Slaveholders Listed on this Page
- Anderson, James (Slaves: Rachel Barton, Thomas Barton, Bill Johnston)
- Anderson, Dr. John (Slaves: Mary, Sophia)
- Ashman, George (Slaves: Hercules, Negro Ned, Negro Simon, Negro Moses, Maria, Negro Dab, Phillip)
- Barclay, Josiah E. (Slaves: Clement Romanus)
- Barndollar, Michael (Slaves: Sall, Philis, Dina)
- Barnhard, George P. (Slaves: Jack Durr)
- Bonnet, John (Slaves: Patrick, Peter)
- Buchannan, John (Slaves: Sarah, Levinia)
- Clugage, Francis (Slaves: Dina)
- Cryder, Michael (Slaves: Rachel, Sam, George)
- Davidson, Samuel (Slaves: Phillis)
- Dillon, Humphrey (Slaves: Eliza Diggs, George, Betsy Diggs, Louisa Diggs, Charles, Tom)
- Fletcher, Jacob (Slaves: Milla, Buonaparte Johnston, Emory, John Henry)
- Hare, Jacob (Slaves: Unnamed young man)
- Hartley, William (Slaves: Mary Smith, ? Smith, Isaac Smith, Nancy Smith, Mary)
- Holiday, William (Slaves: Sall)
- Johnson, Joshua (Slaves: Fanny)
- Lloyd, Henry (Slaves: James, Jacob, Phillis, Leah, Sambo, Briget, Cubit)
- McClain, Thomas B. (Slaves: Jane, Charlotte, James)
- Miley, Abraham (Slaves: Joseph Killam)
- Piper, John (Slaves: Ben)
- Proctor, William Jr. (Slaves: Delia, Henry)
- Reamer, Christian (Slaves: Nancy, George)
- Reiley, Martin (Slaves: Sarah, Sarah Ann)
- Reine, John (Slaves: Sarah, William)
- Reynolds, William (Slaves: Hannah, Fanny, David Calahan, George Nors, Phina, Charles Brown)
- Riddle, Samuel (Slaves: Maria Dauphin)
- Shannon, Robert (Slaves: Betty, Sarah)
- Shirley, John (Slaves: Hannah, Sam)
- Walker, Judge Jonathan (Slaves: Clara, Clarissa, Hannah)
- Wallace, Ephraim (Slaves: Jean)
- Watson, Dr. William (Slaves: Rachel Jameson, Henry, Sophia, Sarah, Charles Jamison, Jeremiah Jameson)
- Woods, George (Slaves: Prince)
- Work, Andrew (Slaves: Nancy, un-named child, George)
Enslavement Data
- Slaveholder Name: Anderson, James
City or Township: Napier Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Slave Name: Rachel Barton
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1821
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "servant mullatto woman"
Slave Notes: Mother of Thomas Barton, probably born several months prior to October, 1820, and Bill Johnston, "born about the 10th of October last (1821)." See below.
Date of Record: 14 March 1822
Sources: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children | Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Thomas Barton
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not specified at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: Not given in Registration. The law stipulated that children must be Registered within six months of their birth.
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Mulatto Male Child"
Slave Notes: "born in twp aforesaid of Rachel Barton mulatto woman, and indented servant of the said James Anderson Esq."
Date of Record: 3 October 1820
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Bill Johnston
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Five months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: "born about the 10th of October last (1821)."
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Male Mullato Child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Rachel Barton.
Date of Record: 14 March 1822
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slaveholder Name: Anderson, Dr. John
City or Township: Bedford Borough
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Physician
Notes:
- Slave Name: Mary
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1821
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female negro servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of Sophia, born 29 July, 1821. See below.
Date of Record: 26 January 1822
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: Sophia
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Six months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 29 July, 1821
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female Mulatto child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Mary.
Date of Record: 26 January 1822
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slaveholder Name: Ashman, George
City or Township: Shirley Township
County: edford County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Slave Name: Hercules
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "Aged fifty four Years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1726 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 31 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Negroe Ned
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "Aged thirty Years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 31 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Negroe Simon
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "Aged seventeen Years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 31 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Negroe Moses
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "Aged thirteen Years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1767 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 31 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Maria
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "Aged forty Years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Woman"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 31 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Negroe Dab
Slave Sex: Not determined
Slave Age: "Aged eight Years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 31 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Phillip
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "Aged two Years three Months and fifteen Days"
Slave Date of Birth: 1778, July 16 (calculated)
Slave Status: "a Slave for thirty one years"
Slave Description: "Mulattoe Boy"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 31 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Barclay, Josiah E.
