Reading the American Past: Printed Page 315
DOCUMENT 16–3
Former Slaves Seek to Reunite Their Families
With freedom, former slaves tried to reunite families slavery had separated. Some freed people traveled far and wide searching for kinfolk. Others appealed for help from the Freedmen's Bureau or enlisted literate friends to write letters of inquiry. But hundreds of former slaves placed advertisements in newspapers, asking for help in locating lost family members. The advertisements below appeared in the Christian Recorder, the weekly newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. The ads provide a glimpse of the scars of slavery and the meanings of freedom for millions of former slaves.
Advertisements from the Christian Recorder, 1865–1870
January 25, 1865
INFORMATION WANTED
Jacob Brown wishes to find his sister and friends, from whom he was sold about eight years ago. He belonged to George Fisher, of Hardy County, Va., near Morefield. His sister Louisa, who was sold with him into Louisiana, has been back home once. She left three children, named respectively Peter, Isaac, and Moses. She is in New Orleans, and is anxious to hear of them. Another sister remained, named Arena or “Arenir,” whose husband was named Paul Peterson. His uncles were Richard and Jacob Cassam, owned by McCoy.
Any person knowing any thing of them will confer a great favor upon the undersigned, who is their young brother, and who escaped from imprisonment in the jail, at Winchester, Va., by writing such information as shall unite those separated by slavery.
Respectfully,
Jacob Brown,
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
July 29, 1865
INFORMATION WANTED
Information is wanted of Cayrel Robinson, who left Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, about four years ago, to join the Union army at Wyandotte, Kansas; and he has not been heard from since. Any information of his whereabouts will be thankfully received by his wife.
Mrs. Fannie Robinson
Care of P. C. Cooper
Box 1129
Davenport, Iowa
August 5, 1865
INFORMATION WANTED
Edith Chappel left Columbia, South Carolina, on February 20th, 1865, with the army of Gen. Sherman, from the residence of Mrs. Henry Lyons. Her aunt, Fannie Bostick, can be found with
Mr. A. L. Hart
827 Lombard St.
Philadelphia
November 18, 1865
NOTICE
Information wanted of my two brothers Nelson, and Wesley Smothers, and my six sisters, Mary Ann Russell, Harriet, Matilda, Elizabeth, Henrietta, and Cornelia Smothers.
They formerly belonged to Ruth Rigla, who resided two miles from the Old Harper's Ferry Road, Frederick County, Md.
In 1837, we were all sold to South Carolina. I have not seen them since. Any information will be thankfully received by
Rev. Cyrus Boey
Oswego, N.Y.
March 10, 1866
INFORMATION WANTED
By a mother concerning her children. Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, who now resides in Marysville, California, was formerly owned, together with her children viz.: Lydia, William, Allen, and Parker, by one John Petty, who lived about six miles from the town of Woodbury, Franklin County, Tennessee. At that time she was the wife of Sandy Rucker, and was familiarly known as Betsy, sometimes called Betsy Petty.
About twenty-five years ago, the mother was sold to Mr. Marshal Stroud, by whom some twelve or fourteen years later, she was, for the second time since purchased by him, taken to Arkansas. She has never seen the above named children since. Any information given concerning them, however, will be very gratefully received by one whose love for her children survives the bitterness and hardships of many long years spent in slavery.
Preachers in the neighborhood of Woodbury, Tennessee, are especially requested to make inquiry, and communicate any information they may deem valuable either by letter or through the columns of the “Recorder.”
April 7, 1866
INFORMATION WANTED
Of the children of Hagar Outlaw, who went from Wake Forest. Three of them, (their names being Cherry, Viny, and Mills Outlaw,) were bought by Abram Hester. Noah Outlaw was taken to Alabama by Joseph Turner Hillsborough. John Outlaw was sold to George Vaughan. Eli Outlaw was sold by Joseph Outlaw. He acted as watchman for old David Outlaw. Thomas Rembry Outlaw was taken away by Wm. Outlaw. Julia Outlaw was sold in New Orleans by Dr. Outlaw. I live in Raleigh, and I hope they will think enough of their mother to come and look for her, as she is growing old, and needs help. She will be glad to see them again at [illegible word]. The place is healthy, and they can all do well here. As the hand of time steals over me now so rapidly, I wish to see my dear ones once more clasped to their mother's heart as in days of yore. Come to the capital of North Carolina, and you will find your mother there, eagerly awaiting her loved ones.
