I have been researching the Corps of Colonial Marines for the last ten
years, and as it happens I'm currently engaged in tying up loose ends by
attempting to verify how many refugees there were in total.

Claims for compensation totalled 3,582 when the Definitive List of claims
was presented to Congress in 1826, but there were later claims and some for
whom claims were never received; after making a number of adjustments I
estimate the gross number of refugees at around 4,000, principally from the
United States but also from Florida (Spanish at the time). There were 1,721
from Virginia in the official list. Of the 407 from the Chesapeake who
enlisted in the Corps of Colonial Marines, I estimate that 67% were from
Virginia, but it's difficult to be precise as I have not yet been able to
match all the recruits with names in the claims list - and at least two were
free men anyway. Note that after the British squadron moved south to
Cumberland Island there were further refugees and recruits from Georgia, and
refugees from Lousiana left with the British after the battle of New
Orleans. In addition a detached company of the Corps was raised in Florida
and the backlands of Georgia totalling around 320, but when the British
finally decamped most of that company stayed around the fort at Prospect
Bluff (principally to annoy Andrew Jackson, I would say). The main body of
the Corps finished up in Trinidad, where the community the 'Merikens'
founded still celebrates its American origins. I am married to a descendant.

There'll be a book, hopefully, in perhaps a year's time, and meanwhile
smaller material is referenced, and there is an outline account of the
Corps, in the history links at http://homepage.virgin.net/john.weiss/

John Weiss
Independent Scholar, London


----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 1:16 PM
Subject: Corps of Colonial Marines and Virginia


       The so-called Corps of Colonial Marines were slaves who during the
War
of 1812  made their way to British war ships in the Chesapeake Bay, and
elsewhere, and were formed into a corps under Rear Admiral George Cockburn
to
fight the Americans in return for a promise of freedom from the British once
America was defeated.  Does anyone know of any study on the numbers, if any,
of Virginia slaves who bolted and joined up with the British during the War
of 1812?

Thanks.

JDS


Jeffrey Duke Southmayd
Somewhat Less Than Distinguished Attorney at Law
Southmayd & Miller
1220 19th Street, N.W.
Fourth Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 331-4100
[log in to unmask]
<A HREF="www.southmayd.net">www.southmayd.net</A>


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