Slaveholders Listed on this Page
- Kearsley, John, Jr. (Slaves: Elizabeth Gregory, James Derham)
- Keith, Thomasin (Slaves: Un-named boy and two un-named females)
- Kelso, John (Slaves: Un-named boy)
- Kock, Peter (Slaves: Two un-named men, un-named woman)
- Kuhl, Marcus (Slaves: James, Scipio, Un-named man and two un-named women)
- Lawrence, Thomas (Slaves: Hannah)
- Leak, Thomas (Slaves: Letitia, Caesar)
- Loxley, Benjamin (Slaves: Un-named young woman and her son)
- Luke, John (Slaves: Un-named teenaged boy)
- Macky, James (Slaves: Tobey)
- Magill, John (Slaves: Glasgow, a.k.a. Gloucester)
- Marks, Joseph (Slaves: Two un-named men)
- Marque, M (Slaves: Un-named young boy)
- Masters, William (Slaves: Several un-named men, women and children)
- McCall, George (Slaves: Two un-named men, un-named woman)
- McCall, Samuel, Jr. (Slaves: Tom)
- McCummin, Jacob (Slaves: Ezekiel Green)
- McPherson, John (Slaves: Un-named girl)
- Meade, Garrett (Slaves: Un-named girl)
- Meade, Robert (Slaves: Tom, Newton)
- Meredith, Rees (Slaves: Un-named male)
- Miller, George (Slaves: Several un-named women)
- Mitchell, Joseph (Slaves: Un-named man, woman, and female child)
- Moland, John (Slaves: Un-named girl and un-named man)
- Morris, Anthony III (Slaves: Cuff, Michael)
- Morris, Luke (Slaves: Gloucester)
- Morris, Samuel (Slaves: Three un-named men)
- Moser, Philip (Slaves: Lucy Brown)
- Moses, Michael (Slaves: Cuffy)
- Moylan, Stephen (Slaves: Various)
- Murgatroyd, John (Slaves: Unnamed man)
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: Kearsley, John, Jr.
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Physician;
Notes: Lived 1724-1777. Nephew of physician John Kearsley. John Kearsley, Jr. was a loyalist who was imprisoned in York, Pennsylvania and died one day after his release.
- Slave Name: Elizabeth Gregory
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not given, but described as a woman
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Undertermined--ad suggests she is enslaved for a term of years
Slave Description: "Negro woman"
Slave Notes: Born in Long Island, New York. Purchased from prison by Thomas Lawarence and subsequently sold to Kearsley. Ran away from Kearsley in August 1749:
RUN away from the subscriber, two months since, a Negro woman, known by the name of Elizabeth Gregory; she was born on Long Island, and has relations thre, and formerly serv'd in Governor Morris's family, at Trenton; she was taken out of prison about 18 months ago by Thomas Lawrence, Esq; of whom the subscriber purchas'd her time; she pretends to be very religious, is a good laundress, and handles her needle well. Whoever takes her up, or gives such intelligence of her, as she may be had again, shall receive Twenty Shillings reward, from JOHN KEARSLEY jun.
Date of Record: 09 June 1748
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 26 October 1749
- Slave Name: James Derham (also spelled Durham)
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age:
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1762
Slave Status: Slave for life; bought his freedom
Slave Description:
Slave Notes: Born into slavery in Philadelphia. He came to the John Kearsley, Jr. family as a slave circa 1770. Kearsley taught him to read and write and trained Derham in many aspects of medicine, specializing in ailments of the throat. Upon Kearsley's death the family moved to England but Derham was transferred to different owners, including Dr. George West, a doctor serving with a British regiment during the Revolutionary War. After the war, Derham was sold to Dr. Robert Dove in New Orleans. Dr. Dove had Derham assist him in his practice, and eventually allowed him to purchase his freedom. Derham established a successful medical practice in New Orleans, specialized in treating diptheria, and becoming the first practicing African American physician in the United States. Derham came to Philadelphia in 1788, either visiting or residing for a while, and came to the attention of Dr. Benajamin Rush, who wrote about him. Derham disappears from records after 1802.
Date of Record:
Sources:
- Slaveholder Name: Keith, Thomasin
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Estate of Thomasin Keith included three enslaved persons as below. Estate executors were Samuel Palmer and Alexander Allair.
- Slave Name: Names not given in ad
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Ages not specified in ad. Described as "wenches," which may be anywhere from a young girl to an old woman.
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negro wenches"
Slave Notes: Noted in ad as for sale to settle estate of Thomasin Keith: "All persons that have any demands against the estate of Thomasin Keith deceas'd, are desir'd to bring in their accounts, that they may be adjusted by Samuel Palmer, and Alexander Allair, executors. N.B. Two likely Negro wenches, and a boy, to be dispos'd of. Enquire of either."
Date of Record: 9 November 1749
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 9 November 1749.
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not specified in ad. Described as a "boy," indicating a young male probably not older than teenaged.
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Noted in ad as for sale to settle estate of Thomasin Keith: "All persons that have any demands against the estate of Thomasin Keith deceas'd, are desir'd to bring in their accounts, that they may be adjusted by Samuel Palmer, and Alexander Allair, executors. N.B. Two likely Negro wenches, and a boy, to be dispos'd of. Enquire of either."
