|
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: 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: 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.
Berks County Index Page | Enslavement Main Page | Afrolumens Project Home
|