City or Township: Bedford Borough
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes: In the 1820 Census of Bedford Borough, Josiah E. Barclay is enumerated with one male "free colored person," aged 14-25, in his household. (Source: Rootsweb, "1820 PA Census: Bedford County, Bedford Borough," downloaded from the Internet 28 December, 2002.
url: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/bedford/census/1820bedbor.txt) Note that the census of 1820 did not make a distinction between free Blacks and term slaves. It only enumerated as slaves those persons still being held to slavery for life.
- Slave Name: Clement Romanus (spelling of last name could be wrong--difficult to read handwriting)
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "aged four Years and six months on the fifteenth day of this present month" (April 1824)
Slave Date of Birth: 1819, October 15
Slave Status: To be manumitted upon reaching age 28.
Slave Description: "negro boy slave"
Slave Notes: Text of manumission statement:
To all whom it may concern, be it Known that I, Josiah E. Barclay of Bedford County and State of Pennsylvania but at present in Allegany County in the State of Maryland for divers good causes and considerations me thereunto moving as also in further consideration of one dollar current money to me in hand paid do hereby release from Slavery liberate Manumit and set free after he shall arrive at the age of Twenty eight years my negro boy slave named Clement Romanus I do declare to be free, manumitted and discharged from all manner of servitude or services to me my Executors or administrators forever, after he shall arrive at the age of Twenty Eight years as above mentioned.
Josiah Barclay received legal possession of Clement from Mrs. Mary Murdock of Allegany County Maryland on the same day he filed manumission papers. Text of Bill of Sale:
Know all men by these presents that I John McNeill attorney in fact for Mrs. Mary Murdock late of Allegany County Maryland as will appear by a power of Attorney from said Mary Murdock to me bearing date the twenty fourth day of March Eighteen hundred and twenty four duly Executed and recorded among the records of Allegany County Court for the consideration of five dollars current money of the United States to me in hand paid by Josiah E. Barclay of Bedford County State of Pennsylvania the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have as Attorney aforesaid granted bargain sold and delivered and by these presents do grant bargain sell and deliver unto the said Josiah E. Barclay one Negro boy slave named Clement Rismanus aged four Years and six months on the fifteenth day of this present month. To have and to hold the said negro boy Clement Rismanus unto the said Josiah E. Barclay his heirs and assigns forever.
Date of Records: 17 April 1824
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slaveholder Name: Barndollar, Michael
City or Township:
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes: The registration for the slave Sall does not appear with the 1780 registrations, but is recorded 18 years later, and does not include the required age and name. It may have been added later, when Barndollar recorded the birth of Sall's daughter Philis, in 1798. If so, this is a clear violation of the law, and Sall should have been legally manumitted along with her daughter.
- Slave Name: Sall
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Not determined
Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
Slave Notes: Mother of Philis, born 11 November, 1797 and Dina, born 24 August, 1803.
Date of Record: 22 January, 1798
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Philis
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Two months old at registration
Slave Date of Birth: 11 November, 1797
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Negro Child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Sall. The Registration letter for Philis reads as follows:
These are to certifye that my Negro Woman Called Sall a slave had a child Born of her Body the Eleventh day of November last which child is a female and Named felis. (Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834)
Date of Record: 22 January, 1798
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Dina
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Infant at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1803, August 24
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Negro child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Sall. The Registration letter for Dina reads as follows:
"One Negro child born of Negro woman named Sall the Child named dina born the 24th day of August 1803."
Date of Record: 1804
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Barnhard, George P.
City or Township: Bethel Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
BR>Notes:
- Slave Name: Jack Durr
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Not stated, but calculated to be about 24 (see slave notes)
Slave Date of Birth: Probably about 1782, based upon the statement that he "has about four years to serve"
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "negro man"
Slave Notes: Ran away the 28th of September, 1806. Text of Runaway advertisement placed by
Barnhard:
Eight Dollars Reward
RAN away from the subscriber, living in Bethel township, Bedford county, on the 28th
ult. a negro man named JACK DURR, about five feet six or seven inches high, slim made, pleasant countenance, plays on the fiddle tolerably well, and has about four years to serve. He formerly lived with Mr. John
Diffenbaugh, in Snakespring valley, Bedford county.--Had on when he went away a new cotton cross-bar
coatee, a white wool hat, a pair of half boots, and a pair of stripped cotton trousers.
--Whoever takes up and secures said runaway, so that the subscriber may get him again, shall receive the above reward, and all reasonable expences if brought home.
GEORGE P. BARNHARD.
October 13, 1806.
This advertisement ran through November 3, 1806. It is not known whether Barnhard ever recovered Durr.
