Philadelphia County Slaveholders C - D

Slaveholders Listed on this Page

Enslavement Data

A Note on Slave Numbers

• Slaveholder Name: Campbell, Robert, Captain
  City or Township:
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes:

  1. Slave Name: Jack
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about twenty-four years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1755
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Man"
     Slave Notes: Escaped from Captain Campbell on 5 August 1779.

     Philadelphia, August 6.
     Two Hundred Dollars Reward.
     RAN AWAY last night, a likely Negro Man, named JACK, about twenty-four years of age, five feet seven or eight inches high, has a wound in his left hand which has disfigured two of his fingers, speaks good English, reads and writes, and is very active; had on a short blue coat, white woollen waistcoat, linen overalls, new shoes, and a soldier's hat with white loops and band. Whoever secures said Negro so that the owner may have him again, or brings him to Philadelphia, shall have the above reward, with reasonable charges, paid by Capt. ROBERT CAMPBELL, IN Philadelphia. N.B. All masters of vessels are forewarned not to take him on board.

     Date of Record: 6 August 1779
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 7 August 1779.

• Slaveholder Name: Carre, M.
  City or Township:
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes: Associated with the office of the French Minister in Philadelphia. Need more information on who this person is.

  1. Slave Name: Duke
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 35 years old"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1745
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
     Slave Notes: "Formerly belonging to M. Dollinson, now the property of the Minister of France." Escaped on 6 October 1780.

     Four Hundred Dollars Reward.
     RAN AWAY on Wednesday the 6th instant, a NEGROE MAN, named DUKE, about 35 years old, formerly belonging to M. Dollinson, now the property of the Minister of France. He is about five feet four inches high, strong and lusty, has broad shoulders, is remarkably thick lipped and has lost almost all his foreteeth; had on a coarse yellow linen jacket and trowsers, the jacket quite new, is supposed to have taken with him a pair of grey cloth overalls, almost new, and a large linen frock. Whoever apprehends said Negroe, shall, on delivering him to M. Carre, at the house of the Minister of France, receive the above reward.

     Date of Record: 17 October 1780
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 17 October 1780.

• Slaveholder Name: Casdorp, Thomas
  City or Township: Southwark
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes:

  1. Slave Name: Richard Buts
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about twenty-eight years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1747
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Mulatto man"
     Slave Notes:

     SIX DOLLARS REWARD.
     RAN AWAY about the 20th inst. (July) from the subscriber, in the district of Southwark, RICHARD BUTS, a mulatto man, about twenty-eight years of age, six feet high, and very lusty, slow of speech, has a heavy look, with either a slit in one year or a piece cut off; had on an oznabrigs shirt and trowsers, fearnought jacket, weth an old hat and shoes; he plays on the violin. It is supposed he is lurking about the neighborhood. Whoever secures the said fellow, and delivers him to Mr. WHITEHEAD, overseer of the Work-house, or to the subscriber, shall have the above Reward, paid by
     THOMAS CASDORP.

     Date of Record: 17 July 1775
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 17 July, 28 August 1775.

• Slaveholder Name: Christian, Benjamin, Captain
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Ship's captain
  Notes:

  1. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "about 16"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1718
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in July 1734. Text of sale ad placed by Byrne: "TWO likley Negro Girls, one about 16, the other about 20. To be sold by Capt. Benjamin Christian in Water-Street."
     Date of Record: 04 July 1734; the ad ran through 1 August 1734.
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 4 July, 1734.
      
     
  2. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "about 20"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1714
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in July 1734. Text of sale ad placed by Byrne: "TWO likley Negro Girls, one about 16, the other about 20. To be sold by Capt. Benjamin Christian in Water-Street."
     Date of Record: 4 July 1734; the ad ran through 1 August 1734.
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 4 July, 1734.

• Slaveholder Name: Clark, Michael
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes:

  1. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "aged twenty-one years"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1758
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Man"
     Slave Notes: Clark placed this man in the Philadelphia workhouse prior to offering him for sale. It has been documented that the Charlston, South Carolina workhouse was used to house enslaved persons while awaiting sale, but whether the Philadelphia workhouse was used in some instances for that same reason has not been established. Text of sale ad placed by Clark:
     "TO BE SOLD, For Gold only, in the country, A LIKELY healthy Negro Man, has had the small-pox and measles, aged twenty-one years. Enquire at MICHAEL CLARK'S, at the sign of the Blue Ball in Chestnut-street, or at the Work-house in Philadelphia."
     This ad ran the entire month of January. In the last week, Clark changed the desired payment from "Gold" to "Continental Money."
     Date of Record: 12 January 1779
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet & General Advertiser, 12 January 1779.

