Slaveholders Listed on this Page
- Kapp, Michael (Enslaved persons listed: Dinah)
- Kean, John (Enslaved persons listed: Charlotte)
- Keefer, Andrew (Enslaved persons listed: Peter)
- Kelly, James (Enslaved persons listed: one unnamed slave)
- Kelso, Elizabeth (Enslaved persons listed: Hannah)
- Kelso, John (Enslaved persons listed: George, Peter)
- Kelso, William (Enslaved persons listed: Will, Peter, Dina, Sib)
- Kelso, William, Jr. (Enslaved persons listed: 1 "Black boy" and 1 "Mulatto Girl")
- Kerr, William (Enslaved persons listed: Hannah, Tom, Dinah)
- King, Thomas (Enslaved persons listed: York)
- Kirkpatrick, William (Enslaved persons listed: Richard)
- Lee, Andrew (Enslaved persons listed: Hannah, Ellis, Becky)
- Libhart, Jacob (Enslaved persons listed: William Boan)
- Logan, John (Enslaved persons listed: Sampson, London)
- Lycan, Andrew (Enslaved persons listed: Un-named man)
- Martin, Samuel (Enslaved persons listed: Adam, Esther)
- McAllister, Archibald (Enslaved persons listed: Jude, Mary, Daniel, Charles, Andrew, James, Tyra, Hettie Gray, Lucy Craig, Hallie Jenkins, James Craig, Jack Jenkins, Maria Murry, Eliza Creag, Jack, George Hoofnagle, Ned, Isaac, Jem, Sally Craig, Nance, Cato)
- McChesney, John (Enslaved persons listed: Bris, Harry)
- McClure, Jonathan (Enslaved persons listed: Dinah)
- McClure, Roan (Enslaved persons listed: Kate)
- McCown, John (Enslaved persons listed: Andy a.k.a. Sharper)
- McCrarey, John (Enslaved persons listed: Ned)
- McGuire, Richard (Enslaved persons listed: Tob, Pete)
- McKee, Isabella (Enslaved persons listed: Harriet, Hannah)
- McKee, James (Enslaved persons listed: George, Bess, Isaac, Hannah, Paulina, George(2))
- McKee, Thomas (Enslaved persons listed: Un-named Man)
- McKinney, Mordecai (Enslaved persons listed: Dick)
- McQueen, David (Enslaved persons listed: Jack, Phillis, Dina, Muzeta, Sampson, Lot)
- Metzgar, Martin (Enslaved persons listed: Charlotte)
- Miller, Andrew (Enslaved persons listed: Un-named woman and child)
- Minshall, Thomas (Enslaved persons listed: Jugg, Kate, Dan, Phebe)
- Mitchele, Alexander W. (Enslaved persons listed: Fleming Mitchele)
- Montgomery, David (Enslaved persons listed: Bob, Catherine, Joseph, Eff, Isaac)
- Montgomery, Joseph (Enslaved persons listed: Tom, Margaret)
- Moore, William (Enslaved persons listed: Maria, Sampson)
- Neidig, John (Enslaved persons listed: John Stewart)
- Nelson, Henry (Enslaved persons listed: Charles Barrick)
- Noble, John (Enslaved persons listed: Tom)
Enslavement Data
- Slaveholder Name: Kapp, Michael
Town or Borough: Louisburg (Name of Harrisburg between 1786 and 1791)
County: Dauphin
Occupation: Innkeeper
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dinah
Sex: Female
Age: 18 months old at Registration
Description: "Mulatto"
Date of Birth: 06 August 1787
Date of Registry or Record: 11 March 1789
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Slaveholder Name: Kean, John
Town or Borough: Harrisburg
County: Dauphin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Charlotte
Sex: Female
Age:
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Keefer, Andrew
Township: West Hanover
County: Dauphin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age:
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Kelly, James
Township: Londonderry
County: Dauphin, (then Lancaster)
Occupation:
Notes: Kelly did not register any slaves in Lancaster County in 1780. As he was assessed for one slave in 1780, he may have moved or sold the slave prior to the deadline for registration.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Not recorded
Sex: Not recorded
Age: Not recorded; taxable slaves were usually considered those between 12 and 60 years of age.
Date of Registry or Record: 1780
Notes: Tax returns for 1780 report one slave owned by James Kelly of Londonderry Township
Source: Luther Reily Kelker, History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Vol. I (New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907) p. 388.
- Slaveholder Name: Kelso, Elizabeth
Town or Borough: Harrisburg
County: Dauphin
Occupation: Widow
Notes: Widow of Dr. Joseph Kelso, who was the son of William Kelso, Sr. From the will of Elizabeth Kelso.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Sex: Female
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record: 02 April 1818
Notes: Status: Manumitted upon having "served her time," and lived with her former owners. The will states that "the colored girl, 'Hannah,' who served her time and now lives with me..." shall receive "all my common wearing apparel, the small bed made of feathers and flocks with the bedding," and fifty dollars in cash.
Source: Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth (Gailbraith) Kelso, Widow of Dr. Joseph Kelso, dated April 2nd, 1818
- Slaveholder Name: Kelso, John
Township: Lower Paxton
County: Dauphin
Occupation:
Notes: See biographical sketch
- Enslaved Person's Name: George
Sex: Male
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Kelso, William
Township: Paxton
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: See biographical sketch
- Enslaved Person's Name: Will
Sex: Male
Age: 18
Date of Registry or Record: 02 October 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as "Negroe Man." Registered in Lancaster. Possible runaway. This enslaved man is listed in Cumberland County court records. In 1789 he was indicted for theft: "Negro Will, slave to William Kelso, stole 23.12.9 from John Carver of York Co. Test: George Kruss, John Chambers (May 22)" ("Indictments--1750-1800, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania." Merri Lou Scribner Schaumann, item 1368) This item shows that Kelso, who maintained houses in both Dauphin and Cumberland counties, used his enslaved workers in both locations. See the Cumberland County listing for William Kelso, Jr. for more information about Will.
