Slaveholders Listed on this Page
- Hall, John (Slaves: Un-named woman, two un-named girls)
- Hand, Elias (Slaves: Anna, John Greenvillan)
- Harbison, Benjamin (Slaves: Robert Wright, a.k.a. Bob)
- Harris, Elizabeth (Slaves: Un-named man)
- Harris, Francis (Slaves: Un-named man)
- Harris, William and John (Slaves: Un-named girl or woman)
- Harrison, John (Slaves: Tom)
- Hart, Thomas (Slaves: Two un-named men)
- Hartt, Mary (Slaves: Un-named man and teenaged girl)
- Hasell, Samuel (Slaves: Un-named man, un-named boy)
- Hasleton, William (Slaves: Cicero)
- Hazelwood, John (Slaves: Phoebe and daughter)
- Hill, William (Slaves: Un-named boy, un-named girl)
- Hodge, William (Slaves: Un-named man)
- Howell, Mrs. (Slaves: Un-named man)
- Hulbeart, Philip (Slaves: Un-named man)
- Hull, Anthony (Slaves: Caesar, Violet)
- Hume, James (Slaves: Various un-named men, women, boys and girls)
- Hunter, James (Slaves: Hett)
- Hurtel, J. F. (Slaves: James)
- Ibison, William (Slaves: Advertised to purchase "parcels" of enslaved men)
- Inglis, John (Slaves: Un-named woman and girl)
- Irwin, Dunnin (Slaves: Hett)
- Irwin, Robert (Slaves: Stanhope)
- Jackon, William (Slaves: Un-named boy, un-named woman)
- James, Howell (Slaves: Jim)
- Jenkins, Mary (Slaves: Un-named young woman)
- Jones, John (Slaves: Phillis)
- Josiah, Emanuel (Slaves: Un-named young pregnant woman)
Enslavement Data
A Note on Slave Numbers
The listings below represent an ongoing effort to identify slaveholders with an emphasis on documenting as many details about their enslaved persons as possible. This is, however, only a small fraction of Philadelphia's slaveholders and enslaved persons. Published studies by prominent historians reveal that Philadelphia was home to thousands of enslaved people in the colonial period.
Historian Gary B. Nash estimated the total enslaved population of Philadelphia and Southwark during it's peak slaveholding years of 1767-1775, using tax asssessments, census records, burial records and comparisons with other reliable datasets from New York City and Boston, to come up with the following estimates of total enslaved persons in Philadelphia and Southwark in these years:
1767: 1392
1769: 1270
1772: 1069
1773: 945
1774: 869
1775: 672
The figures above clearly show that the listings on this page are far from complete. They also show a steady decline in the rate of slaveholding in Philadelphia due to increased abolition activity and sentiment, a significant increase in the importation of white redemptioners and indentured servants into the province after the Seven Years War, and the combination of a very high mortality rate and very low birth rate among enslaved Blacks.
Source: Nash, Gary B. “Slaves and Slaveowners in Colonial Philadelphia.” The William and Mary Quarterly 30, no. 2 (1973): 223–56. https://doi.org/10.2307/1925149.
- Slaveholder Name: Hall, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Front Street between Race and Vine. See also John Hall of Oxford, Chester County, from this time period.
- Slave Name: Unnamed girl
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "18 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1743
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in September 1761: "To be SOLD, A LIKELY HEALTHY NEGROE WENCH, 18 Years of Age, has had the Small-Pox, and speaks good English. Enquire of JOHN HALL, in Front-street, between Race and Vine-streets."
Date of Record: 03 September 1761. Advertisement ran through October.
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 3 September 1761.
- Slave Name: Unnamed girl
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "20 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1742
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Woman"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in November 1762: "To be SOLD, TWO likely healthy Negroe Women, one 20, the other 15 Years of Age, and have both had the Small-pox and Measles, well acquainted with House-work, and are very fit for Town or Country Business. For further Particulars, enquire of John Hall, at the Wheat Sheaf, or of Richard Morris, near the Court-House, Philadelphia."
Date of Record: 25 November 1762
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 25 November 1762.