• Slaveholder Name: Clifton, John
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes:

  1. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 16 Years of Age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1722
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Boy"
     Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in 1738 along with a teenaged girl. Text of sale ad placed by Clifton:

     A NEGRO Boy, about 16 Years of Age, that can Plow and do most Sorts of Country Work; and a Girl about 19 Year[s] old, that can do all sorts of House-Work; and is fit for Town or Country. To be sold by JOHN CLIFTON, at 6 or 8 Months Credit on good Security, or for Country Produce.

     Date of Record: 21 September 1738
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 21, 28 September 1738.
      
     
  2. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "about 19 Year old"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1719
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
     Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in 1738 along with a teenaged boy. Text of sale ad placed by Clifton is above.
     Date of Record: 21 September 1738
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 21, 28 September 1738.

• Slaveholder Name: Clymer, Margaret
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes:

  1. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "about 15 years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1737
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro wench"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale by Clymer in April 1752:

     To be sold by the subscriber, living in Arch-street, at the corner of Moravian-alley, a likely Negroe-wench, about 15 years of age, fit for town or country, this country born, has had the small-pox, can wash, iron, sew, and cook tolerably. MARGARET CLYMER.
     N.B. To be lett, a good new stable and chaise house, in Elfreth's alley.

     Date of Record: 16 April 1752
     Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 16 April 1752.

• Slaveholder Name: Cochran, James
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Merchant
  Notes:

  1. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about twenty-nine years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1743
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Man"
     Slave Notes: Cochran placed his enslaved man in the Philadelphia Work House prior to offering him for sale in January 1772:

     TO BE SOLD,
     A LIKELY, HEALTHY NEGRO MAN,
     about twenty-nine years of age. He is well acquainted with farming in all its branches. For further particulars enquire of Mr. James Whitehead, work house keeper, or to Mr. James Cochran, near Willing and Morris's wharf.

     Date of Record: 27 January 1772
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 27 January, 17 February 1772.

• Slaveholder Name: Coleman, William
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Merchant, lawyer and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
  Notes: Lived 1706-1769. Founded the College of Philadelphia, now University of Pennsylvania; built his mansion "Woodford" in what is now Fairmount Park. Coleman was on the commission that hired surveyors Mason and Dixon to survey the boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland in 1768.
  Sources: "Penn & Slavery Project,"

  1. Slave Names: Not named
     Slave Sex: Not stated
     Slave Ages: Children
     Slave Dates of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: To be term slaves
     Slave Description: "Young Negro Children"
     Slave Notes: Upon his death, William Coleman stipulated in his will that his enslaved children should be bound out for terms of years, until aged 20 or 24 years, instead of remaining slaves for life.

     SEVERAL young NEGROE CHILDREN are to be bound out to the Ages of 20 and 24, in Pursuance of the Will of William Coleman, Esq; Application to be made to HUGH ROBERTS, or GEORGE CLYMER, EXECUTORS.

     Date of Record: 6 July 1769
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 06 July 1769.

• Slaveholder Name: Connolly, Mrs.
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Sources:

  1. Slave Names: Not named
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Ages: "18 Years of Age"
     Slave Dates of Birth: circa 1719
     Slave Status: Slave for Life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
     Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in June 1737:

     TO BE SOLD,
     A LIKELY young Negroe Wench 18 Years of Age, Creole Born, and understands any kind of Houshold Work. Enquire at Mrs. CONNOLLY'S in Water-Street.
     At the same Place is very good Mellasses, to be sold.

     The description "Creole Born" indicates that this person was born in the West Indies. This ad ran through July 21, 1737. See also the ad below, placed by William Connoly in May 1736. Possibly the same enslaved woman?
     Date of Record: 30 June 1737
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 30 June 1737.

• Slaveholder Name: Connoly, William
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes: William Connolly is listed as a vestryman in the Vestry Minutes of Christ Church, Philadelphia, Easter Sunday, April 1736.
  Sources: Vestry minutes, Christ Church, v. 1, 1717-1760, Online at https://www.philageohistory.org/rdic-images/view-book.cfm/ChristChurch.MinuteBooks_v1. Accessed 01 May 2024.
  