Date of Record: 9 November 1749
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 9 November 1749.
- Slaveholder Name: Kelso, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Water Street
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 12 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1749
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Boy"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in August 1761. Text of sale ad: "To be SOLD, A LIKELY smart Negroe Boy, about 12 Years of Age, speaks good English, fit for any Tradesman, or Country Business. Enquire of John Kelso, in Water-street, or at the New Printing-Office."
Date of Record: 20 August 1761
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 August 1761.
- Slaveholder Name: Kock, Peter
City or Township: Germantown Township
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Died in 1749.
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not specified in ad, described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: To be sold at public auction on January 2, 1750 as part of a larger estate sale. Text of ad:
THis is to give notice, that on Tuesday, the second of January next, will be sold, by public vendue, at the plantation late of Peter Kock deceas'd, two likely young Negro men, and one woman, cows, horses, cart, waggon, plow, harrow, hay, rye in the straw, a new copper still, and sundry utensils of husbandry, and sundry sorts of houshold goods, and also a large organ, by WILLIAM CLYMER, and CHARLES EDGAR, Administrators.
N.B. Said plantation is to be lett.
Date of Record: 19 December 1749
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 19 December 1749.
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not specified in ad, described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: To be sold at public auction on January 2, 1750 as part of a larger estate sale. See above for full text of ad.
Date of Record: 19 December 1749
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 19 December 1749.
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Slave Sex: Fenale
Slave Age: Age not specified in ad, described as a woman
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro woman"
Slave Notes: To be sold at public auction on January 2, 1750 as part of a larger estate sale. See above for full text of ad.
Date of Record: 19 December 1749
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 19 December 1749.
- Slaveholder Name: Kuhl, Marcus
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Baker, merchant
Notes: Shop located on Market Street
- Slave Name: James
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 20 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1728
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: Negro man
Slave Notes: James and Scipio escaped from Kuhl in May or June 1748. James does not appear to be the same man offered for sale four years later (see below). Text of runaway ad placed by Kuhl for both James and Scipio:
Philadelphia, June 9, 1748.
THIRTY SHILLINGS Reward.
Run away from Marcus Kuhl, two Negroe men; one named James, about 20 years of age, short and slim, and speaks pretty good English; Had on a camblet coat, lines with blue taffety, breeches of the same, and may have trowsers over them, and good shoes and stockings. The other named Scipio, a short fellow, about 25 or 30 years of age, and speaks broken English; Had on a blue broadcloth jacket, good shirt and trowsers, good shoes and a good hat. They took with them a grey trotting horse, but the horse came home last Monday, in the evening. Whoever takes up said Negroes, and brings them home, or secures them, so that their master may have them again, shall have Fifteen Shillings reward for each, and reasonable charges, paid by
MARCUS KUHL.
Date of Record: 09 June 1748
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 9, 16 June 1748.
- Slave Name: Scipio
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 25 or 30 years of age" (taken from 1748 runaway ad)
Slave Date of Birth: between 1718 and 1723
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro man," "slave"
Slave Notes: Scipio and James escaped from Kuhl in 1748. About April of 1749 Scipio had somehow ended up in the possession of Captain Thomas Prather of Maryland, from whom he escaped. A month later he turned up at Harris' Ferry with a pass, claiming to be free and on his way to Philadelphia. Scipio was captured and returend to Kuhl, but escaped again in October 1749. This is possibly the same man offered for sale four years later (see below), as Scipio was eventually sold to a Maryland slaveholder. Below is the text of the runaway ad from spring 1749:
Run away, some months ago, from Capt. Thomas Prather, of Prince George's county, Maryland, a Negroe man, named Scipio, is of short stature, plays on the Banjo, and can sing. It is said that the said Negroe was, about two months ago, at Mr. Harris's, on Susquehannah, and wanted to come to Philadelphia to his master, that he had a pass with him, and pretended to be a free-man. Whoever takes up said slave, and brings him to Mr. George Croghan, or Mr. George Gibson, in Lancaster, or to Marcus Kuhl, in Philadelphia, shall have Three Pounds reward, and reasonable charges, paid by George Croghan, George Gibson, Marcus Kuhl.
Below is the text of fall 1749 runaway ad placed by Kuhl:
Philadelphia, November 2, 1749.
Run away three weeks ago, from Marcus Kuhl, of Philadelphia, baker, a Negro man, named Scipio, wears a blue broad cloth coat, or a black ditto, old shoes, and stockings, of a short stature, plays on the banjou, and sings with it, speaks but indifferent English. Whoever takes up and secures said slave, so that his master may have him again, shall have Fifteen Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
MARCUS KUHL.
