Suspected Fugitive Slaves Imprisoned in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Newspaper Notices of Persons Held in the Chester County Jail as Escaped Slaves

• Captured man speaks little or no English
  "NOTICE is hereby given,
  THAT there is in Chester County Goal a Negro Man, supposed to be about 30 Years of Age, who cannot tell where or to whom he belongs; for he speaks little or no English."
  Source: The American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), 24 November 1737.
  Notes: The brief description of this imprisoned man suggests that he was newly brought into the Province of Pennsylvania, probably from one of the Caribbean islands.
• White indentured servants and enslaved man captured together
  "Chester Goal, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1765.
  IN Custody of the Subscriber, the three following Persons, viz, Matthew Leonard, an Irishman, 6 Feet high, Samuel Holmes, an Englishman, 5 Feet 6 or 7 Inches high; by Sundries found in his Budget, a Taylor by Trade, stammers in his Speech; Negroe Sam, nearly the same Height of the latter, very wide between the Knees, and bow legged; committed as Runaways, and say they came from Virginia. Their Masters, if any, are desired to come, pay Cost, and take them away.
  SAMUEL REAINE, Goaler.
  N.B. The Property of William Taite, Esq; Virginia."
  Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 13 June 1765.
  Notes: All three men were jailed as escaped bound labor from Virginia. From the note tacked on at the end the jailer appears to believe all were from the same enslaver, William Taite.
• Ben, captured between Marcus Hook and Chester, will be sold
  "WAS taken up between Marcus-Hook and Chester, a Negro Man named BEN, says he lately belonged to one Wilson, in Water-street, Philadelphia: He is now in Chester gaol. His owner is desired to come, prove his property, pay charges and take him away, otherwise he will be sold for his fees, this being the second time he has been advertised.
  ROBERT SMITH, Sheriff."
  Source: Dunlap and Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser, 11 February 1779.
  Notes: Ben's enslaver is Philadelphia merchant Philip Wilson, whose place of business in the late 1770s was on Water Street. Wilson had placed an escape ad in local newspapers after Ben's October 1778 escape.
• Dick, slave to James Dick, New Castle County, Delaware
  "WAS committed to the gaol for Chester county, the 6th inst. A NEGRO MAN, who calls himself DICK, and acknowledges he is a slave to Mr. James Dick, living in Dragon Neck, in New Castle county, in the State of Delaware. His master is hereby requested to come, in eight weeks from the date hereof, prove property, and take him away, otherwise he will be discharged at the expiration of that time, on paying his fees.
  BENJAMIN MILLER, Gaoler.
  Jan. 8."
  Source: Pennsylvania Gazette (Philadelphia), 18 January 1797
• John, slave to William Bowen, St. Mary's, Maryland
  "RUNAWAY NEGRO.
  WAS committed to the gaol of Chester county, on the 8th day of November last, and still remains there, a negro man who calls himself JOHN, and says his master's name is William Bowen and lives in St. Mary's county, Maryland. He is about 5 feet 10 inches high, rather slender built, has thick lips, flat nose, and open countenance, and is rather sooty complexioned -- he says he is 24 years old. His master or mistress is hereby notified that on proving him to be their property, and paying the costs, they may take him away.
  JESSE JOHN, Sheriff.
  West Chester, Chester county, Pennsylvania, 16 Jan. 1806."
  Source: Aurora General Advertiser (Philadelphia), 06 February 1806.
• William Hood, Richard Pryor and James Keys Escape From Jail
  "FORTY FIVE DOLLARS REWARD.
  ESCAPED from the gaol of Chester county, on the night of Friday the 18th instant, the following described persons, to wit:
  A negro man who calls himself WILLIAM HOOD, he is about 5 feet 10 inches high, and well proportioned, is somewhat lame in his left leg, the foot on that side turning out rather more than the other -- he is a bright black, his features more prominent than those of negroes generally are, and has a cunning look. Had on when he escaped, a blue cloth round about, half worn, a ragged shirt, lindsey trowsers, striped with red, blue and white, and an old wool hat.
  Another negro man who calls himself DICK or RICHARD PRYOR, or PRISOR, he is about 6 feet high, stout and square made, is a sooty black, has large flat features, large whiskers, and a great quantity of wool, which, on the back part of his head is platted in two plats, one turned up and the other down and tyed together, and has a down look[.] Had on, when he escaped, a torn shirt and trowsers, made of tow-linen, and an old wool hat, neither of them had shoes or stockings.
  Also, a white man who calls himself JAMES KEYS, he is better than 6 feet high, very slender, rather flat featured, and has a stupid appearance. Had on, when he escaped, a striped cassimere waistcoat, and two trowsers, striped with copperas color, an old wool hat, and worn out shoes -- his arms are naked from the shoulders. It is supposed the he is lukring near Waggon Town, in this county.
  Whoever secures said prisoners in any gaol in this state shall receive the above reward, or fifteen dollars for either of them separately, from
  JESSE JOHN, Sheriff.
  West Chester, July 19th, 1806."
  Source: Aurora General Advertiser (Philadelphia), 23 July 1806.

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