Date of Record: October 13, 1806
Source: The Bedford Gazette, October 13, 1806 (Microfilm 3164, "Misc. Pennsylvania Newspapers, 1803-1815." Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg)
- Slaveholder Name: Bonnet, John
City or Township: Bedford
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Innkeeper
Notes: The registration for the slaves Patrick and Peter were made by "Jean Bonnet." For an image of this letter of Registration, click here.
- Slave Name: Patrick
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "Aged six years the last day of September 1788"
Slave Date of Birth: 1782, September 30
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Mullato Boy"
Slave Notes: The Registration letter for Patrick and Peter reads as follows:
To David Espy Esquire Clerk of the Peace of the County of Bedford
The Return of John Bonnet of the Township & County of Bedford Innholder Possessor of one Mullato Boy Named Patrick aged six years the last day of September 1788
Also one other Mullato Boy named Peter aged Four years the twenty second day of February 1789.
Please to record the above described Boys for Jean Bonnet 30th March 1789.
Date of Record: 30 March 1789
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Peter
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "Aged Four years the twenty second day of February 1789"
Slave Date of Birth: 1785, February 22
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Mullato Boy"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 30 March 1789
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Buchannan, John
City or Township: Bedford Borough
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes: Some original records spelled his surname as "Buchannon."
- Slave Name: Sarah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: 22 April, 1797 (calculated from the court documents filed by Martin Reiley and dated January 1819)
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "negro Woman," "servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of William, born 12 September 1814 (and Registered by John
Reine), and Levinia, born 15 August 1816. Buchannan sold Sarah to Martin Reiley on 13 June 1818.
Date of Record: 10 February 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Levinia
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Six months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1816, 15 August
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Male Negro Child"
Slave Notes: "Daughter of Sarah, a negro woman servant of the said John Buchannon (at the time of the birth of the child aforesaid the said Sarah was the servant of John Reine."
Date of Record: 10 February 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Clugage, Francis
City or Township: Huntingdon Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Tavern keeper
Notes:
- Slave Name: Dina
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "About eight Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Girl"
Slave Notes: Text of Registration: "Huntingdon the 27th
Octb. 1780
Dear Sir
[word unreadable] I am informed all the Negroes ar to be Recorded against the first of Novbr. if it is so pray hasten a garl of mine Her name is Dina about Eight years old My caling I cant inform you." (Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834)
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Cryder, Michael
City or Township: Huntingdon Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Miller
Notes: This is the first person listed in the slave entry book.
- Slave Name: Rachel
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "About twenty five & a half Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1755, April (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Sam
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "About four and a half years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1776, April (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Mulattoe Boy"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: George
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "About one year old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Mulattoe Boy"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Davidson, Samuel
City or Township: Bedford Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Tanner
Notes:
- Slave Name: Phillis
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "Aged six years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Girl"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 31 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Dillon, Humphrey
City or Township: Borough of Bedford
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Eliza Diggs
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1822
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female Negro servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of George, born 24 December, 1819, Betsy, "born the fifth day of April last (1822)," Louisa, born 10 July 1823, and Charles, born 23 August 1827. See below.
Date of Records: 13 April, 1820 (George), 1 June 1822 (Betsy), 6 December 1823 (Louisa), 1 January 1827 (Charles)
Sources: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children | Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: George
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: About four months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1819, 24 December
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Male Mulatto Child"
Slave Notes: "Son of Eliza, a negro woman servant" Born in the borough of Bedford.
Date of Record: 13 April 1820
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Betsy Diggs
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Two months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: "born the fifth day of April last (1822)."
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female black child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Eliza Diggs.
Date of Record: 1 June 1822
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: Louisa Diggs
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Five months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 10 July 1823
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female black child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Eliza Diggs.
Date of Record: 6 December 1823
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: Charles
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Four months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 23 August, 1827
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male black child"
Slave Notes: Son of Eliza Diggs.
Date of Record: 1 January, 1828
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: Tom
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Not known--adult
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Dillon petitioned the court to add extra time to Tom's term of servitude to account for days that he ran away. The text of the petition is as follows:
To the honourable the Judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions of Bedford County now sitting of August Sessions A.D. 1814
The petition of Humphrey Dillon, master and owner of a negro man named Tom, Humbly Sheweth that the said negro Tom is the servant of your petitioner until his arrival at the age of twenty eight years and that the said term is yet
unexpired--That the said servant hath frequently absented himself from the service of his said master for the space of one day and more, without cause first obtained for the same and that your petitioner hath sustained damages & expenses by such absences.
Your petitioner therefore prays the Court to increase the term of service of the said servant and to order such satisfaction to your petitioner for the damages and expenses by him sustained, as the Courts shall see meet.
