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A series of pages exploring
various aspects of enslavement in Pennsylvania
Maritime Items Related to Slavery in Pennsylvania
Enslaved People and Prize Law in Courts of Admiralty
Privateers, Prize Law and Courts of Admiralty
International law allowed for a nation's warships to capture enemy merchant vessels and their crew and confiscate their cargo during times of war. The capture deprived the enemy of the use and benefit of the ships, crew and cargo. In addition, the captured ships and all goods on board were designated as "prizes" and the capturing nation benefitted from the use or subsequent sale of captured ships and their cargo.
To bolster their navy's reach, nations commissioned private vessels, called "privateers," to act on their behalf and attack and capture enemy vessels. Such mercenary ships were given a "letter of marque" authorizing their actions. Vessels captured by privateers were subject to "prize law" the same as if they were captured by a naval warship, and were reviewed by a court of admiralty, which reviewed the capture to determine that all was done legally. If so, the captured ship and cargo was "condemned" by the court and subject to sale, with proceeds going to the owners of the privateer.
Crewmembers of a captured vessel were treated as prisoners of war and could be exchanged. Enslaved members of a crew, however, were considered property of the ship or cargo, and subject to sale.
Cases Naming Enslaved People Captured as Prizes
The items below are published notices from Philadelphia newspapers announcing cases concerning enslaved persons taken from a prize ship and being reviewed by a Court of Admiralty as prizes.
Index of Enslaved People Taken from British Vessels
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: Captain Charles Alexander, Esq., commander of the USS Wasp
Text:
Port of PHILADELPHIA, in the province of Pennsylvania, ss. } TO ALL whom it may concern.
Notes: The USS Wasp was a merchant vessel called the Scorpion when it was purchased by the Continental Congress in 1775 and commissioned the Wasp in December of that year. In early May, 1776, the Wasp and several smaller gunships attacked the HMS Roebuck and the HMS Liverpool in Delaware Bay. The heavily armed Roebuck had the bad luck to run aground in the bay, and in a two-day battle, the American ships forced the British warships to withdraw. The Wasp claimed the brig Betsey as a prize.
NOTICE is hereby given, That the Court of Admiralty, for taking cognizance of, and trying the justice of captures of vessels, made in pursuance of the Resolves of the Hon. The Continental Congress, and brought into the port of Philadelphia, will be held at the Court-house, in the city of Philadelphia, on Tuesday the eleventh day of June next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of Charles Alexander, Esq; commander of the schooner of war called the WASP who as well (&c.) against the brigantine schooner or vessel called the BETSEY, burthen about ninety tons, lately commanded by Thomas Slater, and against John Hasseler, a Mulatto, and Charles Sims, a Negro slave, taken on board the said brigantine. To the end and intent, that the owner or owners of the said vessel called the BETSEY and slaves aforesaid, or any person concerned therein, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayer of the said bill.
By order of the judge,
ANDREW ROBESON. May 25, 1776.
Sources: The Pennsylvania Evening Post, 25 May 1776; J.R. Potts, "U.S.S. Wasp (1775)," 2019, Military Factory.com, https://www.militaryfactory.com/ships/detail.php?ship_id=USS-Wasp-1775, accessed 17 January 2026.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: John Barry, commander of the USS Lexington
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss. } To all whom it may concern.
Notes: Commander Barry captured the Lady Susan and the Betsey in the same cruise.
NOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiralty, will be held at the State-House in the city of Philadelphia, on Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of September inst. at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of John Barry, commander of the brigantine of war called the Lexington, (who as well, &c.) against Thomas Saunders, John Lucy, John Pomp, Samuel Sawood, Jack Masson, Charles Mills, Chance and Jeffery, Negro Slaves lately taken on board the prize sloop or vessel called the Lady Susan, William Goodrich, master; to the end and intent that the owner or owners of the said slaves, or of any or either of them, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayer of the said bill.
By order of the Judge,
ANDREW ROBESON, Register. Sept. 9, 1776.
