Franklin County, Pennsylvania Slaveholders A-Z

Enslaved Person's Name: Cato
Sex: Male
Age: 11
Date of Birth: circa 1769
Status: Slave for life;
Description:
Notes: Registered by John Alexander.
Date of Record: 1780
Sources: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 26 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Allison, John
City or Township Antrim Township
Occupation
Notes

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"
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"
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"
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"

Slaveholder Name: Allison, William
City or Township: Greencastle
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

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"
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"
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"
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"
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"

Slaveholder Name: Anderson, Joshua
City or Township: Fannett Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Luce
Sex: Female
Age: 10
Date of Birth: circa 1770
Status: Slave for life;
Description:
Notes: Registered by Joshua Anderson.
Date of Record: 1780
Sources: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 26 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Anderson, Robert
City or Township Fannet Township
Occupation
Notes Data cross entered on Cumberland County list.

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)"

Slaveholder Name: Andrew, John
City or Township Antrim Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Cezar
Age: 40
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 26 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Armstrong, Elizabeth
City or Township: Hamilton Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Widow of Joseph Armstrong, who died 1811. Elizabeth was an executor of his estate.
Source: Will of Joseph Armstrong (1811), Franklin County Will Book C: 19, County Clerk's Office, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Enslaved Person's Name: Mariah
Sex: Female
Age: Not stated, but of childbearing age
Date of Birth: Not known but likely after 1780 due to her status as a term slave
Status: Slave for a term of years, 3 years and 5 months remaining; Runaway
Description: "Negro Wench"
Notes: Mariah ran away taking the child Jane on August 14, 1815. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
Stop the Runaway!
Ten Dollars Reward.
RAN away on the 14th day of August, from the subscriber living 7 miles from Chambersburg, Hamilton Township, Franklin County, Penn. A NEGRO WENCH, named MARIAH. She took with her a Child about 4 years old, named Jane -- she is regularly recorded & has 3 years and 5 months to serve. She is tall & lusty, the toe next to her great toe on one of her feet lies on top of her other toes, she speaks plain English and has a bold look; had on and took with her, when she went off, a Cotton Dress, she may change her dress, as she has a quantity of other good clothing with her.
Whosoever takes up said girl and secures her in any jail, so that the subscriber gets her again, shall have TEN DOLLARS REWARD and all reasonable charges paid, and also whosoever will take up said Child, and bring it home to the subscriber, shall be well rewarded for their trouble.
ELIZABETH ARMSTRONG.
August 22, 1815.
Date of Record: 22 August 1815
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 22 August 1815.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jane
Sex: Female
Age: "about 4 years old"
Date of Birth: circa 1811
Status: Slave for a term of years; Runaway
Description: "Child"
Notes: Very likely the daughter of Mariah, above. Mariah ran away taking the child Jane on August 14, 1815. The text of the runaway advertisement is under the entry for Mariah, above.
Date of Record: 22 August 1815
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 22 August 1815.

Slaveholder Name: Armstrong, Joseph
City or Township: Hamilton Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Husband of Elizabeth Armstrong. Elizabeth was an executor of his estate upon his death in 1811.
Source: Will of Joseph Armstrong (1811), Franklin County Will Book C: 19, County Clerk's Office, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

Enslaved Person's Name: Bobb
Sex: Male
Age: 21
Date of Birth: Circa 1759
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes:
Date of Record: 1780
Source: Franklin County, Pennsylvania, "1780 Slave and Slave Owners Register," https://lfweb.franklincountypa.gov/WebLinkArchives/Browse.aspx?startid=5980240&dbid=0, accessed 13 October 2023.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jin
Sex: Female
Age: 24
Date of Birth: Circa 1756
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes:
Date of Record: 1780
Source: Franklin County, Pennsylvania, "1780 Slave and Slave Owners Register," https://lfweb.franklincountypa.gov/WebLinkArchives/Browse.aspx?startid=5980240&dbid=0, accessed 13 October 2023.
Enslaved Person's Name: Pithena
Sex: Female
Age: 2 years and 3 months
Date of Birth: Circa 1777 to 1778
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes:
Date of Record: 1780
Source: Franklin County, Pennsylvania, "1780 Slave and Slave Owners Register," https://lfweb.franklincountypa.gov/WebLinkArchives/Browse.aspx?startid=5980240&dbid=0, accessed 13 October 2023.

Slaveholder Name: Aston, Owen
City or Township: Guilford
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: For jailer listings, see below.

Enslaved Person's Name: Mark
Age: 7
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 26 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Aston, Owen, Jailer Listings
City or Township: Chambersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation: County Jailer
Notes: Listings here are for those persons jailed by Aston.

Enslaved Person's Name: Name not provided in advertisement
Sex: Male
Age: Age not provided, but described in the ad as a "man."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Escaped slave
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: This man escaped from enslavement in Virginia only to be captured in Franklin County and placed in the county jail at Chambersburg. On the night of July 26, 1786 he broke out of jail in company with a German man, Andrew Deeter, on July 26, 1786.
Ten Dollars Reward.
BROKE the goal of Franklin county, on the night of the 26th instant, a certain ANDREW DEETER, German born, but speaks good English, 5 feet 7 inches high, dark complexion, had on a light blue cloth jacket, corduroy breeches, woolen stockings, small wool hat; formerly lived in Bucks county.
Also a NEGROE MAN, 6 feet high, well made, had on a tow shirt and trousers; says he belongs to Henry Hains, in Bedford county, state of Virginia. Whoever apprehends the above persons and delivers them to the subscriber in Chambersburgh, shall have the above reward or five dollars for either, and reasonable charges, by me OWEN ASTON, Goaler.
July 31, 1786.

Date of Record: 31 July 1786.
Source: The Carlisle Gazette and Western Repository of Knowledge, 02 August 1786.
Enslaved Person's Name: Henry Butler
Sex: Male
Age: Age not provided, but described in the ad as a "man."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Claims to be free; jailed as suspected escaped slave
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Butler was jailed on July 1, 1795. He had been in jail for over a month before Aston advertised that he was holding him.
A Runaway Negro Man,
WAS committed to the goal of Franklin County, the first of July last, he calls himself Henry Butler, he is about five feet eight inches high, he says he belongs to a family of free Negroes, that is called Butler's Negroes, near George-Town in Maryland. His master is desired to come and take him away in four weeks from the date, or he will be discharged on paying his fees.
OWEN ASTON.
Chambersburg, August 3, 1795.
The "Butler Negroes" of Maryland were hundreds of persons descended from the 1681 marriage of an enslaved Black man named Charles Butler and Eleanor "Irish Nell" Butler, a free white indentured woman. A 1664 colonial Maryland law mandated that Eleanor, by marrying an enslaved man, would herself become enslaved, as well as all of her children. The law was repealed by the Assembly at the urging of Lord Baltimore, but the repeal only took effect on the last day of the Assembly, so Nell and her husband remained enslaved and their enslavers remained owners of all their children and descendants. But since the children were born after the law was repealed, they questioned whether they should have been considered free. Between 1787 and 1791, hundreds of descendants filed more than ninety suits with the Maryland courts, and won every case. The fascinating story of these landmark rulings is summarized by William G. Thomas III in the article "Suing for Freedom," in Lapham's Quarterly Roundtable, https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/suing-freedom, accessed 07 August 2024.
Date of Record: 03 August 1795.
Source: The Chambersburg Gazette, 20 August 1795.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jack Butler
Sex: Male
Age: Age not provided, but described in the ad as a "man."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Escaped slave
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Butler was captured in Franklin County and placed in the county jail at Chambersburg on September 26, 1803.
A NEGROE MAN,
WHO calls himself Jack Butler, on the 26th ultimo was committed to the Goal of Franklin county, on a charge of absconding from Thomas Bell of George Town, Maryland, but who now says he was sold by Mr. Bell to a person who was about to carry him, with several others, to the state of Georgia.
He is about five feet seven or eight inches high, about 22 years of age, has a scar on his right eye brow, which appears to have occasioned by a burn, and is much addicted to laughing. The owner is requested to call at the Goal above mentioned, and pay his fees, and take him away -- otherwise he will be discharged.
OWEN ASTON.
August 13th, 1803.

Date of Record: 13 August 1803
Source: The Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 17 August 1803.

Slaveholder Name: Bard, Archibald
City or Township: Peter's Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Name not provided in advertisement
Sex: Female
Age: Age not provided, but if she was being held to the typical 28-year term and has ten years yet, she would be about 18 years old.
Date of Birth: circa 1785
Status: Enslaved for a term of years
Description: "Negro Wench"
Notes: Advertised for sale in November 1803: "For Sale, A NEGRO WENCH, who has 10 years to serve -- She understands all kind of house work. For terms apply to ARCHIBALD BARD. Peters township, Nov. 1st, 1803."
Date of Record: 01 November 1803.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly, 07 December 1803.

Slaveholder Name: Bard, Catherine
City or Township: Peter's Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Widow of Richard Bard, below.

Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
Sex: Male
Age: Age not provided, but described as a "boy."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Not determined
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: Bequeathed to son Thomas Bard. As part of the bequest, Thomas was to pay "Catharine McFarland and Martlia Wilson five pounds each for every year Sam should serve."
Date of Record: Will probated 18 October 1811.
Source: G. O. Seilhamer, The Bard Family, Chambersburg, PA, 1908, p. 199.
Enslaved Person's Name: Bet
Sex: Female
Age: Age not provided, but described as a "woman."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Not determined
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Bequeathed to daughter Olivia Erwin.
Date of Record: Will probated 18 October 1811.
Source: G. O. Seilhamer, The Bard Family, Chambersburg, PA, 1908, p. 199.

Slaveholder Name: Bard, Richard
City or Township: Peter's Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Four enslaved persons were part of his estate, as below.

Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: Age not provided, but an adult male.
Date of Birth:
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Valued at £50.
Date of Record:
Source: G. O. Seilhamer, The Bard Family, Chambersburg, PA, 1908, p. 199.
Enslaved Person's Name: Alexander
Sex: Male
Age: Age not provided, but an adult male.
Date of Birth:
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Valued at £45.
Date of Record:
Source: G. O. Seilhamer, The Bard Family, Chambersburg, PA, 1908, p. 199.
Enslaved Person's Name: Shaney
Sex: Not determined
Age: Age not provided, but an adult.
Date of Birth:
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Valued at £45.
Date of Record:
Source: G. O. Seilhamer, The Bard Family, Chambersburg, PA, 1908, p. 199.
Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
Sex: Male
Age: Age not provided, but an adult male.
Date of Birth:
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Valued at £50.
Date of Record:
Source: G. O. Seilhamer, The Bard Family, Chambersburg, PA, 1908, p. 199.

