Slaveholders Listed on the Page
- Antes, Philip (Enslaved persons: William Clark)
- Benner, Philip (Enslaved persons: George Pencil, Jack Robinson, Kiz)
- DeWees, William P. (Enslaved persons: Primus Stanton)
- Harris, James (Enslaved persons: Leonora)
- Miles, Joseph & Company (Enslaved persons: Charles, Jerry)
- Patton, John (Enslaved persons: John, Flora)
- Potter, James (Enslaved persons: Hero, Mullata Bob, Daphne, Sal, Bob)
- Rankin, James (Enslaved persons: Sall, Peter, Lydia Boyd)
- Richards, Elizabeth (Enslaved persons: Flora Green)
- Richards, Frederick Augustus (Enslaved persons: Cato, Simon, Phillis)
- Richards, Matthias (Enslaved persons: Sinai)
- Smith, Elizabeth (Enslaved persons: Julian, Edgar)
- Smith, Jacob (Enslaved persons: Daniel Byers)
Enslavement Data
- Slaveholder Name: Antes, Philip
City or Township: Howard Township
County: Centre County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: William Clark
Gender: Male
Age: Four months old at registration
Date of Birth: 29 March 1811
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Male Child"
Notes: Philip Antes's registration of William Clark:
I Philip Antes of Howard Township in Centre County Farmer Do hereby make known unto William Petrikin esquire Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace for said County -- That on the twenty ninth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and elaven, A Negro Male child was born in my family in Howard Township aforesaid which I have named William Clark and which child I request you the said William Petrikin to Register agreeably to Law -- Witness my hand and Seal this thirteenth day of July AD one thousand eight hundred and eleven -- 1811
Philip Antes [Seal]
Centre County Ss
Before Wm Petrikin one of the Justices of the peace and Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid came the above named Philip Antes who saith on his solmen oath that the facts stated in the above return are true
Sworn & Subscribed the 13th day of July 1811 before Wm Petrikin Clk Sess } Philip Antes
Date of Record: 13 July 1811
Sources: "11 Entry of Negro 'William Clark' by Philip Antes," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Slaveholder Name: Benner, Philip
City or Township: Rock Ironworks, Spring Township
County: Centre County
Occupation: Ironmaster
Notes: Benner established the Rock Ironworks at the Rock on Spring Creek. A good biography of Benner is at https://centrehistory.org/article/philip-benner/.
Enslaved Person's Name: George Pencil
Gender: Male
Age: Not stated, described as a "man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life (see below)
Description: Described as "servant," indicating enslavement for a term of years instead of for life. This may indicate a year of birth after 1780.
Notes: Escaped from the ironworks on Sunday, May 16, 1802. Text of advertisement placed by Benner to recover him:
Thirty Dollars Reward.
RAN away from the Subscriber, at Rock Ironworks, in Centre county, on Sunday, the 16th May last. A Negro Man, named George Pencil, about 5 feet 9 inches high, and stout made; Had on and took with him, a Sailor's new blue Jacket and Overalls, edged with red, a striped Waistcoat, a new black wool Hat, a white ditto, half worn, and probably other working clothes. He is well acquainted with farming Business, and driving a Team.
Whoever secures said Servant in any Jail, in this State, shall have the above Reward, all and reasonable Charges, from
PHILIP BENNER.
Date of Record: 08 March 1803
Sources: Lancaster Intelligencer, 08 March 1803.- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack Robinson
Gender: Male
Age: Not stated, described as a man
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Not stated
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Escaped from the ironworks in 1805. Text of advertisement placed by Benner to recover him:
30 Dollars Reward.
RANAWAY from the subscriber, living near Bellefonte, Centre County, a negro man named
JACK ROBINSON,
about five feet five or six inches high stout built, by trade a Forge-man -- he is very thick lip'd and has a mark on the side of his face, occasioned by a bruise; he had on and took with him two pair of nankeen, and two pair of tow trowsers, a blue nankeen sailor jacket, a white dimity jacket, and several other apparel not remembered -- Probably he will change his name, being a very active, loquacious fellow. Whoever will take up said runaway, and lodge him in any jail in the United States, so that the owner may get him again, or if bro't home, shall receive the above reward and all reasonable charges, paid by
PHILIP BENNER,
Rock Iron Works.
