Cumberland County, PA Slaveholders A - B

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Joe
   Age: ? (adult)
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: ?
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: First African American and first slave to appear in existing records to be indicted for a crime in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The Indictment states that Joe, a mulatto slave of Carlisle, "stole 1 red plush jacket, 1 1/2 hide sole leather, 1 (kip) skin, 1 coverlid, 2 yrds.course linen, a pair of shears, a razor, a pocket knife & bills of credit from Robert Duncan." July 10, 1780.
   Date of Record July 10, 1780
   Source: Schaumann, "Indictments--1750-1800, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania", Item #853.

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Ben
   Age: 07
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October 27, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Grace
   Age: 17
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October 27, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
   Age: "about 45 years of age"
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: circa 1741
   Description: "Negro Man," "Mulatto"
   Status: Escaped from Maryland, captured in Cumberland County, PA and jailed
   Notes: Captured in Cumberland County and placed in the Carlisle Jail. See the Jailor's ad, below:

   WAS brought to Carlisle goal, a Negro Man, named Jack, and says he belongs to a certain Richard Jones, six miles from Roysters town in Maryland, near Monkton mills, on Gun Powder falls, Baltimore county, he is about 45 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, mulatto colour, speaks a good English, is very fond of singing, has on a coarse osnabrigs shirt, brown linen jacket, light coloured home spun woolen coat and breeches, and white woolen hose. The owner is desired to come pay charges and take said negro away.
   THOMAS ALEXANDER, Goaler.

   Date of Record 02 August 1786
   Source: The Carlisle Gazette and Western Repository of Knowledge, 02 August 1786.

2. Enslaved Person's Name: William
   Age: "about forty years old"
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: circa 1748
   Description: Male, Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Captured in Cumberland County and placed in the Carlisle Jail. William claims to have been a slave to George Washington. This claim is credible, as Washington was known to complain that his slaves were escaping northward into Pennsylvania. See the Jailor's ad, below:

   TWO NEGROS TAKEN UP.
   The one male, named William, supposed to be about forty years old, from the following assertions;----That he came from Guinea to America, and served as a waiting boy at Braddock's defeat, the taking of Canada, the sieges of the Havana, and was part of that time in the retinue of General, then Colonel Washington; is about five feet six inches high, has many scars in his back, from severity of whipping, and remarkable for the abridgement of his fingers by the frost; more particularly those of his right hand; wears a broken coarse woolen coattee, and much worn royal rib buff breeches.
   The other a female, named Sinah, between fourteen and sixteen years old, about five feet high, has several marks on her arm, which she says was occasioned by being scalded; wears a much worn blue and white lincey dress, and reports that she was married to a slave named Joe.
   They assert, that they belong to a Mr. Thomas Violet, nine miles from Winchester, Virginia, and departed thence about three weeks ago, with two other slaves named Joe and Kate, of whom they can give no account.
   The owner is desired to remand them in due time, and pay charges: or they will be disposed of according to law.
   Thomas ALEXANDER
   Carlisle Gaol, Pennsylvania

   Date of Record June 10, 1788
   Source: Carlisle Gazette, June 10, 1788.

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Sinah
   Age: 14 or 16a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1772 or 1774 (calculated)
   Description: Female, Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Captured in Cumberland County and placed in the Carlisle Jail. See the Jailor's ad, above.
   Date of Record June 10, 1788
   Source: Carlisle Gazette, June 10, 1788

4. Enslaved Person's Name: Julius
   Age: Age not given in description, but described as a "man."
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: Not known
   Description: "Yellow coloured Negro Man"
   Status: Slave for life; escaped
   Notes: Julius escaped enslavement in Virginia. He was captured in Cumberland County and placed in the Carlisle Jail but escaped from the jail on December 23, 1788. See the Jailor's ad, below:

   Sixteen Dollars Reward.
   MADE his escape from the Jail of Carlisle, on Tuesday the 23d inst., a yellow coloured Negro Man, named JULIUS, the property of James Campbell near Fort Loudon, about five feet six or seven inches high, chunky made, large mouth and thick lips, a few pockmarks, had on a short mixed brown cloth coat, with carved copper buttons, light coloured woolen jacket, one pair of linen trousers, two pair of old overalls, one of blue cloth, and an old wool hat, one tow linen patched shirt. -- Whoever secures said negro in any jail, so that the subscriber may have him again, shall receive a reward of Sixteen Dollars, and reasonable charges if brought to this jail, paid by me
   THOMAS ALEXANDER, Jailor.
   Carlisle, Dec. 30th, 1788.