In a document dated 27 August, 1789, Kelso reported the escape of Will.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: 4 years old at Registration
Date of Registry or Record: 02 October 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as "Mulatto Boy." Registered in Lancaster.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dinah
Sex: Female
Age: 28
Date of Registry or Record: 02 October 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as "Negroe Wench." Registered in Lancaster.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sib (or Lib)
Sex: Female
Age: 1 year old at Registration
Date of Registry or Record: 02 October 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as "Negro Child." Registered in Lancaster.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Kelso, William Jr.
Township: East Pennsboro
County: Cumberland
Occupation:
Notes: Estate sale of William Kelso, deceased, of East Pennsboro Twp. The estate inventory, dated 03 June 1807, lists the following enslaved persons:
The term of servitude of a Black boy--value $50.00
The term of servitude of a Mulatto girl--value $30.00. The girl was listed among items "taken by the Widow" (Elizabeth [Chambers] Kelso). (Source 37).
See also the listing for William Kelso Jr. on the Cumberland County pages.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in source
Sex: Male
Age: Age not specified ("boy")
Date of Registry or Record: 03 June 1807
Notes: Status: Slave to Age 28. The estate inventory of William Kelso Jr., dated 03 June, 1807, lists the following slaves:
The term of servitude of a Black boy--value $50.00
The term of servitude of a Mulatto girl--value $30.00. The girl was listed among items "taken by the Widow" (Elizabeth [Chambers] Kelso). (Source 37).
Source: 30
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in source
Sex: Female
Age: Age not specified ("girl")
Date of Registry or Record: 03 June 1807
Notes: Status: Slave to Age 28. The estate inventory of William Kelso Jr., dated 03 June 1807, lists the following enslaved persons:
The term of servitude of a Black boy--value $50.00
The term of servitude of a Mulatto girl--value $30.00. The girl was listed among items "taken by the Widow" (Elizabeth [Chambers] Kelso).
Source: 37
- Slaveholder Name: Kerr, William
Township: Paxton
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Sex: Female
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Age: 17
Date of Registry or Record: 05 October 1780
Notes: Status: "Slave during life." Described as "Negroe Boy" in registration. Registered at Lancaster.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dina
Sex: Female
Age: 18 years old "or thereabouts"
Date of Registry or Record: 05 October 1780
Notes: Status: "Slave during life." Described as "Negroe Wench" in registration. Registered at Lancaster.
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: King, Thomas
Township: Paxton
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
Occupation:
Notes: There is a Thomas King buried in Newside Cemetery, Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County. This is possibly the same person.
- Enslaved Person's Name: York
Sex: Male
Age: 16
Date of Registry or Record: 25 October 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Boy," 16 years of age, "a slave."
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Kirkpatrick, William
Township: Paxton
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
Occupation: "Gentleman" (as reported on 1780 registration)
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Richard
Sex: Male
Age: 27 years old "or thereabouts"
Date of Registry or Record: 30 September 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Described as "Negroe Man" in registration. Registered in Lancaster.
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Lee, Andrew
Town or Borough: Harrisburg
County: Dauphin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Sex: Female
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ellis
Sex: Male
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Enslaved Person's Name: Becky
Sex: Female
Ag): ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: Libhart, Jacob
Town or Borough: Harrisburg
County: Dauphin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: William Boan
Sex: Male
Age(): "between 14 and 15 years of age"
Date of Registry or Record: 17 July 1839
Notes: Status: bound for a term of years. Ran away in June 1839. Text of runaway ad is below:
$5 REWARD.
RANAWAY from the subscriber on the 17th of June last, a bound mulatto boy, rather dark named WILLIAM BOAN, between 14 and 15 years of age. He was employed as a cabin-boy on board of one of the Express Line of Packet boats on the Penn'a Canal. He had on when he left, a pair of cord velvet pantaloons, a brown-holland roundabout, and a net worsted cap. The above reward will be given for his apprehension, but no charges paid. the public are cautioned against trusting or harbouring the above boy.
JACOB LIBHART, Jr.
Harrisburg, July 17, 1839.
Source: Pennsylvania Republican (York, PA), 17 July 1839
- Slaveholder Name: Logan, John
Township: Londonderry
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sampson
Sex: Male
Age: about 24 years old at registration
Date of Registry or Record: 26 October 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Mulattoe Slave, Age about 24 years."
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: London
Sex: Male
Age(): about 21 years old at registration
Date of Registry or Record: 26 October 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Slave, Age about 21 years."
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Lycan, Andrew
Owner's Location: Lykens and Wiconisco
County: Dauphin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Earliest settler in this region, giving his name to the area.
- Enslaved Person's Name: No name recorded
Sex: Male
Age: "Man"
Slave Status: Slave for life.
