Slaveholders Listed on this Page
- Allison, William (Enslaved persons: Tom)
- Armstrong, Elizabeth (Enslaved persons: Mariah, Jane)
- Armstrong, Joseph (Enslaved persons: Bobb, Jin, Pithena)
- Beaver, John (Enslaved persons: Aram Smith)
- Buchanan, James (Enslaved persons: Unnamed "small coloured Girl")
- Byer, Frederick (Enslaved persons: Sam)
- Cox, Samuel (Enslaved persons: William Sims)
- Cummin, Charles (Enslaved persons: Bill)
- Davison, Elias (Enslaved persons: Jim, Rose)
- Doyle, Edward W. (Enslaved persons: Ann Smallwood)
- Finley, John (Enslaved persons: Rachel)
- Johnston, David (Enslaved persons: Pomp Right)
- Johnston, Robert (Enslaved persons: several un-named persons)
- Johnston, Thomas (Enslaved persons: Hannah Wilson)
- McClanahan, John (Enslaved persons: Sam)
- McCoy, Alexander (Enslaved persons: Unnamed boy)
- Patterson, Nicholas (Enslaved persons: Jack)
- Pott, William (Enslaved persons: Aram Smith)
- Shannon, Joseph (Enslaved persons: One unnamed female child and two unnamed teenaged boys)
- Sterett, Cairns (Enslaved persons: Unnamed boy)
- White, Alexander (Enslaved persons: George Mitchell, Pompey, Eleanor Troy)
- White, Elizabeth Lettice (Enslaved persons: Un-named person[s])
Enslavement Data
- Slaveholder Name: Allison, William
City or Township:
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Slave Age: 24
Slave Date of Birth: 1769 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Tom ran away on October 14, 1793. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
RANAWAY from the subscriber, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, the night of the 14th instant, a Negro Man named TOM, five feet nine or ten inches high, twenty four years of age, stout made, had on a gray coating sailors jacket, the buttons the same of the cloth, three buttons on the sleeves, coarse shirting shirt, a pair striped ticking trowsers, old shoes, high crowned felt hat, it is likely he may steal other cloathing, and will try to pass for a free negro. Whosoever secures said fellow that I get him, shall have Ten Dollars Reward, and if brought home reasonable charges, paid by WILLIAM ALLISON.
October 16, 1793.
Date of Record: October 16, 1793
Source: Carlisle Gazette, November 27, 1793
- Slaveholder Name: Armstrong, Elizabeth
City or Township: Hamilton Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Widow of Joseph Armstrong, who died 1811. Elizabeth was an executor of his estate.
Source: Will of Joseph Armstrong (1811), Franklin County Will Book C: 19, County Clerk's Office, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
- Slave Name: Mariah
Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not stated, but of childbearing age
Slave Date of Birth: Not known but likely after 1780 due to her status as a term slave
Slave Status: Slave for a term of years, 3 years and 5 months remaining; Runaway
Slave Description: "Negro Wench"
Slave Notes: Mariah ran away taking the child Jane on August 14, 1815. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
Stop the Runaway!
Ten Dollars Reward.
RAN away on the 14th day of August, from the subscriber living 7 miles from Chambersburg, Hamilton Township, Franklin County, Penn. A NEGRO WENCH, named MARIAH. She took with her a Child about 4 years old, named Jane -- she is regularly recorded & has 3 years and 5 months to serve. She is tall & lusty, the toe next to her great toe on one of her feet lies on top of her other toes, she speaks plain English and has a bold look; had on and took with her, when she went off, a Cotton Dress, she may change her dress, as she has a quantity of other good clothing with her.
Whosoever takes up said girl and secures her in any jail, so that the subscriber gets her again, shall have TEN DOLLARS REWARD and all reasonable charges paid, and also whosoever will take up said Child, and bring it home to the subscriber, shall be well rewarded for their trouble.
ELIZABETH ARMSTRONG.
August 22, 1815.