- Slave Name: Unnamed girl
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "15 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1747
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Woman"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in November 1762: "To be SOLD, TWO likely healthy Negroe Women, one 20, the other 15 Years of Age, and have both had the Small-pox and Measles, well acquainted with House-work, and are very fit for Town or Country Business. For further Particulars, enquire of John Hall, at the Wheat Sheaf, or of Richard Morris, near the Court-House, Philadelphia."
Date of Record: 25 November 1762
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 25 November 1762.
- Slaveholder Name: Hand, Elias
City or Township:
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: John Greenvillan
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: About one year and ten months at baptism.
Slave Date of Birth: February 1779
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Slave"
Slave Notes: Child of Anna. From Register of baptisms in 1780 at St. Joseph's Church, Philadelphia:
Greenvillan, John, of Anna, slave of Elias Hand, born February 1779, baptized December 17th.
Date of Record: 17 December 1780
Sources: “LIST OF BAPTISMS REGISTERED AT ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. (SECOND SERIES.) FROM JANUARY I, 1776, OCTOBER 21, 1781.” Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, vol. 2, 1886, pp. 225–75. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44207452. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
- Slave Name: Anna
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Adult of childbearing age
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Slave"
Slave Notes: Mother of John Greenvillan. From Register of baptisms in 1780 at St. Joseph's Church, Philadelphia (see entry above)
Date of Record: 17 December 1780
Sources: “LIST OF BAPTISMS REGISTERED AT ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. (SECOND SERIES.) FROM JANUARY I, 1776, OCTOBER 21, 1781.” Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, vol. 2, 1886, pp. 225–75. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44207452. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
- Slaveholder Name: Harbison, Benjamin
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Robert Wright, a.k.a. Bob
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not given in ad; described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Trained as a coppersmith; Escaped from Harbison on 25 July 1790. Harbison placed the following ad to find him:
Six Dollars Reward.
RAN-AWAY from the subscriber, a NEGRO MAN, named BOB alias Robert Wright: he left his master the 25th instant. Whoever will bring him home, or secure him so that his master may have him again, shall be entitled to the above Reward, paid by the subscriber.
BENJAMIN HARBISON.
N.B. He is about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, middling black, his fingers uncommonly long, one or two of his fore-teeth out, his dress unknown. He is a Coppersmith by trade, and supposed to be gone to New-York.
Date of Record: 17 December 1761
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 12 August 1790.
- Slaveholder Name: Harris, Elizabeth
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Un-named man
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not given in ad but described as a "man"
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Mulatto man slave"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale or hire in November 1778 as a post script to a larger ad about lost possessions:
The subscriber living opposite the Church Burying-ground in Arch-street, Philadelphia, ELIZABETH HARRIS.
N.B. To be sold or hired out, a very likely young Mulatto man slave, ane excellent taylor by trade, as well as a very good servant for a gentleman, having been hired out for that purpose sometime, as he likes it better than following his trade, in which capacity he has given great satisfaction; he understands taking care of horses, riding and driving a carriage. Enquire as above.
Date of Record: 17 November 1778
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 17 November 1778.
- Slaveholder Name: Harris, Francis
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes:
- Slave Name: Unnamed man
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 30 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1731
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in December 1761: "To be SOLD, for no Fault, A VERY likely Negroe Man, about 30 Years of Age, that has had the Small-Pox and Measles, is an extraordinary good Cook, and understands both House and Country Work, Brushmaking, and going by Water. For further Particulars enquire of FRANCIS HARRIS, in Second-street, betwixt Market and Chestnut-streets, Philadelphia."
Date of Record: 17 December 1761
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 December 1761.
- Slaveholder Name: Harris, William and John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Advertised together to sell an enslaved young girl or woman. Their advertisement directed persons to contact them at a Philadelphia public house, but they kept the girl across the river in New Jersey. This may have been a way to avoid paying tax on the importation of a slave, or it may indicate they were out-of-towners staying in Philadelphia while they attempted to sell the girl.
- Slave Name: Unnamed female
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: described as a "wench," a term that was commonly applied to girls as young as thirteen through young women.
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in 1761: "TO be sold at Daniel Cooper's Ferry, in the Jerseys, A likely NEGROE Wench. Any Person inclining to purchase, may apply to WILLIAM and JOHN HARRIS, at John Jarvis's, in Second-street, Philadelphia."
Date of Record: 03 September 1761
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 3, 17 September 1761.