Slaveholder Name: Barr, Thomas
City or Township Lurgan Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Heas
Age: 50
Sex: Not determined from name
Date of Birth: 1730 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Dinah
Age: 30
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
Age: 6
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Hall
Age: 4
Sex: Not determined from name
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Fancy
Age: 2
Sex: Not determined from name
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Beard, John
City or Township Letterkenny Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Age: 24
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Sall
Age: 17
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Beard, Richard
City or Township Peters Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Shaney
Age: 26
Sex: Sex not determined from name on record
Date of Birth: 1754 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Luddy
Age: 26
Sex: Sex not determined from name on record
Date of Birth: 1754 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Bett
Age: 26
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1754 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Age: 8
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Dina
Age: 7
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Ben
Age: 5
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Julay
Age: 4
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jae
Age: 3
Sex: Sex not determined from name on record
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jane
Age: 1
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Forgey
Age: 1
Sex: Sex not determined from name on record
Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Beard, William
City or Township Letterkenny Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Violet
Age: 14
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Beaver, John
City or Township: Peter's Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Forgemaster, Valley Forge
Notes: Operated Valley Forge in partnership with William Pott. They frequently advertised as "Pott & Beaver"

Enslaved Person's Name: Aram Smith
Sex: Male
Age: "about 19 years old"
Date of Birth: 1788 (calculated)
Status: Runaway
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: Aram ran away from the forge in April, 1807. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
Five Dollars Reward.
Ran away from the subscriber, living in Peters township, Franklin County, a negro boy, about 19 years old, who calls himself Aram Smith -- had on and took away with him a new roram hat, brown cloth roundabout, striped nankeen overalls, & yellow handkerchief about his neck, has lost part of the little finger of the right hand; it is suspected that he keeps about Chambersburg or Shippensburg. Whoever takes up said negro boy and puts him in any Jail, shall have the above reward.
POTT & BEAVER.
April 27, 1807
Date of Record: 27 April 1807
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 12 May 1807.

Slaveholder Name: Boggs, John
City or Township Guilford Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Nill
Age: 25
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Cuff
Age: 5
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Prune
Age: 3
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Bohn, Mrs.
City or Township: Mercersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Female
Age: Age not given but described as a "woman."
Date of Birth: Not known, probably before 1780
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: This woman and her two young children were advertised for sale in October 1817. The text of the sale advertisement is below:
FOR SALE,
A Negro Woman and her two children, the one a boy about 3 years of age, the other a girl of about eighteen months. The woman is a slave well acquainted with house work. The children have been regularly recorded. Enquire of the Printer, or Mrs. Bohn, Mercersburg.
October 28, 1817.
Date of Record: 28 October 1817
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 04 November 1817.
Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Male
Age: "about 3 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1814
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: This boy, his sister and mother were advertised for sale in October 1817. The text of the sale advertisement is above.
Date of Record: 28 October 1817
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 04 November 1817.
Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Female
Age: "about eighteen months"
Date of Birth: circa April 1816
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: This girl, her brother and mother were advertised for sale in October 1817. The text of the sale advertisement is above.
Date of Record: 28 October 1817
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 04 November 1817.

Slaveholder Name: Brackenridge, Martha
City or Township Lurgan Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Ally
Age: 23
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1757 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Rachel
Age: 2
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Brown, George
City or Township Antrim Township (Franklin County as of 1784)
Occupation
Notes

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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"
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"

Slaveholder Name: Bronnson or Brownson, Richard
City or Township Rye Township / Peters Township (see notes)
Occupation
Notes The three enslaved persons listed below are transcribed directly from microfilmed photos of Cumberland County slave registration documents in the Pennsylvania Archives, for owner Richard Bronnson of Rye Township (modern day Perry County). The Franklin County Walk UnBowed Project lists these three same enslaved persons with Richard Brownson in Peters Township. More research is needed to determine proper location.

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"
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"
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"

Slaveholder Name: Bryan, Nathaniel
City or Township Fannett Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Tony
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Ally
Age: 15
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Simon
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1770
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Buchanan, James
City or Township: Mercersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer, merchant
Notes: 1761-1821, Father of 15th President of the United States, James Buchanan. His wife, Elizabeth (Speer) Buchanan is listed in the advertisement below.

Enslaved Person's Name: Unnamed
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given in ad. If enslaved for the typical 28 years, he would be about 22 years old.
Date of Birth: Not stated. Circa 1794 if he is 22 years old, as noted above.
Status: Enslaved for a term of years -- has six years to serve as of date of ad.
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Advertised for sale in March 1816. The text of the sale advertisement is below:
TO BE SOLD,
The time of a stout healthy
Negro Boy,
who has about six years to serve, and is sold chiefly for want of employment. For terms apply to the subscriber.
JAS. BUCHANAN.
Mercersburg, March 29.
Date of Record: 29 March 1816
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 19 April 1816.
Enslaved Person's Name: Unnamed
Sex: Female
Age: Young
Date of Birth: Not stated
Status: Enslaved for a term of years -- has five years to serve as of date of ad.
Description: "Small active coloured Girl"
Notes: Upon the death of slaveholder James Buchanan, the unnamed young girl in his estate was to be auctioned off at a public sale on March 5, 1822, along with the remainder of his possessions. The text of the public sale advertisement is below:
PUBLIC SALE.
Will be sold, at public sale, on a credit of nine months, at the late dwelling house of James Buchanan, deceased, in Mercersburg, on Tuesday the 5th of March next, if a fair day, if not, the next fair day, all the personal property of the deceased, viz.

A very large quantity of Wheat, Rye, Corn and Oats by the bushel; a quantity of Hay by the ton; a large variety of Household and Kitchen Furniture; the time of a small active coloured Girl who has almost five years to serve; Horse, Cows, &c. &c.
ELIZABETH BUCHANAN,
ELLIOTT T. LANE,
WILLIAM M'CLELLAND,
February 12.
Date of Record: 12 February 1822
Source: Franklin Repository, (Chambersburg, PA), 12 February, 1822.

Slaveholder Name: Buzzard, John
City or Township Hamilton Township
Occupation Miller
Notes Born Johann Daniel Bossert, in Alsace, France, 1741. Revolutionary War soldier. Died 1805.

Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Age: 8
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Byer, Frederick
City or Township: Antrim Township
County: Franklin (Cumberland at time of 1779 ad for Sam)
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
Sex: Male
Age: "about sixteen years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1763
Status: Slave for life, runaway
Description: "Mulatto lad"
Notes: Born on Long Island, New York. Sam escaped from Byer on July 19, 1779. The text of Byer's runaway advertisement is below:
SIXTY DOLLARS REWARD
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, living in Antrim township, Cumberland county, on the nineteenth of July last, a likely Mulatto lad named SAM, about sixteen years of age, near five feet high, well made, looks lively, is very talkative, and speaks good Dutch and English; He had on a light coloured lincey jacket, hempen shirt and trowsers, and a straw hat with a blue ribband for a band round it. Whoever secures said Mulatto so that the owner may get him again, shall have the above reward, and if brought home reasonable charges, paid by
FREDERICK BYER.
N.B. It is supposed he is gone to Long-Island, as he was born there.
Date of Record: 12 August 1779
Source: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 12 August 1779.

Slaveholder Name Calhoon, Dr. John
City or Township Chambersburg
Occupation
Notes Name spelled Collhoon in some records.

Enslaved Person's Name: Pheb
Age: about 15; or 25 (see notes)
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1755 or 1765 (see notes)
Description: Negro
Status: Slave for life
Notes: The Franklin County Walk Unbowed Project reports the age at Registration of this person as 25. The typewritten transcript in the Pennsylvania Archives reports her age as 15. Need to check original document to determine correct age.
Date of Record 1780
Source: 1780 Slave Registrations

Slaveholder Name: Campbell, James
City or Township Peters Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Phill
Age: 43
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1737 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Julius
Age: 24
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Moll
Age: 45
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1735 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Doll
Age: 23
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1757 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Fleck
Age: 6
Sex: Sex not determined from name in record
Date of Birth: circa 1774
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Agg
Age: 2
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Campbell, Patrick
City or Township Peters Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Dinah
Age: 25
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Age: 2
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Campbell, William
City or Township Peters Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Age: 55
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1725 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Campbell, William (2)
City or Township Peters Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: George
Age: 22
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1758 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name Chambers, Benjamin, Col.
City or Township Guilford Township (later Franklin County)
Occupation
Notes This is Colonel Benjamin Chambers of Chambersburg area. See also his son Captain Benjamin Chambers, below.

Enslaved Person's Name: Phebee
Age: 04a
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Slave Description
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: 1780 Slave Registrations
Enslaved Person's Name: Dina
Age: 30a
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Slave Description
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: 1780 Slave Registrations
Enslaved Person's Name: Nell
Age: 15a
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Slave Description
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: 1780 Slave Registrations
Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Age: 01a
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 1780 (calculated)
Slave Description
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: 1780 Slave Registrations
Enslaved Person's Name: Pegg
Age: 12a
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Slave Description
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: 1780 Slave Registrations
Enslaved Person's Name: Fanny
Age: 07a
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Slave Description
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Date of Record 1780
Source: 1780 Slave Registrations

Slaveholder Name: Chambers, Benjamin
City or Township: Chambersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: This appears to be Captain Benjamin Chambers, 1755-1813, son of Colonel Benjamin Chambers, above.

Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given in ad, but described as a "man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Enslavement status unknown, self-emanipated in March 1811
Description: "Mulatto man"
Notes: Sam escaped from Chambers on March 10, 1811. The text of Chamber's May 1811 runaway advertisement is below:
10 DOLLARS REWARD.
RANAWAY from the subscriber, in the night of the 10th of March last, a mulatto man servant, named PETER.
He had on when he went away, a homespun gray cloth short coat and pantaloons, and wool hat; and took with him a drab broad cloth surtout, with gilt buttons. His complexion is so light that it is probable he will pass for a white man. -- There is a scar on one of his cheeks, and a finger wanting on his right hand -- he is fond of liquor.
Whoever will secure the said runaway in any jail, shall have the above reward, and if brought home, reasonable charges.
BENJAMIN CHAMBERS.
Chambersburg, May 4, 1811.
Date of Record: 04 May 1811
Source: The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, PA), 29 May 1811.

Slaveholder Name: Chesnut, John
City or Township Hamilton Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Cuff
Age: 38
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1742 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Clapsaddle, Daniel
City or Township Washington Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Margey
Age: 10
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Clarke, James
City or Township Letterkenny Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Suck
Age: 20
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Pad
Age: 1
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Cook, Joseph
City or Township Antrim Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Nana
Age: 50
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1730 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
Age: 6
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enlaved Person's Name: Dine
Age: 42
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1738 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enlaved Person's Name: Sampson
Age: 12
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.
Enlaved Person's Name: Robon Rock (Reich)
Age: 19
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1761 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Name as reported in record below is highly unusual. Need to check for transcription errors.
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Coulter, Samuel
City or Township Fannett Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Phillis
Age: 14
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 28 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Cox, Samuel
City or Township: Lurgan / Southampton Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Cox reported his township as Lurgan, in the 1780 registration for Ebenezer. Southampton was organized as a separate township in 1783.