Hugh Outlaw, if you should find any or all of my children, you will do me an incalculable favor by immediately informing them that their mother still lives.
May 5, 1866
INFORMATION WANTED
Of the oldest daughter Jane's children. One son by the name of Andrew, another by the name of Ransom, and another by the name of George, who were taken from me and sold when they were very small.
Also two others, (twins) one called Martha Ann and the other had no name. The name of the father of these children is Washington. He belonged to a man in Franklinton, Ky., whose name was Joseph Kearney.
The mother of these children belonged to a man in Franklin Co., Ky., by the name of Seth Ward, her name is Charity Ward, wife of Washington Kearney, who was killed by a fall from a wagon. Any information concerning any of the above will be thankfully received by addressing
W. A. Bookram
Franklinton, North Carolina
June 9, 1866
INFORMATION WANTED
Charles Metts wishes to hear from his family. His wife's name is Jane, and his children are named Margaret, Drucilla, Elizabeth, and Chas. Henry. He has not seen them for ten years. The last he heard from them was when in the Rebel Army. They were at Columbia, S.C. He could not get a chance to go to see them. He came on to Philadelphia, and is now living here.
Baptist ministers at Columbia, S.C., will please make inquiry concerning the above family. All information will be thankfully received by addressing
Chas. Metts
Care of R. A. Black
“Christian Recorder” Office.
Philadelphia, Pa.
July 14, 1866
INFORMATION WANTED
Lewis Wade wishes to learn the whereabouts of his wife, Lucy, and three children, named respectively, Benjamin, Harriet and Charlotte. He left them in 1850, they then being in Rockbridge county, Virginia. He belonged to Wm. Thompson, while his wife and children belonged to James Watts. Any information respecting them will be thankfully received by the subscriber at Chatham, Canada West, — and Heaven will bless the hand that guides the wanderers home.
Chatham, Canada West
August 11, 1866
INFORMATION WANTED
Phoebe Ann Jackson, formerly Phoebe Nichols is desirous of informing her brother, Thomas G. Nichols, of Galveston, Texas, of her location in Richmond, Va.
Her proper name was Nichols. She was called Robertson, her eldest brother being known by that name.
In the family, beside father and mother, there were twelve brothers and three sisters. Nancy and Peter Robertson were sold to New Orleans; Brother Samuel went to Georgia. Mother could only learn that Francis and Thomas were on the same boat. Mother and father have since died, as also our stepfather, whose name was Africa Hanes.
Address
Phoebe Ann Jackson
1015 Marshall street, corner 11th
Richmond, Va.
September 22, 1866
INFORMATION WANTED
Information wanted of the whereabouts of my husband, Richard Jones, and my two sons, John and Thomas. We were separated in the woods, near a place called Alleywhite, in November, 1862. I was carried back to Suffolk by the Union troops. I have heard nothing of them since.
We were owned by Birven Jones, of Smithfield, Suffolk County, Virginia. I am the granddaughter of old Tom Peet Wilson. I am much in want at this time. Ministers will please read this notice in the churches.
Matilda Jones
Direct to Anthony Bowen
Agent, Christian Recorder
No. 85 E St., betw'n 9th and 10th (Island)
Washington, D.C.
November 17, 1866
INFORMATION WANTED
Information wanted of Silvey Lynch, wife of Sandy Lynch, who was carried away from Carolina county, Virginia, by her “master,” Wm. Goodman, in 1862. Her maiden name is Silvey Wilkins. She took with her three children. The name of the eldest is Jane; the next eldest is Henrietta; and the youngest is a boy named Alexander.