  1. Slave Names: Not named
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Ages: Age not given in this ad. Advertised as a boy.
     Slave Dates of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: Slave for Life
     Slave Description: "Negro Boy"
     Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in July 1735:

     For St. Christophers directly,
     THE Sloop Tamsin, John Godfrey Master, will sail in 3 Weeks at farthest. For Freight agree with said Master on board the Sloop at T. Masters's Wharff, or with William Connoly in Water-street, Philadelphia.
     N.B. A likely Negro Boy to be sold by said Connoly.

     Date of Record: 24 July 1736
     Sources: The American Weekly Mercury, 24 July 1735.

  2. Slave Names: Not named
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Ages: Age not given in this ad. Advertised as a young woman.
     Slave Dates of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: Slave for Life
     Slave Description: "Negro Woman"
     Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in May 1736: "TO BE SOLD, A Very likely young Negro Woman. Inquire of Wm. Connoly in Water-street, Philadelphia." See also the ad above, placed by Mrs. Connolly in June 1737. Possibly the same enslaved person?
     Date of Record: 20 May 1736
     Sources: The American Weekly Mercury, 20 May 1736.

• Slaveholder Name: Cook, Nathan
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Possibly a tanner, as some of his servants and slaves "understand the Skinner's Trade." Also see note below.
  Notes: Line from Account Book of Thomas Penn: "1749, July 10, Nathan Cook, making Thos. Penn's negro Caesar 1 pr. breeches, 1.7.0."
  Sources: "Notes and Queries," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 38, No. 2 (1914), p. 244.

  1. Slave Names: Not named
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Ages: "Man"
     Slave Dates of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
     Slave Notes: Husband to the woman listed below. Offered for sale in December 1761: "To be SOLD, TWO honest, sober Negroes, a Man and his Wife; he is a good Farmer, and the Woman understands all Country Work. They can both be well recommended. Enquire of NATHAN COOK. N.B. The above Negroes are to be sold, because the Plantation is to be lett."
     Date of Record: 17 December 1761
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 December 1761.
      
     
  2. Slave Names: Not named
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Ages: "Woman"
     Slave Dates of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Woman"
     Slave Notes: Wife to the man listed above. Offered for sale in December 1761. See text of ad above.
     Date of Record: 17 December 1761
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 December 1761.
      
     
  3. Slave Names: Not named
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Ages: "Man"
     Slave Dates of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in May 1769 along with an indentured white servant. Text of ad placed by Cook: "TO BE SOLD, TWO MEN; one a healthy Negroe Man, in the Prime of Life, very fit to wait on a Gentleman, or for any other Employment; he understands the Skinner's Trade well. The other a white Man, who has about 4 Years to serve, a strong young Fellow, fit for country Business; he also understands the Skinner's Trade. Whoever has a Mind for either of them, may apply to NATHAN COOK. Philadelphia, May 30."
     Date of Record: 30 May 1769
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 29 June 1769.

• Slaveholder Name: Cooper, Daniel
  City or Township: Ferry opposite Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Ferry man
  Notes: Operated the Ferry in what is now Camden, New Jersey. Lived 1721-1776.

  1. Slave Name: Cuff
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 30 years of age" (1751 ad)
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1721
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro man"
     Slave Notes: Cuff escaped from Cooper on 18 September 1751. Below is the ad placed by Daniel Cooper in the fall of 1751:

     RUN away from Daniel Cooper, at the ferry, opposite to Philadelphia, on the 18th of September last, A Negroe man, named Cuff; he belonged near two years ago to Anthony Morris, junior, he is about 30 years of age, a middling lusty fellow, pitted about the nose with the small-pox; He took with him two jackets, of a black and white twilled homespun, the back of the upper one is lined with tow cloth, a pair of good leather breeches, a pair of trowsers, and a pair of shoes. Whoever secures said Negroe, so that his master may have him again, if within 5 miles from home, shall have Twenty Shillings reward, and if farther off, Thirty Shillings, and reasonable charges, paid by DANIEL COOPER.

     Cuff must have been captured, but ran away again sometime in 1753, taking mostly the same clothing. Text of runaway ad placed by Cooper in 1753:

     RUN away from Daniel Cooper, at the Ferry opposite to Philadelphia, a Negroe man, named Cuff, he formerly lived with one Scogan, a bricklayer, and since with Anthony Morris, junior; Had on when he want away, two black and white homespun twill'd jackets, the upper one has round skirts, and lined in the back with tow cloth, a pair of leather breeches, black and white yarn stockings, an old hat and cap. Whoever takes up said Negroe, and brings him to his master, shall have Twenty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by DANIEL COOPER.
     N.B. All persons are forbid to harbour or conceal him.