Enslaved Person's Name Ebenezer
Age: 25a
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: circa 1755
Description: Negro
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record October 30, 1780
Source: 70
Enslaved Person's Name: William Sims
Sex: Male
Age: 17a
Date of Birth: 1807 (calculated)
Status: Slave for a term of yeasrs; Runaway
Description: "Mulatto servant boy"
Notes: William escaped on September 2, 1824. The text of Cox's runaway advertisement is below:
$5 Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber living in Southampton township, Franklin county, on the night of the 2d inst. a mulatto servant boy, named
WILLIAM SIMS,
about 17 years of age, had on a new wool hat, a new roundabout and pantaloons striped blue and white, old calf-skin shoes.
The above boy is about five feet five or six inches high, somewhat freckled, wears his hair in a large curly top in front, has large fore teeth. The public are cautioned against harboring, feeding or concealing him at their peril. Any person securing said runaway in jail or otherwise, so that I can get him again, shall receive the above reward and reasonable charges.
SAMUEL COX.
September 7.
Date of Record: September 7, 1824
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 14 September 1824

Slaveholder Name: Crunkleton, John
City or Township Antrim Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Dinah
Age: 36
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1744 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Charles
Age: 18
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1762 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Age: 15
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jean
Age: 25
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jin
Age: 8
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Nancy
Age: 6
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
Age: 1
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Culbertson, Joseph
City or Township Letterkenny Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Guy
Age: 23
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1757 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Sall
Age: 17
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Culbertson, Samuel
City or Township Letterkenny Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Honey
Age: 25
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Cummin, Charles
City or Township: Letterkenny Township (1780); "near Strasburg" (1800 escape ad for Bill)
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Last name spelled Cummins in 1780 Registrations of Madlin and Bill

Enslaved Person's Name: Madlin
Age: 24
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Bill
Sex: Male
Age: "about twenty-six years of age" (from escape ad);
Date of Birth: circa 1773 or 1774
Status: Slave for life; Runaway
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Registered as a slave for life at age 7 in 1780. Bill escaped on August 29, 1800. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
EIGHT DOLLARS REWARD. RAN away from the subscriber, living in Franklin County, near Strasburg, on the 29th of August last, a Negro Man, named BILL, about five feet five or six inches high--about twenty-six years of age, --he is a short thick built fellow with a smiling countenance when he talks, and has lost one of his fore teeth--he inclines to play on the fiddle--took with him when he went away, a mixed coloured blue coat; and a blue coat faced with red--a wool hat--a corduroy jacket, and two shirts.-- It is probable he has got a counterfeit pass with him.-- Whoever takes up said runaway, and brings him to the subscriber, or puts him in the nearest Jail, so that he may get him, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
CHARLES CUMMIN. September 19th, 1800.
Date of Record: September 19, 1800
Sources: Klines Carlisle Weekly Gazette, October 08, 1800; "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Davis, David Sr.
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Hanna
Age: 40
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jean
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1761 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jem
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: George
Age: 7
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Nance
Age: 5
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Sall
Age: 3
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: John
Age: 1 year and 6 months
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Joe
Age: 1 year and 3 months
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1778 or 1779 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Davis, David Jr.
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Bill
Age: 22
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1758 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Dine
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1761 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Kate
Age: 17
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jean
Age: 15
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jeak
Age: 13
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1767 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Age: 11
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1769 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Rachel
Age: 9
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1771 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Peggy
Age: 1 year and 6 months
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Bill
Age: 1 year
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name Davis, Philip
City or Township Peters Township
Occupation Farmer
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Dolly
Age: 12a
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Description: Negro
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record October 30, 1780
Source: 70

Slaveholder Name: Davis, Robert
City or Township: Antrim Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Age: 35
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Mings
Age: 16
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Sally
Age: 14
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Davis, Samuel
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Davison, Elias
City or Township: Antrim Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Lived 1736 - 1806. Settled in Antrim Township about1760. Married Agnes McDowell, daughter of Major John McDowell, in 1771. Click here for notes on the Davison family and a photograph of the Davison Family graveyard.

Enslaved Person's Name: Allick
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Gim
Age: 17
Sex: Not determined, see notes
Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Sex not recorded in the record below. Name suggests it could be "Jim" and a male, or "Gin" and a female. This slaveholder bequeathed a "Negro boy" named Jim to his daughter in 1804. If it is the same person, Jim/Gim would have been 41 at the time the will was written. Hardly a "boy," yet this term was commonly used for enslaved adult men. The other person willed, Rose (see below), was described as a "Negro girl" yet she was about 44 years old at that time, so this is possible.
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person Names: Jim
Sex: Male
Age: Not stated, but described as "boy."
Date of Birth: Not stated
Status: Not stated
Description: "negro boy"
Notes: In his will, dated June 18, 1804, Davison leaves "negro boy Jim" to his daughter Mary Davison.
Date of Record: Will dated 18 June 1804, proved 23 April 1806
Source: "Abstracts and Letters of Administration: Franklin Co, PA," Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Carolyn K. Shearer. http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/franklin/wills/willabst01.txt accessed February 24, 2005.
Enslaved Person's Name: Nick
Age: 7
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Rody
Age:22
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1758 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person Names: Rose
Sex: Female
Age: 20 (1780 Registration)
Date of Birth: circa 1760
Status: Slave for life
Description: "negro girl"
Notes: In his will, dated June 18, 1804, Davison leaves "negro girl Rose" to his daughter Mary Davison.
Date of Record: Will dated 18 June 1804, proved 23 April 1806
Source: "Abstracts and Letters of Administration: Franklin Co, PA," Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Carolyn K. Shearer. http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/franklin/wills/willabst01.txt accessed February 24, 2005; "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jude
Age:9
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1771 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Dickey, James
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Cast Steel (Casteel)
Sex: Male
Age: "twenty one years old"
Date of Birth: Circa 1773
Status: Escaped
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Escaped from Dickey on September 22, 1794. Dickey placed the following ad for his recovery:
Six Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber in Franklin county, Peters township, on Monday the 22d day of this instant,
A Negro Man,
named Cast Steel, twenty one years old, about five feet nine or ten inches high, is stout made and likely, has the mark of a cut across his nose, had on when he want away a blue waistcoat, two shirts and old trowsers, no hat nor shoes.
Whoever takes up said negro and secures him in goal so that I can have him, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges if brought home, paid by me James Dickey.
September 29th 1794.
Date of Record: 29 September 1794
Source: Kline's Carlisle Weekly Gazette, 22 October 1794.
Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given in ad, but described as a "boy."
Date of Birth: Circa 1773
Status: Slave for a term of years; two-and-a-half years remaining to serve
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Offered for sale in May 1803. Jailed in Chambersburg, either for a crime, or at Dickey's request, while being offered for sale. Dickey placed the following ad to sell him:
FOR SALE,
THE time of an indented Negro Boy, who has too years and a half to serve, now in jail at Chambersburg. Any person wanting to purchase him, may know the terms by applying to the subscriber.
JAMES DICKEY.
New-Mills, Peters township, Franklin county, May 16.
Date of Record: 16 May 1803
Source: The Franklin Repository (Chambersburg), 18 May 1803.

Slaveholder Name: Dixon, Robert
City or Township Hamilton Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Moll
Age: 30
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Dixon, William
City or Township Hamilton Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Mungo
Age: 22
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1758 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Dixon, William (2)
City or Township Hamilton Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Sampson
Age: 8
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Downey, James
City or Township Washington Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Grace
Age: 9
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1771 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 30 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Downey, William
City or Township Antrim Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Grace
Age: 18
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1762 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Doyle, Edward W.
City or Township: Concord, Fannett Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Innkeeper, County Commissioner
Notes: 1781-1840

Enslaved Person's Name: Ann Smallwood
Sex: Female
Age: 4
Date of Birth: Born about 1805 in Frederick County, Maryland
Status: Illegally enslaved after 1809. See notes.
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Gifted to Doyle and his wife Nancy in 1809 by his father-in-law, Henry Spalding, of Frederick County, Maryland. In 1821, Doyle illegally sold Ann to James Shoaf of Williamsport, Maryland, for $200. Shoaf, upon discovering that Ann was born enslaved in Maryland, then brought to Pennsylvania in 1809 at age 4 and thus became free, took out newspaper advertisements in a public campaign to shame Doyle.
Proof of the transfer of Ann Smallwood from Henry Spalding of Frederick County, Maryland, to Nancy and Edward Doyle of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, was supplied by Edward Doyle himself, who published a letter from his brother-in-law Francis Spalding, son of Henry Spalding, saying "I do certify, that Ann Smallwood was a Slave for life to my father, Henry Spalding. In 1809 he gave her to his daughter and Edw'd W. Doyle, said Ann was about four years old." For more details, see this page.
Date of Record: October 9, 1821
Source: Franklin Republican, 09 October 1821, page 3.

Slaveholder Name: Dunwoody, David
City or Township: Montgomery Township
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Age: Age not given but described as a "boy."
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: If his term of enslavement was the typical 28 years, and he had 11 years to serve, he would have been 17 when offered for sale, and born circa 1790.
Description: "Negro Boy"
Status: Slave to (age 28?) with 11 years to serve
Notes: Offered for sale in January 1807. Text of sale ad: "For Sale, A NEGRO BOY, Who is active, strong and healthy, well acquainted with farming, and has eleven years to serve. Enquire of DAVID DUNWODY. Montgomery township, Franklin county Jan. 12, 1807."
Date of Record 12 January 1807
Source: The Franklin Repository (Chambersburg), 13 January 1807.

Slaveholder Name: Dunwoody, Thomas
City or Township Peters Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Cuff
Age: 30
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jude
Age: 30
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Will
Age: 13
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1767 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Age: 4
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Mary
Age: 2
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Elder, David
City or Township Fannett Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Rose
Age: 16
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Elder, David (2)
City or Township Fannett Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Age: 31
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1749 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Elder, John
City or Township Fannett Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Shuse
Age: 15
Sex: Unable to determine based on name on record
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name Finlay, James
City or Township Letterkenny
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Sampson
Age: 30a
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Description: Negro
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"
Enslaved Person's Name: Beck
Age: 05a
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Description: Mulatto
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"
Enslaved Person's Name: Doll (see Notes)
Age: 15a
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Description: Mulatto
Status: Slave for life
Notes: A different transcriber has recorded the name of this persons as "Bell"
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"
Enslaved Person's Name: Cuff
Age: 16a
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
Description: Negro
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"
Enslaved Person's Name: Will
Age: 24a
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Description: Negro
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"

Slaveholder Name Finlay, Samuel
City or Township Peters Township
Occupation
Notes Father of Pennsylvania Governor William Findlay.

Enslaved Person's Name: Kate
Age: 18
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1762 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Luce
Age: 13
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1767 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Finley, John (also spelled "Findlay")
City or Township: Letterkenny
County: Franklin (then Cumberland)
Occupation:Farmer
Notes: Husband of Mary Finley. In the 1768 tax assessments, John Findlay of Letterkenny is assessed for 2 horses, 4 cows, 12 sheep, and 1 negro. (Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Tax Records, 1768 Assessments)

Enslaved Person Names: Rachel
Sex: Female
Age: Not determined
Date of Birth: Not determined, but before 1783.
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro wench"
Notes: In his will, dated , Finley leaves "the Negro wench called Rachel" to his wife Mary.
Date of Record: Will dated 9 August 1783, proved 21 October 1783
Source: Will of John Finley, Letterkenny, Cumberland County Will Book D, 38.

Slaveholder Name: Fullerton, David
City or Township: Greencastle
Occupation: Merchant, farmer, banker, politician
Notes: Major, War of 1812. Elected Representative to US Congress, 1819-1820. Served in PA Senate 1827-1839.
Source: "Fullerton, David, 1772-1843," Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/F000416, accessed 15 August 2024.
In 1792, David Fullerton was bequeathed the man Cesar by his father, Humphrey Fullerton.

Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Age: Age not given in ad, but if this person was being held to the typical 28-year-term of enslavement, she would be 25 years old.
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: Possibly 1789, if this person was a slave for 28 years
Description: "Negro Woman"
Status: Slave for a term of years, 3 years remaining
Notes: Offered for private sale in conjunction with a public sale of the enslaver's farm livestock and equipment.
PUBLIC SALE.
THE subscriber will offer at public sale, on Wednesday the 6th day of April next, the following property, viz. -- Horses, Cows, Sheep and Hogs; two new Wagons, one of which is broad wheels; Ploughs, Harrows, Horse Gears, and a variety of Farming Utensils. Sale to begin at 10 o'clock on said day -- due attendance and reasonable credit will be given, by
DAVID FULLERTON.
March 22, 1814.
P.S. The subscriber will sell at private sale, a NEGRO WOMAN, who has about 3 years to serve.
Date of Record 22 March 1814
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 26 March 1814.

