Northampton County Slaveholders, A-Z
Slaveholders listed on this page
- Backman, Jacob (Enslaved persons listed: Jack, James, unnamed elderly man, Spencer Lake)
- Barthold, Frederick (Enslaved persons listed: Boaz)
- Brodhead, Daniel (Enslaved persons listed: Multiple enslaved persons)
- Cruikshank, James (Enslaved persons listed: George Lux, a.k.a. Chubb or Chubby)
- Ealer, Peter (Enslaved persons listed: Jack, Ben, Ned)
- Horsfield, Timothy (Enslaved persons listed: Joshua, Cornelia)
- Ruckman, Thomas (Enslaved persons listed: Dick)
- Spearing, John (Enslaved persons listed: Charles Hamilton)
- Stecher, Melchoir (Enslaved persons listed: Dick)
About the information in this list
Each listing represents a record of one Black slave or indentured servant (more on terminology below). The list is sorted alphabetically according to the owner's surname. I felt that this order would be the most useful for several reasons. It groups slaves together who would have lived with the same owner, and increases the likelihood of finding persons related to each other. Records of slave surnames are rare, many being identified only through their given name. You can search this listing for a specific slave given name by using your browser's Find feature (Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer use Ctrl + F).
Dates of birth for the slaves, unless specified in the original documents, have been calculated by subtracting their given age from the date of the record. Very often, their ages as reported in the original records are given as approximations (such as "about 25 years of age"), which is indicated by a lower case "a" following their age. The term Status refers to the slave's relative freedom. Unless specified otherwise, slaves served "for life" prior to Pennsylvania's Gradual Emancipation Act of 1780. Children born to slave mothers after the passage of that legislation were to serve until age 28, which was much of their productive lives.
The term Description refers to the main description of the slave as given in the original source (including misspellings). This is often a means by which slaves were put into certain categories according to race and relative age. Source numbers correspond to the accompanying list of sources used in compiling this record.
Terminology, and other notes
The terms "slave" and "servant" were often used interchangeably, especially in the earliest years of the time period covered in this study. After the Gradual Emancipation Act of 1780 was passed in Pennsylvania, the term "servant" frequently came to mean either someone in indentured servitude or someone employed by the head of the household. The passage from slave to servant was often indistinct for many Blacks, many of whom remained with their former owners after being legally emancipated. For simplicity I have used the term "slave" to represent these people whom I believe were truly in bondage, even though some records list them as "servants." This list does not include white indentured servants, who were an entirely different class of labor from Black slaves and Black "indentured servants."
The locations listed for the owners, especially City or Township are greatly mixed, and represent the location listed in the original record. As township boundaries shifted and new townships and counties were created, the original listing may be very misleading.
Enslavement Data
- Slaveholder Name: Backman, Jacob
City or Township:
Easton
County: Northampton
Occupation: Gaoler
(Jailor)
Notes: As county jailor, Backman was responsible
for keeping suspected fugitive slaves locked up, until their true status could
be determined, or, having had no one lay claim to them, releasing them after
they paid for the charges associated with their own confinement. If a
jailed suspected runaway had no money, it was usual custom for them to be "sold
for charges," or sold to someone who would pay the jail costs. They were
generally indentured to that person for a length of time equal to the sum total
of fees charged against them.
- Slave Name: Jack
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: Age not stated
Slave Date of Birth:
1760 (calculated)
Slave Status: Suspected runaway
slave--claiming to be a free person
Slave Description:
"Negroe"
Slave Notes: Was captured in
July 1765 and jailed as a suspected runaway slave:
Northampton County.
THERE was committed to this Goal, on the 23d of July last, a Negroe, who
calls himself Jack; he is very remarkable as he is burn under his Left eye,
which makes it look bigger; he says he ran away from Maryland from one
Thomas Ritchley. Whoever is the Owner of said Negroe, is hereby desired to
come and fetch him away, and pay the Cost, before the First of December
next, otherwise he will be sold for the same. JACOB BACKMAN, Goaler.
N.B. This is the second Advertisement.
Date of Record:
31 October 1765
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 31
October 1765
- Slave Name: James
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: "about 30 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth:
1735 (calculated)
Slave Status: Captured runaway slave
Slave Description:
"Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Was captured in
June 1764 and jailed as a suspected runaway slave:
Easton, Northampton County, July 25, 1765.
THIS is to give Notice, that on the 23d Instant was committed
to the Goal of this County, a certain Negroe Man, names James;
he speaks English and Dutch well, is about 5 Feet 8 Inches
high, and about 30 Years of Age, being the same that was
committed here the 23d of June 1764, and soon after was
claimed and taken away by Thomas Rigbie, of Lebanon, in
Maryland. But the Slave says that he now belongs to Thomas
Ridgely, at Marsh Creek Forge. His Master is desired to come,
pay Charges, and take him away, otherwise he will be sold out
for the same, by JACOB BACKMAN, Goal keeper.