Date of Record: 22 August 1815
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 22 August 1815.
- Slave Name: Jane
Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 4 years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1811
Slave Status: Slave for a term of years; Runaway
Slave Description: "Child"
Slave Notes: Very likely the daughter of Mariah, above. Mariah ran away taking the child Jane on August 14, 1815. The text of the runaway advertisement is under the entry for Mariah, above.
Date of Record: 22 August 1815
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 22 August 1815.
- Slaveholder Name: Armstrong, Joseph
City or Township: Hamilton Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Husband of Elizabeth Armstrong. Elizabeth was an executor of his estate upon his death in 1811.
Source: Will of Joseph Armstrong (1811), Franklin County Will Book C: 19, County Clerk's Office, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
- Slave Name: Bobb
Sex: Male
Slave Age: 21
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1759
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description:
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 1780
Source: Franklin County, Pennsylvania, "1780 Slave and Slave Owners Register," https://lfweb.franklincountypa.gov/WebLinkArchives/Browse.aspx?startid=5980240&dbid=0, accessed 13 October 2023.
- Slave Name: Jin
Sex: Female
Slave Age: 24
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1756
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description:
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 1780
Source: Franklin County, Pennsylvania, "1780 Slave and Slave Owners Register," https://lfweb.franklincountypa.gov/WebLinkArchives/Browse.aspx?startid=5980240&dbid=0, accessed 13 October 2023.
- Slave Name: Pithena
Sex: Female
Slave Age: 2 years and 3 months
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1777 to 1778
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description:
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: 1780
Source: Franklin County, Pennsylvania, "1780 Slave and Slave Owners Register," https://lfweb.franklincountypa.gov/WebLinkArchives/Browse.aspx?startid=5980240&dbid=0, accessed 13 October 2023.
- Slaveholder Name: Beaver, John
City or Township: Peter's Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Forgemaster, Valley Forge
Notes: Operated Valley Forge in partnership with William Pott. They frequently advertised as "Pott & Beaver"
- Slave Name: Aram Smith
Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 19 years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1788 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Aram ran away from the forge in April, 1807. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
Five Dollars Reward.
Ran away from the subscriber, living in Peters township, Franklin County, a negro boy, about 19 years old, who calls himself Aram Smith -- had on and took away with him a new roram hat, brown cloth roundabout, striped nankeen overalls, & yellow handkerchief about his neck, has lost part of the little finger of the right hand; it is suspected that he keeps about Chambersburg or Shippensburg. Whoever takes up said negro boy and puts him in any Jail, shall have the above reward.
POTT & BEAVER.
April 27, 1807
Date of Record: 27 April 1807
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 12 May 1807.
- Slaveholder Name: Buchanan, James
City or Township: Mercersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer, merchant
Notes: 1761-1821, Father of 15th President of the United States, James Buchanan. His wife, Elizabeth (Speer) Buchanan is listed in the advertisement below.
- Slave Name: Unnamed
Sex: Female
Slave Age: Young
Slave Date of Birth: Not stated
Slave Status: Enslaved for a term of years -- has five years to serve as of date of ad.
Slave Description: "Small active coloured Girl"
Slave Notes: Upon the death of slaveholder James Buchanan, the unnamed young girl in his estate was to be auctioned off at a public sale on March 5, 1822, along with the remainder of his possessions. The text of the public sale advertisement is below:
PUBLIC SALE.
Will be sold, at public sale, on a credit of nine months, at the late dwelling house of James Buchanan, deceased, in Mercersburg, on Tuesday the 5th of March next, if a fair day, if not, the next fair day, all the personal property of the deceased, viz.
A very large quantity of Wheat, Rye, Corn and Oats by the bushel; a quantity of Hay by the ton; a large variety of Household and Kitchen Furniture; the time of a small active coloured Girl who has almost five years to serve; Horse, Cows, &c. &c.
ELIZABETH BUCHANAN,
ELLIOTT T. LANE,
WILLIAM M'CLELLAND,
February 12.