     Note that runaway slave ads in the early 1750s were already carrying warnings against providing shelter to freedom seekers, indicating the availability of aid from those sympathetic to enslaved persons.
     Date of Records:10 October 1751, 17 May 1753
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette,10 October 1751; 26 April, 10, 17 May 1753.

• Slaveholder Name: Correy, Jane
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes: "In Third-street, near Market-street"

  1. Slave Name: Name not provided in ad
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: Age not provided in ad, but described as a "wench," indicating a young woman or older teenaged girl.
     Slave Date of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Wench"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale along with a younger female in September 1780: "TO BE SOLD, A VERY good NEGRO WENCH, well acquainted with doing housework; and a NEGRO GIRL. For particulars enquire of JANE CORREY, In Third-street, near Market-street, Philadelphia."
     Date of Records: 26 September 1780
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 26 September 1780.

  2. Slave Name: Name not provided in ad
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: Age not provided in ad, but described as a "girl," indicating a teenaged or younger girl.
     Slave Date of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale along with an older female in September 1780: "TO BE SOLD, A VERY good NEGRO WENCH, well acquainted with doing housework; and a NEGRO GIRL. For particulars enquire of JANE CORREY, In Third-street, near Market-street, Philadelphia."
     Date of Records: 26 September 1780
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 26 September 1780.

• Slaveholder Name: Coultas, James
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Horse Breeder
  Notes: At the Middle Ferry on Schuylkill

  1. Slave Name: Tom
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 40 years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1708
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe man"
     Slave Notes: Probably born in Africa. Had tribal scarification marks on face. Previously owned by Samuel Swift of Smithfield (possibly present day Monroe County?). Escaped from Coultas on 17 September 1748. Coultas placed the following ad to recover him:

     FORTY SHILLINGS Reward.
     Philadelphia, September 22, 1748.
     RUN away, on tuesday last from James Coultas, at the Middle Ferry on Schuylkill, a Negroe man, call'd Toom, about 40 years of age, five feet ten inches high, and square sett, a surly ill natured fellow, hath some scars in his face, customary to Guinea Negroes; he formerly belonged to Samuel Swift, of Smithfield; had on a striped jacket, fustian breeches, with tow trowsers, limps a little, having lately had a sore foot. Who ever takes up the said Negroe, and secures him in any goal, so that his master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
     James Coultas.

     Date of Records: 22 September 1748
     Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 October 1748.

  2. Slave Name: Name not provided in ad
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about one or two and twenty Years of Age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1741-1742
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
     Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in September 1763:

     TO BE SOLD,
     A Likely, active, young Negroe Man, about one or two and twenty Years of Age; hath had the Small-pox and Measles; well acquainted with the laborious Branches of Husbandry, and a tolerable Carter. A Negroe Woman, about 35 Years of Age, fit for Town or Country, hath been used to field Work, and in the House, having cooked for a large Family these three Years past.
     Two good riding Chairs, and Geers with or without Horses, a few good Saddle and Draft Horses, breeding Mares, with this Spring's Colts, and again with Foal by the besrt blooded Horses in these Parts, and a full blooded Stone Horse, six Years old, 15 Hands high. For further Particulars enquire of William Ibison, Merchant, in Water-street, or Jacob Hiltsheimer, at his Stables, between Market and Chestnut Streets.
     JAMES COULTAS.

     Date of Records: 22 September 1763
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 22 September 1763.
      
     

  3. Slave Name: Name not provided in ad
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "about 35 Years of Age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1728
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Woman"
     Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in September 1763. See above for full text of ad.
     Date of Records: 22 September 1763
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 22 September 1763.

• Slaveholder Name: Cox, William
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Merchant
  Notes: Died in 1745. His estate administrator was George Rock. See the Pennsylvania Gazette, 5 September 1745, page 3, for Rock's notice of administration.

  1. Slave Name: Sam
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: Age not specified, but described as a man.
     Slave Date of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
     Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in December 1745 by George Rock, the administrator of his estate: "To be SOLD, A Negroe Man call'd Sam, that belong'd lately to Mr. Cox; Enquire of the Administrator, George Rock, when in Town."
     Date of Records: 10 December 1745; this ad appeared through December 31, 1745.
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 10 December 1745.

