digital Image. The History Workshop, A Division Of Brockington & Associates. Web 8 Dec 2015
www.historyworkshop.com/forgotteninvasion.com

Entrance to St. Marys History Walk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020

5. Entrance to St. Marys History Walk

St. Marys History Park commemoration plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, January 18, 2020

6. St. Marys History Park commemoration plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 261 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 27, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.