Date of Record:
08 August 1765
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 08
August 1765
- Slave Name: Not stated
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: Not stated, but described as "elderly"
Slave Date of Birth:
Not known
Slave Status: Suspected runaway slave
Slave Description:
"Elderly Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Was captured in
June 1764 and jailed as a suspected runaway slave:
Easton, Northampton County, April 8, 1764.
THIS Day was brought to the Goal on this County, an elderly
Negroe Man, about five Feet nine or ten Inches high, slender
built, out Mouth, and grey on his Crown; his Cloathing a good
new Jacket, of a dark Colour, with black Mohair Buttons, made
Sailor Fashion, with three Buttons on each Sleeve, check
Woollen Shirt, with a Linen Collar, old Leather Breeches, with
Brass Buttons on one Side, and flat ones on the other, whitish
Stockings, dark grey Leggings, old Shoes, with Strings, and
his Cap the Top of an old grey Stocking; has two small Scars
on his Right Cheek. The Owner is desired to come and take him
away. JACOB BACHMAN.
Date of Record: 26 April 1764
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette,
26 April 1764
- Slave Name: Spencer Lake
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: "about 28 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth:
1734 (calculated)
Slave Status: Suspected runaway slave
Slave Description:
"Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Was captured in
September 1762 and jailed as a suspected runaway slave:
Committed to Easton Goal, in Northampton County, on the 21st of September
last, a Negroe Man, named Spencer Lake, about 28 years of Age, says he was
born on Muskmelon creek in Sussex County, Maryland, and that he is free. The
Master or Owner of said Negroe is desired to come, pay Charges, and take him
out, otherwise he will be discharged in December next, by JOHN JENNINGS,
Sheriff. (ad dated 7 October 1762)
NOTICE is hereby once more given, That there are in Easton Goal, in the
County of Northampton, Two Negroe Men, and one Woman, with a Male child, of
about 3 Years old. One of said Men gives himself the Name of Spencer Lake,
and says he run away from one John Pennel, in Maryland, who had hired him of
his Master Col. Palmer. The others name unknown, being New
Negroes, and speaking little or no English. It is supposed, by what can be
learned from them, that they run away from Schenectady, or thereabouts. The
Masters or Owners of said Negroes are desired to come and pay their Charges,
and take them away, otherwise they will be sold for the same, by the
Sixteenth of May next, without further Notice by JACOB BACHMAN, Jail keeper.
(ad dated 21 April 1763)
Easton Goal, in Northampton County, October 6, 1763.
WHEREAS a certain Negroe Man, who calls himself Spencer Lake,
and says he belongs to Colonel Palmer, of Virginia, and was by
him hired to John Pennel, of Maryland, from whom he ran away,
was committed to this Goal upwards of a Year ago, and
advertised in the Pennsylvania Gazette, and particular Notice
of his being here given to said Pennel: Now this is to give
public Notice to the Master or Owner of said Negroe, that
unless they send or come and pay the Charges, and take him
away, before the first Day of November next, he will on that
Day be sold out, for Payment thereof. JACOB BAUCHMAN, Goaler.
Date of Record: 7 October 1762; 21 April, 13 October 1763
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette,
7 October 1762; 21 April,13 October 1763
- Slaveholder Name: Barthold,
Frederick
City or Township:
Easton
County: Northampton
Occupation: Gaoler
(Jailor)
Notes: See Backman,
Jacob, for the role of the county jailor in detaining suspected runaway
slaves.
- Slave Name: Boaz
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: "about 25 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth:
1760 (calculated)
Slave Status: Suspected runaway
slave--claiming to be a free person
Slave Description:
"Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Was captured in
September 1785 and jailed as a suspected runaway slave:
Easton, Northampton county, Nov. 14, 1785.
WAS committed to the goal of this county, the 27th day of September last, a
Negroe Man, who calls himself BOAZ, says he is a freeman, about 25 years of
age, about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high. The owner, if any he has, is desired
to come, pay charges, and take him away in five weeks from the date hereof,
otherwise he will be discharged, by paying his fees, according to law.
FREDERICK BARTHOLD, Goaler.
Date of Record:
2 November 1785
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 2
November 1785
- Slaveholder Name: Brodhead, Daniel
City or Township:
County: Northampton County
Occupation:
Notes: His enslaved persons were sold at public auction in 1759 after his death to settle his estate. See below for advertisement.