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Date of Record: 18 March 1756
Notes: Mentioned in an account of an attack by a hostile raiding party of Native Americans and white men:
By a Letter from Hanover Township, in Lancaster County, dated the Eighth Instant, there is Advice, that the Morning before Andrew Lycan, who lived over the Mountains, was attacked by the Indians. He had with him his Son John Lycan, a Negro Man, and a Boy, and two of his Neighbours, John Revalt, and Ludwig Shut: That Andrew Lycan, and John Revalt went out early that Morning to fodder their Creatures, when two Guns were fired at them, but did not hurt them; upon which they ran into the House, and prepared themselves for an Engagement: That then the Indians got under Cover of a Hog house, near the Dwelling house, and John Lycan, Revalt and Shut, crept out of the House, in order to get a Shot at them, but were fired at by five Indians, and all wounded, Lycan through the Hand and Thigh, Revalt in the Shoulder, and Shut in the Belly: That Andrew saw one of the Indians over the Hog house, named Joshua James, fired at him, and killed him; and also saw two white Men run out of the Hog house, and get a little Distance from it: That upon this our People endeavoured to escape, but were pursued by the Indians, to the Number of Sixteen, or upwards, and John Lycan and Revalt being badly wounded, were able to do nothing, so went off with the Negroe, and left Andrew Lycan, Shut, and the Boy, engaged with the Indians: That the Enemy pursued so close, that one of them came up to the Boy, and was going to strike his Tomahawk into him, when Shut turned, and shot him dead, and Andrew Lycan shot another, and is positive he killed him, saw a third fall, and thinks they wounded some more of them: That they being now both ill wounded, and almost spent, they sat down on a log to rest themselves, and the Indians stood a little Way off looking at them: That one of the Indians killed was Bill Davis, and two others they knew to be Tom Hickman, and Tom Hayes, all Delawares, and well known in these Parts: That our Men got all into Hanover Township, are under the Care of a Doctor, and likely to do well, but have lost all they were worth: And that the People of that Township were raising a Number of Men to go after the Enemy. The above People lived about 25 Miles below Shamokin, at or near Wikinesko Creek.
The account above graphically describes how African American slaves faced the same dangers on the frontier that white settlers did.
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 March 1756.
- Slaveholder Name: Martin, Samuel
Township: Paxton
County: Dauphin
Occupation:
Notes: Martin died in the fall of 1770. His property was advertised for sale in the November 01, 1770 edition of The Pennsylvania Gazette.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Adam
Sex: Male
Age: "about 19 or 20 years of age"
Date of birth: circa 1746 or 1747
Status: Slave for life
Date of Record: 21 August 1766 (this ad was published through September 18, 1766).
Notes: Adam escaped from Martin in company with an Irish indentured servant named Daniel O'Mullon, of about the same age. Martin noted in his escape ad that he expected they would travel together.
August 21
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Paxton township, Lancaster county, an Irish servant boy, named Daniel O'Mullon, about 18 years of age, has short brown hair, of a good countenance, and of a brown complexion; about five feet high: Had on when he went away, an old shirt, with some patches on it, new shoes and tow trowsers.
Also ran away, a Negroe boy, about 19 or 20 years of age, named Adam, about five feet 3 or 4 inches high, a very straight fellow, has a mark on his forehead, two shirt and trowsers, they each had of them a felt hat, and 'tis thought they will keep together. Whoever secures both, or either of them, shall have Twenty Shillings reward for the white and Thirty for the black, if secured in any Work-house or otherwise brought home to their master, and reasonable charges paid by SAMUEL MARTIN.
N.B. All masters of vessels and others, are hereby forewarn'd not to carry off or harbour the abovementioned servants as they may expect to be proceeded against, as the law directs.
Note that the reward for Adam's capture was fifty percent more than that offered for the capture of the indentured Irish servant Daniel O'Mullon.
Sources: The Pennsylvania Journal or Weekly Advertiser, 21 August 1766.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Esther
Sex: Female
Age: 18 or 19
Date of birth: circa 1750 or 1751
Status: Slave for life; frequent escape attempts
Date of Record: 07 September 1769 (initial ad); 08 February 1770 (follow up ad)
Notes: Esther made frequent escapes from Samuel Martin, who noted in his 1770 escape ad as "formerly the property of Mr. Samuel Kennedy, near the Cross roads." Records show Esther was actually enslaved by William Kennedy of Chester County, from whom she also made escape attempts.
Esther escaped from Martin on June 20, 1769. He initially gave her age as "about 19 years of age," but in his February 1770 follow-up ad, described her as 18 years old.
RUN-AWAY, from the subscriber, living in Paxton township, Lancaster county; a Negro GIRL, about 19 years of age, named ESTHER, about 5 feet 1 or 2 inches high, hollow eyed, an out mouth with thick lips, had an iron collar about her neck when she went away; she is not very honest and undoubtedly has provided for herself a change of raiment, talks English very well. When she runs away (which she does very often) she tells that she belongs to Samuel Canady at the Cross roads, Chester County. Whosoever takes up said Negro, and secures her in any goal, or brings her home, shall have Forty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges paid by me
SAMUEL MARTIN.
Martin chained an iron collar around Esther's neck prior to this escape, in an attempt to frustrate her frequent escape attempts, but it did not deter her. This escape was possibly successful for her, as Martin placed a follow up advertisement to find her eight months later.
Sources: 55; also The Pennsylvania Journal or Weekly Advertiser, 07, 21 September 1769.
- Slaveholder Name: McAllister, Archibald
Township: Susquehanna
County: Dauphin
Occupation: Farmer, innkeeper
Notes: The McAllister family was the largest slaveholding family in Dauphin County. Their home was the Fort Hunter mansion and estate in Susquehanna Township. Archibald was the son of Richard McAllister, of Hanover, York County and Mary (nee Dill) McAllister. Richard bequeathed two slaves for life, Cato and Cato's son Jack, to Archibald upon his death in August, 1795.
Archibald McAllister registered five enslaved persons in the town of Lancaster on September 11, 1780, in accordance with the Gradual Abolition Act of 1780. His residence was listed as "London Derry Township," and his occupation was recorded as "Gentleman." The five slaves, all described as "slaves for life," were Ned, Age 52, Isaac, Age 20, Jem, Age 8, Nance, Age10 and Sal Age14.