Date of Record: 12 February 1822
Source: Franklin Repository, (Chambersburg, PA), 12 February, 1822.
- Slaveholder Name: Byer, Frederick
City or Township: Antrim Township
County: Franklin (Cumberland at time of 1779 ad for Sam)
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Sam
Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about sixteen years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1763
Slave Status: Slave for live, runaway
Slave Description: "Mulatto lad"
Slave Notes: Born on Long Island, New York. Sam escaped from Byer on July 19, 1779. The text of Byer's runaway advertisement is below:
SIXTY DOLLARS REWARD
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, living in Antrim township, Cumberland county, on the nineteenth of July last, a likely Mulatto lad named SAM, about sixteen years of age, near five feet high, well made, looks lively, is very talkative, and speaks good Dutch and English; He had on a light coloured lincey jacket, hempen shirt and trowsers, and a straw hat with a blue ribband for a band round it. Whoever secures said Mulatto so that the owner may get him again, shall have the above reward, and if brought home reasonable charges, paid by
FREDERICK BYER.
N.B. It is supposed he is gone to Long-Island, as he was born there.
Date of Record: 12 August 1779
Source: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 12 August 1779.
- Slaveholder Name: Cox, Samuel
City or Township: Southampton Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: William Sims
Sex: Male
Slave Age: 17a
Slave Date of Birth: 1807 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for a term of yeasrs; Runaway
Slave Description: "Mulatto servant boy"
Slave Notes: William escaped on September 2, 1824. The text of Cox's runaway advertisement is below:
$5 Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber living in Southampton township, Franklin county, on the night of the 2d inst. a mulatto servant boy, named
WILLIAM SIMS,
about 17 years of age, had on a new wool hat, a new roundabout and pantaloons striped blue and white, old calf-skin shoes.
The above boy is about five feet five or six inches high, somewhat freckled, wears his hair in a large curly top in front, has large fore teeth. The public are cautioned against harboring, feeding or concealing him at their peril. Any person securing said runaway in jail or otherwise, so that I can get him again, shall receive the above reward and reasonable charges.
SAMUEL COX.
September 7.
Date of Record: September 7, 1824
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 14 September 1824
- Slaveholder Name: Cummin, Charles
City or Township: "near Strasburg"
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Bill
Sex: Male
Slave Age: 26a
Slave Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Bill ran away on August 29, 1800. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
EIGHT DOLLARS REWARD. RAN away from the subscriber, living in Franklin County, near Strasburg, on the 29th of August last, a Negro Man, named BILL, about five feet five or six inches high--about twenty-six years of age, --he is a short thick built fellow with a smiling countenance when he talks, and has lost one of his fore teeth--he inclines to play on the fiddle--took with him when he went away, a mixed coloured blue coat; and a blue coat faced with red--a wool hat--a corduroy jacket, and two shirts.-- It is probable he has got a counterfeit pass with him.-- Whoever takes up said runaway, and brings him to the subscriber, or puts him in the nearest Jail, so that he may get him, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
CHARLES CUMMIN. September 19th, 1800.
Date of Record: September 19, 1800
Source: Klines Carlisle Weekly Gazette, October 08, 1800
- Slaveholder Name: Davison, Elias
City or Township:
Antrim
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Lived 1736 - 1806. Settled in Antrim Township about1760. Married Agnes McDowell, daughter of Major John McDowell, in 1771. Click
here for notes on the Davison family and a photograph of the Davison Family graveyard.
- Slave Names: Jim
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Not stated, but described as "boy."
Slave Date of Birth: Not stated
Slave Status: Not stated
Slave Description: "negro boy"
Slave Notes: In his will, dated June 18, 1804, Davison leaves "negro boy Jim" to his daughter Mary Davison.
Date of Record: Will dated 18 June 1804, proved 23 April 1806
Source: "Abstracts and Letters of Administration: Franklin Co, PA," Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Carolyn K. Shearer <[email protected]>. http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/franklin/wills/willabst01.txt accessed February 24, 2005.