   Date of Record December 30, 1788
   Source: The Carlisle Gazette and Western Repository of Knowledge, 04 March 1789.

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Milly
   Age: 08a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Gender is presumed from name.
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Liddy
   Age: 20a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Cezar
   Age: 35a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

4. Enslaved Person's Name: Ned
   Age: 01a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Registered at 14 months of age Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Lucia
   Age: 08a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
   Sex: Male
   Age: Given as 24 years old in both the 1792 and 1793 escape ads. He was listed as about age 16 in the 1780 Registration.
   Date of Birth: circa 1764 (per Registration), or 1768 or 1769 (per escape ads)
   Status: Slave for life; runaway
   Description: "Negro Man"
   Notes: Registered as a slave for life in 1780. Tom escaped from Allison on October 28, 1792. Allison placed the following runaway advertisement to recover him:

   RAN-AWAY the 28th instant, from the subscriber, living in Franklin County, State of Pennsylvania, a Negro man named TOM, about 24 years of age, five feet ten or eleven inches high, stout made: He had on and took with him, two coats, an old one of a drab colour, the other an old gray coating, metal buttons on both, his jacket uncertain, but believe it is of a drab colour with metal buttons, tow shirt and fustian overalls, an old wool hat and old shoes; it is likely he may have other clothes with him, he has been accustomed to drive a waggon and may try to pass for a freeman. Whoever secures said Negro, that I may get him again, shall have, if ten miles from home, Three Pounds, and if more, Six Pounds and reasonable charges if brought home. WILLIAM ALLISON. October 30.

   Allison recovered Tom, but almost exactly one year later, on October 14, 1793, Tom escaped from Allison again. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:

   RANAWAY from the subscriber, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, the night of the 14th instant, a Negro Man named TOM, five feet nine or ten inches high, twenty four years of age, stout made, had on a gray coating sailors jacket, the buttons the same of the cloth, three buttons on the sleeves, coarse shirting shirt, a pair striped ticking trowsers, old shoes, high crowned felt hat, it is likely he may steal other cloathing, and will try to pass for a free negro. Whosoever secures said fellow that I get him, shall have Ten Dollars Reward, and if brought home reasonable charges, paid by WILLIAM ALLISON.
   October 16, 1793.

   Allison recovered Tom again at some point, and in April 1794 sold him to Thomas Cromwell of Huntingdon County to work at Cromwell's Bedford Furnace, from which Tom escaped in June 1794.
   Date of Record: 30 October 1792; 16 October 1793
   Sources: The Pennsylvania Herald and York General Advertiser, 31 October 1792; Carlisle Gazette, November 27, 1793; "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: George
   Age: 34a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1746 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

4. Enslaved Person's Name: Venus
   Age: 44a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1736 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Gender is presumed.
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

5. Enslaved Person's Name: Silvia
   Age: 22a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1758 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Sampson
   Age: -
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1796-October 05
   Description:
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1796
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Hessy
   Slave Age
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1805-November 13
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1805
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Rome
   Slave Age
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1809-June 08
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1809
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: George
   Slave Age
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1801-July 12
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1801
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
   Age: 08
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
   Description: "Negor Boy"
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October 23, 1780
   Source: "Miller Collection, 1750-1914 (Cumberland County Records)"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
   Age: ?
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: ?
   Description:
   Status: Undetermined
   Notes: Source 118 identifies Bob as the last slave in Perry County, placing his last year of bondage as about 1827. It does not note what happened to him after that date.  The 1820 census of Perry County, Tyrone Township, lists one slave at "Andersons," as well as a free Black woman, aged between 26 and 45 years.
   Date of Record
   Source:  Hain, "History of Perry County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Ceasar
   Sex: Male
   Age: 36
   Date of Birth: 1744 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Registration notes: "all Slaves for Life"
   Date of Record October 26, 1780
   Sources:"Miller Collection, 1750-1914 (Cumberland County Records)" | Alosi, "Slavery in Post Revolutionary Cumberland County, 1780-1810," page 14.

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Nero
   Age: 31
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1749 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Registration notes: "all Slaves for Life"
   Date of Record October 26, 1780
   Sources:"Miller Collection, 1750-1914 (Cumberland County Records)" | Alosi, "Slavery in Post Revolutionary Cumberland County, 1780-1810," page 14.