Archibald's firs wife Margaret Hays (daughter of Hugh Hays) died in 1779. He remarried to widow Elizabeth Carson on September 14, 1780. Carson brought one additional enslaved teen boy, Pompey, to the marriage.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jude (Judy)
Sex: Female
Age: 3 years old at Registration
Description: "Mulatto"
Date of Birth: 1786 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 10 March 1789
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Mary
Sex: Female
Age: Fifteen months old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: December 1787 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 10 March 1789
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Daniel
Sex: Male
Age: 5 months old at Registration
Description: "Mulatto"
Date of Birth: 25 November 1790 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 25 April 1791
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Charles
Sex: Male
Age: One month old at Registration
Description: "Mulatto"
Date of Birth: 20 February 1800 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 15 March 1800
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Andrew
Sex: Male
Age: Two months old at Registration.
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 21 September 1795 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 07 December 1795
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28. This is Andrew Craig, 1795-1863, buried in the "Black Cemetery" near Fort Hunter. (source 34) See the separate page about this burial ground for photographs of these graves.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: James
Sex: Male
Age: One month old at Registration
Description: "Mulatto"
Date of Birth: 25 May 1796 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 20 June 1796
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tyra
Sex: Female
Age: One month old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 28 July 1798 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 25 August 1798
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Lucy Craig
Sex: Female
Age: Two months old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 09 September 1801 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 19 November 1801
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hallie Jenkins, a.k.a. Polly
Sex: Female
Age: Three months old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 21 December 1802 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 15 March 1803
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: James Craig
Sex: Male
Age(): One month old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 25 December 1803 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 31 January 1804
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack Jenkins
Sex: Male
Age(): Four months old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 01 April 1805 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 24 July 1805
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hetty Gray
Sex: Female
Age(): Three months old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 06 September 1806 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 06 December 1806
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Maria Murry
Sex: Female
Age: Three months old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 04 December 1808 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 13 March 1809
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Eliza Creag (Craig)
Sex: Female
Age: Four months old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 25 August 1809 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 23 December 1809
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28. Eliza was one of two enslaved persons remaining in Archibald McAllister's estate upon his death in 1831. The estate inventory, dated 02 March 1831, placed a value on "coulard servant" Eliza of $90.00.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.; Carl A. Dickson, "Archibald McAllister at Fort Hunter," Cumberland County History, Vol. 7, No. 1 (Summer 1990), p. 33.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Son of Cato, also a slave with McAllister. From the will of Archibald McAllister's father:
"I also give and bequeath unto my son Archibald McAllister and to his heirs and assigns two of my negroes named Cato, and his son Jack, who being slaves during life." --from Fort Hunter Tour, Harrisburg, PA.
Status: Slave for life.
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: George Hoofnagle
Sex: Male
Age: One month old at Registration
Description: "Mulatto"
Date of Birth: 07 January 1825 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 08 February 1825
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28. This enslaved child was the last to be registered in Dauphin County.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ned
Sex: Male
Age: 52
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 1728 (calculated)
Date of Registry or Record: September 11, 1780
Slave Status: Slave for life; described at registration as a "Negroe Male." Registered in Lancaster.
Notes: This may be the person identified as Nat or Nate in later lists of slaves in the county. A July 1800 list of enslaved people in Lower Paxton Township (which included Fort Hunter at the time) shows an enslaved man named Nate, Age 60 , with Archibald McAllister. Ned's Age would have been 72, but McAllister also reported incorrect ages for both of his other slaves named in that list.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807| "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Isaac
Sex: Male
Age: 20
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Date of Registry or Record: September 11, 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life; described at registration as a "Negroe Male." Registered in Lancaster.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jem
Slave Gender: Male
Age: 08
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Date of Registry or Record: September 11, 1780 (Registration);
Notes: Status: Slave for life; described at registration as a "Negroe Male." Registered in Lancaster.
An enslaved adult man named James escaped from McAllister in 1795. McAllister reported the escaped man's age as about 28, making it possible James and Jem (a diminutive form of James) are the same person. Below is the text of the escape notice published by McAllister:
Twenty Dollars Reward.
RAN away from the subscriber, living in Paxton township, in the county of Dauphin, and state of Pennsylvania, on the night of the 4th inst. a negro man (a slave for life) named JAMES, aged about 28 years, about 5 feet, 10 inches high; had on an indian blanket coat, tow trowsers, twill'd jacket, white felt hat, nearly new: walks bow legged, speaks the English and German languages, chews tobacco, plays on the violin, is fond of driving team. Whoever takes up and secures the above described negro, in any jail in this state, shall be entitled to the above reward, and reasonable charges if brought home, to be paid by
ARCHIBALD McALLISTER.
November 7th, 1795.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780; "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"; Oracle of Dauphin and Harrisburgh Advertiser, 09 November 1795.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sal(ly) Craig (Pennsylvania Reporter and Democratic Herald)
Sex: Female
Age: 14
Description: "Negro"
Slave Date of Birth: circa 1766
Date of Registry or Record: September 11, 1780
Slave Status: Slave for life--Self-emancipated
Notes: Described at registration as a "Negroe Female."
Registered in Lancaster.Sally is listed in a July 1800 list of enslaved people in Dauphin County, with an estimated Ageof 40 . She was actually younger than that. Sally, along with several other enslaved people, was offered for sale in December of 1828, at age 62, and ran away on the 19th of December, 1828. (Source information from a telephone interview with Carl Dickson, Director of Fort Hunter, on October 16, 1990.) Text of ads:
"THE TIME OF COLORED PEOPLE FOR SALE.
I wish to dispose of all my colored people at private sale:--One female slave, aged about sixty one , strong and active of her age, she is an excellent washer, baker and cook, and understands the management of a dairy, and soap boiling.