• Slaveholder Name: Cresson, John
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes: Strawberry Alley

  1. Slave Name: Judith
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "about 25 years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1723
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Molattoe woman"
     Slave Notes: Escaped from Cresson on January 5, 1748:

     Philadelphia, January 12, 1747-8.
     RUN away from John Cresson, in Strawberry-Alley, on the 5th instant, a Molattoe woman, named Judith, about 25 years of age, lusty, and well-set. Had on when she went away, a green jacket, a blue petticoat, old shoes, and grey stockings, and generally wears silver bobbs in her ears. She took with her a new green gown, and probably may wear it, a new shift, and two ozenbrigs aprons. Whoever secures her, so as she may be had again, shall have Forty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
     JOHN CRESSON.
     N.B. All masters of vessels, and others are forbid to harbour her at their peril.

     Date of Record: 12 January 1748
     Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 16 April 1748

• Slaveholder Name: Cullen, Thomas
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Merchant
  Notes: Cullen's stock was auctioned off on several days in 1785, and notices of the settlement of his estate were published in 1786.

  1. Slave Name: Phoebe
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "about 28 or 30 years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1752 or 1754
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Wench;" "Most people take her for a Mulatto"
     Slave Notes: Escaped on Sunday, June 2, 1782 with her 2 or 3 year-old daughter. Cullen believed she was being sheltered by free Blacks in the city and placed the ad below:

     Eight Dollars Reward.
     RAN-AWAY last Sunday evening from the subscriber, a Negro Wench, named PHEBE, is about 28 or 30 years of age, she is very lusty, and most people take her for a Mulatto; she is full faced, and has a forbidding countenance, she took with her a lusty, fat female Mulatto child, between 2 or 3 years old, she was seen last Monday morning, between Second-street bridge and the Draw-bridge, and is no doubt concealed by some free Negroes, in or about the town. Whoever secures her so that the subscriber can get her again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by
     THOMAS CULLEN.
     June 4.

     However by November 1782 Cullen had still not found her and believed she had escaped out of Philadelphia. He placed a follow-up ad, increasing the reward and adding more details:

     Forty Dollars Reward.
     RAN-AWAY last June from the subscriber, A NEGRO WENCH, named PHOEBE, is about 28 or 30 years of age; she is lusty, remarkably full faced, has a forbidding countenance, and most people take her for a Mulatto: she took with her a lusty, fat Female Mulatto CHILD, between two and three years old, named FLORA; she was seen the day after seh went away near the Draw-bridge; it is needless to describe her cloathing, she having different changes of her own, beside stealing many things belonging to the family; it is very probable she will get conveyed to the Jerseys, as she was brought up part of her time near Salem, or some place on Salem creek, and lived last in Springfield, Burlington county; no doubt she will attempt to pass for a free woman, part with her child and change their names, in order to effect her escape; there is great reason to imagine that she and the child has been secreted by some people in this city, in order that they might escape; she has been advertised ever since she went off, with only Eight Dollars Reward, imagining that she would have been secured in a few days. The above Reward will be paid to any person that will only give information where she and teh child is, so that they may be had, or Thirty Dollars for the Wench and Ten for the Child, paid by
     THOMAS CULLEN.
     Philadelphia, Nov. 7th, 1782.
     N.B. The Child, when it was taken off, had a scar down its right cheek, close by its ear, occasioned by its falling on a andiron.

     Date of Record: 6 June 1782; 7 November 1782
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 7, 30 November 1782.

  2. Slave Name: Flora
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "between 2 or 3 years old"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1779 or 1780
     Slave Status: Undetermined, depending upon acutal date of birth.
     Slave Description: "Mulatto child"
     Slave Notes: Escaped on Sunday, June 2, 1782 with her Mother Phoebe. Cullen believed the pair was being sheltered by free Blacks in the city. However by November he had still not found them, making it likely they had escaped out of Philadelphia. See the full text of the runaway ads with "Phoebe," above.
     Date of Record: 6 June 1782; 7 November 1782
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 7, 30 November 1782.

  3. Slave Name: Tom
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 20 years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1764
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Mulatto Man"
     Slave Notes: Escaped on Tuesday, May 11, 1784. Cullen placed the following ad to recover him:

     Twenty Dollars Reward.
     Philadelphia, May 17.
     RAN-AWAY last Tuesday morning from the subscriber, a Mulatto MAN, named TOM: he is about 20 years of age, lusty and well made, 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high; had on when he went away, a claret coloured cloth coat, olive coloured corduroy breeches, the rest of his dress unknown; there is not the least doubt but he will endeavor to pass for a freeman; he has been seen after night, in the streets, with other negroes, since he went off, and is by them now concealed. Any person securing him in any gaol in this state, shall be entitled to the above reward, or if taken and secured in any other state, so that the subscriber gets him again, Thirty Dollars, and all reasonable expences paid, by
     THOMAS CULLEN.
     N.B. it is very likely he will do his utmost to get off in some vessel, therefore all masters of vessels, and others, are desired, at their peril, not to harbour, conceal, or carry him off.

