Slaveholders Listed on this Page
- Tharp, William (Enslaved persons: Un-named man)
- Thomas, William (Enslaved persons: Ishmael)
- Tod, William (Enslaved persons: Cato)
- Turner, Robert (Enslaved persons: Dick)
- Vandegrift, Joseph (Enslaved persons: Un-named young woman)
- Wallace, James (Enslaved persons: Caesar)
- Waterman, John (Enslaved persons: Un-named teenaged girl)
- Watts, Stephen (Enslaved persons: Un-named boy)
- Wescott, George (Enslaved persons: Un-named woman)
- White, Thomas (Enslaved persons: Un-named man)
- Whitehead, James (Enslaved persons: Un-named mother and child, un-named man, un-named woman)
- Whitely, Anthony (Enslaved persons: Un-named woman and girl)
- Wilcocks, John (Enslaved persons: Grigg)
- Williams, Thomas (Enslaved persons: Un-named teenaged girl)
- Willing, Mr. (Enslaved persons: Larey)
- Willing, Charles (Enslaved persons: Two un-named men)
- Wilson, James (Enslaved persons: Larey)
- Wilson, Philip (Enslaved persons: Caesar, Ben)
- Wood, Joseph (Enslaved persons: Jack)
- Wright, Hugh, Captain (Enslaved persons: Un-named boy)
- Wright, John (Enslaved persons: Un-named mother and son)
- Yard, Shandy (Enslaved persons: two un-named female term slaves)
- Yeldall, Anthony (Enslaved persons: Prince)
- Young, Charles (Enslaved persons: Advertised in 1779 to purchase slaves)
- Young, Samuel (Enslaved persons: Un-named female)
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: Tharp, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes: Shop on Front Street "near Walnut-street."
Source:
- Slave Name: Not named
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Not stated, but appears to be an adult experienced in carpentry
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Mulatto slave"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale on October 30, 1778. Text of the advertisement placed by Tharp:
TO BE SOLD,
On the 30th day of this instant,
A MULATTO SLAVE, near six feet high, well made, a compleat hand for a ship carpenter, as he can saw with any kind of saw, use an adze, broadaxe, or auger, is a special hand at getting timber for shipping, blocking off and hewing, has worked some time at the business; He can also reap and mow, both with cradle and naked scythe, in doing which, few, if any, can excel him. Enquire of Mr. WILLIAM THARP, Merchant, in Front-street, near Walnut-street, Philadelphia.
Dates of Records: 22 October 1778
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet & General Advertiser, 22, 29 October 1778.
- Slaveholder Name: Thomas, William
City or Township: Southwark
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: "living in Second street opposite the Swede's church in the district of Southwark"
Source:
- Slave Name: Ishmael
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "twenty-five years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1751
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Ishmael escaped from Thomas on July 5, 1776. Thomas placed the following ad about two weeks later in a Philadelphia newspaper:
THREE DOLLARS Reward.
RAN away the fifth instant, a Negro man named ISHMAEL, twenty-five years of age, about six feet high, strong made, his colour between a Mulatto and a Black, rocks in his walk, or rather somewhat lame, occasioned by his having his thigh bone broke when a boy. Had on when he want away a small brimmed hat, a brown cloth jacket without sleeves, let out in the back, new tow shirt and trousers, old shoes. Whoever takes up and secures said Negro in any jail, so as his master may have him again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by the subscriberl living in Second street opposite the Swede's church in the district of Southwark.
WILLIAM THOMAS.
Dates of Records: 16 July 1776
Sources: The Pennsylvania Evening Post, 16 July 1776.
- Slaveholder Name: Tod, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Coach maker
Notes: Shop on Arch Street. In 1772, Tod advertised for a 15-year old boy: "WANTED IMMEDIATELY, Either to purchase or hire,
A WHITE or NEGRO BOY, about fifteen years of age, of a small size, for a postillion to drive a carriage, who can be well recommended for honesty and sobriety. Apply to WILLIAM TOD, in Arch-street." For a detailed article on William Tod and his business, see "William Tod," The Adverts250 Project.
Source: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, Daily Advertiser, 09 November 1772.