ALSO, a female aged about twenty , has eight to serve; she understands all kind of house work, and is stout and healthy.
ALSO, a male aged about twenty four , has four to serve, remarkably stout and healthy, and understands all kinds of farming whatever.
ALSO, a female aged twenty two , has six to serve, stout and healthy, understands all kind of house work, a good cook and ironer; in short, she understands every kind of work that belongs to a respectable family.
Archibald M'Allister. December 9." (Pennsylvania Reporter and Democratic Herald, December 9, 1828)
"ADVERTISEMENT.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber at Fort Hunter, six miles above Harrisburg on the 19th instant, a female slave, named Sall Crage, aged about 60. I hereby forewarn all persons from harboring her, and will pay $2 to any person who will deliver her to me at Fort Hunter.
Archibald M'Allister. December 24, 1828." (Pennsylvania Reporter and Democratic Herald, December 28, 1828. This ad ran through February, 1829.)
Sally Craig was never recovered by McAllister, who also failed to sell all of his slaves by the time financial problems forced the sale of his assets at a sheriff s sale in 1829. At least one slave was listed among his assets.
McAllister family historian Mary Catharine McAllister, in her published 1898 family history, notes: "Descendants of Sal, who married Craig, lived at Fort Hunter until the death of John Carson McAllister. A great-grandson, Richard McAllister Craig, lives at Steelton, Pa. (1896)."
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780" | Descendants of Archibald McAllister of West Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, Pa. 1730-1898, Mary Catharine McAllister, Harrisburg, PA, 1898, p. 128 (Appendix, p. 38).
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nance
Sex: Female
Age: 10
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Date of Registry or Record: September 11, 1780
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Described at registration as a "Negroe Female." Registered in Lancaster.Nance was included in a July 1800 list of slaves in Lower Paxton Township (which included Fort Hunter at the time) as belonging to Archibald McAllister. McAllister reported her Ageto be 35 old in 1800, overestimating by five. He reported incorrect ages for the other two slaves listed with him as well.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cato
Sex: Male
Age: ?
Description: "Negro"
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Cato had a son, named Jack, also a slave. Status of both: Slaves for life. From the will of Archibald McAllister's father Richard McAllister:
"I also give and bequeath unto my son Archibald McAllister and to his heirs and assigns two of my negroes named Cato, and his son Jack, who being slaves during life." --from Fort Hunter Tour, Harrisburg, PA.
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
- Slaveholder Name: McChesney, John
Location: Harrisburg Borough
County: Dauphin
Occupation: County Jailer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bris (short for Bristol?)
Sex: Male
Age: "aged about 25 years"
Description: "Negro man"
Date of Birth: circa 1771
Date of Record: 07 October 1795 (this ad was published through 02 November 1795.)
Status: Undetermined. Was Bris jailed as a suspected escaped slave or was he being held for a crime?
Notes: Escaped from jail in October 1795. County jailer McChesney placed the following escape ad in a Harrisburg newspaper:
Six dollars reward.
RAN away from the jail in Harrisburgh, on the evening of the 21st ult. a negro man, named BRIS, about 6 feet high, slim made, aged about 25 years; had on an old white coat, old white trowsers; but 'tis probable he will change his apparel, as he has stolen clothes of different kinds since he absconded. He is very subject to confusion, when questioned. The above reward and reasonable charges will be paid to any person, who will secure the said negro in any jail, or brought to the subscriber, JOHN M'CHESNEY.
Harrisburgh, 7th October, 1795.
Nine years earlier, in October 1786, a man named Bristol was convicted of burglary and sentenced to perform manual labor for the county. Although Bris and Bristol are possibly the same person, the nine-year-span between incidents makes it unlikely.
Sources: Oracle of Dauphin and Harrisburgh Advertiser, 19 October 1795.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Harry
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given in ad, but described as a "man."
Description: "Negro man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Date of Record: 07 May 1796
Status: Jailed as a suspected escaped slave.
Notes: Imprisoned in jail in Harrisburg on 30 April 1796 as a suspected escaped slave. County jailer McChesney placed the following escape ad in a Harrisburg newspaper:
WHEREAS a certain negro man who calls himself Harry, was committed to the jail of Dauphin county, in Pennsylvania, on the 30th of April last, on suspicion of being a runaway slave; he is about 5 feet, 10 or 11 inches high, his face very remarkable on account of having a very large wart on his right cheek, near the ear, and one on his neck near the throat.
His face much contracted by the small-pox, especially about the nose. He says he formerly belonged to one Henry Snowden, of Elkridge, in Maryland, who died about 7 years ago in Philadelphia. The proper owner of said negro, if any, are desired to come, pay costs, and take him away, otherwise he will be sold to pay costs.
JOHN M'CHESNEY, Jailor.
May 7, 1796.
Sources: Oracle of Dauphin and Harrisburgh Advertiser, 09 May 1796.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Castile Wright
Sex: Male
Age: "About 23 years of age"
Description: "Negro Man"
Date of Birth: circa 1774
Date of Record: 20 September 1797
Status: Jailed as an escaped slave.
Notes: Imprisoned in jail in Harrisburg on 16 September 1797 as a suspected escaped slave. County jailer McChesney placed the following escape ad in a Harrisburg newspaper:
WAS committed to the Goal of this county, on the 16th inst. as a runaway, a Negro Man, who calls himself Castile Wright, and confesses himself to be the property of William Hayes about one mile and a half from Messersburgh; about 23 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches high; had on an old white big coat with white metal buttons.
His master is hereby notified to come and take him away, or he will be discharged by due course of law.
JOHN M'CHESNEY, Goaler.
Harrisburg, Sept. 20, 1797.
