Slaveholders Listed on This Page
- Baker, Adam (Enslaved persons listed: Un-named man)
- Bicking, Frederick (Enslaved persons listed: Caleb Brown)
- Brooks, Benjamin (Enslaved persons listed: Elija Domanic)
- Currie, William (Enslaved persons listed: Unnamed teenaged girl)
- Farmer, Justice (Enslaved persons listed: Gloster)
- Graeme, Dr. Thomas (Enslaved persons listed: Will)
- Hillegas, Catharina (Enslaved persons listed: Unnamed woman)
- Jones, Morris (Enslaved persons listed: Peter Commings)
- Keith, Governor William (Enslaved persons listed: Various)
- Knox, David (Enslaved persons listed: Stiffany, and child)
- Maybury, Sophia (Enslaved persons listed: Ned, Mona)
- McCall, Archibald (Enslaved persons listed: Five "forge negroes")
- Nash, S. (Enslaved persons listed: Unnamed "Negro Girl")
- Pawling, Henry Enslaved persons listed: Cuffy, Jack, Bess, Cate, Oliver, Jane, Tom, Tim, Bet)
- Pawling, John Enslaved persons listed: Tony)
- Reiff, Jacob Sr. Enslaved persons listed: Joe)
- Rittenhouse, Benjamin Enslaved persons listed: Chloe)
- Shippen, Edward, Jr. (Enslaved persons listed: Will)
- Trump, Jesse (Esnlaved persons listed: Bill Bing)
Enslavement Data
- Slaveholder Name: Baker, Adam
City or Township: Cheltenham Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation:
Notes: Part of Philadelphia County when the news article below was published.
- Slave Name: Not named
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not given, but described as a "man."
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Enslaved for life; escaped by committing suicide
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: This un-named enslaved man committed suicide to escape enslavement. News item below.
PHILADELPHIA, March 4.
On Wednesday last a Negro man, belonging to Mr. Adam Baker, in Cheltenham township, was found hanging on a tree by some women who were passing along the road. He hung himself, is is supposed, thinking that he would go back to his own country, having given that as a reason for a former attempt, when the rope breaking, prevented his intention.
Date of Record: 04 March 1775
Sources: The Pennsylvania Evening Post (Philadelphia, PA), 4 March 1775
- Slaveholder Name: Bicking, Frederick
City or Township: Lower Merion Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Caleb Brown
Sex: Male
Slave Age: 16a
Slave Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway slave
Slave Description: "Negro lad"
Slave Notes: Ran away on 15 March 1795, returned or was captured, but ran away again on 10 May 1795. Bicking placed this ad in May (which was almost identical to the ad placed in March):
Twenty Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY on Saturday, the 10th inst. from the subscriber, living in Lower Merion township, Montgomery county, a Negro LAD, about 16 years of age, and goes by the name of CALEB BROWN, about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, has a round face, and somewhat of a down look, a mark near one of his temples, speaks coarse, and leans forward in his walk; had on when he went away, a blue sailor jacket lined with white flannel, a linsey under jacket, striped brown linsey trowsers, Russia sheeting shirt, two pair of stockings, one pair blue, the other brown, calfskin shoes, and an old wool hat. Whoever secures said Negro in any gaol, so that his master gets him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by FREDERICK BICKING. May 13, 1795.
N.B. All masters of vessels, and others, are forbid to harbour or carry him off at their peril.
Date of Record: 20 May 1795
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 March 1795; 20 May 1795
- Slaveholder Name: Brooks, Benjamin
City or Township: Gulph Mills
County: Montgomery
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Elija Domanic
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Not stated
Slave Date of Birth: Not stated
Slave Status: Escaped slave
Slave Description: "Black boy"
Slave Notes: Escaped on 20 July 1801
Date of Record: 25 July 1801
Source: Lancaster Journal
- Slaveholder Name: Currie, William
City or Township: Plymouth Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation: Episcopalian Minister
Notes: Born c1708 in Scotland, educated in Virginia. A detailed biography of the Rev. William Currie may be found at https://www.tehistory.org/hqda/html/v33/v33n2p061.html.
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 15 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1734
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe girl"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale as part of a larger liquidation of Currie's country estate in Plymouth Township, then Philadelphia County.