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Nan
   Age: 25
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Registration notes: "all Slaves for Life". In his 1779 tax records, Armstrong reported Nan's age as 21, which would make her year of birth 1758.
   Date of Record Registration: October 26, 1780
   Source: "Miller Collection, 1750-1914 (Cumberland County Records)" | Alosi, "Slavery in Post Revolutionary Cumberland County, 1780-1810," page 14.

4. Enslaved Person's Name: Dick
   Age: 05
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
   Description: "a boy"
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Registration notes: "all Slaves for Life"
   Date of Record October 26, 1780
   Source: "Miller Collection, 1750-1914 (Cumberland County Records)" | Alosi, "Slavery in Post Revolutionary Cumberland County, 1780-1810," page 14.

5. Enslaved Person's Name: Cato
   Age: ? (probably an adult)
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: ?
   Description: "Negroe"
   Status: Ran away, but apprehended in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
   Notes: Text of Jailor's ad:

   "NOW in the Goal of Lancaster, and County of Lancaster, the following servants, viz. Cato, a Negroe, committed the 15th day of September last, belonging to Colonel John Armstrong, of Carlisle. Anne Eister, belonging to Jonas Peterson, near Willingtown, committed the 7th day of November. And Patrick Fowlow, committed the 11th day of November, and says he belongs to Doctor John Stevenson, of Baltimoretown. Their masters are desired to come, pay charges, and take them away, in three weeks, or otherwise they will be discharged, upon paying their fees.
   November 22, 1774.GEORGE EBERLY, Goaler."

   Date of Record November 30, 1774
   Source:  The Pennsylvania Gazette

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Flora
   Age: 10
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
   Description: Negro Girl
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October 10, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Jean
   Age: 05
   Sex: Undetermined
   Date of Birth: 1784-August
   Description: Negro Child
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Jack Duffy
   Age: ? (adult)
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: ?
   Description: Negro
   Status: Undetermined. Given in court document as "slave."
   Notes: Indicted in 1799 in Cumberland County as follows: "Negro Jack Duffy, slave of Andrew Bell, stole 1 bushel of rye, 1 bee hive, & 1 hog from James Boyd. Test: James McCarlin, William Marshall, Samuel Irwin, Alexander Laughlin, Christian Shade, Ludwick Miller. (Feb. 20)"
   Date of Record February 20, 1799
   Source:  Schaumann, "Indictments--1750-1800, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania", Item #1979.

1. Enslaved Person's Name: John
   Slave Age
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1818-April 16
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1818
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Hanah
   Age: 20a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: "Negroe Hanah, a femal slave for life aged about 20 years."
   Date of Record October 7, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Harry
   Age: 23a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
   Description: "Mullato Slave"
   Status: Runaway
   Notes: "Lived formerly with Col. Blaine in Carlisle." Harry ran away from slave holder William Amberson of Pittsburgh in late 1793. He had a wife and brother in Carlise. Amberson placed the following ad in the Carlise Gazette:

   "Eight DOLLARS Reward. RANAWAY from the subscriber a Mullato Slave Named HARRY, he is about 23 years old, and lived formerly with Col. Blaine, in Carlisle, is much addicted to drink: he took with him a county linen shirt and trowsers, and a red-spotted Swanskin jacket; he was seen on the road making for Carlisle: As his brother lives with Dr. M'Coskry, and a woman he calls his wife with Mr. Stephen Duncan, he will, no doubt, be lurking about them. Any person who will apprehend him and put him in any jail, so that I get him shall have the above Reward.
   WILLIAM AMBERSON.
   Pittsburgh, October 1st, 1793."

   Click here to read the listings for Stephen Duncan.
   Date of Record October 10, 1793
   Source:Carlisle Gazette, December 04, 1793

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Daphne
   Age: 30a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
   Description: Negro Wench
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Daphne is probably the slave noted in the 1778 assessment for James Blain of Toboyne Township.
   Date of Record October 12, 1780
   Sources:"Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania" | Hain, "History of Perry County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Francess
   Slave Age
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1817-July 27
   Description: Mulatto - dark
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1817
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Rachel
   Slave Age
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1816-April 10
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes: 1816 Registration lists Rachel's mother as "mulatto wench Nelly."
   Date of Record 1816
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
   Slave Age
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1816-July 16
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes: 1816 Registration lists Jack's mother as "Jenny--negro wench."
   Date of Record 1816
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