Wright told McChesney that he escaped from William Hayes from "Messersburgh." This is apparently William Hayes of Peter's Township, Franklin County, and the referenced "Messersburgh" would be Mercersburg, which borders Peter's Township.
Sources: Oracle of Dauphin and Harrisburgh Advertiser, 20 September 1797.
- Slaveholder Name: McClure, Jonathan
Township: Paxton
County: Dauphin
Occupation: "Esquire," Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dinah
Sex: Female
Age: Four years old at Registration
Description: "Mulatto"
Date of Birth: April 1784
Date of Registry or Record: 22 November 1788
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Slaveholder Name: McClure, Roan
Township: Whitedeer
County: Northumberland
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Given Name: Kate
Sex: Female
Age(): 29
Slave Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Date of Registry or Record: September 26, 1801
Slave Status: Runaway
Notes: "Raised by capt. Crouch deceased late of Paxton."
See Crouch, James for what I believe is the record of Kate's 1780 registration as "Ket".
Text of ad: "Thirty Dollars Reward. Ran away from the subscriber living in Whitedeer township Northumberland county, on the night of the 23rd inst. September a Negro Wench named Kate, about 29 of age, had on and took with her a black wool hat, two calico, two stripped, and one white muslin shortgown, three stripped linsey, one white muslin and one green stuff petticoat, three shifts, one pair high heeled shoes, one pair calfskin and one pair calimanco slippers; and sundry other cloathes unknown. She is of a black complexion, middle size, and wants her foreteeth, and was raised by capt. Crouch deceased late of Paxton. She was seduced away by a negro man who calls himself EDWARD ROBERTS, of a swarthy complexion and has worked some time in the neighborhood and says he is free. Had on a deep blue cloth coat a pair of royal ribb'd overalls a pair of cotton stockings and good shoes talks good English and is very artful and cunning, has said he designed going towards the Gennessee. It is supposed they will pass for man and wife as she is with child to him. Whoever takes up said Wench and Negroe man and secures them in any jail in the State of Pennsylvania so that the subscriber may get the Wench and the Negroe man be convicted, shall recieve the above reward, or fifteen dollars for the Wench and all reasonable charges paid by
ROAN McCLURE. September 26, 1801."
Source: The Farmer's Instructor, and Harrisburgh Courant, October 21, 1801
- Slaveholder Name: McCown, John
Township: Hanover
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at the time of the 1780 registration)
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Andy a.k.a. Sharper
Sex: Male
Age(): 27
Date of Registry or Record: 01 November 1780
Notes: Registration notes name as "Andy, alias Sharper."
Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Man."
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: McCrarey, John
Township:
County: Dauphin?
Occupation:
Notes: Surname possibly McCreary. Location not mentioned in escape ad for Ned, but the ad appeared in a Harrisburg newspaper.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ned
Sex: Male
Age: "near 40 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1754
Description: "Negro man"
Date of Record: 08 December 1794
Notes: Ned escaped from McCrarey on November 29, 1794. McCrarey placed the following escape and reward ad in the Harrisburg Oracle:
Ten dollars reward.
RAN away from the subscriber, on the evening of the 29th ult. a negro man, named NED, about 5 feet 10 inches high, and near 40 years of age; had on a short swan-skin jacket and tow trowsers; but 'tis probable will change his dress. He was scarred on each cheek with the mark of his country, and walks lame with his right foot.
Whoever secures said runaway in any jail, or leaves information at the widow Patterson's tavern, shall receive the above reward, and the reasonable charges paid by
JOHN M'CRAREY.
December 8, 1794.
Status: Slave for life. Self-emancipated November 1794. It is not determined if McCrarey ever recovered Ned. The ad above was published through December 22, 1794.
Source: Oracle of Dauphin and Harrisburgh Advertiser, 08 December 1794.
- Slaveholder Name: McGuire, Richard
Township: Paxton
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
Occupation: Blacksmith
Notes: McGuire apparently traveled to Lancaster along with two other local men to register slaves. The county clerk recorded their slaves as follows: "John Wiggins, Robert Gilchrist, farmers, and Richard McGuire, blacksmith, of Paxton T, enters as owners" Nance, Negroe Wench, about nine of age, slave during life; Dick, Negroe Boy, about seven of age, slave for life; Tob, Negroe Man, eighteen of age, slave during life, and Peet, Negroe Boy, ten of age, slave during life.
The clerk did not indicate who owned which slaves, but it was customary to list slaves by descending age, males first, followed by females in descending order of age. Using that custom as an indicator, it was possible to make a guess as to who held which enslaved persons.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tob
Sex: Male
Age(): 18
Date of Registry or Record: 12 October 1780
Notes: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Man," eighteen [years] of age, a "slave during life."
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Pete (Registered as "Peet")
Sex: Male
Age: 10
Date of Registry or Record: 12 October 1780
Notes: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Boy," ten of age, a "slave during life."
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: McKee, Isabella
Township: Derry
County: Dauphin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Harriet
Sex: Female
Age: Not indicated in source
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Sex: Female
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: McKee, James
Township: Paxton
County: Dauphin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: George
Sex: Male
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bess
Sex: Female
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Enslaved Person's Name: Isaac
Sex: Male
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Sex: Female
Age: about 25 years old at registration
Date of Registry or Record: 09 October 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as a "Negroe Woman." Registered at Lancaster.
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Paulina
Sex: Female
Age: 3 years old at Registration
Date of Registry or Record: 09 October 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as a "Mulatto Girl." Registered at Lancaster "as a slave."
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: George
Sex: Male
Age: Six months old at registration.
Date of Registry or Record: 09 October 1780
Notes: infant; Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as "Mulatto Boy." Registered at Lancaster "as a slave."
