Slaveholders Listed on this Page
- Park, James (Enslaved persons: Adam Hall, Jupitor)
- Park, Joseph (Enslaved persons: Birshon)
- Park, Josiah (Enslaved persons: Hannah Hall, Adam Hall, Jupitor, Lucy)
- Peck, Jacob (Enslaved persons: Peter a.k.a Pero)
- Peters, William (Enslaved persons: Jack, Grace, two unnamed adults)
- Phipps, Caleb (Enslaved persons: Ben, un-named woman, Joe, 2 un-named children)
- Phipps, Joseph (Enslaved persons: Guy, alias James)
- Piersol, Richard (Enslaved persons: Dublin)
- Piersol, Mordecai (Enslaved persons: Un-named child)
- Pinkerton, William (Enslaved persons: Eli, Grace)
- Poak, William (Enslaved persons: Maria, Janet, Hannah)
- Potts, Thomas (Enslaved persons: Cudge, Ben, Peter, George, Moll, Sall)
- Powell, Robert (Enslaved persons: Pedro)
- Power, John (Enslaved persons: Quentus)
- Power, Patrick (Enslaved persons: Jim, Plato [born 1750], Bet [born 1750], Nan, Bet [born 1773], Toby, Plato [born 1777], Solomon)
- Power, Robert (Enslaved persons: Ralph)
- Price, Elisha (Enslaved persons: Peter)
- Price, Samuel (Enslaved persons: James, Oliver, Joe)
- Pritchard, Anthony (Enslaved persons: David, Luce, Saul, Violet, Solomon)
- Quandril, John (Enslaved persons: Jack)
- Queen, Hugh (Enslaved persons: Phillis, Peter, Poll)
- Raine, Samuel, Chester Jailer (Prisoners: Sam, Joe)
- Ramsey, Jane (Enslaved persons: Phebe Waters)
- Reed, James (Enslaved persons: Phebe, Nancy, Bet)
- Reed, William (Enslaved persons: Pol, Peter)
- Rice, Benjamin (Enslaved persons: Jude)
- Richards, Jacob (Enslaved persons: Dick, Jym, Flora, Peet, Rose, Sylvia, un-named woman)
- Richards, William (Enslaved persons: Pleasent, Nance, Austin)
- Richardson, Richard (Enslaved persons: Gregg, Jesse, Peter, Abigail, Dina)
- Ring, Nathaniel (Enslaved persons: Pompey)
- Robison, Matthew (Enslaved persons: Un-named woman)
- Ross, John (Enslaved persons: Rose)
- Ruston, Job (Enslaved persons: Jacob, Phil, Bess, Pegg, Will, George, Dinah, Nell, Jem, Bill, Flora, Bell, Toby, three un-named slaves, un-named man)
Enslavement Data
- Slaveholder Name: Park, James
City or Township: Sadsbury Township
County: Chester County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Adam Hall
Sex: Male
Age: 16
Date of Birth: 1771 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Man"
Notes: Registered by Josiah Park in 1780 as "A Mulatto Boy named Adam Hall aged nine years a slave for life." Seven years later Adam and another slave, Jupiter, escaped from James Park, who placed the following ad to recapture them (note that he overestimated each of their ages):
SIXTEEN DOLLARS Reward. RAN AWAY from the subscriber, living in Sadsbury township, Chester county, in the night of the 29th of November last TWO SLAVES,
ONE named ADAM HALL, of mulattoe breed, but would be taken for a white man, 19 years of age, is about 5 feet 9 inches high, slim made, has large black eyes and long hair, and is a miller to trade; had on a broad brimmed beaver hat, pale blue coat with metal buttons, an olive coloured vest and trowsers, and calf-skin shoes.
See Jupitor, below, for the remainder of the ad.
Date of Record: December 5, 1787
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780; The Pennsylvania Gazette, December 5, 1787 in Accessible Archives, www.accessible.com
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jupitor
Sex: Male
Age: 23
Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe"
Notes: Registered by Josiah Park in 1780 as "A negro Boy named Jupitor aged sixteen years a slave for life." Seven years later Jupitor and another slave, Adam Hall, escaped from James Park, who placed the following ad to recapture them (note that he overestimated each of their ages):
The other a negroe, named JUPITER, 25 years of age, is short and stout made, round faced, thick lips, flat nosed, and is about 5 feet 5 inches high; had on a brown coat, fustian jacket of a darkish colour, and corduroy breeches. They are supposed to have a considerable sum of money with them. Whoever takes up and secures said runaways, so that their master may have them again, shall have the above reward, or Eight Dollars for either of them, with reasonable charges, paid by JAMES PARK. Dec.3, 1787.
This is the portion of the ad that pertains to Jupitor. See Adam Hall, above, for the first part of the ad.
Date of Record: December 5, 1787
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780; The Pennsylvania Gazette, December 5, 1787
- Slaveholder Name: Park, Joseph
City or Township: Sadsbury Township
County: Chester County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Birshon
Sex: Male
Age: 22
Date of Birth: 1754 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: Ran away in 1776. Joseph Park placed the following ad to recover him:
EIGHT DOLLARS Reward. RAN away on the 17th instant, from the subscriber, living in Sadsbury township, Chester county, a negroe man, named BIRSHON, about 22 years of age, strong and well made, 5 feet 8 inches high; had on, and took with him, a good wool hat, a brown uniform coat, cuffs and cape of a buff colour, the cape is buckskin, an old red serge jacket, a pair of strong buckskin breeches, blue cloth leggings, and an old light coloured great coat. Whoever brings said negroe home to his master, shall receive the above reward, or if secured in any goal, Thirty Shillings, paid by JOSEPH PARK.