At some point, possibly 1753 or 1754, per the advertisement below, Scipio was sold to Maryland slaveholder Joseph Nicholson, from whom he escaped in July 1757. Scipio does not appear in any additional runaway ads after this, so his ulitmate fate is not known. Below is the 1757 runaway ad placed by Nicholson:
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Chester Town, Kent County, Maryland, soem time in July last, a Negroe Man, called Scipio, formerly the Property of Mr. Marcus Kuhl, of the City of Philadelphia, and it is very probable is gone that Way; he is a little short thick Fellow, speaks broken English, pretends to be a Hatter by Trade, and says, he is intitled to his Freedom, and plays well on the Banjoe. Whoever secures the said Fellow, so that the Subscriber may have him again, shall have Two Pistoles Reward, if taken out of the Province, and One Pistole, besides what the Law allows, if taken in Maryland, and reasonable Charges, paid by JOSEPH NICHOLSON.
Date of Records: 13 July, 02 November 1749; 17 November 1757.
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 13, 20, 27 July, 02, 09, 16 November 1749; 17 November, 15 December 1757.
- Slave Name: Not named
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 30 years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1724
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Enslaved person offered for sale in February 1754. Possibly the man Scipio (above), who escaped numerous times.
Philadelphia, Feb. 19, 1753.
To be sold by the SUBSCRIBER,
A Negro man, about 30 years old, and a Negro woman, about 21; they are sold for no fault, the owner having no employment for them. Also a house to be lett in Fourth-street, near Market-street. MARCUS KUHL.
Date of Record: Ad dated 19 February 1753, but was in the 26 February 1754 edition. Is "1753" a possible typo?
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 26 February, 12 March 1754.
- Slave Name: Not named
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 21" (years old)
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1733
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro woman"
Slave Notes: Enslaved persons offered for sale in February 1754.
Philadelphia, Feb. 19, 1753.
To be sold by the SUBSCRIBER,
A Negro man, about 30 years old, and a Negro woman, about 21; they are sold for no fault, the owner having no employment for them. Also a house to be lett in Fourth-street, near Market-street. MARCUS KUHL.
Date of Record: Ad dated 19 February 1753, but was in the 26 February 1754 edition. Is "1753" a possible typo?
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 26 February 1754.
- Slave Name: Not named
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 35 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1712
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe woman"
Slave Notes: Enslaved persons offered for sale in December 1747. Text of ad placed by Kuhl: "To be SOLD, A Negroe woman, about 35 years of age, very fit for town or country business. Enquire of Marcus Kuhl, in Market-street, Philadelphia."
The advertisement ran through February 1748.
Date of Record: 26 January 1748
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 December 1747, 26 January, 02 February 1748.
- Slaveholder Name: Lawrence, Thomas
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant, partnered with Edward Shippen;
Notes: Lived 1689-1754. Elected mayor of Philadelphia for six terms, serving 1727 until his death in 1754.
- Slave Name: Hannah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "aged about 22 Years"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1716
Slave Status: Slave for life -- Runaway
Slave Description: "Negro Woman"
Slave Notes: Born in Barbados. Escaped from Lawrence on August 1, 1738. Text of runaway ad:
RUN away on the 1st. Inst. from Thomas Lawrence, of this City, a Negro Woman named Hannah, aged about 22 Years, smooth skin'd, likely and very black, of a middle Stature and slender siz'd, speaks good English, had some of her Toes bruised, and has taken a large Bundle of Cloaths with her.
Whoever secures her so that she is had again, shall be rewarded according to the Law of this Province, and all Persons are forewarned not to entertain her.
August 3d. 1738
Hannah was apparently captured and returned to Lawrence, but she escaped again several months later, in late January 1739. Lawrence advertised again for her return, adding a few more details about her personal appearance and her ability to find shelter within the city.
RUN away from Thomas Lawrence of Philadelphia, Merchant, about six Weeks since, a Negro Woman, named Hannah, Barbadoes born, and speaks good English, of middle Stature and slim, smooth-fac'd, with thick bushy Hair.
Had on a printed yellow woollen Habit, together with other ordinary Apparel; and is suppos'd to be secreted either in the City or near it, being accustomed to running away.
Whoever will bring her, or give Notice where she is, shall have Ten Shillings Reward; and the Person that will give Information who secretes her, so that due Proof may be made, shall receive Thirty Shillings Reward, from Thomas Lawrence.
Philad. March 10, 1738,9.
Of particular interest in the second runaway notice is Lawrence's action toward those who were protecting and sheltering his escaped slave. He offered a separate reward of thirty shillings for anyone who provided information on who was protecting and sheltering Hannah, which was three times more than the ten shillings offered just for Hannah's return.
Date of Records: 3 August 1738; 10 March 1739.
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 August 1738; 15 March 1739.
- Slaveholder Name: Leak, Thomas
City or Township:
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Caesar
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Three years old at baptism
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1775
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Slave"
Slave Notes: Son of Thomas and Letitia. Slave of Thomas Leak. Baptized on February 4, 1778 at St. Joseph's Church, Philadelphia. Sponsor Catherine Gordon.
Date of Record: 04 February 1778
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: Letitia
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Adult female, mother of Caesar
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Slave"
Slave Notes: With Thomas, parent of Caesar, who was baptized on February 4, 1778 at St. Joseph's Church, Philadelphia.
Date of Record: 04 February 1778
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: Loxley, Benjamin
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Architect, Master Builder, carpenter, soldier
Notes: Associated with the building of Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia. See the online biography, here: https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/ar_display.cfm/26890.