- Slaveholder Name: Harrison, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Tom
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not stated, but described as a "boy."
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Boy"
Slave Notes: Tom "formerly lived with John Harrison." He escaped from Robert Meade on June 29, 1746, and Meade placed the following runaway slave ad:
ON the 29th of last Month absconded from Robert Meade, a Negroe Boy, named TOM (he lived formerly with Mr. John Harrison) When he went away, he wore a white Linnen Jacket, a Check Shirt, and a Pair of old Buckskin Breeches. Whoever secures said Negroe, so that said Meade may have him again, shall have Twenty Shillings Reward, paid by
ROBERT MEADE.
All Masters of Vessels are desired not to harbour him on board, or carry him off.
Date of Record: 17 July 1746
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 July 1746.
- Slaveholder Name: Hart, Thomas
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Candy maker
Notes: Shop on Second Street, "almost opposite the Church" (1751), on Arch Street (1753) See also Mary Hartt, below. In November 1749, Thomas and Mary Hart advertised as the executors for the estate of Thomas Hart, bricklayer, deceased. (The Pennsylvania Gazette, 23 November 1749).
- Slave Name: Unnamed man
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not indicated in ad, but described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Skilled in masonry. Advertised for sale with another man in February 1750: "TO BE SOLD, TWO likely Negroe men, one understands country business, and is a very good mason; the other is a good chocolate grinder. Enquire of Thomas Hart, over against the church, in Second-street, Philadelphia."
Date of Record: 6 February 1750
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 6 February 1750.
- Slave Name: Unnamed man
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Not given in 1750 ad, but see notes.
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1721 (see notes)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Skilled in chocolate grinding. Advertised for sale in February 1750 with another man, above: "TO BE SOLD, TWO likely Negroe men, one understands country business, and is a very good mason; the other is a good chocolate grinder. Enquire of Thomas Hart, over against the church, in Second-street, Philadelphia." Appears to be the same man advertised by Mary Hartt, below, a year later.
Date of Record: 6 February 1750
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 6 February 1750.
- Slaveholder Name: Hartt, Mary, also spelled Mary Hart. See Thomas Hart, above.
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Candy maker
Notes: Shop on Second Street, "almost opposite the Church" (1751), on Arch Street (1753). In November 1749, Thomas and Mary Hart advertised as the executors for the estate of Thomas Hart, bricklayer, deceased. (The Pennsylvania Gazette, 23 November 1749).
- Slave Name: Unnamed man
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 30 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1721
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in 1751: "TO be sold by Mary Hartt, in Second-street, almost opposite the Church, A likely Negroe man, about 30 years of age, who understands the chocolate grinding well, and is fit for town or country business." Appears to be the same man advertised for sale one year earlier by Thomas Hart, above.
Date of Record: 19 February 1751
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 19, 26 February 1751.
- Slave Name: Unnamed woman
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about eighteen years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1735
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in 1753: "To be SOLD, A Likely Negroe Wench, who's about eighteen years old, and has had the small-pox, and is fit for town or country work. Enquire of MARY HART, IN Arch-street."
Date of Record: 20 December 1753; this ad ran through January 8, 1754
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 December 1753, 01, 08 January 1754.
- Slaveholder Name: Hasell, Samuel
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Shop on Front Street, "next to the Bible." Served as Mayor of Philadelphia 1731-32, and 1740.
- Slave Name: Unnamed man
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about Twenty-five Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1719
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in June 1744: "To be SOLD, A Likely NEGRO MAN, about Twenty-five Years old, speaks very good English, and is fit for either Town or Country Business. Enquire of SAMUEL HASELL."
Date of Record: 07 June 1744
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 07 June 1744.
- Slave Name: Unnamed boy
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 14 years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1736
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe boy"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in June 1750: "To be sold by SAMUELL HASELL, Next door to the Bible, in Front-street, A Very likely Negroe boy, about 14 years old; also borax, salt-peter, sandiver, spelter, blue melting pots, small crucibles, binding wier, corral beads, writing paper, and sail twine, &c."
Date of Record: 28 June 1750
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 28 June 1750.
- Slaveholder Name: Hasleton, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Cicero
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 23 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1724
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Ran away from Hasleton in the winter of 1747, in company with a white teenaged apprentice to Hasleton.
Philadelphia, December 3, 1747.