Date of Record: November 27, 1776
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, November 27, 1776.
- Slaveholder Name: Park, Josiah
City or Township: Sadsbury Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Esquire
Notes: Josiah Park's slaves are listed on page 35 of the register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah Hall
Sex: Female
Age: 44
Date of Birth: 1736 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto woman named Hannah Hall aged forty four years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Adam Hall
Sex: Male
Age: 9
Date of Birth: 1771 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto Boy named Adam Hall aged nine years a slave for life." Adam ran away from James Park in 1787. See "Park, James," above, for the runaway advertisement.
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jupitor
Sex: Male
Age: 16
Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A negro Boy named Jupitor aged sixteen years a slave for life." Jupitor ran away from James Park in 1787. See "Park, James," above, for the runaway advertisement.
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Lucy
Sex: Female
Age: 14
Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Girl named Lucy aged fourteen years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Slaveholder Name: Peck, Jacob
City or Township: Gap
County: Chester County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter, also known as Pero
Sex: Male
Age: not stated, but in a previous ad described as a "man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: captured runaway slave
Description: (from a previous ad) "Negro man"
Notes: Captured in or near New Castle, Delaware in the summer of 1773 and sent to the New Castle jail as a suspected runaway slave. Jailor Robert Mack advertised him and others captured, then updated his ad with this additional information:
New Castle Gaol, on Delaware, Sept. 13, 1773.
WAS committed to my care,. . . PETER, alias PERO, said he belonged to Jacob Lowry, near Lancaster, but now confesses he belongs to Jacob Peck, near the Gap Tavern, Chester County. . .The masters of the above servants are once more desired to come, pay charges, and take them away in three weeks, otherwise they will be sold out for their fees, by
ROBERT MACK, Gaoler.
Date of Record: 13 September 1773
Source: Pennsylvania Packet, 18 October 1773
- Slaveholder Name: Peters, William
City or Township: Ashtown
County: Chester County
Occupation:
Notes: William Peters' slaves do not appear in the 1780 register and he is not listed as a slaveholder in Chester County in 1780. Historian Henry Ashmead mentions that two adult slaves, in addition to the two children documented below, were manumitted in 1776, but he does not provide names or documentation for the adults.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: "about foure years"
Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Status: To be manumitted at age 21 (1793)
Description: "Malattoe boy"
Notes: Papers to manumit Jack when he bacame an adult were filed in 1776:
To all people to whom these presents shall come: I, William Peters, of Ashtown, in the County of Chester and Province of Pennsylvania, having a certain malattoe boy named Jack, aged about foure years under my care and in my service and also a Mulatto Gerl named Grace aged about two years Likewise under my care. Now Know Ye, that for and in Consideration that all mankind have an Equal, Natural and Just Right to Liberty I do by these Presents promise and Declair that the said Jack and Grace, he when he shall arive at the age of twenty-one that is to say on the first day of the Eighth month in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-three and She when she shall arrive at the age of Eighteen, that is to say on the first Day of the Eighth month in the year one thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-two, they shall be and is hereby Declared, Discharged, Manumitted and at full Liberty and for myself, my Heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns and all other persons Claiming under me or any of them do quit all Claim after that time to the said Jack and Grace which by the Laws or Customs of this province or any other Government might have subjected them to Slavery or Deprived them of the full Enjoyment of Liberty. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the Seventh Day of the Eighth month in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Six.
Wm. Peters. [L. S.]
Date of Record: 07 August 1776
Source: Henry Graham Ashmead, History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1884, p. 203.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Grace
Sex: Female
Age: "about two years"
Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Status: To be manumitted at age 18 (1792)
Description: "Mulatto Gerl"
Notes: Papers to manumit Grace when she bacame an adult were filed in 1776. See the notes for Jack, above.
Date of Record: 7th day of the Eighth month, 1776
Source: Henry Graham Ashmead, History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1884, p. 203.
- Slaveholder Name: Phipps, Caleb
City or Township: East Fallowfield Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Miller
Notes: Caleb Phipp's slaves are listed on page 14 of the register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ben
Sex: Male
Age: 24
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Man named Ben aged twenty four years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: No name recorded
Sex: Female
Age: 26
Date of Birth: 1754 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Woman named _____ aged twenty six years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Joe
Sex: Male
Age: 13
Date of Birth: 1767 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Boy named Joe aged thirteen years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: No name recorded
Sex: No sex recorded
Age: No specific age recorded
Date of Birth:
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Children"
Notes: Registered as "Two Negro Children." This lack of name, age and sex is in violation of the registration law, and Phipps was in danger of having the two children registered here subject to court ordered emancipation.
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Slaveholder Name: Phipps, Joseph
City or Township: Uwchlan Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Miller
Notes: In 1764, Joseph Phipps was taxed eight shillings on his ownership of a "Negro Man." The slave referred to could have been Guy, if Phipps had recovered him, who would have been 38 in 1764. (Source: "Landowners in Uwchlan taxed for owning 'Negro slaves,' " PA-Roots.com, http://www.pa-roots.com/~chester/uwchlan1764Slaves.htm, accessed November 11, 2005)
- Enslaved Person's Name: Guy, alias James
Sex: Male
Age: 30a
Date of Birth: 1726 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto slave"
Notes: Ran away in February, 1756. Text of runaway advertisement placed by Joseph Phipps:
RUN away on the 6th inst. from Joseph Phipps, miller, living in Uwchland township, Chester county, a Mulatto slave, named Guy, alias James, about 30 years of age, about five feet six inches high, a well set fellow, of a sour countenance, with deep wrinkles in his forehead, short hair, pretty complaisant, and speaks very good English: Had on when he went away, an old felt hat, brown colour cloth jacket and breeches, homespun shirt, white homespun yarn stockings, and half worn shoes, tied with thongs. His former masters lived in Maryland; he is an old runaway, and has been in New Castle, Chester and Philadelphia goals within this twelve month. 'Tis thought he may follow the recruits. ' Whoever takes up and secures said slave, so as his master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by JOSEPH PHIPPS.