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 21 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1739
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in 1760 along with her 2-year-old son: "To be SOLD, A YOUNG Negroe Wench; she can cook, wash and iron, and do other Sorts of House-work well, is about 21 Years of Age, and has had the Small-pox and Measles. Also a Son of hers, named Caesar, about two Years old, who has also had the Small-pox and Measles. Enquire at the New-Printing Office, or of Benjamin Loxley, in Philadelphia."
Date of Record: 17 January 1760
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 January 1760
- Slave Name: Caesar
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about two Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1758
Slave Status: Slave for life, son of the un-named young woman above.
Slave Description:
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in 1760 along with his mother: "To be SOLD, . . .Also a Son of hers, named Caesar, about two Years old, who has also had the Small-pox and Measles. Enquire at the New-Printing Office, or of Benjamin Loxley, in Philadelphia."
Date of Record: 17 January 1760
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 January 1760
- Slaveholder Name: Luke, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 17 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1721
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Boy"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in August 1738. Text of sale ad: "To be SOLD, A Likely Negro Boy, Barbadoes Born, about 17 Years of Age, who has had the Small Pox. Enquire of John Luke at William Calender's in Second Street near Peter Stretch's."
Date of Record: 24 August 1738
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 24 August 1738.
- Slaveholder Name: Macky, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes: Residence at Wood and Fourth Streets, offered for sale in 1750 (see ad below)
- Slave Name: Tobey
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "betwixt 40 and 50 years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1700-1710
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Tobey escaped on April 1, 1750 in company with William McCay, a white servant to James West. His decision to run may have been prompted by knowledge that Macky intended to sell his property in Philadelphia. See the ad below, placed by James West, owner of the servant McCay:
RUN away from James West, the first of April last, a servant man, named William M'Cay, a small short fellow, his right eye looks red; he had on when he went away, a blue jacket, and a short striped flannel jacket under it, a pair of trowsers, and under them a pair of cloth breeches, too long for him, and were ripped at the knees; he had two shirts on, one ozenbrigs, the other check linnen, he is supposed to have run away with a Negroe man, named Tobey, who left hs master the same day the other did; the Negroe had on a dark coloured duffil great coat, much torn, he is a lusty well-set fellow, betwixt 40 and 50 years old, has sundry jackets, and coarse and fine shirts; they have no doubt changed their apparel; the Negroe speaks good English, born in Philadelphia. Whoever takes up the white servant, shall have Three Pounds reward, and reasonable charges, paid by James West; and whoever takes up the Negroe above, shall have Forty Shillings, paid by James Macky, and charges.
Said James Macky, will dispose of the house he now lives in, and the lot, on reasonable terms, either for ready money or credit; it is pleasantly situated at the north end of the city, has 200 feet front on Wood-street, and 25 on Fourth-street, free of quit rent. Enquire of said Macky, and know further.
Date of Record: 7 June 1750
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 7 June 1750
- Slaveholder Name: Magill, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Residence on Third Street, near Vine Street
- Slave Name: Glasgow, also known as Gloucester
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 48 years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1726
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Black man slave"
Slave Notes: Has a wife in Winchester, Virginia. He escaped from Magill in late August 1774. Text of the advertisement placed by Magill to recover him:
EIGHT DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY the night of the 25th of August inst. from the subscriber living in Third-street, near Vine-street, Philadelphia, a black man slave, named GLASGOW, but may probably change his name to GLOUCESTER, having been some part of his life known by that name as his owner has been informed, Virginia born, about 48 years old, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, is lively and active of his age, a good groom, coachman and house-servant, having been from his infancy bred in those several ways; He took with him an old negro cotton coat and lapelled jacket, a pair of buckskin breeches dyed purple, a white linen shirt, brown thread stockings, good shoes, and an old beaver hat. He is supposed to have gone towards Winchester in Virginia, having a wife there who is a very indifferent hussey, and only left that last fall with the subscriber. Whoever takes up and secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above Reward and reasonably charges, paid by JOHN MAGILL.
Date of Record: 12 September 1774
Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 12 September 1774
- Slaveholder Name: Marks, Joseph
City or Township: Near Germantown
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant and trader;
Notes: Marks worked with slave trader Robert Ellis, being instructed by Ellis to purchase Africans in the Caribbean and transport them to Pennsylvania.
Source: Darold D. Wax, "Robert Ellis, Philadelphia Merchant and Slave Trader," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography
Vol. 88, No. 1 (Jan., 1964), p65-66.
- Slave Name: Names not provided in ad
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Ages not stated. Described as "men."
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negroe men"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in September 1753. The notice of sale appeared at the end of a detailed description of an estate for sale or rent, near Germantown. After the description of the estate was the note: "N.B. To be sold, Two likely Negroe men."
Date of Record: 6 September 1753
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 6 September 1753
- Slaveholder Name: Marque, M
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Residence at "Mr. Burrowe's," 52 North Second Street
- Slave Name: Name not provided in ad
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not stated. Described as a "boy." If his total term of enslavement was the typical 28 years, he would be about 14 years old.
Slave Date of Birth: Possibly born in 1781. See note above.
Slave Status: Fourteen years of enslavement remaining in term.
