Reading the American Past: Printed Page 90
DOCUMENT 5–4
Advertisements for Runaway Slaves
African slaves came to the British North American colonies in unprecedented numbers during the eighteenth century. Because most eighteenth-century slaves could neither read nor write, few documents survive that record their point of view. Advertisements for runaway slaves provide an imperfect but revealing glimpse of specific slaves who defied their masters and mistresses by absconding. Published in local South Carolina and Virginia newspapers, the following advertisements described runaways in sufficient detail for them to be recognized and, masters hoped, recaptured. In addition to listing the characteristics of individual runaways, the advertisements also suggested the conditions of servitude among the many slaves who did not run away.
South Carolina Gazette and Virginia Gazette, 1737–1745
South Carolina Gazette, October 29–November 5, 1737
Run away a short squat Negro man, named Stephen, was Patroon [operator] of a large Wood Boat, also a lusty strong Angola Negro, flat Nose, and much mark'd with the small Pox, is branded on the Shoulder AD. Whoever takes up these Negroes and carries them to Gaol, or my Plantation in Goose Creek, shall receive 10 £ for the first and 5 £ for the other.
Alexander Vander Dussen.
South Carolina Gazette, February 2–9, 1738
Run away from Tho: Wright, about two Years since, a Negro Man named Trampuse, branded on the right Shoulder TW in one, he could not speak English when he went away. If any Person gives any Intelligence of him so that he may be apprehended or discover'd shall receive upon Demand 50£ reward. Also run away in August last, a Negro Man named Paul, who had been one Year in my Plantation near Silk-Hope, he spoke little or no English. Whoever brings him to said Plantation, or can give any Intelligence of him, shall have 10 £ paid upon Demand. Also run away in November last, a Negro Man named Charles, he speaks pretty good English, is an elderly Fellow, is branded TW in one, on the right Shoulder, and has had a large Cut on the Small of his Back, he is supposed to be harboured by the Negroes of Silk-Hope Plantation. Whosoever apprehends him and brings him to my Plantation near Silk-Hope, shall have 5 £. Also run away in January last, from my Plantation near Silk-Hope, two new Negro Men, they speak but little English, they are branded on the right Shoulder TW in one, one of them is named Will, the other Summer. If any Person brings them to said Plantation, shall receive 40 s. reward for each.
Thomas Wright.
South Carolina Gazette, March 9–16, 1738
RUN AWAY from Ferdinando Dart in April last, a Negro Man, named Norcott, he could not speak English when he went away, & in October last, 3 Negro Men, Sambo, Boswine, & Peter; Boswine branded on his Back D. And the 12th Instant, two Negro man, Adam & Strafford, both speak English, stought, able Fellows. Whoever carries them to my Plantation at Pon-Pon, or brings them to me in Charles-Town, shall have 40 s. for each of the two last, and 10 £ for each of the 4 first, from
John Dart.
South Carolina Gazette, March 23–30, 1738
Run away from Benjamin Godin's Plantation, about 3 Weeks since, 3 Angola Negro Men, named Harry, Cyrus and Chatham, they have been in the Country three Years, and speak little English, they are branded BG on the right or left Breast, and are suppos'd to be gone towards Winyaw, Harry having before (about a Year ago) run away and been taken up in that Part of the Country. Also run away a Mustee Negro Man, named Sam, he is a short thick well made Fellow, and a Gambia Negro Man, named Ned, he speaks English, and is a lusty, tall Fallow, branded as aforesaid. Whoever shall apprehend the said Negroes or any of them, shall receive 10 £ per Head, from
Benj. Godin.
South Carolina Gazette, September 21, 1738
Run away from my Plantation at Goose-Creek, the 10th of Sept. a Negro Boy, named Hector, about 14 Years old, he had on when he went away, a Negro Cloth Jacket dyed Yellow, branded with a Blotch on each Breast, and upon his left Buttock JR. Whosoever brings the said Boy to me at my Plantation, or to Gaol in Charles-Town shall be paid by me the Sum of 40 s. as Witness my Hand,
Ja: Rockford.
South Carolina Gazette, February 1, 1739
Run away from Rebeccah Massey in Charlestown, about 10 Weeks past, a Mustee young Wench, named Ruth, is suppos'd to be gone towards Ponpon or Dorchester; she speaks good English, born in the said Town, and brought up here in a Family; she is of a middle Stature, and her upper fore Teeth are a little rotten. Whoever takes her up, gives her 50 good Lashes, and delivers her to me, shall have 10 £ reward.
Rebeccah Massey.
Robert Chesley.
Virginia Gazette, October 19–26, 1739
RAN away from the Subscriber, living at Capt. Anthony Thornton's Quarter, in Caroline County, a Negro Man; he is a middle-siz'd Fellow, has Three Marks down each Temple, and can't speak a word of English: He had on when he went away, an old Checkt Shirt, and an old pair of Oznabrig Trowsers. Whoever will apprehend the said Slave, so that I may have him again, shall have a Pistole Reward, besides what the Law allows —
John Pearce.