TO BE SOLD
A Plantation, in the township of Plymouth, and county of Philadelphia, 15 miles from the city, containing 222 acres of land, well timber'd, about 70 acres of corn land, lately clear'd, 20 acres of meadow, and more may be made; a new stone house, new barn and stables, a large bearing orchard, mostly grafted fruit. This plantation being in prime order, well water'd, adorn'd with variety of fruit trees, and having a healtful situation, is fit for a citizen's country seat. Whoever has a mind to purchase, may apply to William Currie, on the premises, or to John Ross, Esq; in Philadelphia, and know the title and terms of sale.
N.B. Said Currie has a likely negroe girl to be dispos'd of, about 15 years of age. Enquire at Thomas Williams's, in Second Street.
Date of Record: 7 September 1749
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 7 September 1749
- Slaveholder Name: Farmer, Justice
City or Township: Whitemarsh Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Gloster
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not given in ad, but described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Runaway slave
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Gloster escaped from Farmer as part of a mass escape of enslaved persons from numerous other area owners on October 6, 1733. The slaveholders who lost slaves advertised collectively, posting rewards:
RUN away from Justice Farmer of Whitemarsh, a Negroe Man named Gloster; from John Petty, Indian Trader, a Negroe Man and Woman; from John Baily of Philadelphia Shoemaker, a Negroe Man named Corke, from the Widow Bird of Philadelphia, a Negroe Man, and from John Noble of Philadelphia, a Negroe Man called Bristol. They all went away last Saturday, and took Guns with them, and have been seen going up Perkiomy Road last Monday Night. Whoever takes up the said Negroes or any of them so that they may be had again, shall have from Justice Farmer Five Pound, from the Widow Bird Three Pounds, and from the other Two Pounds, and reasonable Charges paid by Justice Farmer, John Petty, John Baily, Widow Bird, and John Noble.
October 11, 1733.
Date of Record: 11 October 1733
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 October 1733.
- Slaveholder Name: Graeme, Doctor Thomas
City or Township: Horsham Township
County: Montgomery (Philadelphia, at time of the ad, below)
Occupation:
Notes: The plantation mentioned in the runaway ad for Will, below, is Graeme Park, an historic site in Horsham, Pennsylvania. The Keith House, on the grounds, was built in 1722 and served as a summer residence for Sir William Keith, a colonial Governor of Pennsylvania. Dr. Thomas Graeme purchased the estate in 1739. Graeme Park has remained largely unchanged since colonial times, is open for tourists, and hosts many historical events each year. https://www.graemepark.org/
For more information on enslaved persons at Graeme Park, see Keith, William, Governor.
- Slave Name: Will
Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 29 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1723
Slave Status: Escaped slave
Slave Description: "Molatto slave"
Slave Notes: Will escaped from Graeme's plantation with the help of a hired hand white man named Thomas Stillwell. Graeme believed that Stillwell helped the escape and was further aiding Will by posing as his owner during their travels:
RUn away from doctor Thomas Graeme's plantation, in Horsham township, Philadelphia county, a Molatto slave, named Will, about 29 years of age, approaching very near the Negroe complexion, being of a Negroe father, and Indian mother, about five feet eight inches high, of an open bold countenance, somewhat pitted with the small-pox, speaks both English and Dutch, and is a very cunning sensible fellow. There went with him, a labouring man, that work'd by the day or month, called Thomas Stillwell, a tall smooth fac'd fair complexion'd fellow, with pale strait hair, and may be farther known by a sore not quite heal'd on one of his shins; he has been at sea, and pretends to be a sailor. The said Stillwell is supposed to countenance the escape of the Molatto, by assuming the character of his master, or some such false pretence.
Whoever apprehends said Molatto, either with or without Stillwell, and secures him in any goal, or brings him to Philadelphia, shall have Five Pounds reward, and reasonable charges, paid by his master,
THOMAS GRAEME.
N.B. It is supposed he is gone towards New-York: All masters of vessels are forbid to carry him off at their peril.
Date of Record: 12 October 1752
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 October 1752.