Sources: The Pennsylvania Packet, 10 September 1776.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: John Barry, commander of the USS Lexington
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss. } To all whom it may concern,
Notes: Commander Barry captured the Lady Susan and the Betsey in the same cruise.
NOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiralty, will be held at the State-House in the city of Philadelphia, on Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of September inst. at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of John Barry, commander of the brigantine of war called the Lexington, (who as well, &c.) against the sloop or vessel called the Betsey, burthen about forty tons, lately commanded by Samuel Kerr, with her tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo, and against Henry Nicholson, Peter May, James Herbert, Flora, Sam and Phillis, Negro Slaves taken on board the said sloop; to the end and intent that the owner or owners of the said sloop, cargo and slaves, or any person concerned therein, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayers of the said bill.
By order of the Judge,
ANDREW ROBESON, Register. Sept. 9, 1776.
Sources: The Pennsylvania Packet, 10 September 1776.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: John Barry, commander of the USS Lexington
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss. } To all whom it may concern.
Notes: Commander Barry captured the Edward in early April 1776.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a Court of Admiralty will be held on Tuesday, the fifteenth day of October next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, at the State-house, in the city of Philadelphia, then and there, to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of John Barre, Commander of the brigantine of war called the Lexington (who as well &c.) against James and Joshua, Negro slaves lately taken on board the prize sloop called the Edward, commanded by Richard Boger. To the end and intent that the owner or owners of the said slaves, or of either of them, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayer of the said bill.
By order of the Judge,
ANDREW ROBESON, Register. Sept. 27.
Sources: The Pennsylvania Ledger, or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey Weekly Advertiser, 28 September 1776.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: Nicholas Biddle, US Naval Captain, Continental Navy
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss. } To ALL whom it may concern.
Notes: The claimant here, Nicholas Biddle, was an officer in the US Continental Navy. The ships named here were taken as prizes by the navel warship he commanded and any prizes were to the United States, and not personal prizes. Biddle died in March 1778 when his ship, the USS Randolph, exploded during an action in Barbados against the HMS Yarmouth.
NOTICE is hereby given that a COURT OF ADMIRALTY will be held at the State-house, in the city of Philadelphia, on Thursday, the 28th day of November inst. at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of Nicholas Biddle, Esq; (who as well &c.) against the following Negro slaves, to wit, Luke, Baile, Jack, Phil, and Ben, taken on board the brig Betsey, John Rynoe master;
Jacob, taken on board the brig Elizabeth, William Ryson Johnson master; Henry and Jacob, taken on board the ship Molly, Bridgen Goodrich master, Sol, Moses, Charles and Jacob, taken on board the brig Maria, John Marshal master; and Romeo, Joe and Frank, taken on board the brig Peggy, commanded by Capt. Cook, to the end and intent that the owners or masters of the said Negroes, or any or either of them, or any person or persons concernind therein, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why they should not be condmned as prize according to the prayer of the said bill.
By order of the Judge,
ANDREW ROBESON, Register. Nov. 11, 1776.
Source: The Pennsylvania Evening Post, 12 November 1776.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: Michael Bastow, commanding the brig Industry
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss. } To all whom it may concern.
Notes:
NOTICE is hereby given that a COURT OF ADMIRALTY will be held at the Statehouse, in the city of Philadelphia, on Wednesday the 26th day of February inst. at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of Michael Bastow, commander of the letter of marque brig called the INDUSTRY (who as well, &c.) against the brigantine or vessel called the ANNE, burthen about one hundred and twenty tons, with all her tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo, lately commanded by Alexander Kennedy, and against PRESTON a Negro slave taken on board the said brigantine, to the end and intent that the owner or owners thereof, or any persons concerned therein, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayer of the said bill.
By order of the Judge,
ANDREW ROBESON, Register. Feb. 5.