Date of Record: February 19, 1756
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 19, 1756.
- Slaveholder Name: Piersol, Richard
City or Township: West Nantmeal Township
County: Chester County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dublin
Sex: Male
Age: 35a
Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: Ran away in October 1780. Piersol ran the following ad to find him:
Two Hundred Dollars Reward.. West Nantmill, November 1, 1780
RAN away from the subscriber, living in West Nantmill township, Chester county, in the night of the 12th of October last, a Negroe man, named DUBLIN, about 35 years of age, about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, well set, some of the fore teeth of the upper jaw out; had on when he went away, an old brown country made coat and waistcoat, tow shirts and trowsers, and took with him a red waistcoat. Whoever takes up said Negroe, and delivers him to the subscriber, or confines him in any goal, so that the owner may have him again, shall receive the above reward. RICHARD PIERSOL.
Piersol apparantly recovered him, but Dublin escaped again a few day later:
Four Hundred Dollars Reward. RUN AWAY from the subscriber, living in West Nantmill township, Chester county, on the night of the 15th November, A NEGROE MAN, named DUBLIN, about 35 years of age, 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, well set, some of his fore teeth out. Had on, when he went away, a lightish coloured cloath coat, with metal buttons, and lines with striped linsey, a lightish linsey jacket with sleeves, and red waistcoat, tow shirt, old lightish cloth breeches and linen drawers, blue stockings, old shoes. Whoever takes up said Negroe, and delivers him to the subscriber, or confines him in any goal, so that the owner may have him again, shall receive the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by RICHARD PIERSOL.
Note the high reward of four hundred dollars offered by Piersol in the last ad, which shows the severe effect of wartime inflation. There is no record of registration for Dublin by Piersol, which may indicate that the escaped slave was never recovered.
Date of Record: November 8, 1780; November 29, 1780
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, November 8, 1780, November 29, 1780.
- Slaveholder Name: Piersol, Mordecai
City or Township: West Nantmeal Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Yeoman
Notes: Mordecai Piersol's slave is listed on page 40 of the register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: No name recorded
Sex: Female
Age: 4
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto Girl named _____ aged four years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Slaveholder Name: Pinkerton, William
City or Township: Oxford Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Yeoman
Notes: William Pinkerton's slaves are listed on page 45 of the register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Eli
Sex: Male
Age: "aged nine years and six months"
Date of Birth: April 1771 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Boy named Eli aged nine years and six months a slave for life." In 1796, Eli ran away, and Pinkerton advertised for his return:
Ten Dollars Reward. RAN AWAY from the subscriber, in Oxford township, Chester county, on the 13th day of this month, a Negro man, name ALE, he is a stout well set fellow, 24 years of age, about 5 feet 9 inches high, well acquainted with all kind of country work: Had on when he went away, a short coat and trowsers of grey coating, the trowsers tied with red tape, striped cotton jacket, blue stockings, shoes, tied with thongs, an old high crown'd felt hat. The above reward will be paid on by receiving said, Negro, said reasonable charges if brought home. WILLIAM PINKERTON. Oxford, Feb.22, 1796.
Date of Record: Registration: November 1, 1780; Runaway advertisement: March 2, 1796
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780; The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 2, 1796.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Grace
Sex: Female
Age: "aged eight years and two months"
Date of Birth: August 1772 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro girl named Grace aged eight years and two months a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Slaveholder Name: Poak, William
City or Township: West Nottingham Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: William Poak's slaves are listed on page 12 of the register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Maria
Sex: Female
Age: 29
Date of Birth: 1751 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Woman named Maria aged twenty nine years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Janet
Sex: Female
Age: 5
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Girl named Janet aged five years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Sex: Female
Age: 3
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Girl named Hannah aged three years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Slaveholder Name: Potts, Thomas
City or Township: Coventry
County: Chester County
Occupation:
Notes: Thomas Potts was the first Chester County slaveholder to register his slaves under the 1780 Gradual Abolition Act. His slaves are listed on page 1 of the register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cudge
Sex: Male
Age: 58
Date of Birth: 1722 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Registered as "No. 1. Negro Man named Cudge aged fifty eight years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ben
Sex: Male
Age: 24
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Registered as "No. 2. A Negro named Ben aged twenty four years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: 17
Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "No. 3. A Negro Boy named Peter aged seventeen years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: George
Sex: Male
Age: 9 months old
Date of Birth: February 1780 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Child"
Notes: Registered as "No. 4. A Negro Child named George aged nine months a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Moll
Sex: Female
Age: 34
Date of Birth: 1746 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: Registered as "No. 5. A Negro Woman named Moll aged thirty four years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sall
Sex: Female
Age: 19
Date of Birth: 1761 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: Registered as "No. 6. A Negro Woman named Sall aged nineteen years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Slaveholder Name: Powell, Robert
City or Township: East Whiteland Township
County: Chester County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Pedro
Sex: Male
Age: 27a
Date of Birth: 1743 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Ran away in 1770:
FOUR DOLLARS reward.