Slaveholder Name Fullerton, Humphrey
City or Township Antrim Township
Occupation
Notes Revolutionary War veteran; father of David Fullerton, above.

Enslaved Person's Name: Rachel
Age: 20
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes: In the 1792 estate inventory of Humphrey Fullerton, "Negro Rachel" was valued at £40. In Humphrey Fullerton's will, he bequeathed Rachel to his wife Martha.
Date of Record 1780 (Registration); 19 February 1792 (Estate inventory)
Sources: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024; "Humphrey Fullerton - Inventory and Appraisement, Page 1," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 15 August 2024; "Will of Humphrey Fullerton, yeoman, late of Antrim Township, Franklin County, PA," Written 15 December 1791. Probated 31 January 1792, https://www.pa-roots.org/data/read.php?387,543506, accessed 15 August 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jin
Age: 12 years and 10 months
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes: This person does not appear in the 1792 estate inventory of Humphrey Fullerton.
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Rhoda
Age: 4
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes: This person does not appear in the 1792 estate inventory of Humphrey Fullerton.
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Cesar or Ceasor
Age: Age not given in document. Inventory valuation indicates an adult.
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negro"
Status: Not determined
Notes: In the 1792 estate inventory of Humphrey Fullerton, "Negro Cesar" was valued at £70. In Humphrey Fullerton's will, he bequeathed "Negro Ceasor" to his son David Fullerton.
Date of Record 19 February 1792
Sources: "Humphrey Fullerton - Inventory and Appraisement, Page 1," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 15 August 2024; "Will of Humphrey Fullerton, yeoman, late of Antrim Township, Franklin County, PA," Written 15 December 1791. Probated 31 January 1792, https://www.pa-roots.org/data/read.php?387,543506, accessed 15 August 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Age: Age not given in document. Inventory valuation indicates an adult.
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negro"
Status: Not determined
Notes: In the 1792 estate inventory of Humphrey Fullerton, "Negro Jack" was valued at £70. In Humphrey Fullerton's will, he bequeathed "Negro Jack" to his son Humphrey.
Date of Record 19 February 1792
Sources: "Humphrey Fullerton - Inventory and Appraisement, Page 1," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 15 August 2024; "Will of Humphrey Fullerton, yeoman, late of Antrim Township, Franklin County, PA," Written 15 December 1791. Probated 31 January 1792, https://www.pa-roots.org/data/read.php?387,543506, accessed 15 August 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Kate
Age: Age not given in document. Inventory valuation indicates a young girl in 1792.
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negro wench"
Status: Not determined
Notes: In the 1792 estate inventory of Humphrey Fullerton, "Negro Kate" was valued at £30. Adult working men Cesar and Jack were appraised at £70 each, while 32-year-old Rachel was appraised at £40. Kate, appraised at £30 was considered less valuable than the adult woman Rachel, indicating she was probably a girl too young to perform adult work. In Humphrey Fullerton's will, he bequeathed "negro wench named Kate" to his daughter Elizabeth.
Date of Record 19 February 1792
Sources: "Humphrey Fullerton - Inventory and Appraisement, Page 1," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 15 August 2024; "Will of Humphrey Fullerton, yeoman, late of Antrim Township, Franklin County, PA," Written 15 December 1791. Probated 31 January 1792, https://www.pa-roots.org/data/read.php?387,543506, accessed 15 August 2024.

Slaveholder Name Gass, William
City or Township Guilford Township
Occupation Fuller
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Phill
Age: 25
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 27 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Phillis
Age: 24
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 27 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Phillip
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 27 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Nail
Age: 10
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 27 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
Age: 4
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 27 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 31 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name Gordon, Henry
City or Township Antrim Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Age: 35
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;

Slaveholder Name: Hayes, William
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:Farmer
Notes: Name also spelled "Hays." Hayes is identified as the enslaver of Castile Wright, captured and imprisoned in Harrisburg as an escaped slave. Wright himself made the claim to jailer John McChesney.

Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Age: 24
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;
Enslaved Person Names: Names not given in ad
Sex: Female
Age: Not given in ad, but described as "girls."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slaves to age 28
Description: "Negro Girls"
Notes: Advertised for public sale as part of the estate of William Hayes. Text of advertisement:
PUBLIC SALE.
WILL be exposed to public sale, on Wednesday the 10th of October next, at the late dwelling house of William Hayes, deceased, in Peters township, Franklin county, the following articles, viz Horses, Cows, Sheep, Hogs, one Waggon and Geers; Wheat, Rye and Oats by the bushel, and Corn in the field; Farming Utensils, a quantity of Household and Kitchen Furniture, with a variety of articles too tedious to mention. Also, the time of two Negro Girls. The sale to begin at 10 o'clock, where due attendance and reasonable credit will be given by
JAMES BUCHANAN, SAMUEL HAYES, Executors.
September 24th, 1804.
Date of Record: 24 September 1804
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 25 September 1804.

Slaveholder Name Herron, James
City or Township Lurgan Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Cuff
Age: 07a
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Description: "Boy"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"
Enslaved Person's Name: Richard
Age: 18a
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1762 (calculated)
Description: Man
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"
Enslaved Person's Name: Jerry
Age: 15a
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Description: Man
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"
Enslaved Person's Name: Sall
Age: 12a
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Description: Girl
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"
Enslaved Person's Name: Precila
Age: 15
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;

Slaveholder Name Herron, John
City or Township Lurgan Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Jerry
Age: 25
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;
Enslaved Person's Name: Sall
Age: 12
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;

Slaveholder Name Holiday, Adam
City or Township Peter's Township
Occupation
Notes Name also spelled "Holliday." Adam Holliday relocated with his family and enslaved persons to Frankstown Township, Huntingdon County (modern day Blair County), circa 1793.

Enslaved Person's Name: Bill
Age: 40
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Description: Negro
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record October 12, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
Enslaved Person's Name: Paris
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Description: Mulatto
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record October 12, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Age: 12
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Description: Negro
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record October 12, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
Enslaved Person's Name: Nell
Age: 43
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1737 (calculated)
Description: Negro
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record October 12, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves

Slaveholder Name Holliday, John
City or Township Fannett Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Sambo
Age: 32
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1748 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;
Enslaved Person's Name: Dine
Age: 34
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1746 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;
Enslaved Person's Name: Sue
Age: 7
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;
Enslaved Person's Name: Sall
Age: 4
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;
Enslaved Person's Name: Venus
Age: 2
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;

Slaveholder Name: Humphries, David
City or Township: "near Mercersburg"
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Age: "about 19 years of age"
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: circa 1795
Description: "Negro Man"
Status: Slave to age 28
Notes: Offered for sale in April 1814: "FOR SALE, THE time of a stout healthy NEGRO MAN, who is about 19 years of age, and has to serve until his is 28. Enquire of the subscriber near Mercersburg. DAVID HUMPHRIES. April 26, 1814."
Date of Record 26 April 1814
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 26 April 1814.

Slaveholder Name Huston, David
City or Township Peter's Township
Occupation
Notes Registered in 1780 with William Huston and Henry Work.

Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Description: Negro
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record September 11, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves

Slaveholder Name Huston, William
City or Township Peter's Township
Occupation Farmer
Notes Registered in 1780 with David Huston and Henry Work.

Enslaved Person's Name: Phillis
Age: 29
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1751 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record September 11, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Age: 01a
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1779-July (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Registration lists "aged about 14 months."
Date of Record September 11, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
Enslaved Person's Name: Jacob
Age: 04a
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record September 11, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
Enslaved Person's Name: Rachell
Age: 07a
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record September 11, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
Enslaved Person's Name: Dinah
Age: 10a
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record September 11, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record September 11, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves
Enslaved Person's Name: Toncy (Tony?)
Age: 12a
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Description: "Mulatto"
Status: Slave for life
Notes: A slave "during life."
Date of Record September 11, 1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves

Slaveholder Name Irwin, Archibald
City or Township Peter's Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Thomas
Age: 35a
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"
Enslaved Person's Name: Eneas
Age: 27a
Sex: Undetermined
Date of Birth: 1753 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"
Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Age: 12a
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "Slave Returns Listings"

Slaveholder Name Irwin, James
City or Township Peters Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Harry
Age: 25
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;
Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1761 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;

Slaveholder Name Irwin, John
City or Township Antrim Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Phebe
Age: "near seventeen years of age"
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: circa 1791
Description:
Status: Slave for a term of years
Notes: Phebe did not return after four months from a stated trip to visit her mother in September 1807. Irwin placed the following notice in a local newspaper:
FIVE CENTS REWARD.
LEFT the employ of the subscriber, living in Antrim township, Franklin county, on the 26th of September last, a Negro Girl, named Phebe, near seventeen years of age, with an expressed intention of going to see her mother, but has been seduced so as not to return to me.
She had about 14 months to stay with the subscriber, from the time she went away:
This is to forewarn all manner of persons from harboring said Phebe, or countenancing her in any way, as I am determined to prosecute any such person as far as the law will protect me.
JOHN IRWIN.
Jan. 25th, 1808.

Date of Record 25 September 1808
Source: The Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 26 January 1808.

Slaveholder Name Irwin, Joseph
City or Township Peters Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Abram
Age: 27
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1753 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;

Slaveholder Name Irwin, William
City or Township Lurgan Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Age: 22
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1758 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;

Slaveholder Name Irwin, William Jr.
City or Township Lurgan Township
Occupation
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Nell
Age: 22
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1758 (calculated)
Description:
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024;

Slaveholder Name Jack, Andrew
City or Township Antrim Township
Occupation Farmer
Notes

Enslaved Person's Name: Mins
Age: 27
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1753 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 24 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Age: 3
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record 24 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 31 July 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 31 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Jamison, William
City or Township: Chambersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person Names: Name not given in ad
Sex: Female
Age: "22 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1795
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Mulatto Woman"
Notes: Advertised for sale in November 1817 with or without her two-year-old son:
For Sale,
The time of a Mulatto Woman,
WHO is 22 years of age and has SIX YEARS to serve. She has a male child 2 years old, bound to serve until 21, who may go with her if desired. Enquire of the subscriber.
WM. JAMISON.
Chambersburg, Nov. 25, 1817.
Date of Record: 25 November 1817
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 02 December 1817.
Enslaved Person Names: Name not given in ad
Sex: Male
Age: "2 years old"
Date of Birth: circa 1815
Status: Slave to age 21
Description: "Male child"
Notes: Advertised for sale in November 1817 with or without his enslaved mother. See above for text of sale ad. This advertisement clearly illustrates one of the many abuses of the 1780 Gradual Abolition law. The mother, born after 1780, was to be enslaved to age 28 instead of for life. But the law did not intend for children of such term slaves to be in turn enslaved, as this ad states. The enslaver, William Jamison, probably obtained a court order to allow 21 years of enslavement for this child as a way to compensate him for the expense of having a child to care for.
Date of Record: 25 November 1817
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 02 December 1817.

Slaveholder Name: Johnston, David
City or Township: Strasburg
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person Names: Pomp Right
Sex: Male
Age: "about 35 years of age"
Date of Birth: Circa 1771
Status: Slave for life; runaway attempting to raise money to purchase his freedom
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Ranaway in March 1806. Married. Text of runaway ad placed by Johnston:
10 Dollars Reward.
RAN away from the subscriber, living in Strasburg, sometime in March last, a Negro Man named POMP RIGHT, about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, about 35 years of age, stout and well made, and has a scar over one of his eyes -- He has in his possession, an instrument of writing, which was given to his Wife by her own desire, addressed to the humane for the purpose of raising money to purchase his freedom, which I understand he has been exhibiting in several parts of this county. Whoever takes up said slave, and secures him in any jail so that I get him again, shall receive the above reward and all reasonable charges.
DAVID JOHNSTON.
June 9, 1806.
Date of Record: 09 June 1806
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 29 July 1806.