RUN away from William Hasleton, of this city, an apprentice lad, named Charles Badmin, about 17 years of age, short, and round shoulder'd, round face, but pale; he speaks English, French, Spanish and Dutch, writes a good hand, and may have forged a pass; Had on an old blue jacket, stiped flannel waistcoat, and ozenbrigs trowsers.
Likewise a Negroe man, about 23 years of age, named Cicero, a black, short fellow, round shoulder'd, has a scar on his under lip, is a blockmaker by trade, and had sundry clothes, among which a new fustian coat, and a blue bloadcloth one; he took also with him 3 Pistoles, and a Twelve Shilling bill.
Whoever takes up said runaways, and secures them, so as their master may have them again, shall have 20 shillings reward for the white boy, and 30 shillings for the Negroe, and reasonable charges, paid by
William Hasleton.
N.B. All masters of vessels and others, are forbid to carry them off, or harbour them, at their peril.
Note that Hasleton offered a reward for Cicero that was fifty percent more than he offered for the white apprentice, Charles Badmin.
Date of Record: 03 December 1747
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 December 1747.
- Slaveholder Name: Hazelwood, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Phoebe
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not given, but of childbearing age and described as a woman.
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life -- escaped
Slave Description: "Negroe Woman"
Slave Notes: Escaped from Hazelwood along with her two-year-old daughter. Hazelwood placed the following ad to recover her:
Philadelphia, January 4, 1773.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Philadelphia, a NEGROE WOMAN, named Phoebe; she is a short woman, and has a scar on her right eye-brow; had on, when she went away, a striped lincey jacket, and black quilted petticoat; has with her a female Negroe child, about two years old; she is thought to be gone towards Bordentown. Whoever takes up said Negroe, and secures her in any goal, so as her master may get her again, shall have TWENTY SHILLINGS reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN HAZELWOOD.
Date of Record: 04 January 1773
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 10 February 1773.
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about two years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1771
Slave Status: Slave for life -- escaped
Slave Description: "female Negroe child"
Slave Notes: Escaped from Hazelwood along with her mother. See above for text of the runaway ad.
Date of Record: 04 January 1773
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 10 February 1773.
- Slaveholder Name: Hill, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Unnamed boy
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 19 Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1745
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Lad"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in July 1764: "To be SOLD by WILLIAM HILL, TWO young Negroes; a Lad about 19 Years old, who is a tolerable good Cook, and can wait in a House; and a Girl about 17, who can wait in a House also; both likley Persons, and who have had the Small-Pox; they are to be seen over at Robert's Ferry. Any person inclinable to purchase, may hear of said Hill, at Messieurs Peyton and Adcock."
Date of Record: 05 July 1764
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 05 July 1764.
- Slave Name: Unnamed girl
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 17" (years old)
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1747
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Girl"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in July 1764. See above for the text of the sale ad.
Date of Record: 05 July 1764
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 05 July 1764.
- Slaveholder Name: Hodge, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Front Street, between Race and Vine
- Slave Name: Unnamed man
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about thirty years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1749
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in February 1779. Text of ad placed by Hodge: "TO BE SOLD, A LIKELY, healthy NEGRO MAN, about thirty years of age; has had the small-pox, and is fit for town or country; is sold for no fault but want of employ. Enquire at William Hodge's, in Front-street, between Race and Vine streets."
Date of Record: 27 February 1779
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 27 February 1779.
- Slaveholder Name: Howell, Mrs.
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Market Street
- Slave Name: Unnamed man
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not specified in ad, but described as a young man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in September 1749. Text of ad placed by Howell: "TO BE SOLD, A Likely young Negroe man. Enquire at Mrs. Howell's, in Market-street."
Date of Record: 28 September 1749
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 28 September 1749.
- Slaveholder Name: Hulbeart, Philip
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Goldsmith
Notes: Second Street, Society Hill section
- Slave Name: Unnamed man
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 21 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1740
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in August 1761. Text of ad placed by Hulbeart: "To be SOLD, A LIKELY Negroe Man, about 21 Years of Age, has had the Small-Pox, and is fit for Country Business. Enquire of PHILIP HULBEART, sen. on Society-hill."
Date of Record: 20 August 1761
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 August 1761.