RUN away, on the 5th of this instant April, from the subscriber, living in East Whiteland, Chester county, a Negroe man, named Pedro, about 26 years of age, about 5 feet 10 inches high, a well set stout active lively cunning fellow, very mannerly when abroad, and addicted to lying, talks but poor English, being brought up among the Spaniards; had on, and took with him, a blue napt cloth coat, with yellow metal buttons and red lining, an old brown great coat, a callicoe jacket, and a lead coloured cloth ditto, with sleeves, an under cloth ditto, without sleeves, a fine hat, about half worn, a fine shirt, with ruffles at the bosom, one homespun coarse ditto, good buckskin breeches, white sailor trowsers, brown yarn stockings, two pair of worsted ditto, one deep and the other pale blue, a pair of ribbed thread stockings, two pair of good shoes, with plated buckles, one silk cap, and one white ditto, ruffled, but perhaps he may change his clothes, also took with him a violin, but is no great player thereon. Whoever apprehends said Negroe, and secures him in any goal, in this or the neighbouring provinces, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by me ROBERT POWELL.
N.B. All masters of vessels and others are forbid to harbour or carry him off at their peril.
Powell advertised again a month later, increasing the reward to sixteen dollars, amending the age to "about 27" and adding the additional note: "it is likely he will change his cloaths in many respects if not his name."
Date of Record: April 12, 1770; May 17, 1770
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, April 12, 1770, May 17, 1770
- Slaveholder Name: Power, John
City or Township: East Nottingham Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: John Power's slave was listed on page 8 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Quentus
Sex: Male
Age: 5
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Boy named Quentus aged five years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Slaveholder Name: Power, Patrick
City or Township: East Nottingham Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: John Power's slaves are listed on page 16 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jim
Sex: Male
Age: 40
Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Man named Jim aged forty years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Plato
Sex: Male
Age: 30
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Man named Plato aged thirty years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bet
Sex: Female
Age: 30
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Woman named Bet aged thirty years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nan
Sex: Female
Age: 11
Date of Birth: 1769 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Girl named Nan aged eleven years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bet
Sex: Female
Age: 7
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Girl named Bet aged seven years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Toby
Sex: Male
Age: "aged nine years and two months"
Date of Birth: August 1771 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Boy named Toby aged nine years and two months a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Plato
Sex: Male
Age: "aged three years and five months"
Date of Birth: May 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Boy named Plato aged three years and five months a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Solomon
Sex: Male
Age: 1
Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Boy named Solomon aged one year a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780.
- Slaveholder Name: Power, Robert
City or Township:
County: Chester County
Occupation:
Notes: Sold a male slave, Ralph, to John Rankin, of York County, about 1769.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ralph
Sex: Male
Age: ? (adult in 1778)
Date of Birth: ?
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Purchased by John Rankin from Robert Power of Chester County about 1769. It appears that Rankin, a Quaker, may have intended to manumit Ralph about 1778, but the Pennsylvania court did not recognize the manumission because it occurred after Rankin had "joined the enemy." Ralph allegedly altered his manumission papers with a fraudulent date but "was discovered." See the entry for John Rankin in York County.
Date of Record: September 25, 1779
Source: Correspondence, Fred Kelso to Afrolumens, December 2, 2003.
- Slaveholder Name: Price, Elisha
City or Township: Borough of Chester
County: Chester County
Occupation: Esquire
Notes: Price's enslaved person is listed on page 17 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: 24 years old at time of registration
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man" (see notes for detailed
description)
Notes: Registered as "A Negro man named Peter aged twenty four years a slave for life."
Peter frequently ran away. He did so in May 1784, escaping from Price, who placed the following ad to recover him:
Six Dollars Reward.
Chester, May 3.
RAN-AWAY last night from the subscriber, living in the borough of Chester, a Negro MAN, named PETER, about 27 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, a square, well-built fellow, a little bow legged; had on his dirty work cloaths, viz. a coarse shirt and trowsers, old hat and jacket, and old shoes with buckles, though he possibly may have taken better cloaths with him: he is a great liar, and boasts much of what he can do, can play on the fife, and may probably change his name and pass for a freeman, as he did once before on a like occasion. Whoever takes him up and brings him home, or secures him in any gaol in this state, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges paid, by
ELISHA PRICE.
N.B. All masters of vessels, and others, are forbid to harbour or carry him off at their peril.
Price recovered Peter and years later hired him out to Delaware farmer Peter Jaquett. As noted in the previoius advertisement placed by Price, Peter was a frequent escapee. Jaquett details some of his previous escapes and locations in the following ad:
Ten Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY from the employ of the subscriber, living near Wilmington, on the 28th of December, 1795, a Negro man, named PETER, the property of Elisha Price, Esq; of Chester, who had bound himself and heirs to liberate him, on condition of his serving him faithfully four years from the 1st of October last. Said Peter is 39 or 40 years of age, about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, square and well built, a little bow-legged, a smooth tongued artful fellow, a noted liar, a great villain, and fond of liquor. He will probably change his name and endeavour to pass for a freeman.
He had on when he went away, a new homespun cloth coattee and trowsers of a light colour, an old velvet jacket, and new strong shoes with strings. He understands farming and driving a team, can play on a fiddle, and took one with him belonging to his fellow-servant, and money belonging to another of his comrades. Said fellow has been a run away almost ever since he was 20 years of age; he has lived in New-Jersey, where he changed his name to Jeffery Homes; has been a voyage or two to sea; has lived in Philadelphia, in Bucks county, and almost every part of Chester county.