- Slaveholder Name: Hillegas, Catharina
City or Township: Upper Hanover Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation: Widow of Adam Hillegas
Notes:
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Female
Slave Age: 22a
Slave Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway slave
Slave Description: "Negro Wench"
Slave Notes: Ran away on 14 September 1792. Widow Hillegas notes "'tis supposed she was taken away by a free Negroe man."
RUN AWAY from Catharina Hillegas, widow of Adam Hillegas, late of Upper Hanover township, in the county of Montgomery, yeoman, deceased, on the night of Friday the 14th instant, a NEGRO WENCH, about 22 years old, had on when she went away, two half linen petticoats, two cotton short gowns, besides a half linen one, a pair of new shoes, and a man's white wool hat; has lost one of her eyes; 'tis supposed she was taken away by a free Negroe man. Whoever takes up and secures said wench, so that the owner may get her again, shall have EIGHT SPANISH DOLLARS reward, and reasonable charges if brought home, paid by
CATHARINA HILLEGAS, Upper Hanover, September 17, 1792.
Date of Record: 19 September 1792
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 19 September 1792
- Slaveholder Name: Jones, Morris
City or Township: Providence
County: Montgomery
Occupation:
Notes: I have not determined if Peter Commings is a term slave or a true indentured servant.
- Slave Name: Peter Commings
Sex: Male
Slave Age: 17a
Slave Date of Birth: 1781 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway slave
Slave Description: "Negro lad"
Slave Notes: Ran away on 4 April 1798
Twenty Five Cents Reward.
RAN away on the 4th instant from the subscriber, living in Providence township, Montgomery county, an indented negro lad, a cordwainer by trade, named PETER COMMINGS, about seventeen years of age, five feet six or seven inches high; took with him all his clothes, so that it is impossible to describe the dress he may have on when taken. Whoever will apprehend said lad, and bring him home to me, shall receive the above reward, but no charges paid.
MORRIS JONES.
April 17, 1798.
Date of Record: 18 April 1798
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 April 1798
- Slaveholder Name: Keith, William, Governor
City or Township: Horsham Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation: Colonial Governor of Pennsylvania
Notes: Governor William Keith kept thirteen slaves at his summer residence in Horsham. This property is now known as Graeme Park, for its later owner, Dr. Thomas Graeme.
- Slave Name: Various
Sex: Male and female
Slave Age: Various
Slave Date of Birth:
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description:
Slave Notes: William Keith kept 13 slaves at his summer estate between 1722 and 1739. The following was posted on the Graeme Park Facebook page, 19 June 2022:
On Juneteenth, we'd like to acknowledge the enslaved individuals who labored at Graeme Park in the 18th century. They were William, Jane, and their son Will; Mercury, Diana and their son Andrew; Ceasar, Maria, Robert, Sarah, Harrington, Oronooke, Charity, Brutus, Alexander, and Mars. We have very few details on the lives of these individuals. Will and Mars sought, and probably obtained, their freedom when they ran away from Graeme Park; Alexander may have been freed by Elizabeth after the Revolution; Jane was a Native American child of 12 when she is first mentioned as property of the Governor; Lady Keith had Charity, a mulatto, baptized; most were sold by Governor Keith to his son-in-law Dr. Graeme before he left America; at least two, possibly three, family units were maintained.
Date of Record:
Source: https://www.facebook.com/GraemeParkHorsham/
- Slaveholder Name: Knox, David
City or Township: Whitpaine Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation:
Notes: Whitpaine Township was part of Philadelphia County in 1778. David Knox was born in Antrim, Ireland in 1700, emigrated in 1732 to Whitpaine Township, and died there in 1780. Father of Andrew Knox of Revolutionary War fame.
- Slave Name: Stiffany
Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 26 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1752
Slave Status: Escaped slave
Slave Description: "Mulatto Wench", probably traveling with a child.
Slave Notes: Escaped from Knox on 26 September 1777. She had been at large about a year when this ad was published.