12th Aug. 1805.
Date of Record: 12 August 1805
Sources: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 20 August 1805.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Kiz
Gender: Female
Age: Five months old at registration
Date of Birth: 13 April 1803
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Female Negro Child"
Notes: Philip Benner's registration of Kiz:
Philip Benner of Spring Township in the County of Centre Iron Master Enters his Negro Child Kiz a Female who was born on the thirteenth day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and three to be Recorded[.] Who affirms according to Law that the above Statement is true to the best of his knowledge September 27th 1803.
Affirmed before Andw Boggs Depty Clk} Philip Benner
Philip Benner, Iron Master of Spring Township, in the Country of Centre Maketh entry that to the best of his knowledge on the thirteenth day of April last past Kiz a female Negro Child was born in his house in said Township.
Philip Benner of Spring Township Iron Master Returns his Negro Child Kiz a female to be Recorded who was born on the thirteenth of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three Who affirms to the best of his knowledge the above statement is true.
Coram Andw Boggs
Depty Clk
Date of Record: 27 September 1803
Sources: "2. Return of Philip Benner of a negro Child named Kiz, 27th September 1803, Entry of Philip Benner's Negro Child," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Slaveholder Name: DeWees, William Potts, Dr.
City or Township: Philipsburg
County: Centre County
Occupation: Physician
Notes: Noted physician specializing in obstetrics. His 1824 publication on midwifery became a standard reference work in the United States in the mid-1800s.
Source: "William Potts Dewees, M.D.," American Civil War Medicine & Surgical Antiques, https://www.medicalantiques.com/civilwar/Medical_Authors_Faculty/Dewees_William_P.htm, accessed 15 July 2024.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Primus Stanton
Gender: Male
Age: "about 16 years old"
Date of Birth: Circa 1799
Status: Not determined, may be an indentured apprentice or may be a slave to age 28 (see notes).
Description: "Mulatto Apprentice Lad"
Notes: Stanton escaped from DeWees on December 15, 1815. DeWees placed the following ad to recover him:
Philipsburgh, Centre County, Dec. 16, 1815
Thirty Dollars Reward.
RANAWAY on the 15th inst. from the subscriber living in Philipsburgh, Centre County, a Mulatto Apprentice Lad named PRIMUS STANTON, about 16 years old, very stout for his age, full faced, with agreeable regular features and a pleasant countenance, white handsome teeth; on the lower part of one of his cheeks a small scar. Had on and is supposed to have taken with him, some shirts made of homespun linen partly bleached, one pair of trowsers and a round-about coat made of good blue and white cotton striped bed ticking, one pair of light ribbed kerseymere pantaloons, also another pair of pantaloons, with feet, made of blue linsey striped with red, an old blue round-about coat patched with light; also a long superfine broad cloth coat; whether he has taken boots as well as shoes is unknown. He went off in company with a white boy named JAMES CAFFERTY, or M'CAFFERTY, about 14 years old, with sandy or reddish coloured hair. Thirty Dollars Reward is offered for securing the said Primus Stanton so that I shall get him again; and reasonable charges will be paid if he be delivered to me at my residence in Philipsburg.
WILLIAM P. DEWEES.
Stanton's bound status is described by DeWees in the above ad as an "apprentice." The amount of the offered reward is more typical of that offered to capture an escaped slave.
Date of Record: 16 December 1815
Sources: Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 17 February 1816.