In September last, he lived with Mr. John Crozer, in Delaware county, where he says he has an Indian wife; but as he has children by four black women, to all of whom he says he is lawfully married, it is not known to which (if to either of them) he will apply to conceal him. Said Peter had leave of absence for four days at the time he ran away, with a permit to pass and repass to and from Delaware county, to see his acquaintance there, and to deliver a letter to his master, Elisha Price, Esq; and to return on the 28th of December, 1795, but he has not delivered the letter, nor been seen in Chester since.
Whoever takes up and secures said fellow in any jail, so that his master may get him again, shall receive the above reward, and if brought home, all reasonable charges paid by Elisha Price, Esq; in Chester, or by the subscriber, on his farm, near Wilmington.
PETER JAQUETT.
Long-Hook, January 6, 1796.
N.B. All persons are hereby forbid to employ or harbour said negro.
Date of Records: Registration--November 1, 1780; 1784 ad -- May 3, 1784; 1796 ad -- January 6, 1796;
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780 | Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 20 May 1784 | The Pennsylvania Gazette, 13 April 1796.
- Slaveholder Name: Price, Samuel
City or Township: Lower Chichester Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Price's slaves are listed on page 43 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: James
Sex: Male
Age: 26
Date of Birth: 1754 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Registered as "A negro man named James aged twenty six years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Oliver
Sex: Male
Age: 24
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Man named Oliver aged twenty four years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Joe
Sex: Male
Age: 4
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Status: Slave to the age of 31
Description: "Mulatto Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto Boy named Joe a servant till he attains the age of thirty one years aged four years."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: Pritchard, Anthony
City or Township: Charlestown Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Yeoman
Notes: Anthony Pritchard's slaves are listed on page 31 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: David
Sex: Male
Age: 24
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto man"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto man named David aged twenty four years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Luce
Sex: Female
Age: 21
Date of Birth: 1759 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro woman named Luce aged twenty one years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Saul
Sex: Male
Age: 11
Date of Birth: 1769 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Boy named Saul aged Eleven years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Violet
Sex: Female
Age: 9
Date of Birth: 1771 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Girl named Violet aged nine years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Solomon
Sex: Male
Age: "aged about twenty one Years"
Date of Birth: circa 1771
Status: Manumitted by Pritchard in October 1792
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Solomon was not registered by Pritchard in 1780 and therefore must have been acquired at a later date.
Be it known to all persons to whom these may come that I Anthony Pritchard of Charles Town township in the County of Chester in the state of Pennsylvania, Do manumise and sett free from Slavery a certain Negro Man named Solomon, aged about twenty one Years and I do hereby declare that the said Negro is and shall remain to be free from bondage and Slavery and at liberty to choose such imployment as he pleases for his future support -- And I do likewise declare that neither my heirs Executors Administrators Assigns nor any person or persons under any pretext whatsoever shall molest nor anyways deprive the said Negro Man Solomon of the full free and uninterrupted enjoyment of his liberty, or any property he may acquire, but that he shall possess and enjoy the same as fully as any man that hath never been a Slave --
Witness my hand & Seal this fifteenth day of October, One thousand seven hundred and Ninety two
Anthony Pritchard [seal] Sealed and Delivered in the presence of us David Potts, Saml Livezey -- Recorded the 20th day of November Anno Domini 1792.
Date of Record: 15 October 1792
Source: "Manumition [sic] Anthony Pritchard to Negro Solomon," Deeds, 1688-1903, Chester County, Pennsylvania, page 330; Chester County Courthouse, West Chester, PA.
- Slaveholder Name: Quandril, John
City or Township: Ridley Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Weaver
Notes: John Quandril's slave is listed on page 30 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: 60
Date of Birth: 1720 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro man named Jack aged sixty years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: Queen, Hugh
City or Township: Haverford Township "nigh Charles Humphrey's mill"
County: Chester County (cross posted in Delaware County)
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Queen's enslaved persons are listed on page 3 of the 1780 register. Historian Henry Ashmead gives this slaveholder's surname as "Goveen."
- Enslaved Person's Name: Phillis
Sex: Female
Age: 21 (at time of Registration)
Date of Birth: 1759 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "mullatto woman"
Notes: Registered as "A mullatto woman named Phillis aged twenty one years a slave for life." Phillis and Poll escaped from Queen on February 2, 1778. He ran the following advertisement in a Philadelphia newspaper:
EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.
RUN AWAY, the 2d day of February instant, two mulatto girls; one named PHILLIS, twenty-two years of age, a lusty wench, full faced; had on when she went away, a linsey short gown and petticoat, men's shoos, a white bonnet, her hair very much in the negro fashion, and several articles unknown.
The other named POLL, fourteen years of age, short and thick, had on when she went away, a linsey short gown and petticoat, men's shoes, a black bonnet, and several articles unknown. Whoever takes up said servants, and secures them either in the goal or workhouse, so that their master may have them again, shall for each receive Four Dollars, and all reasonable charges, paid by me,
HUGH QUEEN, Chester county, Haverford township, nigh Charles Humphrey's mill.
Queen apparently recovered both Phillis and Poll, as he registered them as his property in Chester in November 1780.