- Slave Name: Names not provide
Slave Sex: Gender not provided
Slave Age: Ages not provided
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negroes"
Slave Notes: Notice of estate sale public auction:
On Tuesday, the 27th Day of March, 1759, will be sold at the House of Samuel Dupui, to the highest Bidder, for ready Money, all the moveable Estate of the late Daniel Brodhead, Esq; deceased, viz. Negroes, Horses, Mares, Colts, and sundry other things, too tedious to mention. The Sale will begin at 8 o'Clock in the Morning, where due Attendance will be given by DANIEL BRODHEAD, Administrator.
Date of Record: 22 March 1759
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 22 March 1759.
- Slaveholder Name: Cruikshank, James
City or Township:
Bethlehem
County: Northampton
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: George Lux, a.k.a. Chubb or Chubby
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: "about 40 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth:
1735 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life -- runaway
Slave Description:
"Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Ran away
in April, 1775:FORTY SHILLINGS Reward.
RUN away, on the first day of this instant April, from the subscriber, living near Bethlehem, Northampton county, a Negroe man, named George Lux, but commonly known by the name of Chubb or Chubby, about 40 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, stout, active and will made, can shave and bleed well; took with him, a case of spring lancets, he was seen in several parts of New Jersey, had
a forged pass, said he was free, and was going to New York, from thence to London; had on, when he went away, a blue cloth upper, and a spotted swanskin double breasted under jacket, without sleeves, a white linen shirt, leather breeches, white yarn stockings, good shoes, with silver buckles in them, and a half worn castor hat. Whoever takes up the said slave, and secures him in any of his Majesty's goals in America, or in the work house in Philadelphia, shall have the above reward, paid by
JAMES CRUIKSHANK.
Date of Record:
26 April 1775
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 26
April 1775
- Slaveholder Name: Ealer,
Peter
City or Township:
Easton
County: Northampton
Occupation: Gaoler
(Jailor)
Notes: See Backman,
Jacob, for the role of the county jailor in detaining suspected runaway
slaves.
- Slave Name: Jack
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: "about 24 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth:
1760 (calculated)
Slave Status: Suspected runaway
slave--claiming to be a free person
Slave Description:
"Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Ealer advertised several
recently jailed inmates, including two runaway slaves from Virginia:
Also two Negroe Men; the one calls himself JACK, about 24 years of age, 5
feet 10 inches high, marked with the small-pox; the other calls himself BEN,
about the same age, and about 5 feet 7 inches high, and of a yellow
complexion: Both say that they belong to Henry Miller, of Rockingham county,
in New Virginia, who owns a furnace, forge, grist-mill and saw-mill there.
They were brought to these parts by a certain Constantine McMahone and
Daniel Leacock, who offered them for sale. The Negroes also say that they
left their master on a Saturday evening, about four or five weeks ago, by
the perfusion of the said McMahone and Leacock. Ben says he formerly lived
in Jersey, and was taken to New Virginia by one Mr. Logan, and hired or sold
to the said Henry Miller.
Date of Record: 11 August 1784
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette,
11 August 1784
- Slave Name: Ben
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: "about 24 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth:
1760 (calculated)
Slave Status: Suspected runaway
slave--claiming to be a free person
Slave Description:
"Negroe man"
Slave Notes:
Captured and jailed in Easton. See notes on Jack, above.
Date of Record: 11 August 1784
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette,
11 August 1784
- Slave Name: Ned, a.k.a Ben
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: "about 34 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth:
1742 (calculated)
Slave Status: Suspected runaway slave
Slave Description:
"Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Captured and jailed in
Easton. "WAS committed to the goal of this county, about three weeks
ago, a certain Negroe man, who calls himself NED, but was committed by the
name of BEN, is about 34 years of age, and says he belongs to Mr. Samuel
Moore, of Hopewell township, near Penny Town, in New Jersey. His said master
is therefore hereby required to come, pay charges, and take him away."
Date of Record: 31 July 1776
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette,
31 July 1776
- Slaveholder Name:
Horsfield, Timothy
City or Township:
Bethlehem
County: Northampton
Occupation:
Butcher, Justice of the Peace
Notes: Historian William
Egle writes " 'Squire Horsfield lived in what was know to the present
generation as the Oerter house, which stood on Market street opposite the
grave-yard." He came to Bethlehem in 1749, from New York city.
In 1741, Egle notes, several of his slaves were executed "for being
implicated in the 'Great Negro Plot.' " (Notes and Queries,
Third Series, Volume III, CXCVII, page 167.)
- Slave Name:
Joshua, aka Horsfield's Tony
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: Enslaved at age 14, in Africa
Slave Date of Birth:
Prior to 1729.
Slave Status:
Slave for life.