     Date of Record: 17 May 1784
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 20 May 1784.

• Slaveholder Name: Cuthbert, Thomas
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Shipwright; Vestryman and Warden of Christ Church.
  Notes: Lived 1713-1781. Living on Penn Street "a few doors below Messrs. Willing and Morris's store."

  1. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about nineteen years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1754
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Lad"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in January 1773:

     TO BE SOLD,
     A HEALTHY country bred NEGRO LAD, about nineteen years of age, who is well acquainted with all kinds of country work. Any person inclined to purchase said negro, may know the terms by applying to the subscriber in Penn-Street, a few doors below Messrs. Willing and Morris's store.
     THOMAS CUTHBERT.

     Date of Record: 25 January 1773
     Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 25 January 1773

• Slaveholder Name: Danby, John
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes: John Danby published a testimonial in defense of the reputation of Benjamin Franklin with regard to Franklin's involvement in events leading to the accidental death of Daniel Rees, an apprentice to Dr. Evan Jones, in 1737. For more on this, see https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-02-02-0036

  1. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: Age not specified, but described as a "young woman."
     Slave Date of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro Woman"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in July 1734 along with other items:

     To be SOLD,
     A LIKELY young breeding Negro Woman fit for Town or Country Business, has had the small Pox; as also a Mill for grinding Malt, and a Screen for cleaning of Malt, or any other Grain; inquire of John Danby in Third Street, and know the Price; they will be sold very reasonable for ready Money.

     Date of Record: 18 July 1734; Ad ran through August 22, 1734.
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 July 1734.

• Slaveholder Name: David, Issachar
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: City Jailer (1760)
  Notes:

  1. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "about 18 Years of Age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1745
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in April 1763:

     TO BE SOLD,
     A Likely Negroe Wench, about 18 Years of Age, has had the Small-Pox, as she says herself, and to all Appearance it is so. Enquire of ISSACHAR DAVID, over the Drawbridge, at the Sign of the Leopard, in Philadelphia.

     Date of Record: 14 April 1763
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 April 1763.

• Slaveholder Name: Davis, George, Captain
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes: Chestnut Street

  1. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "about 18 Years of Age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1725
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in March 1743:

     To be SOLD,
     A Likely strong Negro Wench, about 18 Years of Age, this Country born, and has had the Small-Pox. Enquire at Capt. George Davis's in Chesnut-Street, Philadelphia.

     Date of Record: 10 March 1743
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 10 March 1743.

• Slaveholder Name: Dawson, Widow
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes: Residence on Second Street

  1. Slave Name: Not named
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: No age given, but described as a man
     Slave Date of Birth: Not known
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe man"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in December 1747: "To be SOLD, A Likely Negroe man, by trade a shoemaker. Enquire of the Widow Dawson, in Second-street, Philadelphia."
     Date of Record: 12 December 1747
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 December 1747.

• Slaveholder Name: Dickinson, John
  City or Township: Philadelphia (and Delaware--dual residency status as he owned property both places)
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Lawyer, politician
  Notes: Lived 1732-1808. A Founding Father of the United States, Dickinson's writings drove the revolution. Member of the 1st and 2nd Continental Congresses, and drafted the Articles of Confederation. One of the wealthiest men in British colonial America. Dickinson maintained a large plantation near Dover, Delaware and was that state's largest slaveholder. In 1777 he reduced the term of slavery for all of his Delaware enslaved persons from life to twenty-one years, and in 1786 manumitted all unconditionally, allowing any that wished to remain on the farm as paid workers.

