Enslavement in Berks County, Pennsylvania

Jailer Notices

• Names: Daniel
  Date of item: 12 October 1764
  Location: Reading borough
  Item: Jailed as suspected escaped slave.
  Details/Text: "NOW in Reading Goal in Pennsylvania, a Negroe Man, who says his Name is Daniel, and belongs to Richard Goffny, of King and Queen County, in Virginia: These are therefore to desire said Goffny (if any such Person there be) to come or send for him, within three Months from this Date, otherwise he will be sold to pay Charges, by
  October 12, 1764. ISAAC WICKERSHAM.
  N.B. This Fellow says, there were two Negroe Men and a Woman came with him from the same Place, and that he parted with them in Lancaster County, about 40 or 50 Miles from this Place."
  Notes: Jailer Wickersham allowed three months for any possible enslaver of his prisoner Daniel to claim him or he would be sold. .That date would be January 12, 1765.
  Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 22 November 1764.
• Names: Will
  Date of item: 08 October 1773
  Location: Reading borough
  Item: Jailed as suspected escaped slave.
  Details/Text: "Reading, October 8, 1773.
  WAS committed to the goal of Berks county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of September last, a Negroe man, named WILL, about 5 feet 6 inches high, well set fellow, about 20 years of age, has a scar on his forehead, has one knock-knee, talks coarse, his back is also full of scars, by severe whipping; said Negroe says he belongs to Van Swearingen, in Frederick county, Maryland; his Master is desired to come and pay charges, and take away, within two months after date, otherwise he will be sold to pay the same, by
  JOHN WITMAN, Goaler."
  Notes: Will showed the scars of severe physical abuse at the hands of his enslaver. Such scars were severe and shocking enough to the jailer that he felt obligated to include the mention of them in his advertisement.
  Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 October 1773.
• Names: Pompey Bell; Prince Frederick and Betsy (husband and wife)
  Date of item: 29 September 1783
  Location: Reading borough
  Item: Jailed as suspected escaped slaves.
  Details/Text: "Reading, September 29, 1783.
  Committed this day, in the Goal of the county of Berks, The following Negroe Men, viz. POMPEY BELL, speaks good English, about 24 years of age, says he lived in Newark with Mr. William Allen, left that place about two years ago, and that he was a freeman, and was persuaded from that place by a certain Allison; the other named PRINCE FREDERICK, says he belonged to Doctor Bonat of Newark, and became a freeman, and also taken away by said Allison, who was going to sell him for seven years to Mr. William Bonam of Northumberland county; said Negroe Prince Frederick is about 35 years of age, and speaks good English: A Mulattoe Woman, who calls herself BETSY, says she was born in Paxton, Lancaster county, and that she was free; is about 24 years of age, and married to Negroe Prince Frederick. Any person that owns said Negroes and Mulattoe Woman, or either of them, as slaves or servants, are desired to apply, prove their property, in four weeks from the date hereof, pay costs, and take them away, otherwise they will be sold to discharge the same, by PHILIP KREMER, Sheriff."
  Notes:
  Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 08 October 1783.
• Names: John McKinney (Irish) and Cato
  Date of item: 20 February 1784
  Location: Reading borough
  Item: Jailed as suspected escaped slave and servant.
  Details/Text: "Reading, February 20, 1784.
  DELIVERED into my custody, A certain person, called John McKinney, a native Irishman, has been in the country but a short time; says he came over to America in this ship known by the name of Three Brothers, commanded by Captain Gilles.
  Also, a Negroe Man, who calls himself CATO, belonging to Michael Dowdle, living in York-Town, in the county of York, and state of Pennsylvania.
  The owner or owners are hereby requested, on or before the 15th day of March, to take them away, defray the expences and charges, otherwise they will be discharged or sold according to law.
  WILLIAM WITMAN, Goaler."
  Notes:
  Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 February 1784.
• Names: John Bell
  Date of item: 20 August 1784
  Location: Reading borough
  Item: Jailed as suspected escaped slave.
  Details/Text: "Reading, August 20, 1784.
  DELIVERED into custody the 23d day of June last, a Negroe man, who calls himself JOHN BELL, says he is a free man, about 22 years of age, about 5 feet and an half high, and has a large scar in his forehead. The owner is desired to come, pay charges, and take him away on or before the tenth day of September next, otherwise he will be discharged, by paying his fees according to law.
  WILLIAM WITMAN, Goaler."
  Notes:
  Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 August 1784.

 

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