- Slaveholder Name: Harris, James
City or Township: Spring Township
County: Centre County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
Source:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Leonora
Gender: Female
Age: One month old at registration
Date of Birth: 30 December 1808
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Mullatoe Female child"
Notes: James Harris's registration of Leonora:
I James Harris of Spring Township in Centre County farmer Do make known unto John G. Lowrey, clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace of said County of Centre, that on the thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eight (1808) a Mullatoe Female child was born in my family at Spring Township aforesaid, which said child I have named and called Leonora --And which I request you the said John G. Lowrey clerk as aforesaid to Register according to law, Witness my hand the third day of February AD One thousand eight hundred and nine 1809
James Harris
Centre County Ss
James Harris above mentioned on his solemn oath duly administered according to law and depose and say that the foregoing Return is just and true, to the best of his knowledge and belief.
James Harris
Sworn and subscribed the third day of February 1809 Coram JG Lowrey
Date of Record: 03 February 1809
Sources: "5 'Leonora' a Mulato Returned & Registered by James Harris 3d February 1809," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Slaveholder Name: Miles, Joseph & Company
City or Township: Centre Furnace, Ferguson Township. Also Milesborough Forge, Spring Township
County: Centre County
Occupation: Iron master
Notes: Joseph and John Miles
Source:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Charles
Gender: Male
Age: Four months old at registration
Date of Birth: 16 March 1807
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro male child"
Notes: Charles was born at Centre Furnace. Joseph MIles' registration of Charles:
Centre County Ss
I Joseph Miles -- one of the partners of Joseph Miles and Company Iron Masters at Centre Furnace in Ferguson Township Centre County Do make known unto John G. Lowrey clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace of the said County that on the sixteenth day of March last a negro male child was born in our Family at Centre Furnace aforesaid named "Charles" which I request you the said John G. Lowrey clerk as aforesaid to Register according to law. Witness my hand this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seven 1807
Jos Miles
Centre County Ss
Personally appeared before the Subscriber the above named Joseph Miles who being duly sworn according to law, did depose and say, that the foregoing Return is just and true to the best of his knowledge and belief --
Sworn and Subscribed the twentyfifth day of July Anno Domini 1807 JG Lowrey clk SS} Jos Miles
Date of Record: 25 July 1807
Sources: "4 'Charles,' a negro Returned & Registered by Joseph Miles & Co, 25th July 1807," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jerry
Gender: Male
Age: Four months old at registration
Date of Birth: 01 February 1809
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro male child"
Notes: Jerry was born at Milesborough Forge; Joseph MIles' registration of Jerry:
John & Joseph Miles of Spring Township, Centre County & Commonwealth of Pennsa Ironmasters, enter as their property, the right to the service of a negro boy named Jerry, born on the first day of February One thousand eight hundred and nine at Spring Township aforesaid in the Family at Milesborough Forge.
John & Joseph Miles
Centre County Ss
Personally appeared before the subscriber Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for said County Joseph Miles one of the Partners of the above Firm of John and Joseph Miles, who on his solemn oath doth declare and say that the Facts above stated are true to the best of his knowledge.
Sworn & Subscribed 3rd day of June 1809 Before Wm Petrikin} Jos Miles
Date of Record: 03 June 1809
Sources: "6 Entry of Negro Jerry by Jno & Joseph Miles," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Slaveholder Name: Patton, John
City or Township: Centre Furnace
County: Centre
Occupation: Ironmaster
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: John
Sex: Male
Age: 22a
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Runaway
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Text of runaway ad:
Twenty Dollars Reward. RAN-AWAY on the 25th inst. a Negro man named JOHN, about 22 years of age, 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, round face, with a short turned up nose, speaks good English has good address, and is talkative. Also a Negro girl named FLORA, about 18 years old, slender made, speaks bad English, and a little French, has a scar on her upper lip, and letters branded on her breast. Took with them a quantity of good Clothes, such as Muslin, Chintz and Callico Gowns, and Petticoats. Whoever secures the said runaways in any Jail, or place where their Master can get them again shall have the above reward and reasonable charges paid by JOHN PATTON.
Centre Furnace.