Source: The Pennsylvania Evening Post, 08 February 1777.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: Garret Haleskamp
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss. } To ALL whom it may concern,
Notes:
NOTICE is hereby given, That a court of admiralty will be held at the courthouse in the city of Philadelphia, on the thirtieth day of January inst. at ten o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of Garret Haleskamp, &c. against a certain boat or vessel of about two tons burthen, and late belonging to the Swift sloop of war, and against James Roublet, William Sharp and James Bradley, Negro slaves found and taken on board the said boat: To the end and intent that the owner or owners of the said boat and Negroes, or either of them, or any persons concerened therein, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayer of the said bill.
By order of the Judge,
ANDREW ROBESON, reg. Jan. 5.
Source: The Pennsylvania Evening Post, 21 January 1779.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: John Douglass and others
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss.
Notes:
To ALL whom it may concern,
NOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiralty will be held at the Court-house in the city of Philadelphia, on the fourteenth day of June next, at Ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of John Douglass, &c. (who as well, &c.) against Negro Jack, Negro York, and Negro Robert, slaves found on board the schooner or vessel called the Sally, her tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo: To the end and intent that the owner or owners of the said slaves, or any person concerned therein, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayer of the said bill.
GEORGE ROSS, Judge. May 18.
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, 22 May 1779.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: Not indicated in sale ad
Text:
New Jersey, July 20.
Notes: The snow Friendship has been condemned by the Court of Admiralty and is to be publicly auctioned with cargo and three enslaved men. With regard to the cargo, "fustick" [fustic] was a yellow dye extracted from tropical wood.
On TUESDAY the 27th instant, at Chesnut-Neck, WILL BE SOLD, The Prize Snow FRIENDSHIP, with her appurtenances.
ALSO her CARGO, consisting of 6850 hogshead staves, 4080 feet of boards, 916 feet of oars, 13 sparrs, 45 bales of deer-skins, 300 bushels of rough rice; 61 tierces of molasses, 6580 gallons; 7 hogsheads of tobacco, 7082 lb. wt. 10 hogsheads ditto, 21 tons of fustick, 30 barrels of tar, and three Negroes.
By order of the Court of Admiralty,
JOSEPH POTTS, Marshal.
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, 27 July 1779.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: George Geddes
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss.
Notes:
To ALL whom it may concern,
NOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiralty will be held at the State-House in the city of Philadelphia, on the twentieth day of September next, at Ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of George Geddes, &c. (who as well, &c.) against the armed sloop or vessel called the Sall, &c. lately commanded by Josiah Hunt; and also against the Negroes Antonio, Jack, Will, Jacob and Joey found and taken on board the said sloop: To the end and intent that the owner or owners thereof, or any person concerned therin, may appear and shew cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned according to the prayer of the said bill.
By order of the Judge,
ANDREW ROBESON, Reg. August 26.
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, 10 September 1779.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: Not indicated in sale ad.
Text:
Philadelphia, November 8.
Notes: It is not clear if the brig Hope is a prize vessel or a privateer.
TO BE SOLD,
FOUR likely NEGROES; two of them, Anthony, and John Fame, are about twenty years old; the other two, Simon and Will, are about fourteen years old. Anthony is a ship carpenter having worked at the trade five years. John Fame has been a gentleman's servant. Simon and Will are handy lads, and capable of learning any trades, or making good house servants. All of them have been a voyage or two to sea, and having been taken on board the enemy's vessels, were last Saturday, at the Court of Admiralty in this city, found to be slaves, and condemned as lawful prize. They may be seen on board the brig Hope, near Mifflin's wharf, just below Vine-street. Apply to Mr. COTTON, on board the said brig.
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, 09 November 1779.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: Philip Lyons
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss.
Notes: Notice of the public sale of the Polly appeared
To ALL whom in may concern,
NOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiralty will be held at the State-house, in the city of Philadelphia, on Thursday, the 28th of June, instant, for the trial of the Negroes, Jack McLeand and Peter, taken on board the sloop or vessel called the POLLY, whereof William Peacock was lately master, bound from Charlestown in South-Carolina, to Wilmington in North-Carolina. Taken at Sea, sent into this Port and libelled against by Philip Lyons, (qui tam, &c.) To the end, That all persons concerned may appear and shew cause, (if any they have,) wherefore a Decree should not pass pursuant to the prayer of the libel, &c.