Virginia Gazette, October 26–November 2, 1739
RAN away on the 30th of September last, from the Subscriber, living in Hanover County, Two Negros, viz. A Negro Man, nam'd Roger, born at Angola, a pretty tall, well-set Fellow, about 30 Years Old: He had on, when he went away, a new Oznabrig shirt, and an old Cotton Wastecoat, a Pair of Virginia Cloth Breeches, striped Black and White, and a Pair of Country-made Shoes. The other, a thick square Woman, named Moll, about 18 Years old, Virginia born; is Wife to the above-nam'd Roger, and is very big with Child. She had on, an old Oznabrig Shift, an old cotton Wastecoat and Petticoat. They both speak tolerable good English. Whoever will bring the said Negroes to me, at my House, in Hanover county, shall have a Pistole Reward for each of them, besides what the Law allows.
John Shelton.
Virginia Gazette, May 2–9, 1745
RAN away, on the 17th of April last, from the Subscriber in Caroline County, a lusty, tawney Negro Man, nam'd Will; he is hollow-chested, stoops in the Shoulders a little, and is about 30 Years old. Also a small Mulatto Man, nam'd Peter, aged about 21 Years; well known by the Gentlemen in the Country, for keeping of Horses. He always has a great Quid of Tobacco in his Mouth. He had with him a Pair of Pumps, a Check Shirt, a brown double breasted Coat, and a Felt Hat. Whoever takes up and convoys them, or either of them, to my House in the County aforesaid, shall have a Pistole Reward, for each.
Henry Armistead.
N.B. I desire each Constable to give them 20 Lashes.
And whoever will apprehend the said Servant and Slave, and bring them to me, in St. Mary's County, on Potowmack, or to Major John Waughop, in Northumberland County, Virginia, on Potowmack River, shall have 6 pistoles Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by Major Waughop, aforesaid, or by me.
Virginia Gazette, May 9–16, 1745
North Carolina, April 24, 1745
RAN away, on the 18th Instant, from the Plantation of the late Col. William Wilson, deceas'd, Two Slaves belonging to the Subscriber, the one a tall Yellow Fellow, named Emanuel, about 6 Feet high, six or seven and Twenty Years of Age; hath a Scar on the outside of his left Thigh, which was cut with an Ax; he had on when he went away, a blue Jacket, an Ozenbrig Shirt and Trousers, and a Worsted Cap; he speaks pretty good English, and calls himself a Portugueze; is by Trade a Cooper, and took with him some Cooper's Tools. The other is a short, thick, well-set Fellow, stoops forward pretty much as he walks; does not speak so plain as the other; had on when he went away an Ozenbrig Pair of Trousers and Shirt, a white Negro Cotton Jacket, and took with him an Axe: They went away in a small Cannoe, and were seen at Capt. Pearson's, on Nuse River, the 18th Inst. and 'tis believ'd are gone towards Virginia. Whoever takes up the said Negros, and brings them to my House on Trent River, North-Carolina, or secures them so that I may have them again, shall have Four Pistoles Reward for each, paid by
Mary Wilson.
Virginia Gazette, May 9–16, 1745
RAN away from the Subscriber's Quarter, on the Robinson River, in Orange County, the following Negro's, viz. Sambo, a small, thin visaged Fellow, about 30 Years of Age, speaks English so as to be understood; had on, when he went away, a Hat, an Oznabrig Shirt, a dark colour'd Coat, with a small Cape to it, lin'd with velvet, and is too long for him, Cotton Jacket and Breaches, a Pair of Yarn stockings, London Fall Shoes and Buckles. Aaron, a tall Fellow, much Pock-fretten, about 35 Years of Age, can't speak English; he took with him a Hat, an Oznabrig Shirt, Cotton Jacket and Breeches, a Pair of Plaid Hose, and Shoes. Berwick, a tall, smooth-faced Fellow, about 20 Years of Age, can't speak English; he took with him a Hat, an Oznabrig Shirt, a fearnothing Coat, Cotton Jacket and Breaches, a Pair of Plaid Hose, and Shoes. They are all new Negro's, and went together; they have not been above 8 Months in the Country. Whoever takes up, and convoys the said Negro's to the aforesaid Quarter, or me, at Fredericksburg, shall have Twenty Shillings Reward for each, besides what the Law allows, and reasonable Charges.
William Hunter.
Virginia Gazette, October 3–10, 1745
RAN away from the Subscriber, living in Hanover, two new Negro Men, imported from Gambia, in the Brig. Ranger, and sold at Newcastle the 5th of September last; they understand no English, and are near 6 Feet high, each; one of them is nam'd Jack, a right Black, with a Scar over the Right Eye-brow; the other a yellow Fellow, with 3 small Strokes on each Side of his Face, like this Mark ( ). They had on, each, a knap'd new Cotton Jacket and Breeches, without either Buttons or Button-holes, a new Oznabrig Shirt, and new Felt Hats. They stole a fine Damask Table-Cloth, 10 qrs. square, 5 Yards and a Half of fine Scot Linen, 3 Yards and a Half of Scots 3 qr. Check, a white Holland Shirt, and a Silk Handkerchief. Whoever takes up the said Negroes, and Goods, and brings them to me, or to Mr. Robert Brown, Merchant, in Newcastle, shall be rewarded, as the law allows.
Margaret Arbuthnott.
From South Carolina Gazette and Virginia Gazette, 1737–1745.
Questions for Reading and Discussion