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, living in Whitpaine township, Philadelphia county, on the 26th day of September last, a Mulatto Wench named STIFFANY, about 26 years of age, middle sized, a smart, active, handy wench; had on and took with her, a black silk bonnet, a calico long gown, four striped linen and lincey short gowns, five lincey petticoats, three shifts, two yards and a half of home made linen, one or two pair of stockings, a pair of shoes, and sundry other wearing apparel. She likewise stole and took with her, a black Horse, five years old, near fifteen hands high, paces and trots, shod before, a star in his forehead, short thick neck, his mane inclining to hand on both sides of his neck. Whoever apprehends and secures said wench, so that her master may get her and the horse again, shall have the above reward, or SIXTEEN DOLLARS for the wench and FOUR DOLLARS for the horse, and reasonable charges, paid by DAVID KNOX.
N.B. it is very probable she may have a child.
Date of Record: 15 September 1778
Source: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 15 September 1778
- Slaveholder Name: Maybury, Sophia
City or Township: Green Lane Forge
County: Montgomery
Occupation: Iron Mistress; widow of Thomas Maybury
Notes: Green Lane Forge was abandoned circa 1749.
- Slave Name: Ned
Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 18 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1730
Slave Status: Slave for life; Runaway
Slave Description:"Negro lad"
Slave Notes: Ned escaped from Green Lane Forge on July 17, 1748. Sophia Maybury placed the following ad seeking the return of Ned as well as of male slave Mona, who escaped a few days later:
Philadelphia, July 28, 1748.
RUN away from the subscriber, on the 17th instant, a Negroe lad, called Ned, about 18 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high, speaks pretty good English, but thick, has very thick lips, and is much pitted with the small-pox; Had on when he went away an ozenbrigs shirt, tow trowsers, striped woolen cap, and new shoes.
Also run away the 20th instant from the subscriber, a Spanish Negroe man, called Mona, about 28 or 30 years of age, 4 feet 8 inches high, speaks broken English, a very bragging fellow, given much to flattery, is very well set, something of a stoop in his shoulders, which are very round, and has a down, designing look; Had on when he want away, an ozenbrigs shirt, tow trowsers, felt hatand old woolen cap; he carried off a blanket, a pair of buckskin breeches, and some other things; and is the same Negroe which the subscriber's late husband, Thomas Maybury deceased, advertized about a year ago.
Whoever takes up said Negroes, or either of them, and apprizes the subscriber thereof, who lives at Green Lane Forge, Philadelphia county, or Michael Hillegas, merchant in Second-street, a little above Arch-street, Philadelphia, shall have Twenty Shillings reward for each, and reasonable charges, paid by said HILLEGAS, or SOPHIA MAYBURY.
N.B. As the subscriber is certain there are people that encourage her Negroes, by giving them liquor, and harbouring them in their houses, to her great detriment and loss; and as she hath forewarned them of such underhand dealings by advertisement, published in Dutch and English some time ago; She hereby now offers a reasonable reward to any one who will make information, or discover to her the name or names of such persons, who act in so unjustifiable a manner, that she may prosecute them according to law.
Date of Record: 28 July 1748
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 4, 11 August 1748
- Slave Name: Mona
Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 28 or 30 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1718 or 1720
Slave Status: Slave for life; Runaway
Slave Description:"Spanish Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Mona escaped from Green Lane Forge on July 20, 1748. Sophia Maybury placed the following ad seeking the return of Mona as well as of the teenaged Ned, who escaped a few days prior:
Philadelphia, July 28, 1748.
RUN away from the subscriber, on the 17th instant, a Negroe lad, called Ned, about 18 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high, speaks pretty good English, but thick, has very thick lips, and is much pitted with the small-pox; Had on when he went away an ozenbrigs shirt, tow trowsers, striped woolen cap, and new shoes.
Also run away the 20th instant from the subscriber, a Spanish Negroe man, called Mona, about 28 or 30 years of age, 4 feet 8 inches high, speaks broken English, a very bragging fellow, given much to flattery, is very well set, something of a stoop in his shoulders, which are very round, and has a down, designing look; Had on when he want away, an ozenbrigs shirt, tow trowsers, felt hatand old woolen cap; he carried off a blanket, a pair of buckskin breeches, and some other things; and is the same Negroe which the subscriber's late husband, Thomas Maybury deceased, advertized about a year ago.
Whoever takes up said Negroes, or either of them, and apprizes the subscriber thereof, who lives at Green Lane Forge, Philadelphia county, or Michael Hillegas, merchant in Second-street, a little above Arch-street, Philadelphia, shall have Twenty Shillings reward for each, and reasonable charges, paid by said HILLEGAS, or SOPHIA MAYBURY.