  1. Slave Name: Toney or Tony
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 27 years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1754
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro man"
     Slave Notes: Tony (Toney) appears in Dickinson plantation account books in 1761, 1762 and 1763, for clothing given to him. Dickinson sold Toney to Christopher Denny in Kent County, Delaware, from whom Toney escaped. See the runaway ad placed by Denny, below:

     January 26, 1773.
     FOUR DOLLARS REWARD.
     RUN AWAY from the subscriber, living in Kent county, Little Creek Hundred, a Negro man named TONEY, about 27 years of age, five feet seven or eight inches high; had on and took with him when he went away, a large light coloured jacket, made of Kersey, with white flannel lining, Buckskin breeches, a pair of blue duffil trowsers, an old blue coat, homespun shirt, coarse yarn stockings, old shoes, and an old felt hat; He plays well on the violin, is pretty talkative, and is addicted to drink. He formerly belonged to JOHN DICKENSON, Esq; of Philadelphia, and perhaps may pass himself for a freeman. Whoever takes up and secures said negro, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by
     CHRISTOPHER DENNY.

     Date of Record: 26 January 1773
     Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 15 February 1773; Account Book, 1759-1764, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, R.R. Logan Collection of John Dickinson Papers (383), Series 1.d., Box 5, Folder 33, made available by the Plantation Stories Project, accessed online 18 October 2023 at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Kqfvj7lkNlllrSlC0QPssUrEWdmhgEIMy-tMsRZfaHs/edit#gid=250272788.

• Slaveholder Name: Doyle, John
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Block Maker
  Notes: Doyle made the nautical blocks required by sailing ships for their rigging. His shop was on Water Street.

  1. Slave Name: Name not provided
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 20 Years of Age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1741
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in August 1761. Text of advertisement placed by Doyle: "To be SOLD, A LIKELY NEGROE MAN, about 20 Years of Age. Enquire of the Printer, or of John Doyle in Water-street, near Race-street."
     Date of Record: 27 August 1761
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 27 August, 10 September 1761.
      
     
  2. Slave Name: Name not provided
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 23 Years of Age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1738
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in October 1761. Text of advertisement placed by Doyle: "To be SOLD, A Strong healthy Negroe Man, about 23 Years of Age, he has had the Small-pox, and seasoned to the Country. Enquire at the New Printing-Office, or JOHN DOYLE, Block-maker, in Water-street."
     Date of Record: 29 October 1761
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 29 October 1761.
      
     
  3. Slave Name: Name not provided
     Slave Sex: Female
     Slave Age: "about 18 Years of Age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1746
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
     Slave Notes: Offered for sale in November 1764. Text of advertisement placed by Doyle: "To be SOLD, A Strong hearty Negroe Wench, about 18 Years of Age, has had the Small-pox, and is very fit for Country Business. Enquire of JOHN DOYLE, Block-maker, in Water-street, near Race-street, Philadelphia."
     Date of Record: 22 Novenmber 1764
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 22 November 1764.

• Slaveholder Name: Doz, Andrew
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation: Merchant (1760s and 1770s); City Assessor (see notes)
  Notes: Merchant shop on Front Street "near the drawbridge." During the revolution, Doz procured supplies for the Continental Army.

  1. Slave Name: Peter
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 25 Years of Age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1732
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Molattoe Man"
     Slave Notes: Peter escaped from Doz in early November 1757. See the runaway ad placed by Doz, below:

     Philadelphia, November 17, 1757.
     RUN away, on Friday last, from Andrew Doz, of this City, a Molattoe Man named Peter, about 25 Years of Age, a middle sized lusty Fellow, and speaks good English; Had on, when he went away, a green napt Jacket, Ozenbrigs Shirt and Trowsers, blue and white Yarn Stockings, odl Shoes, a Cotton Cap, and a Jockey Cap over it. Whoever takes up and secures said Molattoe, so that his Master may have him again, shall have Twenty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by
     ANDREW DOZ.
     N.B. All Masters of Vessels are forbid to carry him off at their Peril.

     Date of Record: 17 Novenmber 1757
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 November 1757.

• Slaveholder Name: Duffield, John
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes:

  1. Slave Name: Tom
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 19 years of age" (March and May 1777), "about twenty years of age" (August 1777)
     Slave Date of Birth: circa summer of 1757
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negro lad"
     Slave Notes: Tom escaped from Duffield on 12 March 1777. Duffield placed the following ad to recover him:

     Philadelphia, March 14th, 1777.
     TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD.
     RAN AWAY, on Thursday the 12th instant, from the subscriber, pitted with the small-pox, a scar on his lip, agaed about nineteen years; had on a dark brown regimental short coat, pretty much wore, with small metal buttons, a waistcoat of same colour, leather breeches, good new shoes, with yellow metal buckles, and white milled stockings. All Masters of vessels, and other, are forbid to carry him off. Whoever will secure him in the work house of this city, shall have the above reward, paid by
     JOHN DUFFIELD.