4. Enslaved Person's Name: John
   Slave Age
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1808-January 02
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes: This birth registration was transcribed along with the 1807 registrations. There could be a typo in the date of birth. John's mother was identified in the registration as "negro Rachel."
   Date of Record 1807
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

5. Enslaved Person's Name: Isaac
   Slave Age
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1815-March 15
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes: 1815 Registration lists Isaac's mother as "mulatto wench Nelly."
   Date of Record 1815
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
   Age: 05a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
   Description: Negro Boy
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October 02, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Henry
   Slave Age
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1810-April 30
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1810
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
   Slave Age Not given, but described in will as a "Negro Boy"
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: Not known, but prior to 1769
   Description: "Negro boy"
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Bob was willed to the son-in-law of John Blair, William McGibbon, according to the will of John Blair. In addition to Bob, an abstract of the will notes the property of John Blair to include a plantation, 200 acres, and "a Negro man and woman to be sold."
   Abstract: John Blair (wife Elizabeth)
   Cumberland Co. Will, Liber B., pp. 21-3
   Written 13 Feb 1769, Proved 24 May 1769
   Plantation, 200 a. and Negro man and woman to be sold.
   To son-in-law William McGibbin...Negro boy Bob
   Date of Record Will of John Blair, dated 13 February, 1769
   Source: Record contributed by Fred Kelso, from Cumberland County Will Abstracts,  Book B, pp. 21-23.

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Not named in record
   Slave Age Not given, but described in will abstract as a "Negro man"
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: Not known, but an adult prior to 1769
   Description: "Negro man"
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: An abstract of the will of John Blair notes his property included a plantation, 200 acres, and "a negro man and woman to be sold." See the notes for the slave Bob, above.
   Date of Record Will of John Blair, dated 13 February, 1769
   Source: Record contributed by Fred Kelso, from Cumberland County Will Abstracts,  Book B, pp. 21-23.

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Not named in record
   Slave Age Not given, but described in will abstract as a "Negro woman"
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: Not known, but an adult prior to 1769
   Description: "Negro woman"
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: An abstract of the will of John Blair notes his property included a plantation, 200 acres, and "a negro man and woman to be sold." See the notes for the slave Bob, above.
   Date of Record Will of John Blair, dated 13 February, 1769
   Source: Record contributed by Fred Kelso, from Cumberland County Will Abstracts,  Book B, pp. 21-23.

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Philip
   Age: 08a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Indicted in Cumberland County court in 1800 as follows: "Negro Romeo the slave of James Pollock, Negro Phill the slave of William Blair and Negro Dick the property of John Carothers, Esq. for riot & mayhem, and knocking out one of Jacob Jacob's foreteeth, as he was going to his lodging down Hanover St. at night. (March 17) Tent: William Blair (Mar 17)." (Schaumann, Indictments, item 2163)
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Vine
   Age: 05a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
   Description: "Female Negro"
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: ?
   Age: 26a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
   Description: "Negro Man"
   Status: Slave for life
   Slave Notes: Un-named man advertised for sale in October, 1799. Text of advertisement: "TO BE SOLD, BY the subscriber a NEGRO MAN duly registered, about Twenty-six years old, a Shoe maker by trade, a very good workman, as his master intends to leave off trade. Any person inclining to purchase may know the terms by applying to WILLIAM BLAIR. Carlisle, Oct. 28th 1799."
   This is most likely Philip, who was registered by Blair in 1780 at age 8. The advertisement ran at least through December 11, 1799.
   In the same newspaper, and on the same page, was an advertisement placed by Blair offering to sell his real estate: "TO BE SOLD, By the subscriber, the HALF LOT and BUILDINGS whereon he now dwells. For further information, enquire at WILLIAM BLAIR. Nov. 5th, 1799."
   Date of Record October 28, 1799
   Source: Kline's Carlisle Weekly Gazette, November 27, 1799

While the fate of the persons held as slaves by Benjamin Blythe are not known, the 1820 census enumerated 9 free African Americans living with his son, Samuel Blythe, in Southampton Township, Franklin County.  It is likely that these free persons include some or all of the persons listed below.  (Mrs. C. W. [Pat] Bristley to George F. Nagle, January 25, 2005.)