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: McKee, Thomas
Township: Paxton
County: Dauphin
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in escape ad
Sex: Male
Age: 26a
Date of Registry or Record: May 13, 1762
Notes: Status: Runaway. Text of runaway ad: "RUN AWAY on the 3d Inst. from the Subscriber, living in Paxton, Lancaster County, A Negroe Man, about 26 years of Age, 5 Feet 6 Inches high, a well set thick Fellow: Had on when he went away, A Blanket Coat, white Shirt, old knit Breeches, grey Yarn Stockings, old Shoes, a Worsted Cap, and an old Hat; he has with him a Linen Wallet, with sundry Things in it not known.
Whoever takes up and secures said Negroe, so that his Master may have him again (if taken out of this County) shall receive Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by THOMAS McKEE."
Note that the location "Paxton [township], Lancaster County" refers to a region in present day Dauphin County.
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, May 13, 1762; source list number 101
- Slaveholder Name: McKinney, Mordecai
Town or Borough: Middletown
Township:
County: Dauphin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Father of attorney Mordecai McKinney, who defended numerous fugitive slaves in the 1850's in Harrisburg.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dick
Sex: Male
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
- Slaveholder Name: McQueen, David
Township: Londonderry
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: 26
Date of Registry or Record: 30 October 1780
Notes: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Man," 26 old, a "slave during life."
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Philis
Sex: Female
Age: 25
Date of Registry or Record: 30 October 1780
Notes: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Woman," 25 years old, a "slave during life."
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dina
Sex: Female
Age: 11
Date of Registry or Record: 30 October 1780
Notes: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Woman," 11 years old, a "slave during life."
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780; "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Muzeta
Sex: Male
Age: 09
Date of Registry or Record: 30 October 1780
Notes: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Boy," 9 years old, a "slave during life."
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sampson
Sex: Male
Age(): 07
Date of Registry or Record: 30 October 1780
Notes: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Boy," 7 years old, a "slave during life."
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Lot
Sex: Male
Age: 04
Date of Registry or Record: 30 October 1780
Notes: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Boy," 4 years old, a "slave during life."
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Metzgar, Martin
Township: Londonderry
County: Dauphin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: Lived circa 1790-1859. Surname also spelled Metzger. Relocated from Dauphin County to Seneca County, New York in the 1830s.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Charlotte
Sex: Female
Age: "about 15 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1813
Date of Record: 25 October 1828; ads ran through November 1828
Status: Enslaved to age 25; self emancipated 27 September 1828
Notes: Text of escape notice placed in several Harrisburg newspapers:
Six Cents Reward.
RAN away from the subscriber, in Londonderry township, Dauphin county, on the 27th of September last, a black girl, named Charlotte, about 15 years of age, she had about ten years to serve; she is slim built and tall for her age: took with her two linsey frocks, one calico, a green silk bonnet, and sundry clothes not recollected. Any person who will bring the above servant girl back to the subscriber, shall receive the above reward but no charges.
Martin Metzgar.
Londonderry township, October 25, 1828.
Sources: Oracle of Dauphin, 25 October 1828; Harrisburg Argus, November 22, 1828
- Slaveholder Name: Miller, Andrew
Township: "Paxton" (Lower Paxton Township)
County: Dauphin
Occupation:
Notes: Residing at the house of his father-in-law Samuel Good. Andrew Miller's farm in Lower Paxton Township became one of the first meeting places of John Winebrenner's followers. Miller was an elder and organizer of the Church of God.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Female
Age: 25
Description: "Mulatto Wench"
Date of Birth: 1784
Date of Record: 29 April 1809
Status: Enslaved to age 30 (see notes)
Notes: Offered for sale in April 1809 along with her infant child. Text of ad placed by Miller:
FOR SALE,
A MULATTO WENCH, who has five years to serve and is now twenty five years of age, and has a child of five or six months old which will be sold along, and is recorded; she is an excellent cook, washerwoman, and capable of doing out door work. For terms apply to the printer hereof, or to the subscriber at the house of Mr. Samuel Good, in Paxton, three miles from Harrisburgh. ANDREW MILLER.
Born enslaved in 1784, the woman in this ad, per the Gradual Abolition Law of 1780, should have had a term of enslavement no longer than 28 years, and not thirty years, as advertised. In addition, her child was not subject to enslavement and could not be legally sold. It is possible that Miller petitioned the courts for a longer term of enslavment for the woman as a result of her becoming pregnant and bearing a child, but even in that instance, the status of enslavement could not legally be applied to her child, who was considered born free.
Source: Oracle of Dauphin, 29 April 1809.
- Slaveholder Name: Minshall, Thomas
Township: "Paxtang"
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jugg
Sex: Female
Age: 31
Description: "Negro woman"
Date of Birth: 1749
Date of Registry or Record: October 01, 1780
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Described in 1780 slave registration at Lancaster as "Negro woman." This slave is also listed an 1800 list of slaves in Swatara Township, as "Jug," a 40 year-old female slave, and in an 1807 list for the same township as "Jug a female about 60" .
Sources: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780." | Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807
- Enslaved Person's Name: Kate
Sex: Female
Age: 14
Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Date of Registry or Record: October 01, 1780
Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster.
Notes: Described in 1780 slave registration as "Negro girl."
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780."
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dan
Sex: Male
Age: 10
Description: "Negro boy"
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Date of Registry or Record: 10/1/1780
Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster.
Notes: Described in 1780 slave registration as "Negro boy."
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780."
- Enslaved Person's Name: Phebe
Sex: Female
Age: 06
Description: "Negro girl"
Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Date of Registry or Record: October 01, 1780
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Described in 1780 slave registration at Lancaster as "Negro girl." This person shows up in an 1800 list of slaves in Swatara Township as "Feby," a female slave, 24 old. She does not show up in a subsequent list of slaves for that township in 1807.