     The ad must have been effective, as Tom was captured and jailed in Trenton. He escaped again on May 4, 1777. See the runaway ad placed by Duffield, below:

     THIRTY DOLLARS REWARD.
     RAN AWAY last night from the subscriber, a negro lad named TOM, of a middle stature, about 19 years of age, has a cut on his under lip; Had on and took with him a good light colored cloth coat with yellow metal buttons, a red plush cape, and patched at the elbows, a dark brown cloth jacket, a white dimity ditto with a belt, a good pair of leather breeches, an old pair of black serge denim ditto, a small round hat, a good white homespun shirt, and sundry pairs of good stockings. As he is a tolerable good fifer, it is supposed he will attempt to pass for a free man, and endeavor to get employ as a fifer to a company, as he went to Trenton about six weeks ago with a soldier, as fifer, but was there apprehended and put into goal. All persons are forbid either to harbour or carry him off at their peril. --
     Any person that will secure him in the workhouse of this city, shall have TWENTY DOLLARS reward, and if taken out of the city, the above reward, paid by JOHN DUFFIELD.
     Philadelphia, May 5.

     Tom was again returned to Duffield, but was persistent in his desire to be a free man and an army fifer. He made his escape once more, on the morning of 30 August 1777. Duffield placed this third ad in the Pennsylvania Packet. Note that the reward has increased by ten dollars with each escape:

     Philadelphia, August 30, 1777.
     FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
     RAN AWAY this morning, from the subscriber, a Negro fellow named TOM, about twenty years of age, of middle stature, and well made, has a scar on his lip, and a little pock-marked; Had on a dark brown homespun fustian suit of cloaths, almost new, the coat has a red plush collar, a white shirt, good silk or thread stockings, a small round hat pretty much wore; It is supposed he will make towards the British, or perhaps to our army, pass for a free man, and endeavor to get employ as a fifer, he being a tolerable good one. All persons are strictly forbid to harbour him at their peril. Any person that will secure him in the Work-house of this City, shall have the above Reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by
     JOHN DUFFIELD.

     Date of Record: 05 May 1777
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 18 March, 6 May, 02 September 1777.

• Slaveholder Name: Dushane, Valentine Jr.
  City or Township: Philadelphia
  County: Philadelphia County
  Occupation:
  Notes: Also listed as residing in Red Lion Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. Surname also spelled Dushane in later ads.

  1. Slave Name: Dick, alias Harry
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 40 years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1708
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe man"
     Slave Notes: Dick escaped from Dushan on February 1, 1748. See the runaway ad placed by Dushan, below:

     Philadelphia, March 22. 1747-8.
     RUN away from the subscriber, on the first of February last, a negroe man, named Dick, or Harry, of low stature, pretty much bandy legged, about 40 years of age; Had on when he went away, two jackets, one of linsey, the other of cloth, lined, with brass buttons, light coloured cloth breeches, and old felt hat, and wosted stockings. Whoever takes up said Negroe, and secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by Valentine Dushan, junior.

     Dushane placed a follow-up ad, dated May 26, for Dick's February escape. He upped the reward to three pounds, and added that Dick "took with him a good ax, stamped on one side Wallace."
     A third runaway ad for this same enslaved person was published and dated 20 April 1749, noting Harry has escaped on April 6th of that year. That indicates he must have been returned to Dushane after the 1748 escape, but got away again. The third ad gave Dushane's residence as New Castle County, Delaware.
     Date of Record: 22 March, 26 May 1748, 20 April 1749
     Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 16 April 1748, 26 May 1748, 4 May 1749.
      
     
  2. Slave Name: Tom
     Slave Sex: Male
     Slave Age: "about 22 years of age"
     Slave Date of Birth: circa 1756
     Slave Status: Slave for life
     Slave Description: "Negroe man"
     Slave Notes: Tom escaped from Dushan in Delaware in October 1777. See the runaway ad placed by Dushan, below:

     FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
     RAN AWAY from the subscriber, living in Red-Lion Hundred, Newcastle county, last October, a Negro man named TOM, about 22 years of age, about 5 feet 8 inches high, the fingers of his right hand are stiff and bending into the palm; he has been seen and spoke with since the British army left Philadelphia. Whoever secures said Negro in any gaol on the Continent, giving the subscriber notice thereof, shall receive the above reward, and if delivered to him at St. Georges, reasonable charges, paid by VALENTINE DUSHANE.

     Date of Record: 15 September 1778
     Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 15 September 1778