Slave Description: "French Negro Boy"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in September 1795. Text of advertisement placed in Philadelphia papers: "FOR SALE, THE Time of a French Negro Boy, having still fourteen years to serve. He is used to attend a person, and begins to speak tolerable English -- Inquire of M. Marque, No. 52, North Second-street, at Mr. Burrowe's. Sept. 24."
Date of Record: 24 September 1795
Sources: Aurora General Advertiser (Philadelphia), 30 September 1795
- Slaveholder Name: Masters, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Founder and trustee of the College and Academy of Philadelphia, now University of Pennsylvania. He inherited the estate "Green Spring," which in the 1740s was said to have 34 enslaved people, and operated the Globe Mill.
Source: "William Masters, d. 1760," Penn People, University Archives of the University of Pennsylvania, webpage accessed 1 November 2023: https://archives.upenn.edu/exhibits/penn-people/biography/william-masters/.
- Slave Name: Various enslaved persons, names not stated in advertisement
Slave Sex: Male and female
Slave Age: "Men, Women and Children"
Slave Date of Birth: Various
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negroes"
Slave Notes: This listing represesnts an unknown number of enslaved persons who faced public auction in Philadelphia on December 23, 1760, in order to liquidate the estate of the slaveholder, William Masters. The advertisement placed by his executors:
TO be sold by public Vendue, on Tuesday the Twenty-third of this instant December, at the Plantation of William Masters, Esq; late deceased, a Number of likely Negroes, Men, Women and Children, Cattle, Horses, Carts, and a Waggon, with Gears, a Quantity of Scantling, and some Utensils of Husbandry, &c.
Also a large Parcel of Hay, by the Ton or larger Quantity. Any Persons inclining to have any of the Negroes or hay, may purchase thes same at any Time before the Day of Sale, by applying to MARY MASTERS, JOSEPH FOX, OR JOSEPH GALLOWAY, Execut.
Executrix Mary Masters, named in the advertisement above, was William Masters's widow Mary Lawrence Masters. Several years after William's death she built a mansion at 190 High (now Market) Street. It was this mansion that became the now famous "President's House" for George Washington between 1790 and 1797, while Philadelphia was the national capital. Washington brought his own enslaved workers to this mansion during his presidency, but was careful to send them back to Mount Vernon in Virginia or to New Jersey on a regular schedule in order to avoid the automatic freedom that would have been legally extended to them after six months of unbroken residency under Pennsylvania's laws. It was from this residence that one of George Washington's enslaved persons, Oney Judge, escaped in 1796.
An engrossing website devoted to the history of the President's House, including its complex history of enslavement, is online at https://www.ushistory.org/presidentshouse/index.php.
Date of Record: 18 December 1760
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 December 1760; "Memory and Truth: Excavating “Liberty” at the President’s House," Independence National Historical Park, National Park Service, webpage accessed 1 November 2023: https://www.nps.gov/articles/excavating-presidents-house.htm.
- Slaveholder Name: May, Widow
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Identified as the former owner of Caesar, below.
- 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 Anthony Hull on January 18, 1775.
Date of Record: 28 January 1775
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 30 January 1775.
- Slaveholder Name: McCall, George
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes: Died 1741
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not provided, but described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro men"
Slave Notes: Two men were advertised for sale by McCall in May 1736: "TO BE SOLD, TWO very likely young Negro Men, by George M'Call."
Date of Record: 27 May 1736
Sources: The American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), 27 May 1736.
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not provided, but described as a woman
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Woman"
Slave Notes: This person was advertised by the executors of George McCall's estate:
"To be sold by [the executors of George McCall, deceased] sundry Plantations, formerly advertised; Variety of European Goods, and a very likely Negro Woman, that washes and irons exceedingly well, and is fit for any House-work besides.
Ann M'Call, Samuel M'Call, and others, the Executors.
Date of Record: 8 October 1741
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 8 October 1741.
- Slaveholder Name: McCall, Samuel, Jr.
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Brother-in-law to William Plumsted.
- Slave Name: Tom
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 22 or 23 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1723 or 1724
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Tom escaped from McCall in July 1746. Text of the advertisement placed by McCall to recover him:
Philadelphia, July 3, 1746
RUN away from Samuel M'Call, jun. a Negroe Man, named Tom, a very likely Fellow, about 22 or 23 Years of Age, about 5 Foot 10 Inches high, speaks good English, has been a Privateering; has several good Cloaths on, with Check Shirts, some new; formerly belonged to Dr. Shaw, of Burlington. Whoever secures said Negroe, in any County Goal, so that his Master may have him again, shall have a PISTOLE Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by
SAMUEL M'CALL, jun.
N.B. He is a sensible, active Fellow, and runs well.
Date of Record: 03 July 1746
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 10, 17 July 1746
- Slaveholder Name: McCummin, Jacob
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Name of a previous owner, supplied by Green to his captor. Per Green, McCummin purchased him from Hugh Hughes and in turn sold him to Walter Baker of Seneca Creek, Maryland, from whom Green escaped sometime in late 1772. A history of the Baker settlers and plantations in that area may be found in Jefferson County (West Virginia) Historical Society Magazine (December 31,2018), pages 44-50. Hugh Hughes was likely the Philadelphia lawyer who gained ownership of Greenwich Forge in Warren County, New Jersey and moved there in 1765.