- Slave Names: Rose
Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not stated but described as "girl."
Slave Date of Birth: Not stated
Slave Status: Not stated
Slave Description: "negro girl"
Slave Notes: In his will, dated June 18, 1804, Davison leaves "negro girl Rose" to his daughter Mary Davison.
Date of Record: Will dated 18 June 1804, proved 23 April 1806
Source: "Abstracts and Letters of Administration: Franklin Co, PA," Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Carolyn K. Shearer <[email protected]>. http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/franklin/wills/willabst01.txt accessed February 24, 2005.
- Slaveholder Name: Doyle, Edward W.
City or Township: Concord, Fannett Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Innkeeper, County Commissioner
Notes: 1781-1840
- Slave Name: Ann Smallwood
Sex: Female
Slave Age: 4
Slave Date of Birth: Born about 1805 in Frederick County, Maryland
Slave Status: Illegally enslaved after 1809. See notes.
Slave Description: "Negro"
Slave Notes: Gifted to Doyle and his wife Nancy in 1809 by his father-in-law, Henry Spalding, of Frederick County, Maryland. In 1821, Doyle illegally sold Ann to James Shoaf of Williamsport, Maryland, for $200. Shoaf, upon discovering that Ann was born enslaved in Maryland, then brought to Pennsylvania in 1809 at age 4 and thus became free, took out newspaper advertisements in a public campaign to shame Doyle.
Proof of the transfer of Ann Smallwood from Henry Spalding of Frederick County, Maryland, to Nancy and Edward Doyle of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, was supplied by Edward Doyle himself, who published a letter from his brother-in-law Francis Spalding, son of Henry Spalding, saying "I do certify, that Ann Smallwood was a Slave for life to my father, Henry Spalding. In 1809 he gave her to his daughter and Edw'd W. Doyle, said Ann was about four years old." For more details, see this page.
Date of Record: October 9, 1821
Source: Franklin Republican, 09 October 1821, page 3.
- Slaveholder Name: Finley, John (also spelled "Findlay")
City or Township: Letterkenny
County: Franklin (then Cumberland)
Occupation:Farmer
Notes: Husband of Mary Finley. In the 1768 tax assessments, John Findlay of Letterkenny is assessed for 2 horses, 4 cows, 12 sheep, and 1 negro. (Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1768 Assessments)
- Slave Names: Rachel
Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not determined
Slave Date of Birth: Not determined, but before 1783.
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro wench"
Slave Notes: In his will, dated , Finley leaves "the Negro wench called Rachel " to his wife Mary.
Date of Record: Will dated 9 August 1783, proved 21 October 1783
Source: Will of John Finley, Letterkenny, Cumberland County Will Book D, 38..
- Slaveholder Name: Johnston, David
City or Township: Strasburg
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Names: Pomp Right
Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 35 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1771
Slave Status: Slave for life; runaway attempting to raise money to purchase his freedom
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Ranaway in March 1806. Married. Text of runaway ad placed by Johnston:
10 Dollars Reward.
RAN away from the subscriber, living in Strasburg, sometime in March last, a Negro Man named POMP RIGHT, about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, about 35 years of age, stout and well made, and has a scar over one of his eyes -- He has in his possession, an instrument of writing, which was given to his Wife by her own desire, addressed to the humane for the purpose of raising money to purchase his freedom, which I understand he has been exhibiting in several parts of this county. Whoever takes up said slave, and secures him in any jail so that I get him again, shall receive the above reward and all reasonable charges.
DAVID JOHNSTON.
June 9, 1806.
Date of Record: 09 June 1806
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 29 July 1806.
- Slaveholder Name: Johnston, Robert
City or Township: Antrim
County: Franklin
Occupation: Tanner, Major General
Notes: Born 1750, died 1808. Married to Eleanor Pawling.