Slave Description: "slave"
Slave Notes:
Egle: "A native of Ibo, Africa, and in his fourteenth year was taken
prisoner and sold into slavery. After passing through the hands of
several owners he was finally sold to go to Jamaica. Accompanying his
master to New York, in 1743, he was sold to Timothy Horsfield. In 1750
Tony was baptized by Bishop Cammerhoff, and subsequently sent to Christian's
Spring, where the experience he had gained in the Old Slip Market secured
for him the position of 'butcher general in the Upper Places."
Date of Record:
Source: William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries, Third
Series, Volume III, CXCVII, pages 167-8.
- Slave Name: Cornelia
Sex:
Female
Slave Age: About twenty-one years old when she was
brought to Bethlehem. Died at age 29.
Slave Date of Birth:
1728
Slave Status:
Slave for life.
Slave Description: "negress"
Slave Notes:
Egle: "Horsfield's negress was named Cornelia, born in 1728 at Red
Hook, New York, and died at Bethlehem in April, 1757."
Date of Record:
Source: William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries, Third
Series, Volume III, CXCVII, pages 167-8.
- Slaveholder Name: Ruckman,
Thomas
City or Township:
Mount Bethel
County: Northampton
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Dick
Sex:
Male
Slave Age:
Slave Date of Birth:
Prior to 1784. Described as a man in 1784.
Slave Status:
Slave for life--runaway
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes:
Sold to Thomas Barber, in New Jersey. Dick ran away in March 1784:
"SIXTEEN DOLLARS Reward. RAN AWAY from the subscriber, living in
Greenwich township, Sussex county, West New Jersey, on the night of the 5th
day of March last, a Negroe Man, named DICK, of a yellow complexion, thick
lips, and about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high; the fingers of his right had
are bent so that he cannot straighten them. Had on, and took away with him,
a blue cloth coat with white lining, old buckskin breeches, a pair of
striped cotton overalls, a new linsey jacket not milled, and an old wool
hat. The said Negroe lately belonged to Thomas Ruckman, in Mount-Bethel,
Northampton county, Pennsylvania, but now to the subscriber. It has been
reported since he went away that he passes for a free Negroe. All persons
are hereby forbid to harbour or employ him. It is supposed that said Dick is
harboured in or about Easton. Whoever takes up said Negroe and secures him
in any county goal, so that his master may have him again, shall receive the
above reward, and all reasonable charges paid, by THOMAS BARBER. April
17, 1784."
Date of Record:
21 April 1784
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 21
April 1784.
- Slaveholder Name: Spearing,
John
City or Township:
Easton
County: Northampton
Occupation: Gaoler
(Jailor)
Notes: See Backman,
Jacob, for the role of the county jailor in detaining suspected runaway
slaves.
- Slave Name: Charles Hamilton
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: "about 30 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth:
1740 (calculated)
Slave Status: Suspected runaway slave
Slave Description:
"Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Spearing advertised to
find the owner of Charles Hamilton:
Easton Goal, in Northampton County, July 2, 1770.
COMMITTED to my custody, on Saturday, the 30th day of June last, a certain
Negroe man, who calls himself Charles Hamilton, says he belongs to Joseph
Garrison, of Newberry township, New Castle county; he is about 30 years of
age, and about 5 feet 5 inches high; these are therefore to desire his said
master to come, or send for the said Negroe, and pay what reasonable charges
are accrued on him. JOHN SPEARING, Goaler.
Date of Record: 19 July 1770
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette,
19 July 1770
- Slaveholder Name: Stecher,
Melchoir
City or Township:
Forks Township
County: Northampton
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Dick
Sex:
Male
Slave Age: "26 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth:
1744 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life--runaway
Slave Description:
"Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Spearing advertised to
find the owner of Charles Hamilton:
FOUR POUNDS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Forks township, Northampton county,
3 miles from Nazareth, on the 13th of this instant May, a Negroe man, named
DICK, 26 years of age, about 6 feet high, well set; had on, when he went
away, a light grey linsey jacket, and another black one under it, a new felt
hat, a pair of pretty good leather breeches, without any seam between the
legs, with brass buttons, light grey yarn stockings, good shoes, with two
sorts of buckles, both of brass. Whoever takes up and secures the said
Negroe, or gives such Information about him, that his master may have him
again, shall have the above reward of Four Pounds, and reasonable charges,
paid by me
MELCHOIR STECHER.
Date of Record: 24 May 1770
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette,
24 May 1770
Enslavement Main Page | Northampton County Page
| Afrolumens Project Home
Original content on these pages copyright 2024 Afrolumens Project.
The URL of this page is: http://www.afrolumens.com/slavery/nhampaz.html
|