Humphrey Dillon
3d August 1814 Read and the court order a Rule that the said Negro appear at the next Court of Quarter Sessions to shew cause if any he knows, why the prayer of this petitioner shall not be granted.
Date of Record: 3 August 1814
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Fletcher, Jacob
City or Township: Bedford Borough
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Carpenter
Notes:
- Slave Name: Milla
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1821
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female negro servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of Buonaparte Johnston, born 5 April, 1816, Emory, born 8 August, 1821 and John Henry, born 1 April 1824. See below.
Date of Record: 1 December 1821
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: Buonaparte Johnston
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Four months old at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1816, April 5
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male Negro child"
Slave Notes: Son of Milla; born in Bedford Borough
Date of Record: 27 August 1816
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Emory
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Four months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 8 August, 1821
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female negro child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Milla.
Date of Record: 1 December 1821
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: John Henry
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Five months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1 April, 1824
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male negro child"
Slave Notes: Son of Milla.
Date of Record: 4 September 1824
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slaveholder Name: Hare, Jacob
City or Township: Hopewell Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Not named
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about seventeen years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1757
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Fellow"
Slave Notes: Escaped with a white man who provided two saddles horses. See runaway advertisement, below:
TEN POUNDS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, living in Hopewell township, Bedford county, a negro fellow about seventeen years old; had on a white coat and blue leggings, with stockings; he is supposed to have been enticed away by one ANTHONY MORNING TALER, who had on a green surtout, a light blue coat and blue waistcoat. He had with him a large black stallion and a large bay horse, each of them with saddles. Whoever confines the abovesaid persons in any gaol in this province, so that they may be brought to justice, shall have the above Reward, or FIFTY SHILLINGS for the negro alone, and reasonable charges, paid by
JACOB HARE.
Date of Record: 23 December 1774
Source: Pennsylvania Packet (Philadelphia), 23 December 1774.
- Slaveholder Name: Hartley, William
City or Township: Providence Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Innkeeper
Notes:
- Slave Name: Mary Smith
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1822
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female negro servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of Smith, "born the night of the first day of March last (1822)," and Isaac Smith, born 11 September, 1824. See below.
Date of Records: (Smith) 31 August 1822, (Isaac Smith) 10 March, 1825
Sources: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children | Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Smith
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Five months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: "born the night of the first day of March last (1822)."
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male negro child"
Slave Notes: Son of Mary Smith.
Date of Record: 31 August1822
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: Isaac Smith
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Six months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: "born 11 September last" (1824)
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male negro child"
Slave Notes: Son of Mary Smith, "a female negro servant"
Date of Record: 10 March 1825
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Nancy Smith
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1817
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "negro woman servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of Mary, born 4 July 1817
Date of Record: 30 December 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Mary
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Five months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1817, 4 July
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female Mulatto child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Nancy Smith, "a negro woman servant"
Date of Record: 30 December 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Holiday, William
City or Township: Providence Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Slave Name: Sall
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "fourteen Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Girl"
Slave Notes: The original registration for Sall reads as follows: "Sir I cannot atend this Day for [word unreadable] is very Bad. My negro wench is of Record her name is Sall fourteen years of age." (source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834)
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Johnson, Joshua
City or Township: Colerain Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Farmer and Justice of the Peace
Notes:
- Slave Name: Fanny
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "Aged one year the Eleventh day of June 1788"
Slave Date of Birth: 1807, November 14
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female negro"
Slave Notes: Born in Bethel Township
Date of Record: 31 March 1807
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Lloyd, Henry
City or Township: Huntingdon Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Lloyd original 1780 Registration reads as follows:
To Mr. David Espy Co Clk
Sir I desire you wold be pleasd To Enter my Negroes in your Dockt. acording to the act of asembly
I have five Gown Negroes and two young ones to wit Molatoes. No more to [word unreadable] but remane yor Very humble svt.
Hen Lloyd
Huntingdon october 27 1780
Sambo about 50 James about 32 years
Jacob about 20 philis about 40
Leah a molatoe about 24
Briget about 2 years old
Cubit an infant 1 Day old
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834 For an image of this letter of Registration, click here.
- Slave Name: James
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "About thirty two Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1748 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Jacob
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "About twenty Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Phillis
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "About forty Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Woman"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Leah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "About twenty one Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1759 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Mulattoe Woman"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Sambo
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "About fifty Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1730 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Briget
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "About two Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Mulattoe Girl"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slave Name: Cubit
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "About one Day old"
Slave Date of Birth: 27 October, 1780
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Mulattoe Boy"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: McClain, Thomas B.