- Slave Names: not stated
Sex:
Slave Age:
Slave Date of Birth:
Slave Status:
Slave Description: "negroes"
Slave Notes: In his will, dated November 12, 1808, Johnston leaves "all my negroes" to his wife Eleanor.
Date of Record: Will dated 12 November 1808, proved 29 November 1808
Source: "Abstracts and Letters of Administration: Franklin Co, PA," Contributed for use
in USGenWeb Archives by Carolyn K. Shearer. http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/franklin/wills/willabst01.txt, accessed February 24, 2005
- Slaveholder Name: Johnston, Thomas
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Names: Hannah Wilson
Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 17 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1803
Slave Status: Slave for a term of years; Runaway
Slave Description: "Negro servant Girl"
Slave Notes: Ranaway in March 1822. Text of runaway ad placed by Johnston:
6 1/4 Cents Reward.
Ran away from the subscriber, on the 3d inst. a Negro servant Girl named HANNAH WILSON. She had on & took with her, a white straw bonnet, a yellow flannel frock, muslin shift and coarse leather shoes. She is about 17 years of age. Whoever secures said runaway in any jail, so that I may get her again, shall have the above reward but no charges.
THOMAS JOHNSTON.
Peters township, March 8, 1822.
Date of Record: 08 March 1822
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 19 March 1822.
- Slaveholder Name: McClanahan, John
City or Township: Greencastle
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Sam
Sex: Male
Slave Age: 20
Slave Date of Birth: 1799 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "black man"
Slave Notes: Sam ran away late in 1819 with his wife and her young son. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
Fifteen Dollars Reward.
I will give fifteen dollars for apprehending and putting to jail a black man
named SAM, twenty years old, remarkably thick upper lip, rather a down look, 5
feet 10 inches high; is well dressed: blue super broad cloth coat, fur
hat. His shoes have small straps and buckles. Also a variety of
clothes to work in; is a good and harmless servant but decoyed by a mulatto
woman, to whom he is lately married. She has stolen sundry articles of
value, say two pieces linen cambric, a yellow damask shawl half worn,
handkerchief, &c and absconded for fear of punishment; has a male child
two or three years old.
John M'Lanahan, of James
Greencastle, Franklin co.
December 17, 1819
Date of Record: December 17, 1819. This ad ran through January 1820.
Source: Harrisburg Republican, December 17, 1819
- Slaveholder Name: McCoy, Alexander
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:
Slave Name: Not named
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Not stated; described as "boy"
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for a term of years; more than four years remaining to serve
Slave Description: "Negro Boy"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in January 1816.
A Negro Boy for Sale.
THE subscriber offers for Sale the time of a healthy, smart Negro Boy, who has better than four years to serve.
ALEXANDER M'COY.
Peters township,
January 8, 1816
Date of Record:8 January 1816
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 16, 23 January 1816.
- Slaveholder Name: Patterson, Nicholas
City or Township: Letterkenny Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Slave Age: "upwards of 30 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1787 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Jack ran away from Patterson in September, 1817. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
5 Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber living in Letterkenny township, Franklin county, on sunday last, a
Negro man named Jack,
of a low stature and very much disfigured by having his back broke when young, which causes a large lump both upon his back and breast -- he is upwards of 30 years of age -- had on when he went away an old hat and a lye colored hunting-shirt of tow cloth and a pair of white tow trowsers -- had no shoes nor stockings on, nor any other clothing with him.
Whoever takes up said runaway and lodges him in any jail and gives information so that I can get him again or brings him home, shall receive the above reward and all charges paid by
NICHOLAS PATTERSON.
Sept. 30, 1817.
Date of Record: 30 September 1817
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 30 September 1817.
- Slaveholder Name: Pott, William
City or Township: Peter's Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Forgemaster, Valley Forge
Notes: Operated Valley Forge in partnership with John Beaver. They frequently advertised as "Pott & Beaver"
- Slave Name: Aram Smith
Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 19 years old"
Slave Date of Birth: 1788 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Aram ran away from the forge in April, 1807. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
Five Dollars Reward.