Date of Record: 14 February 1778 (Runaway Notice); November 1, 1780 (Registration)
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780; Henry Graham Ashmead, History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1884, p. 204; The Pennsylvania Ledger, or the Philadelphia Market Day Advertiser, 14 February 1778.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: 7
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A negro Boy named Peter aged seven years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780; Henry Graham Ashmead, History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1884, p. 204.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Poll
Sex: Female
Age: 16 (at time of Registration)
Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
Status: Slave till the age of thirty-one years
Description: "mullatto servant girl"
Notes: Registered as "A mullatto servant girl till she attains the age of thirty one years named Poll aged sixteen years." Poll and Phillis escaped from Queen on February 2, 1778. He ran a descriptive advertisement in a Philadelphia newspaper. See the notes for Phillis, above, for the full text and description of Poll. Queen apparently recovered both Phillis and Poll, as he registered them as his property in Chester in November 1780.
Date of Record: 14 February 1778 (Runaway Notice); November 1, 1780 (Registration)
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780; Henry Graham Ashmead, History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1884, p. 204; The Pennsylvania Ledger, or the Philadelphia Market Day Advertiser, 14 February 1778.
- Slaveholder Name: Raine, Samuel
City or Township: Chester (original county seat, now Delaware County)
County: Chester County
Occupation: Jailer
Notes: As jailer, Raine took in suspected runaway slaves and advertised in local newspapers for their owners to claim them.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
Sex: Male
Age: "appears to be aged 30 Years or upwards"
Date of Birth: 1733 (calculated)
Status: Jailed as suspected fugitive slave
Description: "Negroe Man"
Notes: Jailed in Chester as a suspected fugitive slave: "Committed to Chester Goal, two Negroe Men; one named Sam, appears to be aged 30 Years or upwards, speaks bad English, says he has been 7 Moons from home; the other says his Name is Joe, a young Fellow, has a Rupture, and he says he belongs to Edward Brown, Blacksmith, in the City of Philadelphia. SAMUEL RAINE, Goaler."
Date of Record: November 3, 1763
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 3 November 1763
- Enslaved Person's Name: Joe
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given; described as a "young Fellow"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Jailed as suspected fugitive slave
Description: "Negroe Man"
Notes: Told Jailer Raine that he "belongs to Edward Brown, Blacksmith, in the City of Philadelphpia."
Date of Record: November 3, 1763
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 3 November 1763
- Slaveholder Name: Ramsey, Jane
City or Township: East Nottingham Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Innkeeper, Stone Tavern, East Nottingham, 1825-1828 (later known as the Cross Keys Tavern)
Notes: Widow of Hugh Ramsey.
Sources: US Department of the Interior, "Historic American Buildings Survey: Cross Keys Tavern (Chrome Hotel), HABS No. PA-1200, Prepared by Bart Anderson, Chester County Historical Society, May 1959, online at Library of Congress, https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/pa/pa0200/pa0256/data/pa0256data.pdf, accessed 20 December 2024.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Phebe Waters
Sex: Female
Age: Age not specified in ad, but described as a "woman."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Self-emancipated, September 1826
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Waters escaped from Ramsey on September 25, 1826, taking a child. Ramsey placed the following escape notice in the local newspaper:
SIX CENTS REWARD.
RAN away from the subscriber, living in East-Nottingham township, Chester county, on Monday, the 25th instant, a Negro woman named Phebe Waters, with a Mulatto child. Whoever will return said runaway, shall receive the above reward, but no charges.
Jane Ramsey.
September 29.
The token reward of six cents and no charges paid was commonly offered in runaway notices for apprentices, enslaved persons or indentured servants that the subscriber had little or no interest in recovering. By offering an unrealistically small reward, the subscriber was minimally fulfilling his or her responsibilities in recoving an escaped servant, slave or apprentice. The miniscule reward offered in this instance for an enslaved adult woman and a child could indicate the woman, possibly a term slave for 28 years, was very close to the end of her term of enslavement. Note also that the reward and the term "runaway" is here applied only to the woman and not to the child. If Phebe Waters was indeed a term slave of 28 years, her child was legally free born and could not legally be held to any term of bondage or indenture by Ramsey. This may be another clue as to why Ramsey had little interest in recovering the escaped pair.
Date of Record: 29 September 1826
Source: The Record (West Chester), 11 October 1826.