Date of Record: August 10, 1799
Source: Lancaster Journal
- Enslaved Person's Name: Flora
Sex: Female
Age: 18a
Date of Birth: 1781 (calculated)
Status: Runaway
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: See text of runaway ad under notes for John, above. Flora spoke at least two languages, "bad English and a little French." Most notably she bore the scars of torture, having "letters branded on her breast."
Date of Record: August 10, 1799
Source: Lancaster Journal
- Slaveholder Name: Potter, James, General
City or Township: Centre Furnace
County: Centre
Occupation: Politician, land speculator
Notes: Revolutionary War brigadier general. Vice-President of Pennsylvania's Supreme Executive Council, 1781-1782. Lived 1729-1789. His daughter Margaret married Edward Crouch of Dauphin County.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hero
Sex: Male
Age: Adult
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Bequeathedby Potter to his son James Potter.
Date of Record: 19 December 1789
Source: Will of James Potter, 19 December 1789
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bob ("Mullata Bob")
Sex: Male
Age: Adult
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatta"
Notes: Bequeathed by Potter to his son James Potter.
Date of Record: 19 December 1789
Source: Will of James Potter, 19 December 1789
- Enslaved Person's Name: Daphne
Sex: Female
Age: Adult
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Bequeathed by Potter to his daughter Martha, wife of Andrew Gregg, along with her children Sal and Bob.
Date of Record: 19 December 1789
Source: Will of James Potter, 19 December 1789
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sal
Sex: Female
Age:
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Undetermined
Description:
Notes: Bequeathed by Potter to his daughter Martha, wife of Andrew Gregg, along with her mother Daphne and brother Bob.
Date of Record: 19 December 1789
Source: Will of James Potter, 19 December 1789
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
Sex: Male
Age:
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Undetermined
Description:
Notes: Bequeathed by Potter to his daughter Martha, wife of Andrew Gregg, along with his mother Daphne and sister Sal.
Date of Record: 19 December 1789
Source: Will of James Potter, 19 December 1789.
- Slaveholder Name: Rankin, James
City or Township: Potter Township
County: Centre
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Rankin's 1803 entry of Peter in Centre County's enslavement register is the first entry in the register. He also registered Lydia Boyd six years later.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sall
Sex: Female
Age: Age not given in document, but of a childbearing age
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Undetermined
Description: "Negroe Wench"
Notes: Mother of Peter, born on March 22, 1803 and registered by Rankin with the country clerk:
Centre County Ss
Before me Richard Miles Esquire Clerk of the Court of General quarter Sessions of the peace of said County appeared James Rankin of Potters Township, farmer, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that on the twenty second day of March one thousand eight hundred and three his Negroe Wench named Sall was delivered of a Male Mulatto Child, which he calls by the name of Peter.
Sworn & Subscribed August 3d 1803 before me Richd Miles } Jas. Rankin
Date of Record: 03 August 1803
Source: "Return of James Rankin of a Mulatto Child named Peter, 3d August 1803," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: Four months old at registration
Date of Birth: 22 March 1803
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Male Mulatto Child"
Notes: Son of Sall. See text of registration, above.