When my wife was taken away, I was in the army, performing the duties of a servant. My wife was formerly claimed as the property of one Nicholas Wilkins. She is of the Baptist persuasion. Any information concerning her whereabouts will be thankfully received from any one who will please address a letter to
Sandy Lynch
Care of Rev. J. R. V. Thomas
Box 90
Portsmouth, Virginia
March 23, 1867
INFORMATION WANTED
Information wanted of John and Lavinia Teamer, or Teamoh, who were sold in 1853, from Richmond, Va., by one John Lindsay, formally of Fortress Monroe, Va. John was nine years old, and Lavinia eight, at the time of the sale. Their mother Sarah was sold by the same party to Rosinfield, of Richmond, Va. It was thought they were sold to Texas. Ministers of the Christian Church will please inquire, as any information of the parties, will be thankfully received by their father.
Geo. Teamoh
Portsmouth, Va.
P.O. Box 152
November 2, 1867
INFORMATION WANTED
Canton, Ind., Oct. 19, 1867
John Grantson and Albert Thurston Robinson, brothers, aged respectvely about 16 and 13 years, were sent from Missouri to Kentucky in the year 1863. Andrew Robinson, of Clay County, Missouri, was the owner of the boys' father, Coyed Robinson, whose wife, Frances was owned by Whiton Drew, of the same County and State, and after his death fell to his son, Dalphin Drew, who, in 1860, sold her to a man by the name of Pitcher, the former owner of her mother. This man formerly lived in Platt city, Platt county, Missouri. Albert, the youngest boy, was brought to Kentucky in August, 1863, by Dalphin Drew's wife, as nurse for her babe. John the elder boy, and his sister, Mary Eliza, with several others, were sent there a few months later to the care of Washington Gordon, Logan County, Kentucky. From thence they came back here a few months since, intending to get back to Missouri as soon as possible; but the parents may be elsewhere now. A kind, elderly colored man, by the name of Peter Garland, has voluntarily taken charge of them, and placed them in comfortable, but transient homes, but they wish very much to be united to their relatives.
Susan Trueblood
P.S. If any one should wish further information, they can write to me, and I will give it, if possible. My address is Canton, Washington, Co., Indiana.
May 8, 1869
INFORMATION WANTED
Of my son Charles Blackwell. He was sold from me in Lancaster county, Virginia, ten years ago, when quite young. He was sold from the estate of Mr. Joseph Beacham to Mr. Lewis Dix, and then taken to Mississippi. I am an old man and need the companionship of my son. Any assistance in securing information of his whereabouts will be thankfully received. Ministers in Mississippi and throughout the entire country will please read in their churches. Address information to my address,
Lewis Blackwell
Lancaster Court House, Virginia
April 2, 1870
INFORMATION WANTED
Information wanted of Sarah Williams, who I left at Halifax Court House, Va., about 25 years ago. She belonged to a man whose name was William Early, who kept a dry-goods store. Any information of her will be thankfully received by her sister, Martha Ann Good, who was taken away from Nathan Dexter, who kept a hotel at Halifax, at 12 o'clock at night, when quite small, and sold in Alabama, but who now lives at 225 Currant Alley, Philadelphia, Pa.
N.B. Ministers in the South, please read in your churches.
July 2, 1870
INFORMATION WANTED
Of my sisters, Jennette, Eliza, Caroline, America, and Elizabeth, and of my brother Harry. Also of our mother, whose name was Dinah Hickson. They were sold from Liberty, Mo., over 30 years ago, and the last time I heard of them they were on Red River. They belonged to Andy Hickson, and were sold to a man named Francis Benware. Any information of these parties will be gladly received by Moses Hickson,
St. Joseph, Mo., Box 507
N.B. Pastors of churches will please read this.
December 10, 1870
INFORMATION WANTED
Of my mother Isabella, my sister Sallie, and of my grandmother, named Minna. I left them in Georgia about thirty years ago. They belonged to a man named Joe Marshall; my mother belonged to a man named Wm. Bell. They lived near Green Brier Meeting House. Any information address, Jas. Bell, Helena, Ark.
From Christian Recorder, 1865–1870.
Questions for Reading and Discussion