City or Township: Bedford Borough
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Jane
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1814
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female Negro woman," "servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of Charlotte, born 31 October 1814
Date of Record: 16 December 1814
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Charlotte
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Infant at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1814, 31 October
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female Negro child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Jane, "a female Negro woman, servant of the said Thomas"
Date of Record: 16 December 1814
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: James
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Infant at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1814, 22 November
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male Negro child"
Slave Notes: Son of Milia, "a female Negro woman"
Date of Record: 16 December 1814
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Miley, Abraham
City or Township: Bedford Borough
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Sheriff
Notes: As Bedford Sheriff, Abraham Miley was not a slaveholder, but his position required him to take charge of suspected escaped slaves and try to find their owners.
- Slave Name: Joseph Killam
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "aged about 30 years"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1754
Slave Status: Suspected runaway slave -- liable to be sold back into enslavement in July 1784.
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Captured in September 1783 on Allegheny Mountain and imprisoned in the Bedford jail. Sheriff Abraham Miley placed the following ad in a Philadelphia newspaper to find his owner:
WAS committed to my custody, in the gaol of Bedford county, in the month of September last, a Negro MAN who calls himself JOSEPH KILLAM, aged about 30 years, about 5 feet 9 inches high, speaks very bad English, was taken up on the Allegany mountain; he sometimes says one person is his master and at other times another, but it is supposed that his master lives in Maryland from some hints he has given. Notice is hereby given to his master or owner (if he has any) to come and pay charges and take him away, otherwise he will be sold out for his fees at the next July court, by
ABRAHAM MILEY, sheriff.
Bedford, March 26, 1784.
Date of Record: 26 March 1784
Source: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser (Philadelphia), 20 May 1784.
- Slaveholder Name: Piper, John
City or Township: Providence Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: The Registration letter for Ben is marked "Col John Piper."
- Slave Name: Ben
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about twenty two Years Old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1758 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Text of Registration: "To David Espy Clerk of the Sessions of Bedford County
Oct 28 1780
Sir
Pleas to Record one Negroe Man of Myne Named Ben Aged about twenty two years Agreeable to An Act of Assembly in that last March and provided to
oblidge. Sir your Humble Servt. John Piper farmer
Providence Township" (source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834)
Date of Record: 28 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Proctor, William Jr.
City or Township: Bedford Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Delia
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1817
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "negro Woman," "servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of Henry, born 7 September 1816
Date of Record: 28 January 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Henry
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Four months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1816, 7 September
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Male Negro Child"
Slave Notes: Son of Delia, "a negro Woman--servant of the said William Proctor Jun."
Date of Record: 28 January 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Reamer, Christian
City or Township: Bedford Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Nancy
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1813
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "negro woman servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of George, born 15 August 1815, and another child, name not known, born in 1813. Previously the servant of Andrew Work, who petitioned the court to have Nancy's time of servitude extended due to the birth of these two children.
Date of Record: 12 February 1816
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: George
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Six months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1815, 15 August
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Negro"
Slave Notes: Son of Nancy, "a negro woman servant of the said Christian Reamer (at the time of the birth of said child the property of Andrew Work)"
Date of Record: 12 February 1816
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Reiley, Martin
City or Township: Bedford Borough
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes:
- Slave Name: Sarah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: 22 April, 1797 (calculated from the court documents dated January 1819)
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "negro woman servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of William, born 12 September 1814 (and Registered by John
Reine), and Levinia, born 15 August 1816 (and Registered by John Buchannan). Mother of Sarah Ann, born about 20 June 1818. Sarah was originally owned by John
Reine. After the birth of her child Levinia she was sold to John Buchannan, who in turn, on 13 June 1818, sold her to Martin
Reiley. Reiley petitioned the court for an extension of the time of Sarah's servitude as a consequence of the birth of the child Sarah Ann. Her pregnant condition could not have been a surprise to him, as she gave birth one week from the date of her purchase. The text of court documents are below:
Petition of Martin Reiley Jany 7 1819
January term, 1819
The petition of Martin Reiley of Bedford Borough respectfully sheweth, that your petitioner on the 13th day of June last purchased the time of servitude of a certain Negro wench, named Sarah, from John
Buchannan, of said Borough, the said Negroe wench being bound by Indenture to serve until the 22d day of April A.D. 1825--That the said Servant, being a Single woman and bound by Indenture aforesaid, on or about the 20th day of June last had a bastard child, born of her body, which your petitioner was put to great loss and damages & c.
Reiley then asked for an addition to Sarah's term of servitude "as your Honour may think fit."
Date of Records: (Sarah Ann's Registration) 17 September 1818; (Quarter Session documents) January Term, 1819
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Sarah Ann
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Three months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: "born about the middle of the month of June" (1818) Later court documents name the day of the month as the 20th.