Slaveholder Name: Johnston, Robert
City or Township: Antrim
County: Franklin
Occupation: Tanner, Major General
Notes: Born 1750, died 1808. Married to Eleanor Pawling.

Enslaved Person Names: not stated
Sex:
Age:
Date of Birth:
Status:
Description: "negroes"
Notes: In his will, dated November 12, 1808, Johnston leaves "all my negroes" to his wife Eleanor.
Date of Record: Will dated 12 November 1808, proved 29 November 1808
Source: "Abstracts and Letters of Administration: Franklin Co, PA," Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Carolyn K. Shearer. http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/franklin/wills/willabst01.txt, accessed February 24, 2005

Slaveholder Name Johnston, Thomas
City or Township Antrim
Occupation
Notes Listed as Thomas Johnson in JATR database (see enslaved person's notes)

Enslaved Person's Name: Dick
Age: 18a (see notes)
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 1762 (calculated)
Slave Description
Status: Slave for life
Notes: The JATR database lists Dick's age as 28.
Date of Record 25 August 1780
Source: Slave Returns Listings; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Will
Age: 11a
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 1769 (calculated)
Slave Description
Status: Slave for life
Notes: The JATR database lists Will's age as 19.
Date of Record 25 August 1780
Source: Slave Returns Listings; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 31 July 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Charles
Age: 02a
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Slave Description
Status: Slave for life
Notes: The JATR database lists Charle's date of birth as February 1779 (18 months old at Registration)
Date of Record 25 August 1780
Source: Slave Returns Listings; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 31 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Johnston, Thomas
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person Names: Hannah Wilson
Sex: Female
Age: "about 17 years of age"
Date of Birth: Circa 1803
Status: Slave for a term of years; Runaway
Description: "Negro servant Girl"
Notes: Ranaway in March 1822. Text of runaway ad placed by Johnston:
6 1/4 Cents Reward.
Ran away from the subscriber, on the 3d inst. a Negro servant Girl named HANNAH WILSON. She had on & took with her, a white straw bonnet, a yellow flannel frock, muslin shift and coarse leather shoes. She is about 17 years of age. Whoever secures said runaway in any jail, so that I may get her again, shall have the above reward but no charges.
THOMAS JOHNSTON.
Peters township, March 8, 1822.
Date of Record: 08 March 1822
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 19 March 1822.

Slaveholder Name: Kennedy, David
City or Township: Peters Township / Montgomery Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:

Enslaved Person Names: Nase
Sex: Male
Age: 24
Date of Birth: circa 1756
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto"
Notes:
Date of Record: 27 October 1780
Source: Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.
Enslaved Person Names: No names given
Sex: Not mentioned in ad
Age: Ages not given in ad
Date of Birth: Not determined
Status: Slaves for a term of years
Description: "Negro servants"
Notes: Advertised for public auction on August 18, 1814, along with other farm property. Text of auction announcement:
Public Sale.
WILL be sold at public sale, on Thursday the 18th day of August next at the dwelling house of the subscriber, in Montgomery township, the following property, viz:
HORSES, Cows, Sheep and Hogs, Waggons, one Cart, Ploughs & Harrows; Wheat, Rye, Corn and Oats; Hay by the Ton; Grass on the ground, Wool and Feathers by the pound; Negro Servants. [additional sale details follow]
DAVID KENNEDY.
July 29, 1814.
Date of Record: 29 July 1814
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg), 03 August 1814.
Enslaved Person Names: Betsy
Sex: Female
Age: Ages not given in document, but described as a "girl"
Date of Birth: Not determined
Status: Slaves for a term of years
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: Bequeathed by David Kennedy to his wife, "the time of A Negro girl, for ever named Betsy." David Kennedy's estate inventory, taken January 1819, listed on page 2 "Black Girl, $130." This was most likely Betsy.
Date of Record: 11 January 1818; 12 January 1819
Source: "Last Will and Testament of David Kennedy," 11 January 1818; "An Inventory of the Goods and Chattels of the Estate of David Kennedy, decd, Late of Montgomery Township, Franklin County, Appraised the 12th day of January 1819," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 26 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Kennedy, John
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:

Enslaved Person Names: Nan
Sex: Female
Age: 4
Date of Birth: circa 1776
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October 1780
Source: Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.
Enslaved Person Names: Bett
Sex: Female
Age: 2
Date of Birth: circa 1778
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: 28 October 1780
Source: Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Kennedy, Mary
City or Township: Montgomery Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Widow of David Kennedy (see above)

Enslaved Person Names: Betsy
Sex: Female
Age: Ages not given in document, but described as a "girl"
Date of Birth: Not determined
Status: Slaves for a term of years
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: Bequeathed by David Kennedy to his wife Mary, "the time of A Negro girl, for ever named Betsy." David Kennedy's estate inventory, taken January 1819, listed on page 2 "Black Girl, $130." This was most likely Betsy.
Date of Record: 11 January 1818; 12 January 1819
Source: "Last Will and Testament of David Kennedy," 11 January 1818; "An Inventory of the Goods and Chattels of the Estate of David Kennedy, decd, Late of Montgomery Township, Franklin County, Appraised the 12th day of January 1819," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 26 July 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Kerr, John
City or Township: Guilford Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: JATR database lists this enslaver's surname as Karr.

Enslaved Person Names: Mess / Muss
Sex: Male
Age: 25 (reported at time of Registration; see notes)
Date of Birth: 1755 (see notes)
Status: Slave for life; self-emancipated in July 1795.
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Mess escaped from Kerr fifteen years later, in July 1795. Kerr placed an escape notice in the Harrisburg newspapers. If the age of 25 reported by Kerr in his 1780 registration of Mess was accurate, the man would have been forty years old at the time of his escape, and not thirty, as in the escape notice below. However, as Kerr notes he obtained Mess from "Mr. Richard Rialy" (Riley?) of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, he may not have been aware of Mess's true age at the time he registered him.
Another possibility is that Mess and Muss were two different people, Mess being the man registered in 1780 and Muss being a different man obtained after the 1780 Registrations, but this is not likely due to the legal prohibition of importing enslaved people into the state after 1780.
Four Dollars Reward.
RAN away from the subscriber, living in Chambersburgh, Franklin county, on the 26th of July last, a negro man, named Muss, about 30 years old, middle size, and a little yellow; had on a blue broad cloth coat, brown silk jacket, striped nankeen overalls, a fine shirt, ruffled, and a good hat; has a large scar on his head; he wants the second toe on one of his feet. He was bred with Mr. Richard Rialy, eastern shore, Maryland. Whoever secures said negro, so that his master may have him, shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges paid by me, if brought home.
JOHN KERR.
Chambersburgh, August 20th, 1795.
Date of Record: 26 October 1780 (Registration); 20 August 1795 (published escape notice)
Sources: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024; Oracle of Dauphin and Harrisburgh Advertiser (Harrisburg, PA), 21 September 1795.
Enslaved Person Names: Mary
Sex: Female
Age: 40
Date of Birth: 1740
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: 26 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.
Enslaved Person Names: Ruth
Sex: Female
Age: 6
Date of Birth: 1774
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: 26 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.
Enslaved Person Names: Isaac
Sex: Male
Age: 4
Date of Birth: 1776
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: 26 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.
Enslaved Person Names: Andrew
Sex: Male
Age: 4
Date of Birth: 1776
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: 26 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.

Slaveholder Name: King, John, Rev.
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Pastor
Notes:

Enslaved Person Names: Sue
Sex: Female
Age: 25
Date of Birth: 1755
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: 10 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.
Enslaved Person Names: Luce
Sex: Female
Age: 2
Date of Birth: 1778
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: 10 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Kirby, William
City or Township: Guilford Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: JATR lists this enslaver's surname as "Kerby."

Enslaved Person Names: Prina, or Parris (see notes on differing transcriptions)
Sex: Female
Age: 25
Date of Birth: 1755
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Franklin County's Walk Unabowed Project transcribes this person's name as "Prina." JATR transcribes this person's name as "Parris." both agree on the sex as female.
Date of Record: 26 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Linn, William
City or Township: Lurgan Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:

Enslaved Person Names: Temperance
Sex: Female
Age: 30
Date of Birth: 1750
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto"
Notes:
Date of Record: 03 November 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Long, Andrew
City or Township:
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person Names: Jack Durham
Sex: Male
Age:
Date of Birth:
Status: Slave for life; executed
Description: "Negro slave"
Notes: Executed on July 8, 1788, per an 1878 county history:
A negro slave, named Jack Durham, the property of Andrew Long, of this county, was convicted of the crime of rape, at a court of Oyer and Terminer, held on the 3d day of June, 1788, before Hon. Thomas M'Kean, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Wm. Augustus Atlee and George Bryan, his Associates, and on the 21st of June of that year the Supreme Executive Council ordered that his execution be "made and done" on Tuesday, the 8th day of July following. John Johnston, the second Sheriff of our county executed Durham, and was paid by the county a fee of £7, 10 shillings therefor.
The jury valued Durham at thirty pounds, Pennsylvania currency, or $80.00, which was paid his owner by the Commonwealth.
Date of Record: 1788 (reported execution)
Source: I. H. McCauley, Historical Sketch of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, 1878, Chambersburg, PA, p. 59.

Slaveholder Name: Long, James, Rev.
City or Township: Antrim Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Pastor
Notes:

Enslaved Person Names: Nell
Sex: Female
Age: 12
Date of Birth: 1768
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: 30 October 1780
Source: "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.

Slaveholder Name Long, William
City or Township Guilford Township
Occupation: Farmer
Notes Registered in 1780 with John Vance.

Enslaved Person's Name: Sib
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 1743 (calculated)
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record October 12, 1780
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves; "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jin
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
Description: "Negro Woman"
Status: Slave for life
Notes: JATR transcribes this person's name as "Lin"
Date of Record October 12, 1780
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves; "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Lid
Age: 6
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1774
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record October 12, 1780
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves; "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.
Enslaved Person's Name: Vilot (Violet)
Age: 4
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: 1776
Description: "Negro"
Status: Slave for life
Notes:
Date of Record October 12, 1780
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves; "1780 Slaves and Slave Owners Register," Franklin County Archives, Walk Unabowed Project, https://franklincountypa.gov/index.php?section=archives_WU, accessed 01 August 2024; Young, Cory James. "A Just and True Return: Pennsylvania’s Surviving County Slave Registries, 1780-1826." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 3, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.25971/QS08-YE30. Accessed 01 August 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Magaw, William, Dr.
City or Township: Mercersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation: Physician
Notes: Served in the Revolutionary War as a regimental surgeon on the Pennsylvania Line. After the war he settled in Mercersburg where he practiced medicine for several decades.
Source: Old Mercersburg, The Woman's Club of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, The Journal of American History, New York, 1912, p. 66.

Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Male
Age: 23, if term of enslavement is the standard 28 years
Date of Birth: circa 1782
Status: Slave for a term of years, five years remaining to serve
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Advertised for sale in December 1805
For Sale,
AN excellent seat for a TANYARD, in the Town of Mercersburg, with five or six acres of Land adjoining it, if the purchaser chuses. Also, a NEGRO MAN, who has about five years to serve, he understands farming and cut work.
WILLIAM MAGAW.
Mercersburg, Dec. 16, 1805.
Date of Record: December 16, 1805.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 17 December 1805.