Date of Record: 03 August 1803
Source: "Return of James Rankin of a Mulatto Child named Peter, 3d August 1803," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Lydia Boyd
Sex: Female
Age: Two months old at registration
Date of Birth: 22 June 1809
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Female Child"
Notes: Rankin's registration of Lydia Boyd:
I James Rankin of Potters Township in Centre County Farmer, Do hereby make known unto William Petrikin esquire Clerk of the Court of General quarter Sessions of the peace for said County that on the twenty second day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and nine, a Negro Female Child was born in my Family in Potters Township aforesaid, which I have named "Lydia Boyd," and which child I request you the said William Petrikin to Register agreeably to law,
Witness my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of August, AD, One thousand eight hundred and nine 1809
Jas Rankin [Seal]
Centre County Ss
Before Wm Petrikin one of the Justices of the peace and Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid came the above named James Rankin who saith on his solemn oath that the facts stated in the above return is true. Jas Rankin
Sworn and Subscribed the 29th day of Augt 1809 before Wm Petrikin Clk Ses
Date of Record: 28 August 1809
Source: "7 Entry of Negress 'Lydia Boyd' by James Rankin," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Slaveholder Name: Richards, Elizabeth
City or Township: Bald Eagle Township
County: Centre
Occupation: "Spinster"
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Flora Green
Sex: Female
Age: Five months old at registration
Date of Birth: 27 October 1809
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negroe Female child"
Notes: Registered by Richards with the country clerk:
I Elizabeth Richards of Baldeagle Township in Centre County and State of Pennsylvania, Spinster, Do hereby make known unto William Petrikin Esquire Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace for said County, That on the twenty seventh day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and nine a negroe Female child was born in my Family in Baldeagle Township aforesaid which I have named "Flora Green," and which child I request you the said William Petrikin to Register agreeably to law. Witness my hand and Seal the eighteenth day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten -- 1810
Eliza Richards [Seal]
Centre County Ss
Before me Wm Petrikin Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace for the County aforesaid came the above named Elizabeth Richards who saith on her Solemn oath that the facts stated in the above return are true
Sworn & Subscribed the 18th day of April 1810 Before Wm Petrikin }
Date of Record: 18 April 1810
Source: "8 Entry of Negress Flora Green By Elizabeth Richards, filed April 18th 1810," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Slaveholder Name: Richards, Frederick Augustus
City or Township: Bald Eagle Township
County: Centre
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: By 1820, Richards had relocated to that portion of Bald Eagle Township then lying in Lycoming County.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cato
Sex: Male
Age: Four months old at registration
Date of Birth: 10 April 1812
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: Registered by Richards with the country clerk:
Centre County
I Frederick Augustus Richards of the Township of BaldEagle in the County of Centre Farmer do here by Return to William Petrikin Esquire Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace in & for the said County of Centre One Negro boy named Cato born the tenth day of April Anno Domini One thousand Eight hundred and twelve in Conformity to the Act of the General Assembly passed the 29th day of March 1780. Which Return I do verify upon my Solemn Oath --
Sworn & Subscribed the 16th day of September A.D. 1812 -- Wm Petrikin } Fredk A Richards
N.B. this entry made the 17th day of Sept 1812 and not on the 16th as above stated in the margin Certified by Wm. Petrikin Clk Sess
Date of Record: 17 September 1812
Source: "13 Return of Frederick Augustus Richards of a Negro boy named Cato," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Simon
Sex: Male
Age: Five months old at registration
Date of Birth: September 1819
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Male Mullato Child"
Notes: Son of Phillis. Registered by Richards with the country clerk:
Centre County Ss
I Frederick A Richards of Bald Eagle Township Lycoming County, Farmer, do make known to William Petrikin Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for Centre County, that sometime in the month of September last a black woman named Phillis a slave of mine was delivered of a male Mullato Child named Simon -- That the mother of the above mentioned child was at the time of its Birth and now is residing on my Farm in Bald Eagle Township Centre County and both are now maintained by me. I therefore request William Petrikin Clerk aforesaid to Register the above according to law witness my hand this 28th day of February 1820
Fredk A Richards
Centre County Ss
Frederick A. Richards being duly sworn accordning to law doth depose and say that the above statement is true according to the best of his knowledge and belief
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 28th day of February 1820 Wm Petrikin Fredk A Richards
Date of Record: 28 February 1820
Source: "14 Return of F. A. Richards of a Negro boy named Simon.," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Phillis
Sex: Female
Age: Age not given in document; old enough to bear a child
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: "slave"
Description: "Black woman"
Notes: Phillis gave birth to Simon, a "male Mullato Child" registered by Richards with the Centre County clerk. (See above for text of registration). The September 1819 birth was in that part of the township in Centre County, but by the time Richards registered Simon in February 1820, Phillis and Simon were living with Richards in the part of Bald Eagle Township that was in Lycoming County.
