Enslavement
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A page from the 1780 Cumberland County, Pennsylvania register of enslaved persons.

A series of pages exploring
various aspects of enslavement in Pennsylvania

Enslavement in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Jailer Notices and Items Concerning Enslaved and Free African Americans

Published jailer notices provide information on local, state and out of state African Americans arrested and committed to the county jail as suspected escaped slaves. Enslavers of such persons, seeing the notices in regional newspapers, were expected to come to the jail, provide proof of ownership, and pay the costs associated with keeping, feeding, advertising, and filling out paperwork on the captured esapee.

Jailer Notices

  • Names: Ephraim and Bristo
    Date of item: 23 August 1800
    Location: Pittsburgh
    Item: Jailed as suspected escaped slaves from New Jersey
    Details/Text: "Take Notice.
    EPHRAIM, a Negro Man, who says he belongs to John Axford, sen. and BRISTO, a Negro Man, who says he belongs to Peter Burgh, both living in Sussex county, New-Jersey near Oxford Furnace, were committed to the Gaol of Allegheny County on the 26th day of May last, as runaways that unless the said Masters come and pay the expences of apprehending them, and their gaol fees, in one month from this date, they will be sold to defray the same.
    EPHRAIM JONES,
    Sheriff of Allegheny County,
    Pittsburgh, August 23, 1800."
    Notes: Both men had been imprisoned for three months when Sheriff Jones set the sale date as September 23, 1800, if not claimed.
    Source: Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 23 August 1800.

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