Slaveholder Name: McClanahan, John
City or Township: Greencastle
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
Sex: Male
Age: 20
Date of Birth: 1799 (calculated)
Status: Runaway
Description: "Black man"
Notes: Sam ran away late in 1819 with his wife and her young son. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
Fifteen Dollars Reward.
I will give fifteen dollars for apprehending and putting to jail a black man named SAM, twenty years old, remarkably thick upper lip, rather a down look, 5 feet 10 inches high; is well dressed: blue super broad cloth coat, fur hat. His shoes have small straps and buckles. Also a variety of clothes to work in; is a good and harmless servant but decoyed by a mulatto woman, to whom he is lately married. She has stolen sundry articles of value, say two pieces linen cambric, a yellow damask shawl half worn, handkerchief, &c and absconded for fear of punishment; has a male child two or three years old.
John M'Lanahan, of James
Greencastle, Franklin co.
December 17, 1819
Date of Record: December 17, 1819. This ad ran through January 1820.
Source: Harrisburg Republican, December 17, 1819

Slaveholder Name: McConkey, John
City or Township: Chambersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Not named
Sex: Male
Age: Not stated; described as "man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Offered for sale along with a woman in March 1789. Text of sale ad: "For sale, a NEGRO Man & Woman, Any person wanting to purchase may apply to the printers in Carlisle, or to John M'Conkey in Chambersburgh. March 3, 1789."
Date of Record: 03 March 1789
Source: The Carlisle Gazette and Western Repository of Knowledge, 04 March 1789.
Enslaved Person's Name: Not named
Sex: Female
Age: Not stated; described as "woman"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: Offered for sale along with a man in March 1789. Text of sale ad: "For sale, a NEGRO Man & Woman, Any person wanting to purchase may apply to the printers in Carlisle, or to John M'Conkey in Chambersburgh. March 3, 1789."
Date of Record: 03 March 1789
Source: The Carlisle Gazette and Western Repository of Knowledge, 04 March 1789.

Slaveholder Name: McCoy, Alexander
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Not named
Sex: Male
Age: Not stated; described as "boy"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for a term of years; more than four years remaining to serve
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Offered for sale in January 1816.
A Negro Boy for Sale.
THE subscriber offers for Sale the time of a healthy, smart Negro Boy, who has better than four years to serve.
ALEXANDER M'COY.
Peters township,
January 8, 1816
Date of Record: 8 January 1816
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 16, 23 January 1816.

Slaveholder Name: McFarland, Stephen
City or Township: Mercersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Not named
Sex: Female
Age: Not stated; described as a "woman." With 9 years remaining on a typical 28-year term of enslavement, she would be 19 years old.
Date of Birth: circa 1784
Status: Slave for a term of years, with "about 9 years to serve"
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: Offered for sale in February 1803. Text of sale ad below:
FOR SALE,
A healthy Negro Woman,
who has about 9 years to serve. Any person wishing to purchase may see the wench, and know the terms, by applying to the subscriber, living in Mercersburg.
STEPHEN M'FARLAND.
Feb. 15th, 1803.
The ad above was published in early March. Two weeks earlier, McFarland's ad noted that the woman was "now in the jail of Franklin county, where she may be seen." She was apparently jailed for an offense, possibly for running away, and initially jailed. By early March, McFarland had brought the woman back to his residence in Mercersburg.
Date of Record: 15 February 1803
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 16 February, 02 March 1803.

Slaveholder Name: Patterson, Nicholas
City or Township: Letterkenny Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: "upwards of 30 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1787 (calculated)
Status: Runaway
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Jack ran away from Patterson in September, 1817. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
5 Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber living in Letterkenny township, Franklin county, on sunday last, a
Negro man named Jack,
of a low stature and very much disfigured by having his back broke when young, which causes a large lump both upon his back and breast -- he is upwards of 30 years of age -- had on when he went away an old hat and a lye colored hunting-shirt of tow cloth and a pair of white tow trowsers -- had no shoes nor stockings on, nor any other clothing with him.
Whoever takes up said runaway and lodges him in any jail and gives information so that I can get him again or brings him home, shall receive the above reward and all charges paid by
NICHOLAS PATTERSON.
Sept. 30, 1817.
Date of Record: 30 September 1817
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 30 September 1817.

Slaveholder Name: Poe, Thomas
City or Township: Antrim Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Died 1770

Enslaved Person's Name: Nan
Sex: Female
Age: Adult
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Enslaved for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Bequeathed by Thomas Poe to his wife Mary Poe. Date of Record: 1770
Source: G. O. Seilhamer, The Bard Family, Chambersburg, PA, 1908, p. 374.
Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: boy
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Enslaved for life
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: Bequeathed by Thomas Poe to his wife Mary Poe. Date of Record: 1770
Source: G. O. Seilhamer, The Bard Family, Chambersburg, PA, 1908, p. 374.
Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Female
Age: girl
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Enslaved for life
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: Bequeathed by Thomas Poe to his daughter Mary Long (wife of Alexander Long). Date of Record: 1770
Source: G. O. Seilhamer, The Bard Family, Chambersburg, PA, 1908, p. 374.

Slaveholder Name: Pott, William
City or Township: Peter's Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Forgemaster, Valley Forge
Notes: Operated Valley Forge in partnership with John Beaver. They frequently advertised as "Pott & Beaver"

Enslaved Person's Name: Aram Smith
Sex: Male
Age: "about 19 years old"
Date of Birth: 1788 (calculated)
Status: Escaped; self-emancipated
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: Aram escaped from the forge in April, 1807. The text of the runaway advertisement is below:
Five Dollars Reward.
Ran away from the subscriber, living in Peters township, Franklin County, a negro boy, about 19 years old, who calls himself Aram Smith -- had on and took away with him a new roram hat, brown cloth roundabout, striped nankeen overalls, & yellow handkerchief about his neck, has lost part of the little finger of the right hand; it is suspected that he keeps about Chambersburg or Shippensburg. Whoever takes up said negro boy and puts him in any Jail, shall have the above reward.
POTT & BEAVER.
April 27, 1807
Date of Record: 27 April 1807
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 12 May 1807.

Slaveholder Name: Rankin, James
City or Township: Montgomery Township
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Age: "aged about 28 years"
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: circa 1779
Description: "Negro Man"
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Offered for sale in April 1807.
FOR SALE.
AN active Negro Man for sale, aged about 28 years, a slave for life, who understands every kind of farming business, -- will be sold at private sale, -- apply to James Rankin, James Clark, or to Charles Kilgore, in Montgomery township.
April 6, 1807.
Date of Record 06 April 1807
Source: The Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 07 April 1807.

Slaveholder Name: Rankin, Jeremiah
City or Township: Montgomery Township
Occupation:
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Age: Age not given but described as a "girl." Has three years to serve, which, if held to the standard 28-year term, would make her 25 years old. However if aged 25, she would have been born in 1778, making her a slave for life. It is likely she was being held to a shorter term of enslavement, possibly 21 years.
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: Not known. Probably after 1780. See notes under "Age," above.
Description: "Negro Girl"
Status: Slave for a term of years; "three years to serve."
Notes: Advertised for public sale in October 1803 to settle the estate of Jeremiah Rankin. Text of public sale ad below:
To be Sold by Public Vendue,
ON Thursday the 27th day of Oct. inst. at the late dwelling house of Jeremiah Rankin, dec'd, in Montgomery township, the following property, viz: Horses -- Cows -- Sheep & Hogs. Household and Kitchen furniture -- Bed and Bedding -- Farming utensils -- a Still and Vessels, and a number of other articles too tedious to innumerate. -- Also, the time of a Negro Girl, who has about three years to serve. -- Where due attendance and reasonable credit will be given by
MARY RANKIN, Executrix.
JAMES RANKIN, JAMES CLARKE, Executors.
October 4th, 1803.
Date of Record 04 October 1803
Source: The Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 19 October 1803.

Slaveholder Name: Riddle, James
City or Township: Chambersburg
Occupation: Lawyer, Judge (President Judge of Jucicial District including Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Huntingdon and Mifflin counties.)
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Age: "twenty years of age"
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 08 December 1795
Description: "Mulatto Girl"
Status: Slave to age 28
Notes: Offered for sale in March 1816.
To be Sold,
THE unexpired term of service of a young stout MULATTO GIRL, who has been accustomed to house work.
She was twenty years of age on the eighth day of December last, is duly recorded and is by law a servant until the age of twenty-eight. For further particulars inquire, of
JAMES RIDDLE.
Chambersburg, March 26, 1816.
Date of Record 26 March 1816
Source: The Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 09 April 1816.

Slaveholder Name: Rippey, Samuel, Sr.
City or Township: Shippensburg
Occupation: "Yeoman"
Notes: Died December 1791 and estate liquidated by executors in April 1794. Estate included one enslaved man, age 23. This slaveholder is also listed on the Cumberland County pages.

Enslaved Person's Name: Rachel
Age: Adult of childbearing age
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negro Woman"
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Bequeathed by Samuel Rippey Sr. to his wife Rachel. From Rippey's Last Will and Testament:
I give and bequeath to my faithfull and beloved wife Rachel Rippey one hundred pounds bond payable by Robert Peoples and also the sum of Ten pounds yearly and every year during the term of her Widowhood. I also give and bequeath to her my said wife my Negro woman named Rachel during the same term, and afterwards the same Negro woman. I give and bequeath to any one or all of my four Children at the option of her said Mistress, I also give and bequeath to her my said wife my Negro Child named Doll but any child or Children born by the said Negro woman in her said mistresses service shall be the property of her my said wife.
Date of Record 24 November 1790; Will proved 19 December 1791
Source: "Last Will and Testament of Samuel Rippey," 24 November 1790, Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Will Book A-222-224.
Enslaved Person's Name: Doll
Age: 02
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: 1786-January 15
Description: "Negro Child" (from description in will of Samuel Rippey)
Status: Slave to age 28
Notes: Registered in Cumberland County. Bequeathed by Samuel Rippey Sr. to his wife Rachel (see above).
Date of Record 1788 (Regisration, Cumberland County); 24 November 1790 (Will of Samuel Rippey, Sr.)
Source: Registrations of Children of Slaves; "Last Will and Testament of Samuel Rippey," 24 November 1790, Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Will Book A-222-224.
Enslaved Person's Name: George (name obtained from last will and testament of Samuel Rippey)
Age: 23a
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: 1771 (calculated)
Description: "Negro Man"
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Offered for public sale on April 01, 1794, as part of the estate of Samuel Rippey Senior, deceased. The portion of Rippey's Last Will and Testament pertaining to George reads: "I also order that all my lands Tenements goods and chatles, and also my Negro boy named George, except what is herein after otherwise disposed of, be sold and the land and Tenements conveyed by my Executors as soon as convenient after my decease." His executors placed his estate up for sale in the spring of 1794. Text of advertisement:
"To be Sold, Agreeable to the last Will and Testament of Samuel Rippey, senior, deceased, ABOUT two hundred Acres of good Limestone Land, Patented, adjoining the West end of Shippensburgh, in Franklin County; about the one half of said Tract is cleared and under good fence, a good Orchard, and Stone Dwelling House, and a standing Well of Water; the greatest part of the uncleared Land is Rich Locust Land, intermixed with good Oak and Hickory Timber.--Should it not be Sold before the first day of April next, it will then be exposed to Public Sale, by
WILLIAM RIPPEY, SAMUEL RIPPEY, } Executors.
N.B. Will be Sold on the said first day of April, one healthy Negro Man, about 23 years of age recorded agreeable to law; and a large young Horse fit for any business.
Date of Record 08 January 1794
Source: Kline's Carlisle Weekly Gazette, January 08, 1794; "Last Will and Testament of Samuel Rippey," 24 November 1790, Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Will Book A-222-224.