- Slaveholder Name: Hull, Anthony
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Innkeeper
Notes: "At the Ship and Castle in Front-street, near the London Coffee-house."
- Slave Name: Caesar
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about sixteen or seventeen years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1758 or 1759
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Boy"
Slave Notes: Formerly a slave owned by Widow May. Escaped from Hull on January 18, 1775. Hull placed the following ad in the local newspaper:
Philadelphia, January 28, 1775.
FOUR DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY on the eighteenth instant, a Negro Boy named CAESAR, a chimney-sweeper, his number is 10; he formerly belonged to the Widow May, is about sixteen or seventeen years of age, marked with the small pox; had on when he went away an old red plush jacket, an old great coat much moth-eaten, with his blanket.
Whoever takes up said sweep and brings him to the subscriber, at the Ship and Castle in Front-street, near the London Coffee-house, or secures him in any gaol so that his master may have him again, shall have the above Reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
ANTHONY HULL.
Date of Record: 28 January 1775
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 30 January 1775.
- Slave Name: Violet
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 27 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1749
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Wench"
Slave Notes: "Has lived soem time with Anthony Hull." Escaped from Christopher Pechin on May 15, 1776. Pechin placed the following ad in the local newspaper:
Philadelphia, July 17, 1776.
TWO DOLLARS REWARD.
RUN away from the subscriber, the 15th of May last, a Negroe Wench, named Violet, about 27 years of age, she is pretty lusty and fat, she has lived some time with Anthony Hull, tavern-keeper; had on, when she went away, a homespun lincey petticoat, and a coarse geen baize short gown; lost one of her under fore teeth, her two thumbs are remarkably round, short and stumpy; She has been seen about the lower part of the city and Society-Hill. Whoever will take up said Negroe wench, and secure her in the Work-house, or bring her home, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by CHRISTOPHER PECHIN.
N.B. All persons are forbid to harbour or conceal said Negroe Wench, as they will be prosecuted with the severity of the law.
It is not clear if Hull is a previous owner of Violet, or perhaps merely hired her from Pechin to work at the Ship and Castle.
Date of Record: 17 July 1776
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 24 July 1776.
- Slaveholder Name: Hume, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Intelligencer and Broker
Notes: Opened his Intelligence Office in April 1774 on Front Street "next door to the London Coffee-House." In November he had moved the shop to Second Street, "between Race and Vine streets, and near the Red Lion Tavern." No advertisements appear in Philadelphia newspapers after November 1774, indicating his business lasted only about eight months. Hume sold merchandise, and offered a wide range of professional services, as stated in his ads:
Accounts stated and adjusted, letters and advertisements wrote, deeds, wills, indentures, bonds, powers of attorney, articles of agreement, and other writings drawn, and books posted; also debts collected, bills of exchange, books and goods sold on commissions, money procured on interest, and business in general transacted and done to suit most patrons, with care and fidelity.
In May 1774, noting the large numbers of small children seen lost on the streets, Hume advertised that found children could be brought to him and he would care for them and search for their parents. He would also search for reported lost children. As an "intelligencer," Hume acted as a clearing house for employment, but also became the broker for indentured servants and enslaved persons:
"To be sold, a Dutch servant woman, and a girl's time, and two likely negro girls, of no known faults." (09 May 1774)
"TO BE SOLD, the times of a Dutch servant woman and a girl, also two Negro girls." "Wanted on purchase, a Negro boy to go to a neighbouring province." (07 June 1774)
"TO BE SOLD, the terms of several indented servant women; also a negro woman that can cook, wash, iron, &c." (01 August 1774)
- Slave Name: Unnamed enslaved men, women, boys and girls
Slave Sex: Male and female
Slave Age: Varied
Slave Date of Birth:
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description:
Slave Notes:
Date of Record: April through November 1774
Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 09 May, 13 June, 01 August 1774
- Slaveholder Name: Hunter, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Hett
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "supposed to be about twenty years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1759
Slave Status: Slave for life -- escaped
Slave Description: "Dark Mulatto Wench"
Slave Notes: Previously owned by Dunnin Irwin, and David Franks. Escaped from Hunter on 24 April 1779. Text of ad placed for her recovery:
FORTY DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY on the 24th instant, (April) from the house of Mr. James Hunter, a dark Mulatto Wench commonly called HETT, late the property of Dunnin Irwin, and formerly belonged to Mr. David Franks; supposed to be about twenty years old, of low stature but well made; she has a remarkable scar on the right side of her neck. Any person who will deliver the said Wench to the Agents for seizing confiscated estates in Philadelphia shall receive the above reward.