Ran away from the subscriber, living in Peters township, Franklin County, a negro boy, about 19 years old, who calls himself Aram Smith -- had on and took away with him a new roram hat, brown cloth roundabout, striped nankeen overalls, & yellow handkerchief about his neck, has lost part of the little finger of the right hand; it is suspected that he keeps about Chambersburg or Shippensburg. Whoever takes up said negro boy and puts him in any Jail, shall have the above reward.
POTT & BEAVER.
April 27, 1807
Date of Record: 27 April 1807
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 12 May 1807.
- Slaveholder Name: Shannon, Joseph
City or Township: Montgomery Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Died in 1805 and three enslaved children were sold at public auction as part of the settlement of his estate.
- Slave Name: Unnamed male
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Between 15 and 17 years old
Slave Date of Birth: c1788 to 1790 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave to age 28
Slave Description: "Negro Boy"
Slave Notes: Slaveholder Joseph Shannon died in 1805, resulting in the public auction of this teenaged boy. The text of the public auction advertisement is below:
To be Sold,
BY PUBLIC VENDUE,
ON Thursday the 14th of March, at the late dwelling house of Joseph Shannon, deceased, late of Montgomery township, the following property, viz. Two Negro Boys, from 15 to 17 years of age, & a Negro Girl about 12, to serve until they are 28 -- Horses, Cows, Hogs, and Sheep, a Plantation Wagon, Barley, Rye and Oats by the bushel, Grain in the ground, Farming Utensils, and Household Furniture, together with other articles too tedious to enumerate. The credit of the vendue will be made known on the day of the sale.
MARTHA SHANNON, Administrtrix.
JOHN STERRETT, JAMES IRWIN, Administrators.
February 25, 1805.
N.B. All persons having any demands against said estate, are requested to bring in their accounts, properly attested, on the 15th of March next, for settlement.
Date of Record: 25 February 1805. This ad ran through 12 March 1805.
Source: Franklin Repository, 12 March 1805.
- Slave Name: Unnamed male
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Between 15 and 17 years old
Slave Date of Birth: c1788 to 1790 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave to age 28
Slave Description: "Negro Boy"
Slave Notes: Slaveholder Joseph Shannon died in 1805, resulting in the public auction of this teenaged boy. See above for the text of the public auction advertisement.
Record: 25 February 1805. This ad ran through 12 March 1805.
Source: Franklin Repository, 12 March 1805.
- Slave Name: Unnamed girl
Sex: Female
Slave Age: About 12 years old
Slave Date of Birth: c1793 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave to age 28
Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
Slave Notes: Slaveholder Joseph Shannon died in 1805, resulting in the public auction of this female child. See above for the text of the public auction advertisement.
Date of Record: 25 February 1805. This ad ran through 12 March 1805.
Source: Franklin Repository, 12 March 1805.
- Slaveholder Name: Sterett, Cairns
City or Township: Loudon town
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Not named
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Not given; described as "bound boy"
Slave Date of Birth:
Slave Status: Slave for a term of years; 11-12 years yet to serve
Slave Description: "Bound Black Boy"
Slave Notes: Auctioned off on December 5, 1816 to settle estate of Cairns Sterett. The text of the public auction advertisement is below:
To be Sold,
By public Vendue,
ON Thursday the 5th of December, at the dwelling house of Cairns Sterett, late of Loudon town, deceased,
THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY:
ONE Horse and a Cow, with a variety of Household and Kitchen Furniture, consisting of Desks, Drawers, Cupboards, and Cupboard Furniture; Chairs, Beds and Bedding, Table Linen, Sheeting and Carpeting; a Silver Watch, with a number of other articles too tedious to enumerate.
ALSO,
At the same time a bound BLACK BOY, who has between 11 and 12 years to serve. The sale to begin at 10 o'clock on said day, when due attendance and reasonable credit will be given by
WM. HUSTON.