N.B. As the subscriber is certain there are people that encourage her Negroes, by giving them liquor, and harbouring them in their houses, to her great detriment and loss; and as she hath forewarned them of such underhand dealings by advertisement, published in Dutch and English some time ago; She hereby now offers a reasonable reward to any one who will make information, or discover to her the name or names of such persons, who act in so unjustifiable a manner, that she may prosecute them according to law.
Date of Record: 28 July 1748
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 4, 11 August 1748
- Slaveholder Name: McCall, Archibald
City or Township: Glasgow Forge, also called McCall's Forge
County: Montgomery
Occupation: Ironmaster, merchant
Notes: Glasgow Forge was built by George McCall. Upon his death in 1740 he bequeathed it to sons Alexander, Archibald and Samuel, who continued its operation. The forge received pig iron from Thomas Potts, Jr.'s Colebrookdale Furnace, and Potts helped manage it. Per the entry below, the McCalls sold their enslaved forgemen in 1769 in anticipation of shutting down operations.
- Slave Names: Not named
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Various, all adults
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Forge Negroes"
Slave Notes: Five enslaved skilled forge workers were advertised for sale in February 1769 in advance of the spring shutdown of Glasgow Forge:
To be SOLD,
FIVE FORGE NEGROES, that have been Ten Years at the Business, and are Master Workmen; three of which are HAMMERMEN, and two FINERS. Enquire of ARCHIBALD M'CALL, in Philadelphia, or JOHN FEGAN, at Glasgow Forge.
N.B. The Reason of their being sold is, that the Forge is not to be carried on longer than next Spring.
Date of Record: 23 February 1769
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 23 February 1769.
- Slaveholder Name: Nash, S.
City or Township: White Marsh
County: Montgomery
Occupation: Dairy farmer
Notes:
- Slave Name: Not named
Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not stated but described as a "girl." If held for the usual 28 years and having six years remaining in her enslavement, she would be about 22 years old.
Slave Date of Birth: Not known; possibly circa 1794 (see notes on her age, above).
Slave Status: Slave for a term of years
Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
Slave Notes: This person was advertised for sale in July 1816:
FOR SALE,
THE unexpired time of a NEGRO GIRL, who has nearly six years to serve. She is healthy, robust and industrious -- has been brought up on a large farm, and is perfectly accustomed to the concerns of an extensive dairy, making cheese, &c. -- is sold for no fault. Farther particulars may be obtained by adressing a line to Mr. S. NASH, White Marsh, Montgomery County.
July 29
Date of Record: 29 July 1816
Source: United States Gazette for the Country (Philadelphia, PA), 14 August 1816.
- Slaveholder Name: Pawling, Henry
City or Township: Perkiomen Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Died 30 August 1739; Estate inventory included eight enslaved people. Cuffy, who escaped the year prior to Pawling's death, was not among those inventoried.
- Slave Name: Cuffy
Sex: Male
Slave Age: "aged about 40 Years"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1698
Slave Status: Escaped slave
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Cuffy escaped from Pawling on May 20, 1738:
Philad. May 22. 1738.
RUN away on Tuesday last, from Henry Pawling of Perkiomun in Philadelphia County; a Negroe Man named Cuffy, aged about 40 Years, short of Stature, yellow fac'd with two blue Strokes on his Temples. had on, a linnen Jacket and Breeches, a blue Broad-Cloth Jacket with Brass Buttons, an new Felt hat with a piece burnt out of it; and took with him an old Felt Hat, an old light-colour'd great Coat, and a small Pocket Pistol.
Whoever secures the said Negroe, so that his Master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by Henry Pawling.
Note that Pawling included the remark that Cuffy had "two blue Strokes on his Temples," the sign of African tribal markings, possibly tattoos.
Date of Record: 22 May 1738
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 1 June 1738.
- Slave Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not recorded, described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Listed in Henry Pawling's estate inventory as "To a negro man named Jack £25.0.0"
Date of Record: August 1739
Source: Henry Pawling and Some of His Descendants, Katherine Wallace Kitts, Sharon Hill, PA, 1903.