- Slave Name: Cato
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about fifteen years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1759
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro lad" and "Negro Boy"
Slave Notes: Ran away multiple times. Text of the first advertisement placed by Tod:
Philadelphia, August 12, 1774
TEN SHILLINGS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, about two weeks ago, a negro lad, named CATO, about fifteen years of age, four feet eight or nine inches high, square built; Had on, a hat that was painted, an oznabrug shirt and trowsers, a claret coloured broadcloth coat with white metal buttons, and good shoes. Whoever takes up and secures said negro, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above Reward, paid by
WILLIAM TOD.
Cato remained free only a few weeks before being captured in Chester. Joel Willis, the Chester jailer included him in a long list of other runaways committed as runaways advertised on September 5, 1774, describing him as: "A Negroe, named Cato, who says he belongs to William Todd, of Philadelphia." Todd apparently paid his costs and took him back to Philadelphia, but Cato got away again a few months later. The ad below ran through February 1775:
December 3d, 1774
TWO DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, the 21st of Nov. ult. a Negro Boy, namde CATO, about 4 feet 7 or 8 inches high, strong and well made; had on when he went away, a scarlet coatee, a superfine purple jacket, and a small hat. Whoever takes up said negro and brings him home, or secures his so that his master may get him again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by
WILLIAM TOD.
Dates of Records: 12 August 1774, 03 December 1774
Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 04 October 1774 and 19 December 1774; Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 September 1774.
- Slaveholder Name: Turner, Robert
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Market Street Wharf
Source:
- Slave Name: Dick
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about fifty years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1728
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro fellow"
Slave Notes: Formerly owned by Lovett, in Bucks County. Has a wife in Bucks County. Ran away from Philadelphia in late June or early July 1778. Text of the escaped slave advertisements placed by Turner:
FIVE POUNDS REWARD. RAN AWAY from the subscriber, about four or five weeks ago, out of the city of Philadelphia, a Negro man named DICK, about four and a half feet high, 50 years old, has a lameness in his body; it is supposed he is gone to Bucks County, as he has a wife there. Whoever takes up the above Negro and brings him to the subscriber on market street wharf, Philadelphia, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by ROBERT TURNER."
A second ad two months later added additional details:
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, a Negro fellow named DICK, about fifty years of age, lame in his body, formerly belonged to one Lovett, of Bucks county, now the property of Robert Turner, of Philadelphia. I do forwarn all persons not to harbour said fellow at their peril. Any person taking him up shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by
ROBERT TURNER. Sept 11.
Dates of Records: 25 July, 11 September 1778
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 25 July, 15 September 1778
- Slaveholder Name: Vandegrift, Joseph
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: 20
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1756
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Wench"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in February 1776:
TO BE SOLD,
For want of employ,
A NEGRO WENCH, twenty years of age, has had the small-pox, understands housewifery and all sorts of country work in general; is sober and honest. For further particulars enquire of Mr. JOSEPH VANDEGRIFT, at the Cross Keys, the corner of Chesnut and Third-streets, Philadelphia.
Dates of Records: 26 February 1776
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 26 February 1776.
- Slaveholder Name: Wallace, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes: Business located on Arch Street
- Slave Name: Caesar
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: 15
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1752
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Born in Jamaica and was sold and re-sold. James Wallace was his third owner, purchasing him from Captain Godfrey McDonnell in 1767. Wallace later sold Caesar to merchant Philip Wilson of Philadelphia. See that owner for more information.
Dates of Records: 1767
Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 19 December 1774;
- Slaveholder Name: Waterman, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Trader; ship's captain
Notes:
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about fourteen Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1731
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Girl"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in December 1745:
To be SOLD,
A Likely Barbadian Negroe Girl, about fourteen Years of Age, fit for Town or Country Business. Enquire of John Waterman, at Capt. John Elliot's, in Second-Street, Philadelphia.
N.B. There is also to be sold, very reasonable, by said Waterman, choice Claret, and sundry West-India Goods, at his Store, on Carpenter's Wharff.
Born in Barbados.