- Slave Name: Ezekiel Green
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "aged twenty-six years"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1746
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: In November 1772 Green was captured at Mount Hope Furnace in New Jersey and jailed as a suspected runaway slave. He provided his captors with a history of previous owners as well as his current owner in Maryland, from whom he had escaped. One of the names given as a previous owner was Jacob McCummin of Philadelphia. Text of the advertisement placed by New Jersey furnace owner Frederick King to find Green's owner and recover his expenses:
Morris Town, Dec. 6, 1772.
APPREHENDED AND TAKEN UP,
ON MONDAY the ninth day of November last, at Mount Hope Furnace, in the county of Morris, and province of East New-Jersey, and now secured in the common gaol of said county, a certain negro man named EZEKIEL GREEN, aged twenty-six years, five feet eight or nine inches high, strait limbed and rather slim built, says that he is a forgeman and shoemaker, and was taught both trades by Jacob Starn, Esq; of Sussex county, who sold him to Hugh Hughes, Esq; and said Hughes to Jacob M'Cummin, of Philadelphia, and said M'Cummin to Walter Baker of Maryland, near Seneca Creek, his present master. This is to desire his master to apply to the subscriber (who apprehended the said negro) living at Morris-town, in the said county of Morris, and pay him for his trouble and expences in apprehending the said negro and maintaining him since his confinement, together with gaol fees, &c. and the said negro shall be delivered up to his master.
FREDERICK KING.
Date of Record: 06 December 1772
Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 28 December 1772
- Slaveholder Name: McPherson, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Residence on Society Hill
- Slave Name: Name not provided in ad
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about Fifteen Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: 1741
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Girl"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in May 1756: "To be SOLD by JOHN M'PHERSON, On Society Hill, A LIKELY Negroe Girl, about Fifteen Years of Age, fit for Town or Country Business."
Date of Record: 06 May 1756
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 06 May 1756.
- Slaveholder Name: Meade, Garrett
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes: Had a store in partnership with George Meade on Walnut Street, "next Door to Mr. James Claypool's" Garrett and George Meade were sons of merchant Robert Meade.
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not stated, but described as a "girl."
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Girl"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in June 1761: "To be SOLD by GARRETT MEADE, In Walnut street, next Door to Mr. James Claypool's, A Likely NEGROE GIRL." A year earlier, in June 1760 at the bottom of his regular advertisement for an "assortment of goods," Meade included the note "Also a Likely Negroe Wench." This is probably the same enslaved girl.
Date of Record: 11 June 1761
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 26 June 1760, 11 June 1761.
- Slaveholder Name: Meade, Robert
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes: Died 1754.
- 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: Escaped from Meade on June 29, 1746:
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.
- Slave Name: Newton
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not stated
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe servant"
Slave Notes: Inventoried as part of Robert Meade's estate.
Date of Record: circa 1754
Sources: R. W. Meade, "George Meade," American Catholic Historical Researches, Vol. 6, No. 3 (July 1889), p. 100.
- Slaveholder Name: Meade, Thomas
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Harry
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 20 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1727
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Harry escaped from Thomas Meade on October 14, 1747:
Philadelphia, Octob. 22. 1747.
RUN away on Saturday last, from Thomas Meade, a Negroe man named Harry, about 20 years of age, very black and comely featur'd, of a meek countenance. Had on when he went away, a thunder and lightning coat, with brass buttons, a light-colour'd pair of breeches, and a velvet stock, and took with him sundry clothes. Whoever secures the said Negroe, so as he may be had again, shall receive Twenty Shillings reward, from
WILLIAM PLUMSTED.
Date of Record: 22 October 1747
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 29 October 1747.
- Slaveholder Name: Meredith, Rees
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not stated, but described as a "fellow."
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negroe fellow"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in September 1747: "To be sold by Rees Meredith, a likely strong Negroe fellow."
Date of Record: 3 September 1747
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 3 September 1747.
- Slaveholder Name: Miller, George
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Joiner
Notes: Shop on Chestnut Street "next door to the Dolphin" tavern.
- Slave Name: Names not provided
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not stated, but described as "women."
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Women"
Slave Notes: Several enslaved women advertised as part of a "going-out-of-business" sale in May 1738: "GEORGE MILLER, Joiner In Chestnut-Street next Door to the Dolphin, GIVES Notice, that he is about to leave off his Trade, and has a Quantity of Joiners Work, as Chairs, Tables, Desks, Chests of Drawers, &c. to dispose of, and will sell them very reasonably. As also several Negro Women who can both Wash and Sew, very fit for Family Business."
Date of Record: 11 May 1738
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 11 May 1738.
- Slaveholder Name: Mitchell, Joseph
City or Township: Blockley Township
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Farmer, miller, ferryman
Notes: This is the same Joseph Mitchell who maintained a large plantation, mill and ferry in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County. See that page for additional enslavement data.
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not stated, but old enough to be an experienced mill and farm worker.
