\u3cem\u3eKennedy v. The Baltimore Insurance Company\u3c/em\u3e, 3 H. & J. 367 (1813): The Story of One Baltimore Merchant Among Many Fighting an Insurance Company in Times of War

Abstract

The Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800’s resulted in many Baltimore merchants obtaining insurance for their vessels and cargo. During this period of unrest, Lemuel Taylor and John F. Kennedy insured a Baltimore vessel which was subsequently captured by the British. This paper contextualizes the case of Kennedy v. The Baltimore Insurance Company within this period and illustrates the struggles faced by many merchants who sought to be reimbursed for their losses. I also tried to focus on the historical backgrounds of the key players to the case, especially Lemuel Taylor and John F. Kennedy. All together, the case of Kennedy v. The Baltimore Insurance Company presents the opportunity to recreate the legal history surrounding maritime insurance in Maryland during the War of 1812