Dates of Records: 31 December 1745
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 31 December 1745
- Slaveholder Name: Watts, Stephen
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Residing on Arch Street
- Slave Name: Name not provided
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 15 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1758
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Lad"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in May 1773. Ad placed by Watts:
To be SOLD, by
STEPHEN WATTS, in Arch-street, Philadelphia,
A LIKELY active NEGRO LAD, about 15 years of age, who has had the small-pox and measles, and is remarkably healthy; being a lad of great vivacity, he is too easily seduced from paying a proper attention to his master's business, by the various allurements which present themselves in a populous city; which is the reason of his being offered for sale; in the country, where fewer temptations occur, he would make an excellent servant. To prevent unnecessary applications, his price is 70£. and he will not be sold to any person residing to the southward of Pennsylvania.
May 14.
Dates of Records: 14 May 1773
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 19 May 1773
- Slaveholder Name: Wescott, George
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: "Brasier" (An artisan who works in brass)
Notes: Business located on Third Street
- Slave Name: Name not stated in record
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not stated in record, but described as a "woman"
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Molattoe woman"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in August 1751. Text of ad placed by Wescott: "TO BE SOLD, A Molattoe woman, has had the measles and small-pox, and is fit for town or country business. Enquire of George Wescott, brasier in Third-street."
Dates of Records: 29 August 1751
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 29 August 1751
- Slaveholder Name: White, Thomas
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Chocolate maker
Notes: Business located on Front Street, "opposite to Norris's Alley"
- Slave Name: Name not stated in record
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not stated in record, but described as a "young man"
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in August 1749. Text of ad placed by White: "To be SOLD, A Likely young Negroe man, by trade a painter, and very fit to wait upon a gentleman. Enquire of Thomas White, chocolate maker, opposite to Norris's Alley, in Front-street, Philadelphia."
Dates of Records: 31 August 1749
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 31 August, 7 September 1749
- Slaveholder Name: Whitehead, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Workhouse Keeper
Notes: As Keeper of the city Workhouse, Whitehead was sometimes charged with selling enslaved persons confined there. In addition, slaveholders would often have troublesome or captured runaway slaves confined in the Workhouse while they advertised them for sale.
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 23 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1733
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro woman"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale with or without her three-year-old child in January 1756: "TO be SOLD, A Likely Negro woman, about 23 years of age, fit for town or country business, with her child, 3 years old, last May; she will be sold with or without the child. Enquire of James Whitehead, at the Work-house." The listing for her child is below.
Dates of Records: 08 January 1756
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 08 January 1756
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Gender not given in ad
Slave Age: "3 years old, last May"
Slave Date of Birth: May 1753
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Child"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale with or without the mother, in January 1756: "TO be SOLD, A Likely Negro woman, about 23 years of age, fit for town or country business, with her child, 3 years old, last May; she will be sold with or without the child. Enquire of James Whitehead, at the Work-house." The listing for the mother is is above.
Dates of Records: 08 January 1756
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 08 January 1756
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 28 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1737
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in July 1765: "TO BE SOLD, A Likely strong made Negroe Man, about 28 Years of Age. For further Particulars enquire of JAMES WHITEHEAD, Workhouse-keeper."
Dates of Records: 18 July 1765
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 July 1765
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: 24
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1744
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Wench"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in April 1768: "TO BE SOLD, A LIKELY healthy NEGROE WENCH, 24 Years old, can do all Sorts of House-work, such as Cooking, Washing, Spinning, &c. fit for Town or Country Business. Enquire of JAMES WHITEHEAD."
Dates of Records: 7 April 1768
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 7 April 1768
- Slaveholder Name: Whitely, Anthony
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Ship's captain, schooner Industry
Notes:
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Age not given, 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 along with a five-year-old girl, possibly her daughter, by the captain of the schooner Industry, in May 1752, just prior to a voyage to South Carolina:
For SOUTH-CAROLINA,
The Schooner INDUSTRY,
Anthony Whitely, Commander,
Now lying at Edward Chew's wharff, will be ready to sail in 15 days. For freight or passage, apply to James Rennals, Alexander Alexander, or said commander, either on board, or at his house, next door to Capt. Huston's, on Society-hill. Said vessel has good accommodations for passengers.
N.B. Said Whitely has a likely young Negroe woman, and a Negroe girl, about five years old, to dispose of; she is a very good house wench.