- Slave Name: Bess
Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not recorded, described as a woman
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro woman"
Slave Notes: Listed in Henry Pawling's estate inventory as "To a negro woman named Bess £20.0.0"
Date of Record: August 1739
Source: Henry Pawling and Some of His Descendants, Katherine Wallace Kitts, Sharon Hill, PA, 1903.
- Slave Name: Cate
Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not recorded, described as a girl
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro gerl"
Slave Notes: Listed in Henry Pawling's estate inventory as "To a negro gerl named Cate £30.0.0"
Date of Record: August 1739
Source: Henry Pawling and Some of His Descendants, Katherine Wallace Kitts, Sharon Hill, PA, 1903.
- Slave Name: Oliver
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not recorded, described as a boy
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Listed in Henry Pawling's estate inventory as "To a negro boy named Ollever £37.0.0"
Date of Record: August 1739
Source: Henry Pawling and Some of His Descendants, Katherine Wallace Kitts, Sharon Hill, PA, 1903.
- Slave Name: Jane
Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not recorded, described as a girl
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro girl"
Slave Notes: Listed in Henry Pawling's estate inventory as "To a negro girl named Jane £28.0.0"
Date of Record: August 1739
Source: Henry Pawling and Some of His Descendants, Katherine Wallace Kitts, Sharon Hill, PA, 1903.
- Slave Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not recorded, described as a boy
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Listed in Henry Pawling's estate inventory as "To a negro boy named Tom £20.0.0"
Date of Record: August 1739
Source: Henry Pawling and Some of His Descendants, Katherine Wallace Kitts, Sharon Hill, PA, 1903.
- Slave Name: Tim
Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not recorded, described as a boy
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Listed in Henry Pawling's estate inventory as "To a negro boy named Tim £20.0.0"
Date of Record: August 1739
Source: Henry Pawling and Some of His Descendants, Katherine Wallace Kitts, Sharon Hill, PA, 1903.
- Slave Name: Bet
Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not recorded, described as a girl
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro gearl"
Slave Notes: Listed in Henry Pawling's estate inventory as "To a negro gearl named Bet £12.0.0"
Date of Record: August 1731
Source: Henry Pawling and Some of His Descendants, Katherine Wallace Kitts, Sharon Hill, PA, 1903.
- Slaveholder Name: Pawling, John
City or Township: Perkiomen Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Tony, also spelled Toney
Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 24 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1721
Slave Status: Escaped slave
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Tony escaped from Pawling on May 2, 1746:
Philadelphia, May 29, 1746.
RUN away the 2d Instant, from John Pawling, at Perkiomen, a likely, lusty, Negroe Man, named TONEY, 6 Foot high, about 24 Years of Age, and speaks good English and High Dutch. Had on when he went away, a striped Linsey Woolsey Jacket, Tow Shirt and Trowsers, and old Felt Hat. Whoever takes up and secures said Negroe, so that his Master may have him again, shall have Twenty-five Shillings Reward, and reasonably Charges, paid by
JOHN PAWLING.
Pawling was able to recover him in June, but Tony escaped again a few weeks later:
Philadelphia, July 31, 1746.
RUN away, about 3 Weeks ago, from John Pawling, of Parqueoman, a Negroe man, named Tony, about 24 years of age, tall and well set, and can talk good English and High Dutch. He has with him several sorts of clothes, so that it is not certain which of them he will wear; he wears a very old felt hat, good stockings, and shoepacks. Whoever takes up said negroe, and secures him, so as he may be had again, shall have thirty shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN PAWLING.
Date of Records: 29 May 1746; 31 July 1746
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 June 1746, 7 August 1746.
- Slaveholder Name: Reiff, Jacob, Sr.
City or Township: Lower Salford Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Joe
Sex: Male
Slave Age: 23
Slave Date of Birth: May 1771 (calculated)
Slave Status: Escaped slave
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Joe escaped on Christmas Day, 1794:
Four Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, on Thursday the 25th of December, living in Lower Salford township, Montgomery county, a Negro MAN, named JOE, about 5 feet 5 inches high, was 23 years of age last May, walks lame, has a piece of his little finger cut off; had on and took with him, a new mixture linsey coat, and under jacket of the same, a striped jacket of line, blue and white stripes, two pair of trowsers, a pair of yellow linsey, and a pair of striped cassimer, two pair of stockings, one pair of pale blue yarn, ribbed, the other black woolen yarn, a new pair of shoes, a new high crowned hat bound with black tape. Whoever takes up said Negro, and secures him in any jail, so that his master may get him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges if brought home, paid by JACOB REIFF, Senior,
January 8, 1795.