By Order of the Judge,
JAMES READ, Register. June 25.To be SOLD at Public Vendue, on WEDNESDAY, the first day of August, the prize schooner POLLY, NOW lying at Tuckahoe, in Great-Egg-Harbour river, with her Tackle, Apparel, Furniture and Cargoe. Her Cargoe of seven hundred bushels of ANGUILLA SALT.
Sources: The Pennsylvania Packet, 28 June 1781; The Pennsylvania Gazette, 07 July 1781.
Nothing but specie will be taken in payment, and the cash to be paid on delivery of the goods.
By Order of the Judge, J. BURROWS, Marshal of the Court of Admiralty, State of New-Jersey.
Allentown, July 21, 1781.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: James Forbes
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss.
Notes:
To ALL whom it may concern.
NOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiralty will be held at the State-House, in the city of Philadelphia, on Thursday the 28th day of June instant, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, for the trial of the following negroes, to wit, Bablico Smith, Joseph Blackbourn, Ann Eastern, and William Witmay, taken out of the schooner or vessel called the Tryal, at sea, and libelled against by James Forbes, qui tam, &c. To the end that all persons concerned may appear and shew cause, if any there be, wherefore a decree should pass, pursuant to the prayer of the libel.
By order of the Judge,
JAMES READ, Register.
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, 28 June 1781.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: George Geddes
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss.
Notes: For a brief account of an escaped slave from Delaware who signed on as a free crewmember of the Congress and witnessed the battle and capture of the HMS Savage, see "Dick Butcher Served on the Privateer Congress."
To ALL whom it may concern.
NOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiralty will be held at the State-house, in the city of Philadelphia, on Saturday, the 13th of October, isnt. at ten o'clock in the Forenoon, for the Trial of the following negroes, to wit, John Fortin, Robert Coffin, Primus, Richard, George MIller, Mary, James, and Thomas Davis, taken out of the ship or vessel of war, belonging to the king of Great Britain, the SAVAGE, at sea, and who are brought into this port and libelled against by George Geddes, (qui tam &c.) to the end, that all persons concerned may appear and shew cause, if any there be, why a decree should not pass pursuant to the prayer of the libel &c
Oct. 8. By order of the Judge,
JAMES READ, Register.
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, 09 October 1781.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: Charles Wills
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss.
Notes:
To ALL whom it may concern.
NOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiralty will be held at the State-house, in the city of Philadelphia, on Wednesday, the twenty fourth of October, instant, at nine o'clock in the Forenoon, for the Trial of three Negroes, to wit, Ned, Fortune, and Ishmael, taken on board the armed Schooner or Vessel, called the General ARNOLD, lately commanded by James Watson, at sea, sent into this port in the same vessel, and libelled against at prize, by Charles Wills, (qui tam, &c.) to the end, that all persons concerned may appear and shew cause, if any there be, why a decree should not pass pursuant to the prayer of the libel, &c.
JAMES READ, Register.
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, 23 October 1781.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: Phineas Eldridge
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss.
Notes:
To ALL whom it may concern.
NOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiralty will be held before the Hon. Francis Hopkinson, Esq; Judge of the said Court for this State, at his chambers in the city of Philadelphia, on Friday, the 9th of November instant, at 9 o'clock in the forenoon, for the trial of the Negroes CAESAR, SAM and ADAM, taken at sea on board the sloop POLLY, and brought into this port, and libelled against by Phineas Eldridge (qui tam &c.) To the end, that all persons concerned may appear and shew cause, if any there be, wherefore a decree should not pass pursuant to the prayer of the libel, &c.
By Order of the Judge,
JAMES READ, Register. November 6.
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 07 November 1781.
Enslaved Persons
Claimant: Peter Lallemant
Text:
Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ss.
Notes: The Lord North appears in Lloyd's Records between 1776 and 1781 as a merchant vessel sailing between London and the Caribbean.
To ALL whom it may concern.