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Anna
   Age: 04
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
   Description: Female
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Cesar
   Age: 28
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1752 (calculated)
   Description: Man
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Antony
   Age: 10
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October, 1782
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

4. Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
   Age: 0.75
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1780-January (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Actual age at registration noted at 9 months and 15 days.
   Date of Record October, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

5. Enslaved Person's Name: Nan
   Age: 18
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1762 (calculated)
   Description: Woman
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

6. Enslaved Person's Name: Harry
   Age: 05
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1784-February 10
   Description: "Negro Boy"
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

7. Enslaved Person's Name: Casper
   Age: not known, age described as "advanced" in 1801
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: not known, but prior to 1780
   Description: "Negro"
   Status: Slave for life, probably "placed out" after the death of Benjamin Blythe in 1801.
   Notes: Slaves Casper and Nan were mentioned in the will of Benjamin Blythe as follows: "It is my wish that my Executors would in some degree Consult the inclination of my negroes Casper and Dinah previous to their Placing them out, as I should be sorry they would be unhappy in their situation, especially at their advanced Period of life."
   Date of Record 20 October 1801
   Source: Will of Colonel Benjamin Blythe, Sr., Southampton Township, Cumberland County. Will dated October 20, 1801. Cumberland County Will Book G, number 94, pages 244-249. Copy of will provided to the Afrolumens Project by Mrs. C. W. Bristley, Fremont, Ohio. (Letter, Mrs. C. W. Bristley to George F. Nagle, January 10, 2005)

8. Enslaved Person's Name: Dinnah
   Age: not known, age described as "advanced" in 1801
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: not known, but prior to 1780
   Description: "Negro"
   Status: Slave for life, probably "placed out" after the death of Benjamin Blythe in 1801.
   Notes: Slaves Casper and Nan were mentioned in the will of Benjamin Blythe. See notes for Casper, above.
   Date of Record 20 October 1801
   Source: Will of Colonel Benjamin Blythe, Sr., Southampton Township, Cumberland County. Will dated October 20, 1801. Cumberland County Will Book G, number 94, pages 244-249. Copy of will provided to the Afrolumens Project by Mrs. C. W. Bristley, Fremont, Ohio. (Letter, Mrs. C. W. Bristley to George F. Nagle, January 10, 2005)

1. Enslaved Person's Name: John
   Age: ? ("man")
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: ?
   Description: Negro man
   Status: Runaway-apprehended in York, Pennsylvania.
   Notes: Former slave of Joseph Simon, of Lancaster. The following ad was placed in the Pennsylvania Gazette on May 22, 1776:

   "York Town Goal, May 12, 1776.
   WAS committed to my custody the following persons, viz. Joseph Boone, who has been guilty of felony, and says he is a servant to John Tremble, in Maryland. Matthew Campbell, who confessed he was a servant man to Samuel Moore, in Lancaster county; had on, when committed, a brown Menist coat. A Negroe man, named John, who is a slave to a certain Mr. Bogle, of Cumberland county, formerly belonging to Joseph Simons, of the borough of Lancaster. Also a Negroe woman, who calls herself Sally, and is suspected to be a runaway, having lost her left eye. Their masters are desired to come in three weeks from the date hereof, pay charges, and take them away, otherwise they will be discharged for their fees. MICHAEL GRAYBILL, Goaler."

   Date of Record May 22, 1776
   Source:The Pennsylvania Gazette

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Dick
   Age: -
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1794-September 07
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1794
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: York
   Age: 12a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Sally
   Age: 06a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1783 (calculated)
   Description: Child
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: ?
   Age: ?
   Sex: ?
   Date of Birth: ?
   Description: Negro
   Status: Undetermined
   Notes: Mentioned in Cumberland County court Indictments as follows: "Complaint about David Briggs of East Pennsborough Twp. Mentions his Negro (Aug. 5)"
   Date of Record August 05, 1800
   Source:Schaumann, "Indictments--1750-1800, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania", Item #2088.