Date of Record: 8 May 1779
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 8 May 1779
- Slaveholder Name: Hurtel, J.F.
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Printer
Notes: "Corner of 5th and Spruce Streets"
- Slave Name: James
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: 18
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1792
Slave Status: Slave for a term of years
Slave Description: "Black Bound Boy"
Slave Notes: James escaped from Hurtel in late December 1810. Text of the advertisement placed by Hurtel to recover him:
RAN AWAY,
ON Sunday morning, A BLACK BOUND BOY, 18 years of age, of a very dark complexion, about 5 feet 4 inches high, called JAMES, he wore a round-about jacket of coarse blue cloth, speaks the French, English and Spanish languages.
It is supposed he will try to embark, or go to some other state; all captains to whom he may present himself as a sailor, or any person that may know him, are requested to secure him in the nearest prison, and inform his master,
Mr. J. F. HURTEL,
At the corner of 5th and Spruce street, will receive FIVE DOLLARS REWARD, and all reasonable charges paid.
December 28
Date of Record: 28 December 1810
Sources: Aurora General Advertiser (Philadelphia), 07 January 1811.
- Slaveholder Name: Ibison, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant; Broker, Intelligence Office
Notes: In the early 1770s, Ibison advertised to purchase and sell enslaved persons by the lot. His "Philadelphia Public General Register Office of Intelligence" advertised slaves, as well as land, houses, servants, to buy money, and offered deals and "advantageous" business opportunities for those with "capital." Earlier, in the 1760s, he advertised as a merchant in Philadelphia. Ibison died in January 1774.
- Slave Name: Various
Slave Sex: Male and female
Slave Age: Various; "men"
Slave Date of Birth: Various
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Men," "Negroes"
Slave Notes: "Wanted . . . A Quantity of NEGROES" (4 July 1771)
"To be sold, Several negroes, amongst which is a boy of about fifteen years of age, suitable for a postilion. Likewise, Some negro girls to be hired and bound out."(30 March 1772)
"WANTED . . .A parcel of young NEGROE MEN, provided they are hearty and sound, all other faults will be no objection. . . For further particulars, please to apply at THE PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE. . . WILLIAM IBISON, Broker." (26 August 1772)
Date of Record: 4 July 1771; 30 March 1772; 26 August 1772
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 4 July 1771; 26 August 1772; Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 30 March 1772.
- Slaveholder Name: Inglis, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes: Merchant Inglis also dealt in wholesale lots of imported slaves. See the page on Philadelphia Slave Traders on this site for more information.
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not stated, 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 1739: "To be SOLD by JOHN INGLIS, A Likely young Negro Woman, who can Wash, Iron, and cook well; also a young Negro Girl, about 14 Years of Age, both has had the Small-pox."
Date of Record: 12 July 1739
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 July 1739
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 14 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1725
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in July 1739: "To be SOLD by JOHN INGLIS, A Likely young Negro Woman, who can Wash, Iron, and cook well; also a young Negro Girl, about 14 Years of Age, both has had the Small-pox."
Date of Record: 12 July 1739
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 July 1739
- Slaveholder Name: Irwin, Dunnin
City or Township: Northern Liberties
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Trader
Notes: British Loyalist, joined British forces during the Revolution. Listed as a prior owner of Hett, below. Hett may have been confiscated property of Irwin, seized when his estate was confiscated after he was branded a traitor.
- Slave Name: Hett
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "supposed to be about twenty years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1759
Slave Status: Slave for life -- escaped
Slave Description: "Dark Mulatto Wench"
Slave Notes: Previously owned by Dunnin Irwin, and David Franks. Escaped from James Hunter on 24 April 1779. See James Hunter for thetText of ad placed for her recovery.
Date of Record: 8 May 1779
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 8 May 1779
- Slaveholder Name: Irwin, Robert (also Robert Erwin)
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Residence on upper end of Market Street. Named as a former owner of the enslaved man Stanhope, who escaped several times from ferry operator Patrick Colvin.