NOTICE is hereby given, That a Court of Admiralty will be held, before the honourable Francis Hopkinson, esquire, judge of the said court, for this state, at his Chambers in the city of Philadelphia, on Friday, the fourteenth of December, instant, at nine o'clock in the Forenoon, for the Trial of the Negroes CAESAR, SAMSON and BOSTON, taken out of the brigantine Lord NORTH at sea, and brought into this port, and libelled against as prize, by Peter Lallemant, (qui tam, &c.) To the end, that all persons concerned may appear and shew cause, if any there be, wherefore a Decree should not pass, pursuant to the prayer of the Libel, &c.
By order of the Judge,
JAMES READ, Register.
Source: The Pennsylvania Packet, 08 December 1781; "Lloyd's register of shipping 1776," Hathitrust, online at https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015004741958&seq=189, accessed 19 January 2026.
Enslaved Persons
Claimants: Hope Willits, Richard Steelman, Joseph Edwards, and Darius Casson
Text:
State of New-Jersey, ss.
Notes: "All of which said Negroes absconded (it is said) from their said several master's service within three months past, and joined the said William Augustus Perry, and were taken on board the aforesaid vessels, on their way to New-York."
To all whom it may Concern.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a Court of Admiralty will be held fore the state of New-Jersey, at the Court-House, in Burlington, on Friday, the 13th day of september next, at the hour of ten in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the Bill of Hope Willits, Richard Steelman, Joseph Edwards, and Darius Casson (who as well, &c) against a certain armed boat, called the True-Blue, lately commanded by William Augustus Perry, in the service of his Britannic Majesty, and captured by the said libellants; and also, a certain other armed boat, lately taken by the said William Augustus Perry, from Captain Charles Allen, and re-taken by the said libellants, together with the Negroes, Ben Custis, Surthy Custis, Peter, Frank, Carter and Sam, supposed to belong to the estate of John Tazwell, Esq. deceased; Ben Hall, supposed to belong to the estate of John Savage, deceased; Ladis, supposed to belong to John Kendall; Peter, supposed to belong to Thomas Pool; Titus, supposed to belong to Col. Cropper; Matthew, supposed to belong to Samuel Williams; Litey, a man, Litey, a boy, supposed to belong to John Evans; Furrow, supposed to belong to John Stringle, all of the county of Northampton, in Virginia; Sampson, supposed to belong to Edward Revell; Kendon and George, supposed to belong to Arthur Upshire, of the county of Accomack, in Virginia; Peter, a boy, supposed to belong to John Shatton, the younger, near Cape-Henry; Joe, a boy, supposed to belong to Joshua Fidget, near Cape-Charles, in Virgnia; Isaac, supposed to belong to William Morris; Abel, supposed to belong to John Marshall, near Snow Hill, in Maryland; all of which said Negroes absconded (it is said) from their said several master's service within three months past, and joined the said William Augustus Perry, and were taken on board the aforesaid vessels, on their way to New-York, by the said libellants: To the end and intent, that all persons concerned or interested, either in the said armed boats, their tackle, apparel, furniture and cargo; or, who claim the labour and service of the said Negroes adjudged to the said libellants, or, in case of a lawful claim, and specific restitution of the said Negroes, a reasonable salvage should not be paid to the re-captors, agreeable to the ordinance of the Honourable the Congress of the United States, in such case lately made and provided, and pursuant to the prayers of the said libellants.
By order of the Judge,
JOSEPH BLOOMFIELD, Register. Burlington, August 16, 1782.
Source: The Pennsylvania Journal or Weekly Advertiser, 28 August 1782.
General Notes
A number of the cases transcribed above include the legal term "qui tam" after the names of libellants. Qui tam is short for qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur, translating as "he who sues in this matter for the king as well as for himself." In the context of prize law, this phrase indicates the libellants, as private citizens, have brought a case in order to prove the legitimacy of the capture and have the prize condemned by the judges, thus providing a clear title, whether for the ship, its cargo, or for enslaved people taken from the ship, for future sale.