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female negro child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Sarah, "a negro woman servant"
Date of Record: 17 September 1818
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Reine, John
City or Township: Bedford Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Sarah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: 22 April, 1797 (calculated from the court documents filed by Martin Reiley and dated January 1819)
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female Negro woman," "servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of William, born 12 September 1814, and Levinia, born 15 August 1816 and registered by John
Buchannan. When Buchannan registered Levinia in February 1817, he also noted that Sarah was now his servant. Buchannan later sold Sarah to Martin
Reiley.
Date of Record: 20 December 1814
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: William
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Infant at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1814, 12 September
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male Mulatto child"
Slave Notes: Son of Sarah, "a female Negro woman, servant of said
Reine"
Date of Record: 20 December 1814
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Reynolds, William
City or Township: Bedford Borough
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Merchant, Esquire
Notes:
- Slave Name: Hannah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1815
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "servant negro woman"
Slave Notes: Mother of Fanny, born 18 April, 1815, David Calahan, born 20 September, 1817 and George
Nors, born 26 February, 1821. See below.
Date of Records: (Fanny) 7 September 1815, (David Calahan) 4 March, 1818, (George) 26 July 1821
Sources: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children | Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Fanny
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: About five months old at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1815, 18 April
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "fem Mulatto child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Hannah
Date of Record: 7 September 1815
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: David Calahan
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: About five months old at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1817, 20 September
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male mulatto child"
Slave Notes: Son of Hannah, a "negro woman servant"
Date of Record: 4 March 1818
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: George Nors
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Five months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 26 February, 1821
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male negro child"
Slave Notes: Son of Hannah.
Date of Record: 26 July 1821
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: Phina
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1823
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female negro servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of Charles Brown, born 7 April, 1823. See below.
Date of Record: 4 September 1823
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: Charles Brown
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Five months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 7 April, 1823
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male negro child"
Slave Notes: Son of Phina.
Date of Record: 4 September 1823
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slaveholder Name: Riddle, Samuel
City or Township:
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Maria Dauphin
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1818
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Manumitted 3 January, 1818
Slave Description: "woman"
Slave Notes: Wife of William Dauphin, who bought her freedom for $193.50, on money borrowed from John Schell, Junior. Text of manumission document:
I acknowledge to have received of William Dauphin the note of Mr. John Schell Jun for the sum of one hundred and ninety three dollars and fifty cents. Said John Schell Jun. agreed to pay for William Dauphin who is accountable for the same to Mr. Schell and in consideration whereof I do hereby release all claim which I had to the services of Maria the wife of the said William and do hereby declare her a free woman.
Date of Record: 3 January 1818
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slaveholder Name: Shannon, Robert
City or Township: Bedford Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Innkeeper
Notes: A notice in The True American, Bedford, Pennsylvania, notes that Robert Shannon purchased the Golden Eagle Tavern on east Pitt Street in the borough (November 9, 1814).
- Slave Name: Betty
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1816
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "negro woman," "servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of Sarah, born 30 October 1816
Date of Record: 24 March 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Sarah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Four months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1816, 30 October
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female negro child"
Slave Notes: Partial text of Registration: "Sarah a female negro child born the thirtieth day of October AD 1816 in the Borough & County aforesaid, daughter of Betty a negro woman servant of the said Robert Shannon."
Date of Record: 24 March 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Shirley, John
City or Township: Woodbury Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: The Old-Greenfield
Township Historical Society notes that the Shirley family moved into
Bedford County in or about the year 1785. (http://www.motherbedford.com/ogths3.htm)
- Slave Name: Hannah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "Aged one year the Eleventh day of June 1788"
Slave Date of Birth: 1787, June 11
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
Slave Notes: The Registration letter for Hannah reads as follows:
"The Return of John Shirley Woodberry Township Farmer
One Negro Girl named Hannah Aged one year the Eleventh day of June 1788
31 March 1789."
Date of Record: 31 March 1789
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Sam
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "Aged five Months the 19th of this month October"
Slave Date of Birth: 1791, May 19
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Mulattoe Boy"
Slave Notes: The Registration letter for Sam reads as follows:
"John Shirley of Woodberry Township Bedford County Returned that he is the Possessor of one Mulattoe Boy named Sam aged five Months the 19th of this month October."
Date of Record: 11 October 1791
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Walker, Judge Jonathan
City or Township: Bedford Borough
County: Bedford County
Occupation: President Judge of the Fourth Judicial District (Bedford, Huntingdon, Mifflin and Centre Counties)
Notes: Transferred to Bedford from Bellefonte in 1814. Father of Robert J. Walker, Governor of Kansas Territory, 1857.