Dates of Records: 14 May 1752
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 May 1752
- Slave Name: Name not given in ad
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about five years old"
Slave Date of Birth: Circa 1747
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe girl"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale along with an adult woman, possibly her mother, by the captain of the schooner Industry, in May 1752, just prior to a voyage to South Carolina. See above for text of ad.
Dates of Records: 14 May 1752
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 May 1752
- Slaveholder Name: Wilcocks, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Grigg
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not given, but described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life -- Escaped slave
Slave Description: "Creole Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Escaped from Wilcocks in 1761:
RUN away from the Subscriber, a Creole Negroe Man, named GRIGG, about 5 Feet 10 Inches high, of a yellowish Complexion, large Bones, follows the Sea, wears Sailor's Apparel, and it is likely he may change his Clothes. Whoever takes up the said Negroe Man, and secures him, so that the Subscriber may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by
JOHN WILCOCKS.
Dates of Records: 20 August 1761
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 August 1761
- Slaveholder Name: Williams, Thomas
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant, shop on Second Street
Notes: In 1749, Williams acted as the city contact person for William Currie, a farmer in rural Plymouth Township, who was selling an enslaved teenaged girl.
- Slave Name: Name not mentioned
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about fifteen years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1734
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe girl"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in August 1749: "A Likely Negroe girl, about 15 years of age, fit for town or country business. Enquire at Thomas Williams's, in Second-street."
Dates of Records: 31 August 1749
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 31 August 1749
- Slaveholder Name: Willing, Mr.
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Probably either Thomas or James, both prominent Philadelphians at this time.
- Slave Name: Larey
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about twenty-two years of age" (at time of escape from James Wilson)
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1756 or 1757
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Larey was enslaved by Willing of Philadelphia "some years ago." He escaped from James Wilson on New Years Day, 1779.
Dates of Records: 12 January 1779
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet & General Advertiser, 12 January 1779
- Slaveholder Name: Willing, Charles
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: House on Third Street
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not specified by described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: One of two men advertised for sale in November 1747: "Philadelphia, November 26, 1747. To be SOLD, BY CHARLES WILLING, at his house in Third-street, two likely Negroe men, fit for town or country business. Also a great variety of woollen and other goods suitable for the season."
Dates of Records: 26 November 1747
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 December 1747
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not specified by described as a man
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: One of two men advertised for sale in November 1747. See above for text of ad.
Dates of Records: 26 November 1747
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 December 1747
- Slaveholder Name: Wilson, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Larey
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about twenty-two years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1756 or 1757
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Larey was enslaved by Willing of Philadelphia "some years ago." He escaped from James Wilson on New Years Day, 1779:
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWEARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, on Friday the first inst. (January) a Negro Man named LAREY; he is short, neat and well made, about twenty-two years of age, speaks English well, is lively, plausible and artful; he had on a new suit of blue cloaths. He belonged some years ago to Mr. Willing, of this city.
Whoever apprehends and delivers the said Negro to the subscriber, shall receive the above reward and reasonable charges.
JAMES WILSON.
Dates of Records: 12 January 1779
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet & General Advertiser, 12 January 1779
- Slaveholder Name: Wilson, Philip
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant and importer
Notes: Store on Front Street near Chestnut Street. Wilson traded with more than 22 English merchants and held interests in thirteen ships and or cargoes. During the war he regularly endured losses to British warships, and in 1783 the merchant vessel Mentor was completely destroyed by a British warship with the loss of all cargo at Cape Henlopen, effectively ruining Wilson. He relocated to London shortly thereafter to seek damages, but was unsuccessful. In 1798 he petitioned the US Congress for relief from losses incurred during the war.
Source: The North American, 23 April 1798; Wilson, Philip, "The declaration and case of Philip Wilson, a citizen of the United States of America, and late a merchant of Philadelphia, respecting the capture and destruction of his ship, called the Mentor, at Cape Henlopen, on the 2d day of April 1783," London, 1796, Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections, accessed online at https://trislandora-production.brynmawr.edu/object/hc27563.
- Slave Name: Caesar
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 22 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1752
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Born in Jamaica and was sold and re-sold. Philip Wilson was his fourth owner, purchasing him from James Wallace of Philadelphia. Escaped from Wilson in late June 1774. Wilson placed the following advertisement for his return. The ad is unusually detailed, including an extensive physical description of Caesar, his personality, abililities, wardrobe and a timeline of former owners:
FIFTEEN POUNDS REWARD.