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Philis
   Age: ?
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: ?
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: This information may be from the inventory of David Briggs, who died in 1804." After the death of David Briggs, Hannah Briggs advertised a "Mulatto Wench...a Slave for Life" for sale. This may have been Philis.
   Date of Record 1804?
   Source: Schaumann, "Taverns of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, 1750-1840," page 13

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Jim
   Age: ?
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: ?
   Description: Negro
   Status: Undetermined
   Notes: This information may be from the inventory of David Briggs, who died in 1804."
   Date of Record 1804?
   Source: Schaumann, "Taverns of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, 1750-1840," page 13

4. Enslaved Person's Name: ?
   Age: ? "boy"
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: ?
   Description: "Mulatto boy"
   Status: Undetermined
   Notes: This information may be from the inventory of David Briggs, who died in 1804."
   Date of Record 1804?
   Source: Schaumann, "Taverns of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, 1750-1840," page 13

1. Enslaved Person's Name: ?
   Age: ?, unknown, but at least an adult in 1804
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: ? , unknown, but must have been born prior to 1780 because she is advertised as "a Slave for Life."
   Description: "Mulatto Wench"
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: This if probably Philis, the only slave for life recorded with the Briggs family. Offered for sale in August, 1804. Text of advertisement: "FOR SALE, A Strong Healthy Mulatto Wench, a good cook and excellent house maid, she is duly recorded a Slave for Life, and sold for no other fault but the want of a Master. Apply for terms to HANNAH BRIGGS, Silver Spring, August 2."
   The ad appeared in the Carlisle Herald on August 10 and August 24, 1804.
   Date of Record August 02, 1804
   Source: Carlisle Herald, August 10, 1804

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Bess
   Age: ?
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: ?
   Description: A Little Girl
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Registration notes: "A Little Girl age unnone," (unknown).
   Date of Record October 23, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Frank
   Age: 20a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Registration notes: "Supposed to be about 20 years of age."
   Date of Record October 23, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Susanah
   Age: 21a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1769 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Registration notes: "Supposed to be about 21 years of age."
   Date of Record October 23, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
   Age: 35a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Doll
   Age: 02a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
   Age: 05a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

4. Enslaved Person's Name: Philip
   Age: 04a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

5. Enslaved Person's Name: Silvey
   Age: 35a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

6. Enslaved Person's Name: Sampson
   Age: 17a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

7. Enslaved Person's Name: David
   Age: 08a
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

8. Enslaved Person's Name: Minto
   Age: 11a
   Sex: Undetermined
   Date of Birth: 1769 (calculated)
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

9. Enslaved Person's Name: Phillis
   Age: 13a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

10. Enslaved Person's Name: Judy
    Age: 25a
    Sex: Female
    Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
    Description: Negro
    Status: Slave for life
    Notes:
    Date of Record 1780
    Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

11. Enslaved Person's Name: Dick
    Age: 25a
    Sex: Male
    Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
    Description: Negro
    Status: Slave for life
    Notes:
    Date of Record 1780
    Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Abraham
   Age: 17
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record September 7, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Sidney
   Age: 05a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1784 (calculated)
   Description: Black Girl
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Fan
   Age: 01
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1788-September 16
   Description: Negro (Source 20)
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes: This person was listed in the inventory of the estate of William Brown, deceased, of Carlisle, dated May 17, 1802: "1 Negro Girl Phan 70.0.0." (Source 20)
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Deb
   Age: 08
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1781-December 03
   Description:
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Poll
   Age: -
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1793-July 13
   Description:
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes: 1793 Registration lists Poll's mother as a Mulatto.
   Date of Record 1793
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

4. Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
   Age: -
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1796-July 18
   Description:
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1796
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

5. Enslaved Person's Name: Let
   Age: 03
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1786-July 08
   Description: Mulatto (Source 20)
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes: This person was listed in the inventory of the estate of William Brown, deceased, of Carlisle, dated May 17, 1802: "1 Molatress Girl Let 70.0.0." (Source 20)
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Will
   Age: 01
   Sex: Undetermined
   Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: The slave registered with this child (Jean) is possibly its mother.
   Date of Record September 7, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Jean
   Age: 18
   Sex: Undetermined
   Date of Birth: 1762 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Sex is most likely female, as a one year-old child was registered along with this slave.
   Date of Record September 7, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Chloe
   Age: 50a
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1730 (calculated)
   Description:
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1780
   Source: "Returns for Negro and Mulatto Slaves, 1780-81, 1788-1811, 1813-21, 1824-26, 1833"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Lewis
   Slave Age
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1815-October 18
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1816
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: John
   Slave Age
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1813-July 17
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1814
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Ann
   Slave Age
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1810-April 25
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1810
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