Sources: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780." | Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807
- Slaveholder Name: Mitchele, Alexander W.
City: Philadelphia
Township:
County: Philadelphia
Occupation: Physician
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Fleming Mitchele
Sex: Male
Age: 20 (or more)
Date of Registry or Record: 01 August 1837
Notes: Emancipated by Dr. Mitchele in 1837. Original emancipation paper: "Philadelphia 1st Augt. 1837. This is to certify that the bearer here of Fleming Mitchele, who was born a Slave in my father's house...Hereby is Emancipated + is a free man, honest, Sober + a man of Truth: he having lived with us for more than twenty .------Alex. W. Mitchele M.D."
A photograph of "General" Fleming Mitchell appears on page 43 of Harrisburg, by Linda A. Ries (Arcadia, 2000).
Source: Emancipation Papers of Fleming Mitchele
- Slaveholder Name: Montgomery, David
Township: Lower Paxton
County: Dauphin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
Sex: Male
Age: Four months old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 31 May 1800
Date of Registry or Record: 26 September 1800
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Catherine
Sex: Female
Age: Three months old at Registration
Description: "Mulatto"
Date of Birth: 30 January 1803
Date of Registry or Record: 13 May 1803
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Joseph
Sex: Male
Age: 26
Description: "Negroe Man"
Date of Birth: 1754 (calculated)
Status: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Man," 26 of age, a "slave during life."
Date of Registry or Record: 12 October 1780
Notes: This enslaved man does not appear with Montgomery in either the 1800 Septennial Census, or a July 1800 list of slaveholders in Dauphin County. The 1790 Federal Census shows Montgomery with two slaves for life, one of which may be Joseph (the slave names, Age and sex are not reported). Joseph may have died, been sold, or ran away in the between these various records.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Eff or Aff
Sex: Female
Age: 26
Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Date of Registry or Record: July 1800
Notes: "Aff" appears with David Montgomery in a July 1800 list of slaves in Dauphin County.
She ran away, taking her 18 year-old son, on March 05, 1802. Text of runaway ad:
"Six Dollars Reward. RAN away, on Friday, the 5th Instant, from the Subscriber, in Lower Paxton township, Dauphin county, a Negro Woman, named EFF; about 25 years of age, a large likely Wench, and has a Son with her, about 18 months old. She took with her a good deal of wearing Apparel, among which are calico Gowns, and 1 muslin ditto, some calico and linsey Shortgowns, a chip Hat, and other articles not particularly recollected. Whoever secures said Wench and Child, so that their Master get them again, shall have the above Reward, and all reasonable expences, if brought home.
DAVID MONTGOMERY. March 10, 1802."
Note that her name is given as Eff in the advertisement, and that her age is given as 25. This differs from the data in the 1800 slave list, but is close enough to believe that this is the same person. The child, described as an eighteen month-old son, is possibly Bob, the child registered in Dauphin County by Montgomery in September 1800 and listed above. Aff/Eff does not appear in any later records for Dauphin County, indicating that she either successfully escaped or was captured and sold.
Sources: Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807 | "Lancaster Intelligencer & Weekly Advertiser, March 17, 1802
- Enslaved Person's Name: Isaac
Sex: Male
Age: 20
Date of Birth: 1780 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Date of Registry or Record: July 1800
Notes: Isaac appears with David Montgomery in a July 1800 list of slaves in Dauphin County.
Source: Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807
- Slaveholder Name: Montgomery, Joseph
Township: Paxton
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
Occupation: Clerk
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Age: 25
Description: "Negro Man"
Date of Birth: circa 1755
Date of Registry or Record: September 14, 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Described as "Negro Man" in registration. Registered in Lancaster.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Margaret
Sex: Female
Age: 55
Description: "Negro Woman"
Date of Birth: circa 1725
Date of Registry or Record: September 14, 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Described as "Negro Woman" in registration. Registered in Lancaster.
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Moore, William
Township: Londonderry
County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at the time of the 1780 registration)
Occupation:
Notes: William Moore's two enslaved people were registered at Lancaster on November 1, 1780 "by his attorney William Hay of the same place [Londonderry Township]." Hay also registered the enslaved people of James Forster of Londonderry Township.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Maria
Sex: Female
Age: about 35 years old at registration
Description: "Negroe Woman"
Date of Birth: circa 1745
Date of Registry or Record: 01 November 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Woman, Age about 35 years."
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sampson
Sex: Male
Age(): "About 11 years" old at registration
Description: "Negroe Boy"
Date of Birth: circa 1769
Date of Registry or Record: 01 November 1780
Notes: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Boy, Age about 11 years."
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Neidig, John
Township: Swatara
County: Dauphin
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: John Stewart
Sex: Male
Age: Two months old at Registration
Description: "Negro"
Date of Birth: 24 April 1809 (per Registration document)
Date of Registry or Record: 07 July 1809
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves; 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 28 January 2025.
- Slaveholder Name: Nelson, Henry
Town or Borough: Libertytown
County: Frederick
State: Maryland
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Charles Barrick
Sex: Male
Age: 26
Date of Birth: 1802 (calculated)
Date of Registry or Record: 3/8/1828
Status: Runaway slave from Maryland, believed hiding in Pennsylvania.
Notes: Nicknamed "Buck."
Extract of runaway advertisement: $200 reward for Charles Barrick "Buck," Age 26, from Libertytown, Frederick County, Maryland. Henry Nelson, March 1, 1828.
Source: Harrisburg Argus, March 8, 1828
- Slaveholder Name: Noble, John
Town or Borough: Harrisburg
Township:
County: Dauphin
Occupation: "Victualler"
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Age: ?
Date of Registry or Record:
Notes: Status: Slave to Age28.
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
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