- Slave Name: Clara
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: About two months old at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: "Born on or about 21 August last" (1814)
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female mulattoe Child"
Slave Notes: Daughter of Hannah, a "female mulattoe servant." Judge Walker successfully petitioned the court for a two year extension of the time of servitude for Clara's mother as a consequence of having given birth to this child. (See below)
Date of Record: 8 November 1814
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Clarissa
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: About four months old at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: "Born on or about the third day of April 1817."
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female mulattoe child"
Slave Notes: "Daughter of Hannah, a female Mulattoe Servant." Judge Walker successfully petitioned the court for a two year extension of the time of servitude for Clarissa's mother as a consequence of having given birth to this child. (See below). Text of Registration:
Jonathan Walker of the Town & Borough of Bedford President of the Court of Common Pleas in the fourth Circuit of Penna consisting of the Counties of Bedford, Huntingdon Mifflin & Centre delivers to Davin Mann
Jonathan Walker aforesaid enters with & returns to the Clerk aforesaid, Clarissa, a female mulatto child born on or about the third day of April 1817, daughter of Hannah, a female Mulatto Servant of the said Jonathan for the term of twenty eight years, which said female mulatto child called & named, Clarissa as aforesaid the said Jonathan claims as his servant until she arrives at the age of twenty eight years.
Date of Record: 30 August 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Hannah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1814
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years (extended four additional years by court order)
Slave Description: "negress wench" in court documents, and "female mulattoe servant" in the registration of her child, Clara.
Slave Notes: Mother of Clara, a "female mulattoe child" born 21 August 1814. Mother of Clarissa, born 3 August, 1817. Hannah was purchased in 1812 from
John Blain of Huntingdon County, for $72. Judge Walker successfully petitioned the court for a two year extension of the time of servitude for Hannah as a consequence of having given birth to Clara. He subsequently did the same thing following the birth of Clarissa. See the text of court documents, below:
Documents concerning the birth of Clara:
To the honable Judge of the court of Quarter Sessions--The Petition of the undersigned himself sheweth that some time in the year 1812 your petitioner purchased a negress wench in Huntingdon County of John Blain of the name of Hannah who was duly recorded as a servant to the age of 28 & paid the full price of $72 for the said wench to the said John Blain as trustee for Wm Galbraith. That the time of service of the said servant has not yet expired. That on or about the 21st day of August last the said Hannah being a single unmarried woman had a bastard female child which is still alive. Your petitioner therefore prays that an order may be made by your Honble court upon the said Hannah to appear forthwith in Court to show cause if any she hath why her time of Servitude should not be enlarged after the expiration of her time of Servitude aforesaid. Not exceeding two years nor less than one according to the provisions of the 7th Section of an Act of the Genl assembly aforesaid of the 1st March 1780 printed in [word unreadable] Titles Fornication & Negroes, as a compensation to your Petitioner for the loss & damages he has sustained by [word unreadable] the said wench having born a bastard child in manner aforesaid in the time of her servitude aforesaid & your Petitioner as is duty bound will ever pray.
[signed] Jonathan Walker
5th April 1815 petition read and Rule upon the said Hannah to appear forthwith to shew cause why the prayer of the petitioner should not be granted by the Court.
[signed by clerk]
April 6th 1815 the said negress appearing before the Court, On hearing the Court order & directs that the within named
Negress, shall serve her said master for the time of two years in addition to her present term of service--by reason of the expences incurred, as stated in the within petition.
[signed by clerk]
Documents concerning the birth of Clarissa:
Petition of Jonathan Walker Esq. Nov 5 1817
November Sessions 1817
Asking for extension of time of servitude of Hannah.
(Extracts)
*Hannah was purchased in Huntingdon County in 1812, of John Blair, trustee for William
Galbraith, for $72.
*The time of servitude of said Hannah had already been extended in April 1815 by two years by the court of Quarter Sessions.
*That said Hannah, "being a single & unmarried woman had a bastard female child called Clarissa."
Bedford County[.] Jonathan Walker Esqr being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that he served the within copy of a rule of this Court on the within named Hanna, this day by reading the same to her--and further saith that he offered to furnish her with money to employ counsel--to which the said Hannah answered that she believed she would not come into Court that it was unnecessary. Sworn and subscribed in open Court Nov. 1817.
November 6th 1817 on hearing the Court order & direct that the said Negress Hannah serve her said master the term of two years, in addition to her time."