4. Enslaved Person's Name: Worldly
   Slave Age
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1807-November 22
   Description: Mulatto
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1808
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Bell
   Age: 35
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October 27, 1780
   Source: "Miller Collection, 1750-1914 (Cumberland County Records)"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: ???
   Age: 03
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
   Description: Negro Girl
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Registered in 1780 as a daughter to Phillis, aged 35, with same owner.
   Date of Record October 13, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Phillis
   Age: 35
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Phillis was registered in 1780 along with a daughter, not named, aged 3 years.
   Date of Record October 13, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
   Age: 40
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October 13, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Cato
   Age: 16
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
   Description: Negro Boy Slave
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record October 6, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Poll
   Age: 18
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1762 (calculated)
   Description: Negro
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes:
   Date of Record September 13, 1780
   Source: "Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves--Cumberland County, Pennsylvania"

2. Enslaved Person's Name: Leine
   Age: 01
   Sex: Undetermined
   Date of Birth: 1788-November
   Description:
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes: The registration identifies his mother as Poll, who was registered in 1780 by Buchanan at age 18. Also registered in 1789 was a brother, Jo.
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

3. Enslaved Person's Name: Jo
   Age: 02
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: 1787-January/February
   Description:
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes: The registration identifies his mother as Poll, who was registered in 1780 by Buchanan at age 18. Also registered in 1789 was a sibling, Leine.
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
   Age: .5
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1789-March 10
   Description: Negro child, Female
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes:
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Charlotte
   Age: 06
   Sex: Female
   Date of Birth: 1783-February 25
   Description:
   Status: Slave to age 28
   Notes: Charlotte was born in Lancaster, and was the daughter of Moll, according to the 1789 Registration.
   Date of Record 1789
   Source: "Registrations of Children of Slaves"

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Abel
   Age: Age not given in any of the advertisements, but in all is described as a "man"
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: Not known
   Description: "Negroe man"
   Status: Slave for life--repeated escape attempts
   Notes: Abel escaped from Butler in September 1763. Butler ran the following advertisement in The Pennsylvania Gazette:

   "Run away from the Subscriber, living in Carlisle, about the 7th of September last, A Negroe Man, of middle Size, and middle Age, a Smith by Trade, named Abel, walks lame in his right Foot: Had on when he went away, an Elkskin Jacket, Buckskin Breeches, pieced on the Knees, Shoes and Stockings. Whoever takes up said Negroe, so that his Owner may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by
   THOMAS BUTLER."

   Abel was either captured or returned on his own but subsequently escaped again in July 1770. Butler ran the following ad:

   West Pennsborough township, Cumberland county, August 22, 1770.
   RUN away from the subscriber, about the 26th of July last, a Negroe man, named ABEL, of middle age and size, a smith by trade, has a little halt as he walks, and turns out his toes, had, sometime ago, a large wart under his waistband, and I think a bit hath been taken out of his ear. Whoever secures said Negroe in any goal so that the owner may get him again, shall have FOUR DOLLARS reward, and reasonable charges, paid by me
   THOMAS BUTLER.

   Abel was jailed in Chester County and the following notice of his capture was placed in The Pennsylvania Gazette:

   "Chester, September 5, 1770.
   THIS day was committed to my custody as a runaway, a Negroe man, named Abel, who says he is a slave to Thomas Butler, in Cumberland county, who lives within about 10 miles of Carlisle; his master is desired to come and pay charges, and take him away, by JOSEPH THOMAS, Goaler.

   Dates of Records October 13, 1763, August 30, 1770, September 1770.
   Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, October 13, 1763, August 30, 1770.

1. Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
   Age: Age not specified in sale ad, but described as a "man."
   Sex: Male
   Date of Birth: Not known
   Description: "Negroe Man"
   Status: Slave for life
   Notes: Seized by the sheriff of Cumberland County to satisfy a court judgment against Byers, and placed up for public auction at the county courthouse in Carlisle. Text of public auction notice: "WILL be exposed to public sale on WEDNESDAY the 25th instant, at the Court-house in the borough of Carlisle: -- A NEGROE MAN. -- Taken in execution, as the property of James Byers, and to be sold by CHARLES LEEPER, Sheriff. Carlisle, March 10th, 1789."
   Note: The site of this 1789 public slave auction in Carlisle is on the square at the old brick courthouse, built in 1765 to replace an older log structure. This building burned down in 1845 and was replaced in 1846 by the current court house.
   Date of Record 10 March 1789
   Source: The Carlisle Gazette and Western Repository of Knowledge, 10 March 1789.