- Slaveholder Name: Reed, James
City or Township: New London Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: James Reed's slaves are listed on page 32 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Phebe
Sex: Female
Age: 40
Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro woman named Phebe aged forty years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nancy
Sex: Female
Age: 6
Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Girl named Nancy aged six years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bet
Sex: Female
Age: 3
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Girl named Bet aged three years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: Reed, William
City or Township: New London Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: William Reed's slaves are listed on page 32 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Pol
Sex: Female
Age: 25
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro woman named Pol aged twenty five years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: 3
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Boy named Peter aged three years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: Rice, Benjamin
City or Township: Tinicum Island
County: Chester County
Occupation: Grazier
Notes: Rice's slave is listed on page 19 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jude
Sex: Female
Age: 13
Date of Birth: 1767 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Girl named Jude aged thirteen years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: Richards, Jacob
City or Township: Asheton Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Yeoman
Notes: Richards' slaves are listed on page 10 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dick
Sex: Male
Age: 65
Date of Birth: 1715 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Man named Dick aged sixty five years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jym
Sex: Male
Age: 30
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Man named Jym aged thirty years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Flora
Sex: Female
Age: 12
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Girl named flora aged twelve years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peet
Sex: Male
Age: 5
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto Boy named Peet aged five years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Rose
Sex: Female
Age: 3
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro girl named Rose aged three years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sylvia
Sex: Female
Age: "aged sixteen months"
Date of Birth: July 1779 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Female Child"
Notes: Registered as "A Female Child named Sylvia aged sixteen months a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not recorded
Sex: Female
Age: 22
Date of Birth: 1758 (calculated)
Status: Slave to the age of 25
Description: "Negro servant woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro servant woman till she attains the age of twenty five years named _______ Aged twenty two years."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: Richards, William
City or Township: West Whiteland Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Yeoman
Notes: Richards' slaves are listed on page 12 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Pleasent
Sex: Female
Age: 28
Date of Birth: 1752 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Woman named Pleasent aged twenty eight years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nance
Sex: Female
Age: 7
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto Girl named Nance aged seven years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Austin
Sex: Male
Age: 5
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Negro Boy named Austin aged five years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: Richardson, Richard
City or Township: East Whiteland Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Richardson's slaves are listed on page 3 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Gregg
Sex: Male
Age: 19
Date of Birth: 1761 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Registered as "A negro man named Gregg aged nineteen years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jesse
Sex: Male
Age: 7
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: Registered as "A negro boy named Jesse aged seven years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: 4
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: Registered as "A negro boy named Peter aged four years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Abigail
Sex: Female
Age: 2
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: Registered as "A negro girl named Abigail aged two years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dina
Sex: Female
Age: 29
Date of Birth: 1751 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "mullatto woman"
Notes: Registered as "A mullatto woman named Dina aged twenty nine years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: Ring, Nathaniel
City or Township: New Garden Township
County: Chester County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Pompey
Sex: Male
Age: 30a
Date of Birth: 1733 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe Man"
Notes: Ran away in 1763. Text of runaway ad placed by Nathaniel Ring:
RUN away from Nathaniel Ring, in New Garden Township, Chester County, a Negroe Man, named Pompey: Had on, when he went away, a new Coat and Jacket, of Home made Cloth, of an Ash Colour, no Lining in neither, broad Metal Buttens; he is a strong well set Fellow, about 30 Years of Age; had a Tow Shirt and Trowsers, and a new Pair of Shoes and Buckles. Whoever takes up said Negroe, and secures him, so as his Master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by NATHANIEL RING.
Date of Record: September 1, 1763
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, September 1, 1763.
- Slaveholder Name: Robison, Matthew
City or Township: Nantmeal Township
County: Chester County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: No name recorded
Sex: Female
Age: 24a
Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe Wench"
Notes: Offered for sale in 1764:
TO BE SOLD,
A Likely healthy negroe Wench, about 24 Years of Age, Country born, has had the Small Pox and Measles; she is well acquainted with Country Business, is a very good Breeder, and has two very healthy Children. Enquire of MATTHEW ROBISON, Living in Nantmill, Chester county.
Date of Record: December 20, 1764
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, December 20, 1764.
- Slaveholder Name: Ross, John
City or Township: London Grove Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Innholder
Notes: Ross's slave is listed on page 51 of the 1780 register.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Rose
Sex: Female
Age: 12
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A negro Girl named Rose aged twelve years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: Ruston, Job
City or Township: "Fog's Manor" (Faggs Manor), Oxford Township
County: Chester County
Occupation: Miller
Notes: Job Ruston's slaves in 1780 were recorded on page 37 of the registry. Job and Mary Ruston emigrated from Berwick, England. They purchased land in Fagg's Manor from the Penn family, settling there in 1738.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jacob
Sex: Male
Age: 28a
Date of Birth: 1722 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: West Indies born, Jacob ran away in June 1750. Text of runaway ad placed by Ruston:
Run away, on the 26th of last month, from the subscriber, living in Fog's Manor, Chester county, a Negroe man, named Jacob, about 28 years of age, a lusty well set fellow, Bermudas born, speaks good English, a little pock mark'd, full mouth'd, very big feet; had with him a light colour'd cloth coat, with brass buttons, a red jacket, flower'd with black, and a white jacket, 3 pairs of trowsers, and 3 shirts. Whoever takes up said Negroe, and secures him in any goal, so that I may have him again, shall have Thirty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOB RUSTON.
N.B. It is expected he will attempt to get off in a vessel, therefore all masters of vessels are desired not to carry him off.
Jacob was not one of the slaves registered by Ruston in 1780.
Date of Record: July 5, 1750
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, July 5, 1750
- Enslaved Person's Name: Phil
Sex: Male
Age: 25
Date of Birth: 1725 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: Maryland born, Phil ran away in July 1750 in the company of mulatto slave Bess. Text of runaway ad placed by Ruston:
Run away, on the 22d of last month, from the subscriber, of Fog's Mannor, Chester county, Pennsylvania, a Negroe man, named Phil, a middle siz'd, likely, cunning fellow, 25 years of age: Had with him a grey kersey jacket, lined with linnen, brass buttons, a red jacket, flower'd with black, and a white jacket, fine shirt, white linnen and tow trowsers, shoes, a new felt hat, a gun, kettle and blanket: He took with him a lusty Molattoe woman, named Bess, 20 years of age; she had on a fine ruffled shirt, linnen jacket, and red quilted petticoat. They were both born in Maryland. Whoever takes up said Negroe man, and Molattoe woman, and secures them in any goal, so that they may be had again, shall have Four Pounds reward for both, or Forty Shillings for either, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOB RUSTON.
N.B. It is expected they will go towards Carolina; wherefore, if put into any goal, it is desired that an account thereof be sent to the printers hereof. It is supposed they will travel mostly in the night.
Phil was not one of the slaves registered by Ruston in 1780.