Date of Record: 28 February 1820
Source: "14 Return of F. A. Richards of a Negro boy named Simon.," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Slaveholder Name: Richards, Matthias
City or Township: Bald Eagle Township
County: Centre
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Richards's 1806 entry of Sinai in Centre County's enslavement register is the third entry in the register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sinai
Sex: Female
Age: Six months old at registration
Date of Birth: 15 November 1805
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Mulato female child"
Notes: Registered by Richards with the country clerk:
Centre County Ss
I Matthias Richards of Baldeagle Township Centre County farmer, Do make known to John G. Lowrey clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace of the said County that on fifteenth day of November last, a Mulato female child was born in my family named Sinai which I request you the said John G. Lowry clk as afforesaid to Register according to Law. Witness my hand the fourteenth day of May Anno Domini 1806 -- Matthias Richards
Centre County Ss
Personally appeared before the subscriber -- the above named Matthias Richards, who being duly sworn according to Law, Did depose and say that the above is just and true to the best of his knowledge
Maths Richards
Sworn & subscribed the fourteenth day of May 1806 before J G Lowrey clk ss.
Date of Record: 14 May 1806
Source: "3 Return of Matthias Richards of a Female Mulato Child Named Sinai, entered 14th May 1806," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Slaveholder Name: Smith, Elizabeth
City or Township: Spring Township
County: Centre
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Julian
Sex: Female
Age: Age not given in document, but of childbearing age
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Undetermined; described as a "servant."
Description: "Negro Servant"
Notes: Mother of Edgar, born in January 1811:
Elizabeth Smith of Spring Township in the County of Centre and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, records Edgar, a male Molatto Child, born on the twenty eighth or twenty ninth day of January, one thousand eight hundred & eleven in the Township aforesaid, being the Son of Julian, a Negro Servant of the said Elizabeth Smith's.
Centre County Ss
Before me the Subscriber Clerk of the Court of General quarter Sessions in and for said County came the above named Elizabeth Smith and saith on her Solemn oath that the above statement is the truth & nothing but the truth --
Sworn & Subscribed the 28th day of June AD 1811 Wm Petrikin Clk. Sess Elizabeth Smith
Date of Record: 28 June 1811
Source: "10. Entry of Negro Edgar by Elizabeth Smith, Filed 28th June 1811," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Edgar
Sex: Male
Age: Five months old at registration
Date of Birth: 28 or 29 January 1811
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Male Molatto Child"
Notes: Edgar's mother was Julian, described by Elizabeth Smith as her "Negro Servant." If Julian was a woman enslaved to age 28, as the term servant suggests, the registration of Edgar as a Slave to age 28 was illegal. However this ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court would not come until 1826, fifteen years after Edgar was born, in Miller v Dwilling.
Date of Record: 28 June 1811
Source: "10. Entry of Negro Edgar by Elizabeth Smith, Filed 28th June 1811," Centre County, Pennsylvania, Birth Returns for Negroes and Mulattoes, 1803-1820, RG-47, Records of County Governments (Microfilm Copies), Pennsylvania State Archives.
- Slaveholder Name: Smith, Jacob
City or Township: Bellefonte
County: Centre
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Daniel Byers or Beyers
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given in historical account, but an adult
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life, executed for murder 1802
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Myron Huff wrote: "The man Byers killed was a free Black by the name of James Barrows, who had married a woman who had earlier been romatnically involved with Byers. After the execution, Byers was buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in Bellefonte." The jury's verdict included a valuation of Daniel of $214 as compensation for his enslaver, Jacob Smith.
Date of Record: 13 December 1802 (date of execution)
Source: William Henry Egle, An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Civil, Political and Military: With Historical Descriptions of Each County In The State. Harrisburg: De Witt C. Goodrich & Co. 1876; Myron R. Huff, "The First Murder in Centre County," Altoona Tribune, 02 April 1917, page 8.
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Enslavement