RAN AWAY, about the 24th of June, 1774, from the subscriber living in Philadelphia, a Negro man named CAESAR, of a middling black colour, about 22 years of age, 5 feet 3 or 4 inches high, well made, with a long neck and falling shoulders, walks very upright, has bandy well made legs, with thick muscular calves, a large mouth and lips; is much inclined to laugh, and when he laughs shews much of his gums and teeth; is talkative and impertinent, with often an elevated voice, where he dare make free; is insolent and ready to box amongst his companions, and is fond of playing scraps of tunes on the fife, of which he has several; He having taken a Bristol pipe box, about two feet and a half long, with sundry cloaths, may change his dress, but may have on either a mended cloth colour, or an old dark blue, superfine cloth coat, a blue knap round-about, or short sea jacket lined with white flannel, a read and white narrow striped waistcoat, green plush or black stocking breeches, remarkable narrow striped Irish ticken breeches and trowsers, thread stockings, &c.--
The reward of FIVE POUNDS with reasonable charges, on delivering the said Negro at Philadelphia, or the above reward of FIFTEEN POUNDS, on proving and prosecuting to conviction the person who aided, assisted or carried him off, will be punctually paid by
PHILIP WILSON.
N.B. He was born at Jamaica, lived with Thomas and James Lucas and Co. of the Grenades, anno 1766; they sold him to Captain Godfrey McDonnell, who sold him to James Wallace of Philadelphia, anno 1767.
Dates of Records: 14 December 1774
Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 19 December 1774; Pennsylvnia Gazette, 14 December 1774.
- Slave Name: Ben
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about twenty-four years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1754
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Escaped from Wilson in early October 1778. Wilson placed the following advertisement for his return:
EIGHT DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY about the 8th of October last, from the subscriber living in Philadelphia, a broad well set Negro Man named BEN; he is not very black nor fleshy, is about twenty-four years of age, but looks older and wrinkled; he is lame of a leg, having been shot in the back leaders thereof which makes him loose or weak in the heel, walk wide, and wag his body in bringing up that foot; is fond of a brass-headed cane or stick which he sometimes carries in his hand. He had on when he went away, a white cloth coat, but had also one of a light blue colour, a red plush short jacket, a white round hat with narrow gold lace, the under side of which was lined with green silk, and also a black one. Persons who harbour him and thereby encourage such elopements, which he is much given to, may depend on being prosecuted; also any of his Negro associates may expect the punishment that the law inflicts. Information where he is will be thankfully received, and the above reward paid, by PHILIP WILSON.
Dates of Records: 26 December 1778
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet & General Advertiser, 26 December 1778.
- Slaveholder Name: Wood, Joseph
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Captain of the Sloop Polly
Notes:
- Slave Name: Jack
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: Age not specified in ad, but he is described as a "man."
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Presumed enslaved for life; self emancipated in 1784
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Jack escaped from the Sloop Polly and the ship's captain, Joseph Wood, placed the following ad for his return:
Eight Dollars Reward.
RAN away from on board the Sloop Polly, Joseph Wood Master, a negro man named JACK, about five feet high, and very black, has a scar at the corner of his right eye, and his hair cut in scallops on the top from ear, to ear. had on when he absconded, a white frock and trowsers, and carried with him, his bag of clothes. Whoever will apprehend and deliver the said negro to Messrs. Elliston and John Perot, or to Captain Joseph Wood, on board said vessel, laying at the Bird in hand wharf, will receive the above reward.
All Masters of Vessels, and other persons are forbid harbouring employing, or carrying off the said negro on Penalty of the Law.
Philadelphia, August 20, 1784.
Dates of Records: 20 August 1784
Sources: The Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser (Philadelphia), 21 August 1784
- Slaveholder Name: Wright, Hugh, Captain
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 14 Years of Age"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1749
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Boy"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale in February 1763: "To be SOLD, A Very healthy likely Negroe Boy, about 14 Years of Age, this Country born, has had the Small-pox, sold for no Fault, but for want of Employ. Enquire of Capt. HUGH WRIGHT, at Capt. Gibbon's, in Spruce-street."