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negroe"
Slave Notes: One of several enslaved persons, likely a small family, advertised for sale in May 1764:
TO BE SOLD,
A Team of good Horses, Gears, a good Waggon, and some Negroes, a Wench that understands House-work well, with or without a Female Child, as it may suit the Buyer, and a Negroe that has been used to Mill and Plantation Work. The Purchaser may have Time for Payment . . .at my House in the Township of Blockley, near Lancaster Road, between 3 and 4 Miles from Philadelphia.
JOSEPH MITCHELL.
Date of Record: 31 May 1764
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 31 May 1764.
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: 26 (age stated in September 1764 ad)
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1739
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
Slave Notes: One of several enslaved persons, likely a small family, advertised for sale in May 1764. See above for partial text of the advertisement. This person, the mother of the female child listed below, was advertised for sale in May "with or without a Female Child, as it may suit the Buyer."
The mother and child were not yet sold by September, when Mitchell placed the following follow-up advertisement
"TO be sold by the Subscriber, living in Blockley Township, three Miles from Philadelphia, near Lancaster Road, at the Sign of the Cordwainer's Arms, a likely Negroe Wench, 26 Years of Age, has a Female Child, near 3 Years old, and will be sold with or without it, as will suit the Buyer; she understands House-work well."
Date of Record: 31 May, 6 September 1764,
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 31 May, 06 September 1764.
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "near 3 Years old"
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1761 or 1762
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Female Child"
Slave Notes: One of several enslaved persons, likely a small family, advertised for sale in May and again in September 1764. See above for partial text of the advertisements.
Date of Record: 31 May, 6 September 1764
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 31 May, 06 September 1764.
- Slaveholder Name: Moland, John
City or Township: Northern Liberties, Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Not named
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not given, but advertised as a young girl
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
Slave Notes: Moland advertised to sell this person in February 1747: "To be SOLD, A Young and strong Negro Girl. Enquire of JOHN MOLAND, in the Northern Liberties of this City."
Date of Record: 10 February 1747
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 10 February 1747.
- Slave Name: Not named
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 29 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1724
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Moland advertised to sell this person in October 1753: "To be SOLD, A Negroe man, who understands country work, about 29 years of age. Enquire of John Moland."
Date of Record: 04 October 1753
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 04 October 1753.
- Slaveholder Name: Morris, Anthony III
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Brewer, merchant, judge, Mayor of Philadelphia 1738
Notes: Lived 1682-1763. Known locally as Anthony Morris, Jr., but modern genealogical and biographical sources refer to him as Anthony Morris II. Half-brother of Luke Morris. He was identified as a previous owner of the enslaved man Cuff by Daniel Cooper, who held Cuff in the 1750s and placed advertisements for his capture after Cuff repeatedly escaped.
- Slave Name: Cuff
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: about 30, from Daniel Cooper's 1751 runaway ad
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1721
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Slaveholder Daniel Cooper identified Anthony Morris, Jr as a previous owner of Cuff, selling him about 1749.
Date of Record: 10 October 1751
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 10 October 1751
- Slave Name: Michael
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about seventeen years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1731
Slave Status: Slave for life -- escaped
Slave Description: "Mulatto boy"
Slave Notes: Michael escaped from Morris on November 14, 1748, in company with another man belonging to Luke Morris. The following ad was placed in The Pennsylvania Gazette for both:
Philadelphia, November 17, 1748.
RUN away on the 14th inst. from Luke Morris, of Philadelphia, a likely young Negroe man, named Gloucester, one or two and twenty years of age, about 5 feet nine inches high; had on when he went away, a new kersey jacket, with brass buttons, a pair of old leather breeches, much tarr'd, with trowsers over them, blue ribb'd stockings, and had in his shoes a pair of large brass buckles. Also run away at the same time from Anthony Morris, jun. a Mulatto boy, named Michael, about seventeen years old, country born; had on, a red jacket, with a row of pewter buttons on each side, and under it a blue jacket without sleeves, camblet breeches, and greyish yarn stockings; took with him a cinnamon coloured broadcloth coat, a pair of short tow trowsers, a pair of new shoes beside what he wore. The said runaways are suppos'd to be lurking near town, 'till they have an opportunity of going off in some vessel. Whoever will bring said servants to their masters, shall have Five Pounds for both, or Fifty Shillings for either of them, paid by
LUKE MORRIS, and
ANTHONY MORRIS, jun.
N.B. All masters of vessels, and others, are forbid to entertain them at their peril.
Date of Record: 17 November 1748
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 November 1748.
- Slaveholder Name: Morris, Luke
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Half-brother of Anthony Morris III.
- Slave Name: Gloucester
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "one or two and twenty years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1726-1727
Slave Status: Slave for life -- escaped
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Gloucester escaped from Morris on November 14, 1748, in company with another man belonging to Anthony Morris, Junior. The following ad was placed in The Pennsylvania Gazette for both:
Philadelphia, November 17, 1748.