Slaveholder Name: Sausay, Abraham
City or Township: Chambersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation: County Jailer
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: John Hosler
Sex: Male
Age: "about 24 or 25 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1791 or 1792
Status: jailed in Chambersburg as a suspected escaped slave
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Hosler was captured and jailed in September 1815. The text of Jailer Sausay's January 1816 advertisement is below:
A supposed Runaway.
WAS committed to the jail of Franklin county, (Pa) on the 13th of September last.
JOHN HOSLER,
A Negro Man, about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, about 24 or 25 years of age, stout made, very active on his feet, has a mark on the shin bone of his right leg, he says occasioned by the kick of a horse, a small mark upon his left arm near the hand, on the under part. No doubt he has changed his name, as he is very artful and will not tell his master's name nor where he came from.
ABRAHAM SAUSAY, Jailor.
Chambersburg, Jan. 2, 1816.
The editor of the Winchester Gazette will please insert the above three weeks and send his account to this office for payment.
Date of Record: 02 January 1816
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 16 January 1816.

Slaveholder Name: Shannon, Joseph
City or Township: Montgomery Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Died in 1805 and three enslaved children were sold at public auction as part of the settlement of his estate. 1805 advertisement for the public auction of three enslaved children in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

1805 advertisement for the public auction of three enslaved children in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

Enslaved Person's Name: Unnamed male
Sex: Male
Age: Between 15 and 17 years old
Date of Birth: circa 1788 to 1790
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Slaveholder Joseph Shannon died in 1805, resulting in the public auction of this teenaged boy. The text of the public auction advertisement is below:
To be Sold,
BY PUBLIC VENDUE,
ON Thursday the 14th of March, at the late dwelling house of Joseph Shannon, deceased, late of Montgomery township, the following property, viz. Two Negro Boys, from 15 to 17 years of age, & a Negro Girl about 12, to serve until they are 28 -- Horses, Cows, Hogs, and Sheep, a Plantation Wagon, Barley, Rye and Oats by the bushel, Grain in the ground, Farming Utensils, and Household Furniture, together with other articles too tedious to enumerate. The credit of the vendue will be made known on the day of the sale.
MARTHA SHANNON, Administrtrix.
JOHN STERRETT, JAMES IRWIN, Administrators.
February 25, 1805.
N.B. All persons having any demands against said estate, are requested to bring in their accounts, properly attested, on the 15th of March next, for settlement.
Date of Record: 25 February 1805. This ad ran through 12 March 1805.
Source: Franklin Repository, 12 March 1805.

Enslaved Person's Name: Unnamed male
Sex: Male
Age: Between 15 and 17 years old
Date of Birth: circa 1788 to 1790
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Slaveholder Joseph Shannon died in 1805, resulting in the public auction of this teenaged boy. See above for the text of the public auction advertisement.
Record: 25 February 1805. This ad ran through 12 March 1805.
Source: Franklin Repository, 12 March 1805.

Enslaved Person's Name: Unnamed girl
Sex: Female
Age: About 12 years old
Date of Birth: circa 1793
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Slaveholder Joseph Shannon died in 1805, resulting in the public auction of this female child. See above for the text of the public auction advertisement.
Date of Record: 25 February 1805. This ad ran through 12 March 1805.
Source: Franklin Repository, 12 March 1805.

Slaveholder Name: Snider, John
City or Township: Chambersburg
County: Franklin
Occupation: County Jailer
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: George Garlin
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given in description, but described as a "man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Jailed as suspected escaped slave
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Jailer Snider's advertisement:
WAS committed to the jail of Franklin county, as a runaway, on the 28th day of August last, a negro man, who calls himself George Garlin, about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, is somewhat bow-legged, has a good countenance, and large lips. He says he belongs to Mr. John Ferriss, or Charles City county, Old Virginia, near Woodson's ferry, on James' River -- that he left his master about the 9th of July last. His owner is desired to come forward, and relieve him, or he will be discharged agreeably to law.
JOHN SNIDER, Jailor.
September 16, 1805.
Date of Record: 16 September 1805
Sources: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 17 September 1805.
Enslaved Person's Name: Frank
Sex: Male
Age: "35 years or upwards of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1771 or earlier
Status: Jailed as suspected escaped slave
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Jailer Snider's advertisement:
A Negro Man,
Who calls himself Frank, was committed to the jail of Franklin county, on the 14th inst. on suspicion of being a Runaway. He says he worked last with a Mr. John Barntranck, in Lancaster Town, Maryland -- He is straight made, very black, has a flat nose, is bow leged, 35 years or upwards of age, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high. He had on and with him when committed to my custody, a white roundabout, blue pantaloons, two pair of course shoes, two linen shirts, with some other articles.
JOHN SNIDER, Jailor.
Chambersburg, Jan. 20, 1806.
Date of Record: 20 January 1806
Sources: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 21 January 1806.
Enslaved Person's Name: Daniel Meadad
Sex: Male
Age: "near 50 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1756
Status: Jailed as suspected escaped slave
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Traveling with a teenaged white boy and captured in Franklin County as suspected escaped slaves or servants. Supposedly formerly owned by Able Teackle of Eastern Shore, Maryland:
Notice.
WAS committed to the Jail of Franklin county, on the 14th inst. on suspicion of being runaways, a White Boy and a Negro Man.
The Negro is near 50 years of age, about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, has a small scar across his nose, is pretty stout built, and cannot or will not speak, but apparently can hear; he had on a tow linen shirt and trowsers.
The white boy calls himself Levin Planter, -- he is about 14 or 15 years of age, of a very dark complexion, slender made, and is very pert with the tongue. He says the negro's name is Daniel Meadad -- that they formerly were servants to a Mr. Able Teackle, who removed from the Eastern shore (M.) to Pittsburg, where he died, and that they are now on their way to Baltimore. They have in their possession certificates or passes, signed "Thomas Cooper," which certify the same. Their master or masters are requested to come forward and take them out, or they will be liberated agreeably to law.
JOHN SNIDER, Jailor.
Chambersburg, July 21, 1806.
Abel Upshur Teackle was born in 1765 to Levin Teackle and Anne Arbuckle in Accomack County, Virginia. The "Register of Free Negroes for Accomack County, Virginia" lists an Abram Medad (surname Teackle entered but crossed out and "Medad" written above, born about the year 1780, with the notation "Emancipated by deed of Levin Teackle, now of record in Accomack County." On the same page are listed "Levin Medad," born in 1793 and "Harry Medad," born in 1807, both born free in Accomack County, Virginia. All three men (Levin, Harry and Abram) also are noted as having scars on the tops of their right or left hands." In an earlier entry, Leah Medad (no birth listed) was also listed as being emancipated by Levin Teackle. There is a clear connection between the Teackle family, some descendants of whom were associated with Worcester County, Maryland, and the free Black Medad family. Abel Teackle is documented as selling 148 acres in Worcester County, Maryland to Charles Hammond in April 1805. This would be shortly before the jailed pair reported moving to Pittsburgh with him, prior to being capturedd. Further research is needed.
Date of Record: 21 July 1806
Sources: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 05 August 1806; "Register of free negroes, 1785-1863," Accomack County, Virginia, manuscript on film, Virginia State Library, Richmond, VA; "Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, 1666-1810," Compiled by Ruth T. Dryden, 1987.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jack Sprout
Sex: Male
Age: "about 22 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1784
Status: Jailed as suspected escaped slave
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Jailer Snider's advertisement:
WAS COMMITTED
TO the jail of Franklin county, on suspicion of being a runaway, on the 2d instant, a Negro Man, who calls himself JACK SPROUT, and says he lately lived in Loudon county, Virginia, with a Mr. John Keith.
He is about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, to appearance about 22 years of age, is very black, has a large flat nose, has a smiling countenance, and is rather of a slender make. His master is requested to come forward and take him out, or he will be discharged according to law.
JOHN SNIDER, Jailor.
Chambersburg, Sept. 8, 1806.
Date of Record: 08 September 1806
Sources: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 09 September 1806.
Enslaved Person's Name: James Graves
Sex: Male
Age: "about 26 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1781
Status: Jailed as suspected escaped slave
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Jailer Snider's advertisement:
WAS committed to the jail of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of December last, as a runaway, a Negro man, who calls himself James Graves, about 26 years of age, about 5 feet 6 inches high, has a mark of a cut on the top of his left hand, and a mark, which he says was occasioned by the bite of a stud horse, on his left cheek; is stout and well made. He says he belongs to a Mr. Henry Gagekill, who lives near Orange Court house, in Virginia, and that he ran away a short time before last harvest. His master is requested to come forward and take him out, otherwise he will be discharged as the law directs.
JOHN SNIDER, Jailor.
Jan. 24, 1807.
Date of Record: 24 January 1807
Sources: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 27 January 1807.
Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: "about 36 or 47 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1770 or 1771 (first description)
Status: Jailed as suspected escaped slave and broke out of jail
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Jack was captured in Franklin County and jailed in Chambersburg on April 29, 1807. Notice placed by Jailer Snider in the local newspaper:
NOTICE.
WAS committed to the jail of Franklin county, on the 29th of April last, on suspicion of being a runaway, a Negro man who calls himself Jack, he is about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, very black; when spoken to any way cross, has a very surly look; has a scar on the top of his right hand; is about 36 or 37 years of age, and is pretty slim made.
If not taken out before the 11th day of August next, he will be discharged as the law directs.
JOHN SNIDER, JAILOR.
Chambersburg, May 25, 1807
The date for his discharge, August 11, came and went and Jack was still being held in the local jail. On September 21, Jack, along with three other men, broke out of the jail. Snider believed that Jack stayed with another inmate, a German man named Volentine Schmeltzer, after the escape. Below is a partial transcription of Jailer Snider's advertisement listing escaped prisoners:
BROKE out of the jail of Franklin county, in the night of the 21st inst. the following prisoners -- viz.
VOLENTINE SCHMELTZER, confined for debt -- he is a short thickset fellow, about 45 or 50 years of age, full fac'd, of a brown complexion, has a large and strong beard, and is a German -- he had on and took with him, a blue surtout coat, a blue straight bodied coat, a suit of striped cotton nankeen, a fine hat, shoes and stockings, and a blanket. He has a family living at Zanesville, in the state of Ohio, where it is expected he will make for.