Dates of Records: 18 July 1765
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 24 February 1763
- Slaveholder Name: Wright, John
City or Township: Moyamensing
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: "about 20 years old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1763
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Woman"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale along with her infant son to settle the estae of John Wright:
TO BE SOLD,
A STOUT, healthy NEGROE WOMAN, about 20 years old, and her Male CHILD, about 9 months old; said to be part of the estate of John Wright, late of Moyamensing, deceased.
JOHN LEE, Acting Executor.
N.B. If said Negroe Woman and Child are not sold before the 16th instant, they will on that day be sold by public Sale, at Mount-Pleasant, near Mountholly, New-Jersey, precisely at three o'clock in the afternoon.
Jan. 1, 1783.
Only one day remained for the private sale of this woman and her child when this ad was re-published on January 15, 1783. If not sold by the end of the day, she and her child were to be publicly auctioned off at John Lee's house in New Jersey. As this was to settle the estate, the executor probably had little or no say regarding whether the mother and child had to be sold together, or were to be sold apart.
Executor John Lee had advertised this woman for public sale a year earlier to settle Wright's estate. The sale was advertised for January 7, 1782 at John Wright's "late dwelling house" on Second Street in Southwark. The sale included: "all the Negroes, Stock, and HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE &C." The woman was described as "ONE likely Negroe Wench, about twenty years old, fit for town or country work." No mention was made in that ad of her child. Apparently Lee was unable to see her, as she appears a year later in his further ads for settling Wright's estate.
Dates of Records: January 1, 1783
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 15 January 1783; Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 05 January 1782.
- Slave Name: Name not given
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: "about 9 months old"
Slave Date of Birth: circa March 1782
Slave Status: A child of this age would be a term slave for 28 years. Sale of the child outside of Pennsylvania would have been illegal.
Slave Description: "Male Child"
Slave Notes: Advertised for sale or auction along with his mother to settle the estae of John Wright. see above for the full text of the ad. Note that only one day remained for the private sale of this mother and child when the ad was re-published on January 15, 1783. If not sold by the end of that day, the pair were to be publicly auctioned off at John Lee's house in Mount Pleasant, New Jersey. As this was to settle the estate, the executor probably had little or no say regarding whether the mother and child had to be sold together, or were to be sold apart.
A subsequent ad placed by executor John Lee in Dunlap's Pennsylvani Packet, date January 10, 1783, formally announced the public sale of the woman and child, and gave the child's age as "about 9 months old."
Dates of Records: January 1, 1783
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 15 January 1783; Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and Genearl Advertiser, 11 January 1783.
- Slaveholder Name: Yard, Shandy
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Grocer and Mariner
Notes: A free African living in Philadelphia, Shandy Yard is believed to have been born in West Africa about 1772. He was a close friend to James Forten and was originally indentured to James Yard. He married Sarah Fortune on July 11, 1799. Yard was serving aboard the Brig Franklin, captained by Andrew Morris, sailing from Marsailles for the West Indies when it was captured by a Tripolitan corsair in June 1802. A state of hostilities then existed between the Barbary states and the United States and the American consul at Algiers persuaded the Dey of Algiers not to sell the American crewmen into slavery. In October, Yard, the captain and two other men were ransomed for $6500. His fortunes began to wane upon his return to Philadelphia, likely causing his sale of the two slaves listed below.
Sources: Clarence M. Busch, Record of Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1810, Vol. 1, Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. 8, "Marriage Records of the Swedes Church (Gloria Dei) 1750-1810," p. 382; Julie Winch, A Gentleman of Color: The Life of James Forten, Oxford University Press, 2002, p. 137; Lieutenant Felix Howland, U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, "The Blockade of Tripoli, 1801-1802," United States Naval Institute Proceedings, Vol.63/12/418 (December 1937); Insolvent Debtor notice, Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, 7 April 1812, p. 3.
- Slave Name: Un-named girl
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known; described as a "girl"
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for a term of years--having 7 or 8 years to serve.
Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in September 1805. Text of advertisement:
FOR SALE,
THE time of two NEGRO GIRLS who have from 7 to 8 years to serve, the time of both is sold for the want of employ, they are perfectly well acquainted with house work of every kind, and understand plain cooking, &c. &c. For terms enquire of
SHANDY YARD.
Walnut street, No. 77,
Sept. 4
Date of Record: 04 September 1805
Sources: Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, PA, 18 September 1805, page 1.
- Slave Name: Un-named girl
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known; described as a "girl"
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for a term of years--having 7 or 8 years to serve.
Slave Description: "Negro Girl"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in September 1805. See text of advertisement, above.
Date of Record: 04 September 1805
Sources: Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, PA, 18 September 1805, page 1.
- Slaveholder Name: Yeldall, Anthony
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Surgeon; eye surgeon; druggist
Notes: Arrived in Philadelphia in 1770 and established his residence and practice on Market Street. Anthony Yeldall became regionally famous for successful cataract surgeries. A vigorous self-promoter, Yeldall travelled throughout the region performing surgeries and, backed by a stage show of acrobats and high wire performers, sold drugs from the stage. He remained a British Loyalist, though, and in 1778 was denounced as a traitor by Pennsylvania's revolutionary government, charged with treason and advised that his estate and wealth was subject to forfeiture. He fled to London where he continued his medical practice, and in 1794 patented a magnetic belt for the treatment of various ailments.
- Slave Name: Prince
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: 20
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1753 or 1754 (age is reported as both 20, and 19 years)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro man" His ears are pierced.
Slave Notes: Escaped from Yeldall repeatedly, first in late 1773. SeetText of runaway advertisements:
Philadelphia, November 30, 1773.
THREE POUNDS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Market-street, a NEGROE man, named PRINCE, 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, 20 years of age, smooth faced, has one if not both his ears bored; had on when he went away, a black velvet cap, brown coat, waistcoat and breeches. Whoever takes up the said Negroe, and brings him to his master, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
ANTHONY YELDALL.
Prince was captured and returned to Yeldall, but in July 1774 escaped again. Yeldall's advertisement seeking his return adds additional details about this enslaved man:
FIVE POUNDS REWARD.
RAN AWAY the 18th of July last from the subscriber, a negroe man, named PRINCE, about nineteen years old, five feet four or five inches high, is a smart active fellow, a very black complexion, and is apt to grin and laugh when talked to by his equals, and is fond of strong liquor; Had on and took with him a brown cloth coat and jacket, with red collar and cuffs to the coat, white shirt and trowsers, pretty good shoes, and an old hat;
He is a sly fellow, and has run away from his former masters, both here and in New England, from whence he came, and it is likely he may go that way, as he has before attempted to do, and been taken up and brought home. Whoever takes up and secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by JOSEPH FOX, blacksmith and farrier, in Philadelphia, or
DR. ANTHONY YELDALL.
Prince was at large for several weeks but was finally captured and jailed in New Castle, Delaware. The county jailer, Thomas Pusey, advertised descriptions of several persons committed to his jail, including Prince:
New-Castle, September 5, 1774.
NOW in the goal of said county, the following persons, viz.
A Negroe lad, who calls himself Prince, and by an advertisement of Doctor Anthony Yeldall's, in the Pennsylvania Packet, and confession of said Negroe, appears to be the person therein described.
Date of Records: 30 November 1773, 22 August 1774 and 5 September 1774.
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 02 February 1774; Pennsylvania Packet, 22 August 1774; Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 September 1774.
- Slaveholder Name: Young, Charles
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: In September 1779, Young placed an ad seeking to purchase two slaves: "WANTED TO PURCHASE, A NEGRO WENCH acquainted with cooking and house-work; also a NEGRO MAN or BOY for family purposes, taking care of horses, &c. Enquire of CHARLES YOUNG, the corner of Lombard and Third-streets, Philadelphia." (Source: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 21 September 1779.)
- Slaveholder Name: Young, Samuel
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Un-named female
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age: Not known; described as a "wench" indicating a young woman or older teenaged girl
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Wench"
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in August 1779. Text of advertisement: "TO BE SOLD, A NEGRO WENCH. Enquire of SAMUEL YOUNG, near the Draw-bridge, Philadelphia."
Date of Record: 14 August 1779
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 14 August 1779.
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Enslavement