WM. STERETT, Adm'rs
Nov. 26, 1816
Date of Record: 26 November
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 03 December 1816.
- Slaveholder Name: White, Alexander
City or Township:
County: Franklin County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Passage from History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, 1895, page 68: "In 1799, when Matthew White settled at Whitestown--where he had previously purchased 400 acres of land--he brought with him three slaves named George Mitchell, Pompey and
Eleanor Troy, or "Black Nell." They were really the property of Alexander White, of Franklin county, father of Matthew, who manumitted them prior to 1803, in fulfillment of a promise made during a serious illness. In order, however, that they might be cared for, he gave George Mitchell to his son, Matthew, Pompey to his son, James, later of Waterford, Erie county, Pennsylvania, and "Black Nell" to his daughter, Mrs. Anna Galbraith, the wife of Alexander Galbraith, of Centre township. Eleanor Troy, or "Black Nell," who was listed in the assessment of 1821, in Centre township, as a female slave forty-five years old, died March 11, 1857. For over thirty years she was a member of the Associate Reformed Church, of Butler. She was buried on the Moses Thompson farm in Centre township, where a monument marks her grave."
- Slave Name: George Mitchell
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: not determined
Slave Date of Birth: prior to 1799
Slave Status: Manumitted in or before 1803
Slave Description:
Slave Notes: Ownership of George Mitchell passed from Alexander White, of Franklin County, to his son Matthew White, who settled in Butler County circa 1799. A county history (see above) notes that Alexander White retained legal ownership of Mitchell and other slaves, and manumitted them "prior to 1803."
Date of Record: 1895 county history
Source: History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. R. C. Brown Co. 1895, page 68.
- Slave Name: Pompey
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: not determined
Slave Date of Birth: prior to 1799
Slave Status: Manumitted in or before 1803
Slave Description:
Slave Notes: Ownership of Pompey passed from Alexander White, of Franklin County, to his son Matthew White, who settled in Butler County circa 1799 and then to James White. A county history (see above) notes that Alexander White retained legal ownership of Pompey and other slaves, and manumitted them "prior to 1803."
Date of Record: 1895 county history
Source: History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. R. C. Brown Co. 1895, page 68.
- Slave Name: Eleanor Troy a.k.a. "Black Nell"
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age reported as 45 years old in tax records of 1821
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1776
Slave Status: Manumitted in or before 1803
Slave Description: "female slave"
Slave Notes: Ownership of Eleanor Troy passed from Alexander White, of Franklin County, to his son Matthew White, who settled in Butler County circa 1799 and then to Anna Galbraith, wife of Alexander Galbraith. A county history (see above) notes that Alexander White retained legal ownership of Eleanor and other slaves, and manumitted them "prior to 1803." Eleanor was a long time member
of the Associate Reformed Church, of Butler, and died on March 11, 1857. She was buried on the farm of Moses Thompson, in Centre Township.
Eleanor is found in the 1850 census for North Butler Township, Butler County, living with Joseph and Jane Galbraith and their five children. She is listed as "Nelly Troy," age 76, female, Black, born in Pennsylvania.
Date of Record: 1895 county history; 1850 census of North Butler Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, page 84.
Source: History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. R. C. Brown Co. 1895, page 68.
- Slaveholder Name: White, Elizabeth Lettice
Slaveholder Location: Franklin County
Slaveholder Notes: Born about 1761 in Lurgan Township, Cumberland County (later Franklin County). Wife of Edward White. In 1786 her father, James W. McKibben, Sr., bequeathed to her and her sister "all of his negroes and household goods."
- Slave Name: No name recorded
Slave Age: Not known
Slave Sex: Not known
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Description: "Negroe"
Slave Status: Not determined
Slave Notes: Bequeathed by James McKibben, Sr. to his daughter Elizabeth Lettice White in 1786.
Date of Record 1786
Source: Ancestors of Everett "Skeets" Wilhite.
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