Date of Records: (Clara) April Sessions, 1815; (Clarissa) November Sessions 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Wallace, Ephraim
City or Township: Belfast Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Tanner
Notes:
- Slave Name: Jean
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Six years and one month old at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1783, February (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 31 March 1789
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slaveholder Name: Watson, Dr. William
City or Township: Bedford Borough
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Doctor of Medicine
Notes:
- Slave Name: Rachel Jameson
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1815
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Servant," "negro woman"
Slave Notes: Mother of Henry, born 28 May, 1815, Sophia, born 27 June, 1817, Sarah, born in 1819, Charles Jamison, born 3 May, 1821, and Jeremiah, born 22 February, 1822. See below.
Date of Records: (Henry) 16 October 1815, (Sophia) 24 November 1817, (Sarah) 8 February, 1820, (Charles) 21 July 1821, (Jeremiah) 18 July 1823
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: Henry
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: About four months old at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1815, 28 May
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "male Negro child"
Slave Notes: "Son of Rachel," a "negro woman"
Date of Record: 16 October 1815
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Sophia
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: About five months old at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1817, 27 June
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female negro child"
Slave Notes: Born in the borough of Bedford. "Daughter of Rachel a negro woman servant"
Date of Record: 24 November 1817
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Sarah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: About five months old at Registration
Slave Date of Birth: "born in the autumn of 1819" (Note that this entry violates the law by not specifying an exact date of birth)
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "female negro child"
Slave Notes: "Daughter of Rachel a negro woman servant"
Date of Record: 8 February 1820
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: Charles Jamison
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Three months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 3 May, 1821
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Male Negro child"
Slave Notes: Son of Rachel Jamison. Text of registration:
William Watson of the borough of Bedford in the County of Bedford and the State of Pennsylvania, Doctor of Medicine, Possessing a Male Negro child born on the 3d day of May last, named Charles, Son of Rachel Jamison a Servant of the said Dr. Watson until the age of twenty eight Years--Enters the same with the Clerk of the Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the said County, agreeable to the Act of Assembly Passed the 29th March 1788 which said Child the said William Watson claims as his servant until he arrives at the age of twenty eight Years.
Date of Record: 21 July 1821
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slave Name: Jeremiah Jameson
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Five months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 22 February, 1822
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Male Negro child"
Slave Notes: Son of Rachel Jameson.
Date of Record: 18 July 1823
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Children
- Slaveholder Name: Woods, George
City or Township: Bedford Town
County: Bedford County
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Notes:
- Slave Name: Prince
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "Aged seventeen Years"
Slave Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Boy"
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 31 October, 1780
Source: Bedford County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Record of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Work, Andrew
City or Township: Bedford Township
County: Bedford County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Nancy
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known, but an adult in 1813
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "negro woman servant"
Slave Notes: Mother of George, born 15 August 1815, and another child, name not known, born in 1813. Work petitioned the court to have Nancy's time of servitude extended due to the birth of these two children. Text of court documents are below:
Petition of Andrew Work
1st April 1816 petition read. Rule upon Negress to appear at next Court of Q.S. to shew cause why the time of her servitude should not be enlarged, same day continued till next Court.
L. Riddle assigned as counsel for the negress.
To the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Quarter Sessions of the peace in and the said County. The Petition of Andrew Work respectfully Sheweth a certain Negress Nance [word unreadable] until the age of 28 years the Servant of your Petitioner in the year 1813 had a Bastard child, that since the said year 1813 & during the time of her being a Servant as aforesaid [word unreadable] in the [several words unreadable--original document is heavily worn at the paper crease] on July last the said Nance had another Bastard child, which said Bastard children are still living, that the time of service of the said Nance has not yet expired.
[signed] Andrew Work
Ownership of Nancy seems to have been transferred to Christian Reamer at some point between August 1815 and the filing of these court petitions. The Registration for the child George, in February 1816 says "son of Nancy a negro woman servant of the said Christian Reamer (at the time of the birth of said child the property of Andrew Work)." Yet Work filed his petition on 1 April, 1816.
Date of Record: 12 February 1816
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: ???
Slave Sex: Not specified in court documents
Slave Age: About three years old at time of petition
Slave Date of Birth: 1813
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Bastard child"
Slave Notes: Child of Nancy. Andrew Work petitioned the court to extend Nancy's time of servitude due to the birth of this child and the child George, born in 1815.
Date of Record: (court documents) 1 April 1816
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
- Slave Name: George
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Six months old at time of Registration
Slave Date of Birth: 1815, 15 August (note: the April 1816 petition places the month of birth for George in July)
Slave Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Slave Description: "Negro"
Slave Notes: Born in McConnelsburgh; Registered in February 1816 by Christian Reamer. Son of Nancy, "a negro woman servant of the said Christian Reamer (at the time of the birth of said child the property of Andrew Work)"
Date of Record: 12 February 1816
Source: Bedford County Misc Slave Records Circa 1780-1834
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Enslavement