Date of Record: 14 January 1795
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 January 1795
- Slaveholder Name: Rittenhouse, Benjamin
City or Township: Worcester Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation: Clockmaker, Surveyer, Associate Judge of Montgomery County.
Notes: Younger brother of David Rittenhouse.
- Slave Name: Chloe
Sex: Female
Slave Age: "nearly 22 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1765
Slave Status: Escaped slave
Slave Description: "Mulatto Wench"
Slave Notes: Chloe escaped from Rittenhouse in early August 1787:
Twenty Dollars Reward.
RAN-AWAY from the subscriber, living in Worcester township, Mongomery county, on Tuesday night last, a Mulatto WENCH, named CHLOE; took with her a blue and white striped long gown, one calico ditto, two calico and one white short gown, a good black silk bonnet, a red calimanco skirt, aprons and handkerchiefs, &c. She is a stout, well featured Wench, nearly 22 years of age, a countenance rather resembling an Indian than a Negro, has a remarkable spot or scar under one of her eyes, black curly hair, generally frized up to imitate a cushion; she has been taught to read, and is a plausible, cunning hussy; when she smiles or laughs an extravagant degree of pleasure diffuses itself over her face; she has been registered according to law: it is suspected she has come to this city, and that some of the Negroes in the suburbs will endeavor to secret her. All masters of vessels are forbid to carry her off at their peril. Any person apprehending the said Wench, and securing her so that her master may get her again, by giving information to David Rittenhouse, esquire, or the subscriber, shall receive the above Reward, paid by
BENJAMIN RITTENHOUSE.
Aug. 16.
Date of Record: 16 August 1787
Source: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, the General Advertiser, 29 August 1787.
- Slaveholder Name: Shippen, Edward, Jr.
City or Township: Upper Merion Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Will
Sex: Male
Slave Age: 28a
Slave Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
Slave Status: Escaped slave
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Will escaped on 10 July 1791. Shippen placed the following ad:
Eight Dollars Reward.
RAN away from the subscriber, living in Upper Merion township, county of Montgomery, on the 10th instant, a Negro man, named WILL; he is a smart, active, well-made fellow, about 28 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, has very red eyes, large lips and bad teeth, generally wears a false curl on the hinder part of his head; had on, or took with him, a round felt hat almost new, half-worn coatee, of a pearl coloured home-made coating, a scarlet flowered everlasting waistcoat with nankeen backs, white thread stockings, old shoes with brass buckles, two good shirts of flax and tow linen, and one pair of tow trowsers. Whoever apprehends the said fellow, and secures him, so that his master shall get him again, shall have the above reward. EDWARD SHIPPEN, jun.
Date of Record: 27 July 1791
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 27 July 1791
- Slaveholder Name: Trump, Jesse
City or Township: Whitemarsh Township
County: Montgomery
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Bill Bing
Sex: Male
Slave Age: 13a
Slave Date of Birth: 1784 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway slave
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Ran away in March 1797. Trump placed the following ad:
Two Dollars Reward.
Ran away from the subscriber, living in Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County and state of Pennsylvania, a Negro boy named Bill Bing, about thirteen years old, stout chunky fellow for the age a large mouth, and middling flat nose; he has had his right arm broken when he was young near the elbow, and never set right which causes it to be crooked. Had on when he went away, a drab cloth sailor jacket lined with strip'd linsey, almost new, an old under jacket of a lighter colour, patched with white linsey down, the foreparts light coloured clothe trowsers patched on the knees, an old hat somewhat mealy, a pair of old ribbed woolen stockings, with neat leather shoes tied with strings, and nails in the soals.
Whoever takes him up and secures him in any gaol, so that the owner may get him again, shall have the above reward paid by
Jesse Trump,
March 27.
Date of Record: 27 March 1797
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette and United States Daily Advertiser, 8 April 1797.
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Enslavement