- Slave Name: Stanhope
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 25 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1746
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Sold to Patrick Colvin at the Trenton Ferry, Bucks County. Prior to that, in May 1771, Stanhope ran away from Erwin:
RUN away, the 24th of May last, from the subscriber, in Philadelphia, a Negroe man, named STANHOPE, a stout able fellow, near six feet high, smooth faced, long legged, and the calf near his ham; he is about 25 years of age, and was in this country; had on, when he went away, a striped linsey jacket, leather breeches, shoes and stockings, and brass buckles in his shoes; he has been seen in the city within these few days. Whoever takes him up, and secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall have Twenty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
ROBERT ERWIN.
Date of Record: Runaway ad published June 1771
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 June 1771
- Slaveholder Name: Jackson, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Modo
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not provided in ad, but described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life -- Escaped
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Trained as a candle and soap maker. Placed in the Philadelphia Work House in preparation of being sold, but broke out in May 1777. Jackson placed the following ad to recover him:
Philadelphia, May 20, 1777.
TWELVE DOLLARS REWARD.
BROKE out of the Work-house, a Negro man named MODO, about five feet six inches high, well made, bad teeth, speaks pretty good English, and waddles much as he walks; had on when he went away, a spotted flannel jacket, a buff coloured knit under ditto, leather breeches, blue stockings, good shoes with metal buckles, but as he has sundry other cloaths it is uncertain what he may have on, and as he has some very good cloaths he may pass as a freeman. He is brought up to the tallow-chandling and soap-boiling business, and is handy at any other work. Whoever takes up said Negro and delivers him to the subscriber, or to THOMAS APTY, Work-house keeper, shall have the above Reward with reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN JACKSON.
N.B. Any person that harbours or conceals said Negro shall be punished according to law. -- He is to be sold.
Note that the quality of clothing worn by Blacks in colonial Philadelphia could be used to identify their status. Modo, above, escaped with "some very good cloaths" that might enable him to "pass as a freeman."
Date of Record: 20 May 1777
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 27 May 1777.
- Slaveholder Name: Jackson, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Store on Walnut Street
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about fourteen years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1740
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe boy"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in May 1754: "To be SOLD, A LIKELY Negroe boy, about fourteen years of age. Enquire of William Jackson, in Walnut-street."
Date of Record: 30 May 1754
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 30 May 1754.
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not stated, but described as a "young woman"
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Woman"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in June 1761: "To be SOLD, A LIKELY young Negroe Woman, fit for Town or Country Business. Enquire of WILLIAM JACKSON, in Walnut-street."
Date of Record: 18 June 1761
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 June, 2, 9 July 1761.
- Slaveholder Name: James, Howell
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: A Howell James appears in Chester Country records until his death in 1740. Possibly the father of this person.
- Slave Name: Jim
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "18 or 20 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1750 to 1752
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Lad"
Slave Notes: Escaped from Howell James in October 1770.
RUN-AWAY from the SUBSCRIBER;
A Negro Lad named JIM, about 5 feet 4 inches h igh, 18 or 20 years of age, much pitted with the small-pox, a thick well-set fellow, bow-knee'd, and when waling has a remarkable way of turning out the side of his right foot; had on and took with him a felt hat, a blue negro-cloth jacket with the cape and cuffs of broad-cloth, two oznabrug shirts, a pair of blue cloth breeches and oznabrug trowsers, a pair of blue coarse woolen stockings, a pair of good shoes, and buckles not fellows; he had a stamped linen handkerchief, which he often wore tied about his head; he likewise took with him an oznabrugs wallet. Whoever takes up said negro, and brings him to Dr. HARRIS'S in Front-street, near the Draw-bridge, or other otherwise secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall receive THREE DOLLARS reward, besides reasonable charges. HOWELL JAMES.
N.B. It is supposed the fellow is only lurking about town, and after a little time may make his appearance, waiting the departure of his master, which he expects must have been in Captain Moore for Charles-Town in a few hours after he ran away. October 18.