JACK, a Negro, confined on suspicion of being a runaway -- about 35 or 40 years of age, about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high, is very black, slender made, and has a scar on the back of his left hand -- he had on and took with him, one blue coat, and one white do. one great coat, with a velvet cape, and bound or edged with worsted binding. It is supposed that JACK is in company with Schmeltzer.
JOHN SNIDER, Jailor.
Chambersburg, Sept, 22d, 1807.
Jack broke out of jail and Snider assumed Jack and Volentine Schmeltzer were traveling together. Other prisoners were listed and described in this listing but only Schmeltzer is included along with the description of Jack since Schmeltzer has a connection to Jack.
Dates of Records: 25 May, 22 September 1807
Sources: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 26 May, 06 October 1807.
Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given but described as a "boy" with 13 years to serve. Probably fifteen years old.
Date of Birth: circa 1802, if enslaved for the standard 28 years.
Status: Slave for a term of years, with 13 years remaining in term.
Description: "Mulatto Boy"
Notes: Advertised to be sold by public auction on August 20, 1817. Full text of property sale below:
To be Sold,
By Public Vendue,
ON Wednesday the 20th inst. on the premises, in the Borough of Chambersburg.
One Lot of Ground, situate on the south side of Market street, on which is erected two Dwelling Houses, both 2 stories high, well plastered, painted and some rooms papered, with a complete Kitchen and a Bake oven in the same, a good pump at the kitchen door, a complete brick Spring House, a good Stable, and a number of fruit trees on the lot. Space has been left for a large front building on lot.
Also, one back Lot, situate near the above and the creek, 84 by 92 feet, well fenced, and in a high state of cultivation.
Also, at the same time and place, 50 acres of Land lying on the Baltimore Turnpike Road, 8 miles from Chambersburg.
ALSO,
The time of a Mulatto Boy, who has about 13 years to serve.
As the subscriber intends to leave this county, the above property will be sold low, and an advantageous credit will be given. Good titles will be given the purchasers.
JOHN SNIDER.
Chambersburg, August 12, 1817.
Date of Record: 12 August 1817
Sources: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 12 August 1817.

Slaveholder Name: Speer, Alexander
City or Township: "Near the Cove Gap," Peter's Township
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: Cove Gap is also the birthplace of US President James Buchanan.

Enslaved Person's Name: Not named
Sex: Female
Age: "about twenty-four years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1772
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Wench"
Notes: This woman and two young boys were offered for sale in an ad that also advertised the sale of a tavern. It is not clear if there is a connection to the former tavern proprietor, Peter Whitesides. Text of sale ad:
(At the bottom of an ad to sell Peter Whitesides' tavern on the square in Mercersburg:)
Also for Sale a stout healthy Negro Wench, a slave for life, and two boys held as servants agreeable to law, one about six and the other four years old, both stout and healthy of their age. For terms apply to the subscriber living near the Cove Gap.
ALEXANDER SPEER.
N.B. The Negro Wench is about twenty-four years of age.
Peters Township, March 15, 1796.
Date of Record: 15 March 1796
Source: The Chambersburg Gazette, 17 March 1796.
Enslaved Person's Name: Not named
Sex: Male
Age: "four years old"
Date of Birth: circa 1792
Status: Slave to the age of 28
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: A woman and two young boys were offered for sale in an ad that also advertised the sale of a tavern. It is not clear if there is a connection to the former tavern proprietor, Peter Whitesides. See above for the text of the sale ad.
Date of Record: 15 March 1796
Source: The Chambersburg Gazette, 17 March 1796.
Enslaved Person's Name: Not named
Sex: Male
Age: "about six" (years old)
Date of Birth: circa 1790
Status: Slave to the age of 28
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: A woman and two young boys were offered for sale in an ad that also advertised the sale of a tavern. It is not clear if there is a connection to the former tavern proprietor, Peter Whitesides. See above for the text of the sale ad.
Date of Record: 15 March 1796
Source: The Chambersburg Gazette, 17 March 1796.
Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Sex: Female
Age: Age not indicated in document, but described as a "girl."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Not determined
Description: "Black Girl"
Notes: Alexander Speer bequeathed Hannah to his wife Elizabeth. His estate inventory contained 1 "Negro Girl" valued at £45.
Date of Records: 26 March 1799
Source: "The Last Will and Testament of Alexander Speer," written 02 May 1798, proved 26 March 1799. "Inventory of the Estate of Alexr Speer Decd, filed 26 March 99." Both documents at Franklin County Archives, online at https://lfweb.franklincountypa.gov/WebLinkArchives/Browse.aspx?id=6487402&dbid=0&repo=FranklinCounty8&cr=1, accessed 15 August 2024.

Slaveholder Name: Sterett, Cairns
City or Township: Loudon town
County: Franklin
Occupation:
Notes: See also the listings for Cairns Sterret on the Cumberland County page.

Enslaved Person's Name: Not named
Sex: Male
Age: Not given; described as "bound boy"
Date of Birth:
Status: Slave for a term of years; 11-12 years yet to serve
Description: "Bound Black Boy"
Notes: Auctioned off on December 5, 1816 to settle estate of Cairns Sterett. The text of the public auction advertisement is below:
To be Sold,
By public Vendue,
ON Thursday the 5th of December, at the dwelling house of Cairns Sterett, late of Loudon town, deceased,
THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY:
ONE Horse and a Cow, with a variety of Household and Kitchen Furniture, consisting of Desks, Drawers, Cupboards, and Cupboard Furniture; Chairs, Beds and Bedding, Table Linen, Sheeting and Carpeting; a Silver Watch, with a number of other articles too tedious to enumerate.
ALSO,
At the same time a bound BLACK BOY, who has between 11 and 12 years to serve. The sale to begin at 10 o'clock on said day, when due attendance and reasonable credit will be given by
WM. HUSTON.
WM. STERETT, Adm'rs
Nov. 26, 1816
Date of Record: 26 November
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 03 December 1816.

Slaveholder Name: Stover, Jacob
City or Township: Antrim Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:

Enslaved Person's Name: Not named
Sex: Male
Age: Not given; described as "boy" but may be as old as 24 years.
Date of Birth: If enslaved for the typical 28 years, birth year would be about 1792.
Status: Slave for a term of years; four years yet to serve
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Advertised for private sale in February 1816, at bottom of ad for the public auction of Stover's property. The text of the public auction advertisement and private sale notice is below:
PUBLIC SALE.
Will be exposed to Public Sale, on Thursday, the 7th day of March next, at the Dwelling house of the subscriber in Antrim township, Franklin county, on Conococheague Creek, five miles from Green Castle, one from Col. Josiah Price's and eight from Hagers Town:
THE Plantation on which the subscriber lives, containing about two hundred acres, a great part of which is bottom land, the rest slate and sandstone; on the premises are two Dwelling houses and two Barns, and other out houses, three never failing springs, and two orchards. The land will be sold together or separate in lots of ten, fifty or one hundred acres, &c. as may best suit the purchaser. Also, Horses, Cows, young Cattle, Sheep and Hogs;
Grain in the ground, Corn and Oats by the Bushel, Waggons, Ploughs and Harrows, Bedsteads, Tables, Chairs, Bee Hives, Windmill, ten plate Stove, Potatoes by the bushel, and many other articles too numerous to insert. Sale to commence at 9 o'clock, when attendance and a credit of nine months will be given on all sums above five dollars.
JACOB STOVER.
Feb. 27
N.B. The time of a Negro Boy who has about four years to serve will be offered at private sale. J.S.
Date of Record: 27 February 1816.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 27 February 1816.

Slaveholder Name: Thompson, Samuel
City or Township: Peters Township
County: Franklin
Occupation: Innkeeper (1796)
Notes: The 1796 tax return for Peter's Township lists Samuel Thompson as an innkeeper

Enslaved Person's Name: Fan
Sex: Female
Age: "between 26 & 27 years of age"
Date of Birth: Circa 1788 or 1789
Status: Escaped; self-emancipated February 1815
Description: "Negro Wench"
Notes: Fan escaped from Thompson on February 1, 1815. Thompson waited for nearly two months before placing the following ad in the local newspaper:
4 Dollars Reward.
RAN away from the subscriber, about the first of February last,
A Negro Wench, named FAN,
between 26 & 27 years of age, & stout made -- was dressed in linsey woolsey, but had a variety of other clothing with her. The above reward will be given for lodging her in the jail of Franklin county, or delivering her to the subscriber.
SAMUEL THOMPSON.
Peters Township, March 21.
Date of Record: 26 November
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 04 April 1815.

Slaveholder Name: White, Alexander
City or Township:
County: Franklin County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Passage from History of Butler County, Pennsylvania, 1895, page 68:

In 1799, when Matthew White settled at Whitestown--where he had previously purchased 400 acres of land--he brought with him three slaves named George Mitchell, Pompey and Eleanor Troy, or "Black Nell." They were really the property of Alexander White, of Franklin county, father of Matthew, who manumitted them prior to 1803, in fulfillment of a promise made during a serious illness. In order, however, that they might be cared for, he gave George Mitchell to his son, Matthew, Pompey to his son, James, later of Waterford, Erie county, Pennsylvania, and "Black Nell" to his daughter, Mrs. Anna Galbraith, the wife of Alexander Galbraith, of Centre township. Eleanor Troy, or "Black Nell," who was listed in the assessment of 1821, in Centre township, as a female slave forty-five years old, died March 11, 1857. For over thirty years she was a member of the Associate Reformed Church, of Butler. She was buried on the Moses Thompson farm in Centre township, where a monument marks her grave.

Enslaved Person's Name: George Mitchell
Slave Sex: Male
Age: not determined
Date of Birth: prior to 1799
Status: Manumitted in or before 1803
Description:
Notes: Ownership of George Mitchell passed from Alexander White, of Franklin County, to his son Matthew White, who settled in Butler County circa 1799. A county history (see above) notes that Alexander White retained legal ownership of Mitchell and other slaves, and manumitted them "prior to 1803."
Date of Record: 1895 county history
Source: History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. R. C. Brown Co. 1895, page 68.
Enslaved Person's Name: Pompey
Slave Sex: Male
Age: not determined
Date of Birth: prior to 1799
Status: Manumitted in or before 1803
Slave Description:
Notes: Ownership of Pompey passed from Alexander White, of Franklin County, to his son Matthew White, who settled in Butler County circa 1799 and then to James White. A county history (see above) notes that Alexander White retained legal ownership of Pompey and other slaves, and manumitted them "prior to 1803."
Date of Record: 1895 county history
Source: History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. R. C. Brown Co. 1895, page 68.
Enslaved Person's Name: Eleanor Troy a.k.a. "Black Nell"
Slave Sex: Female
Age: Age reported as 45 years old in tax records of 1821
Date of Birth: circa 1776
Status: Manumitted in or before 1803
Description: "female slave"
Notes: Ownership of Eleanor Troy passed from Alexander White, of Franklin County, to his son Matthew White, who settled in Butler County circa 1799 and then to Anna Galbraith, wife of Alexander Galbraith. A county history (see above) notes that Alexander White retained legal ownership of Eleanor and other slaves, and manumitted them "prior to 1803." Eleanor was a long time member of the Associate Reformed Church, of Butler, and died on March 11, 1857. She was buried on the farm of Moses Thompson, in Centre Township.
Eleanor is found in the 1850 census for North Butler Township, Butler County, living with Joseph and Jane Galbraith and their five children. She is listed as "Nelly Troy," age 76, female, Black, born in Pennsylvania.
Date of Record: 1895 county history; 1850 census of North Butler Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, page 84.
Source: History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. R. C. Brown Co. 1895, page 68.

Slaveholder Name: White, Elizabeth Lettice
Slaveholder Location: Franklin County
Slaveholder Notes: Born about 1761 in Lurgan Township, Cumberland County (later Franklin County). Wife of Edward White. In 1786 her father, James W. McKibben, Sr., bequeathed to her and her sister "all of his negroes and household goods."
1. Enslaved Person's Name: No name recorded
  Age: Not known
  Slave Sex: Not known
  Date of Birth: Not known
  Description: "Negroe"
  Status: Not determined
  Notes: Bequeathed by James McKibben, Sr. to his daughter Elizabeth Lettice White in 1786.
  Date of Record 1786
  Source: Ancestors of Everett "Skeets" Wilhite.

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