PA County Index

PA Enslavement FAQs

A series of pages exploring
various aspects of enslavement in Pennsylvania

Allegheny County Miscellaneous Items

Items

The items below contain information of value in documenting the bound and free African and African American presence in the region. These are typically documents, newspaper articles or period advertisements that don't fit neatly into the pages on enslavement, yet place certain individuals in a specific place and time or contain threads of association.

• Joseph Gale's Bond to Jesse Spry in Payment for Joseph's Wife Was Obtained Fraudulently . Text of newspaper notice:

  Whereas I Joseph Gale, a free black man, gave a bond for thirty pounds bearing the date the 27th day of June, 1793, and payable on the first day of July ensuing to Jesse Spry for the freedom of my wife, who was then said to be a slave by the said Jesse Spry, but since that time I have found out that she was a free woman, and has been since actually liberated, I therefore forwarn all persons from taking an assignment of said bond, as I am determined not to pay the same until compelled by law, inasmuch as it was obtained by fraud.
  JOSEPH GALE.
  June 3, 1794.

  Source: Pittsburgh Gazette, 28 June 1794.

 

• Levin Planter and Daniel Meadad Have Freedom Papers. Text of newspaper notice:

  Notice.
  WAS committed to the Jail of Franklin county, on the 14th inst. on suspicion of being runaways, a White Boy and a Negro Man.
  The Negro is near 50 years of age, about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, has a small scar across his nose, is pretty stout built, and cannot or will not speak, but apparently can hear; he had on tow linen shirt and trowsers. The white boy calls himself Levin Planter, -- he is about 14 or 15 years of age, of a very dark complexion, slender made, and is very pert with the tongue. He says the negro's name is Daniel Meadad -- that they formerly were servants to a Mr. Able Teackle, who removed from the Eastern shore (Md) to Pittsburg, where he died, and that they are now on their way to Baltimore. They have in their possession certificates or passes, signed "Thomas Cooper," which certify the same. Their master or masters are requested to come forward and take them out, or they will be liberated agreeably to law.
  JOHN SNIDER, Jailor.
  Chambersburg, July 21, 1806.

  Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 29 July 1806.