Date of Record: 18 October 1770
Sources: The Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, 18 October 1770
- Slaveholder Name: Jenkins, Mary
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Located "at the Sign of the Conestogoe Waggon, in Market-street"
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "23 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1751
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in April 1774: "TO BE SOLD,
A LIKELY young Negroe Wench, this Country born, 23 Years of Age, hath had the Small-pox and Measles, is very handy, brought up on a Farm, but may do very well in the City. The Cause of her being sold is her Master's removing out of the Province, and she not willing to go, as her Parents live near Philadelphia. Enquire of MARY JENKINS, at the Sign of the Conestogoe Waggon, in Market-street, Philadelphia."
Date of Record: 20 April 1774
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 April 1774.
- Slaveholder Name: Jones, Humphrey
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Died in late 1750s. Had an estate in Northwales Township, Philadelphia County which was sold to settle his estate in 1759.
- Slave Name: Bess
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 18 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1738
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe girl"
Slave Notes: Bess was "stolen" from Jones on June 10, 1756, Jones purports, by Captain Peter Ganthony of Wilmington.
Stolen and taken away from Humphrey Jones, of this city, on Thursday the tenth of June inst. in the night, A Negroe girl, named Bess, about 18 years of age, she is remarkable for her broad flat nose, and has lost most of her fore teeth in both jaws; it is supposed she is taken and carried away by Capt. Peter Ganthony, and conveyed into New-Castle county, to or near Wilmington, as they were seen passing together thro' Chester. Whoever takes up and secures said Negroe in any county goal of this province, or counties on Delaware, so that I may have her again, shall have Five Pounds reward. And all persons are cautioned and forbid to purchase her from said Ganthony, or any other person, with the Consent of said HUMPHREY JONES.
Peter Ganthony was a ship's captain, appearing in multiple ship arrival or departure listings in the Pennsylvania Gazette between 1739 and 1752. He is also reported, per estate and real estate listings, to be living in Wilmington in the 1750s. Ganthony replied to Jones's accusation with his own advertisment containing counter-accusations that same month:
Borough of Wilmington, June 28, 1756
WHEREAS Humphrey Jones has advertised a Negroe girl, called Bess, in the news; these are to certify, that said Negroe girl was taken up, and brought to Wilmington, and delivered to her master, Peter Ganthony, and the said Humphrey Jones is desired to come to Wilmington, and produce his right to said Negroe. And as the said Humphrey Jones did, in a clandestine manner, take said Negroe from the house of John Springer, of Wilmington, and has kept her from her master three years and upwards, these are to forbid any person or persons whatsoever to take up or molest said Negroe girl on their peril, she being the property of PETER GANTHONY.
Date of Record: 24 June 1756 (Jones); 28 June 1756 (Ganthony)
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 24 June 1756, 1 July 1756.
- Slaveholder Name: Jones, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Phillis
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 25 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1728
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe woman"
Slave Notes: Phillis was in Barbados before being brought to Pennsylvania. She escaped from Jones on June 14, 1753.
Philadelphia, June 21, 1753.
RUN away the 14th instant from the subscriber, living in Germantown, a Negroe woman, named Phillis, about 25 years of age, of middle stature, well-set, much marked about the neck and back with large whales or lumps, which she received in Barbados; Had on when she went away, an ozenbrigs jacket and petticoat, with a stripped ditto over it, new black grain'd shoes, has a shrill voice, and when in good humour very talkative; much inclined to company. Whoever takes up said Negroe, and brings her to my house, or to the work-house, in Philadelphia, shall, if taken up within ten miles, have Ten Shillings reward, and if upwards, Twenty Shillings, with reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN JONES.
Jones' note that Phillis was "much marked about the neck and back with large whales or lumps, which she received in Barbados" reveals that she bore severe scars from whippings, received while enslaved in the Caribbean. "Whale" is a misspelling of "wale," a mark on the skin from whipping.
Date of Record: 21 June 1753
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 21 June 1753.
- Slaveholder Name: Josiah, Emanuel
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Shipmaster (1750s) and later a Merchant (1760s)
Notes: Worked at times in partnership with Samuel Carpenter.
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about Twenty Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1743
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
Slave Notes: In the early months of a pregnancy. Advertised for sale in March 1763: "TO BE SOLD, A LIKELY Negroe Wench, about Twenty Years of Age, has had the Small-pox and Measles, can be well recommended for her Honesty, is young with Child. Enquire of EMANUEL JOSIAH, facing the Coffee-house."
Date of Record: 10 March 1763
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 10 March 1763.
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Enslavement