RUN away on the 14th inst. from Luke Morris, of Philadelphia, a likely young Negroe man, named Gloucester, one or two and twenty years of age, about 5 feet nine inches high; had on when he went away, a new kersey jacket, with brass buttons, a pair of old leather breeches, much tarr'd, with trowsers over them, blue ribb'd stockings, and had in his shoes a pair of large brass buckles. Also run away at the same time from Anthony Morris, jun. a Mulatto boy, named Michael, about seventeen years old, country born; had on, a red jacket, with a row of pewter buttons on each side, and under it a blue jacket without sleeves, camblet breeches, and greyish yarn stockings; took with him a cinnamon coloured broadcloth coat, a pair of short tow trowsers, a pair of new shoes beside what he wore. The said runaways are suppos'd to be lurking near town, 'till they have an opportunity of going off in some vessel. Whoever will bring said servants to their masters, shall have Five Pounds for both, or Fifty Shillings for either of them, paid by
LUKE MORRIS, and
ANTHONY MORRIS, jun.
N.B. All masters of vessels, and others, are forbid to entertain them at their peril.
Date of Record: 17 November 1748
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 November 1748.
- Slaveholder Name: Morris, Samuel
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Tanner
Notes: Samuel Morris advertised in June 1751 to let out his tanning business and sell his three enslaved men.
- Slave Names: Not named
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Ages not given, but described as "men"
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "3 Negroe men"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in June 1751 as part of the liquidation of his tanning business:
To be lett, by SAMUEL MORRIS, in Second-street,
A Commodious Tan-yard, on a navigable part of the Dock, containing 26 vatts, besides 3 large lime-pits, &c. all under cover, with a loft that will contain 2 or 3 hundred cords of bark; who hath also 3 Negroe men to dispose of, well acquainted with the tanning business; and one of them an excellent currier. And a quantity of good upper soal, bridle and harness leather, by small or large parcels.
Date of Record: 27 June 1751
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 27 June 1751.
- Slaveholder Name: Moser, Philip
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Lucy Brown, alias Sukey Brown
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: married adult woman, no age specified
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negro wench"
Slave Notes: Formerly owned by Mr. Vansant in Bucks County. She escaped from Moser with her husband, a free man, in June 1778. Moser placed several ads, identifying her in the first ad as Sukey Brown, and in later ads as Lucy Brown.
THIRTY POUNDS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, a tall Negro wench named LUCY BROWN; she stutters when she speaks in a hurry; took with her sundry very good cloaths. She went off with her husband James Brown, a free Negro, tall and much pitted with the small-pox. She was born and bred in Bucks county, and formerly lived with Mr. Vansant. Whoever takes up said wench and her husband, so that her master may get her again, shall have the above reward, or FIFTEEN POUNDS for each. PHILIP MOSER.
N.B. All persons are forbid to harbour them at their peril.
Date of Record: 26 June 1778 (Date on July advertisement)
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 18 July, 15 September 1778
- Slaveholder Name: Moses, Michael
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Candlemaker
Notes: Shop on Second Street
- Slave Name: Cuffy
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "between 30 and 40 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1722-1732
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Multilingual. Suspected of forging a pass. "Lived with Col. Byrd." Escaped from Moses' candle works on 29 August 1762. Moses placed the following ad to find Cuffy:
RUN away the 29th of August last, from Michael Moses, in Second-street, Tallow-Chandler, and from Mr. David Frank's Chandlery Work, a Negroe Man, named Cuffy, who lived with Col. Byrd: Had on when he went away, a Sailor's red Jacket, white Ozenbrigs Trowsers and Shirt; is a tall meagre Man, between 30 and 40 Years of Age, flat Nose, meagre Face, soem grey Hairs in his Beard, and can speak French, Spanish and English. Whoever takes up and secures said Negroe, so as his Master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by MICHAEL MOSES.
All Persons are forbid to entertain him, and Masters of Vessels to carry him off, at their Peril. It is supposed he has got a false Pass.
Date of Record: 14 October 1762
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 October 1762.
- Slaveholder Name: Moylan, Stephen
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant; shipping
Notes: Lived 1737-1811, settled in Philadelphia in 1768. He also owned a farm in Chester County. Rose to prominence from his service during the Revolutionary War as secretary to George Washington and was breveted brigadier general in 1783.
- Slave Name: Not named
Slave Sex: Male and Female
Slave Age: "from the age of twelve to twenty years"
Slave Date of Birth: between 1752 and 1760
Slave Status: Slaves for life
Slave Description: "Negro Boys and Girls"
Slave Notes: Moyland advertised in 1772 that he was activley purchasing Black boys and girls: "NEGRO BOYS AND GIRLS, from the age of twelve to twenty years, will be purchased by STEPHEN MOYLAN.
Date of Record: 11 May 1772
Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 04, 11, 18 May 1772
- Slaveholder Name: Murgatroyd, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Died by drowning in Schuylkill River, 25 June 1782.
Source: Dunlop & Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser, 02 July 1782.
- Slave Name: Not named
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 23 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1747
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in January 1770: "TO BE SOLD, A LIKELY NEGROE MAN, about 23 years of age, who has had the small-pox and measles, and been used to both town and country business -- He can drive a coach or chariot well, is very handy, and might particularly suit a travelling gentleman. Enquire of JOHN MURGATROYD."
Date of Record: 18 January 1770
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 January 1770.
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Enslavement