Date of Record: August 2, 1750
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, August 2, 1750
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bess
Sex: Female
Age: 20 (see notes)
Date of Birth: 1730 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Molattoe woman"
Notes: Maryland born, Bess ran away in July 1750 in the company of slave Phil. See above for the text of the runaway ad placed by Ruston. In 1780, Ruston registered Bess as "A Mulatto woman named Bess aged sixty years a slave for Life." This would have placed Bess' year of birth in 1720, however it is more probable that Ruston's estimate of her age thirty years earlier, when she ran away, is more accurate.
Dates of Records: (Runaway Ad) August 2, 1750; (Registration) 1780
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, August 2, 1750; Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Pegg
Sex: Female
Age: 70
Date of Birth: 1710 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "negro woman"
Notes: Registered as "A negro woman named Pegg aged Seventy years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Will
Sex: Male
Age: 62
Date of Birth: 1718 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "mulatto man"
Notes: Registered as "A mulatto man named Will aged sixty two years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: George
Sex: Male
Age: 17
Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "mulatto Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A mulatto Boy named George aged seventeen years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dinah
Sex: Female
Age: 14
Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "mulatto Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A mulatto Girl named Dinah aged fourteen years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nell
Sex: Female
Age: 25
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto woman"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto woman named Nell aged twenty five years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jem
Sex: Male
Age: "aged two years and six months"
Date of Birth: April 1778 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto Boy named Jem aged two years and six months a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bill
Sex: Male
Age: "aged eight months"
Date of Birth: February 1780 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Boy"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto Boy named Bill aged eight months a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Flora
Sex: Female
Age: 12
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto Girl named Flora aged twelve years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bell
Sex: Female
Age:
Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Girl"
Notes: Registered as "A Mulatto Girl named Bell aged eight years a slave for life."
Date of Record: November 1, 1780
Source: Slave Register, Chester County, November 1, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Toby
Sex: Male
Age: "29 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1748
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Man"
Notes: Toby escaped from Ruston in 1777. Ruston did not register anyone by this name in 1780, so it is possible he never recovered him.
RUN-AWAY, on the 12th instant, from the subscriber, in Oxford township, Chester county, Pennsylvania;
A MULATTO MAN, born of a Negro Woman, 29 years of age, named TOBY, but may change his name, and try to pass for a freeman; 5 feet 8 inches high, broad faced, bushy hair, has a scar on the middle of his thigh before, straight down, occasioned by a cut of a felling ax: had on a new light coloured kersey coat, lined part with striped linsey and part with tow linen, brass buttons, a linsey jacket, buckskin breeches, and may have other cloaths. Whoever secures him in any work-house, or where none, in goal, so that I may get him again, shall have SIX DOLLARS REWARD, paid, per me, JOB RUSTON.
Date of Record: 12 March 1777
Source: The Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, 12 March 1777.
- Enslaved Person's Name: No name recorded
Sex: Male
Age: 30
Date of Birth: 1744 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulattoe fellow"
Notes: Offered for sale, along with a plantation and other slaves, in December 1774. Text of advertisement:
To be SOLD by the subscriber, living in Oxford Township, Chester County, TWO PLANTATIONS, not far apart, containing 300 acres of land, and the allowance, one half cleared, well fenced, the rest well timbered, on which are good merchant mill, with two pair of stones, one Cologne, capable of grinding 100 bushels of wheat every day, in the driest season .situate 26 miles from Lancaster, and 17 from Christiana Bridge
Likewise to be sold, a strong Mulattoe fellow, 30 years old, can miller well, and cooper, make wagons, ploughs, and all sorts of country carpenters work, and do all farming business, can make shoes, and drive a team well, has no wife. Likewise, a strong Mulattoe woman, that can do all sorts of housework, cooking and making butter and cheese; with a child of ten months old; all have had the smallpox and measles.
The purchaser may have possession of the mill and plantation the first of April, the Mulattoes immediately.
Dec. 1, 1774. JOB RUSTON.
Date of Record: December 28, 1774
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, December 28, 1774, in Accessible Archives, www.accessible.com/
- Enslaved Person's Name: No name recorded
Sex: Female
Age: "woman"
Date of Birth:
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulattoe woman"
Notes: Offered for sale with her ten-month old child, along with a male slave and a plantation, in December 1774. Partial text (for complete text of ad, see above): "Likewise, a strong Mulattoe woman, that can do all sorts of housework, cooking and making butter and cheese; with a child of ten months old; all have had the smallpox and measles."
Date of Record: December 28, 1774
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, December 28, 1774, in Accessible Archives, www.accessible.com/
- Enslaved Person's Name: No name recorded
Sex: Not recorded
Age: "ten months old"
Date of Birth: February 1774
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulattoe child"
Notes: Offered for sale with its mother, along with a male slave and a plantation, in December 1774. Partial text (for complete text of ad, see above): "Likewise, a strong Mulattoe woman, that can do all sorts of housework, cooking and making butter and cheese; with a child of ten months old; all have had the smallpox and measles."
Date of Record: December 28, 1774
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, December 28, 1774, in Accessible Archives, www.accessible.com/
- Enslaved Person's Name: No name recorded
Sex: Male
Age: 22
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Offered for sale in 1778:
TO BE SOLD by the Subscriber, Living near New London Cross Roads, in Oxford Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, A STRONG active Negro Man, twenty two years of age, has had the smallpox; he can plow, sow, mow and cradle, and do all sorts of farming work; he will not drink spirituous liquors, and is sold for no fault but a pert tongue. JOB RUSTON.
Date of Record: July 18, 1778
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, July 18, 1778, in Accessible Archives, www.accessible.com/
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