The War of 1812 in Tidewater Maryland presented a sometimes agonizing decision for the slaves who lived on the plantations. That “Choice” caused 49 of the 64 slaves on Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood to jump ship so to speak. They were offered the promise of safe passage to a British colony and freedom by the British fleet that was in the Patuxent River in 1814. Some even fought alongside the British during the campaign in the Chesapeake region.

The “Choice” for the slaves of Sotterley was dramatically shown in a living history presentation on Saturday, May 25. Living history actors and actors portrayed the master and mistress of the plantation, John and Elizabeth Plater, two slaves, Elcie and Peregrine and British naval officer Commodore Thomas Brown.

The presentation took place at three locations: inside the manor house, inside the slave cabin and outside on the front porch of the manor house.

Inside John Rousby Plater (performed by Trevor Diaz) and his wife Elizabeth (Shannon Ivanchev) discuss and argue their dilemma. They need the slaves to run the plantation, feel they are well-taken-care-of, and also fear their lives and their property may be in jeopardy from the marauding British fleet. In the end John orders Elizabeth, against her will, to leave the plantation for her own protection.

Meanwhile down at the slave cabin AWOL slave Peregrine Young (Jay Hunter) returns to try to talk Elcie (Shemika Berry) into escaping with him. Elcie is torn. On one hand she doesn’t get along very well with Elizabeth Plater. But on the other hand she is living in the manor house and has things pretty easy. He argues that freedom is more important than being comfortable.

The scene switches to outside the manor house. Marching up the hill from the Patuxent are Peregrine, in British naval uniform, and the commodore of the British fleet, Thomas Brown (Eric Zabiegalski). Brown confronts John Plater. The commodore promises not to pillage Sotterley as long as it wasn’t used as a headquarters for the Americans. Plater was opposed to the war anyway.

Elcie is standing by his side. Elizabeth sticks her head out the front door and summons the slave inside. She goes. John then orders Peregrine to come to home. Peregrine takes a step forward. Commodore Brown orders him to return to his position. And he does. Each has made their “Choice.”


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