Slaveholders Listed on this Page
- Parker, Thomas (Enslaved persons listed: Un-named female)
- Parr, William (Enslaved persons listed: Mary, Sable, Cato, Jack, Amelia, Fanny, Poll, Tom, Sally, Sarah, Jennet)
- Patrick, John (Enslaved persons listed: Paul)
- Patterson, Arthur (Enslaved persons listed: Ben Grist)
- Patterson, James--Little Britain Twp. (Enslaved persons listed: Un-named female, 2 Un-named males, Samuel, Alfred)
- Patterson, James--Rapho Twp. (Enslaved persons listed: Hannah, Jonah, Elizabeth)
- Patterson, John (Enslaved persons listed: Julius)
- Patterson, Margaret (Enslaved persons listed: Dinah, Tom, Deb)
- Patterson, Thomas (Enslaved persons listed: Un-named female)
- Patton, James (Enslaved persons listed: Africa)
- Patton, Thomas (Enslaved persons listed: Tom, Phillis)
- Peck, Jacob (Enslaved persons listed: Nero, Pero)
- Peden, Esabella (Enslaved persons listed: Dina)
- Peden, Hugh (Enslaved persons listed: Beet, 2 Un-named males, Un-named female, Bob)
- Peden, John (Enslaved persons listed: Dina)
- Pinkerton, Henry (Enslaved persons listed: Samuel Forrest)
- Porter, Andrew (Enslaved persons listed: Sam, Abner, Un-named female, Fanny, Jean, Else, Abbe, Cyrus, Un-named male, Senaca, Reach, Dark, Ned, Ben, Pegg, Nance, Benjamin, James)
- Porter, James (Enslaved persons listed: John Shields)
- Porter, Stephen (Enslaved persons listed: Prince, Nan, Tamar, Priscilla, Jude, Bet, Bob)
- Porter, William (Enslaved persons listed: Jane, Sam, Bess, Dick, 2 Un-named females, Abner, Fanny, Un-named male, Jean, Franck, Abe, Else, Cyrus, Seneca, Jack, Nelly, Dinah, Reach, Nancy, Dark, Ned, Feb, Benn, Rachel, Peg, Jacob, Benjamin, James, Jack [born 1801])
- Postlethwaite, John (Enslaved persons listed: Tom, James, Sal, Cuffy)
- Purdy, Robert (Enslaved persons listed: Bob)
- Ramsey, Elizabeth (Enslaved persons listed: Hester, Esther, Peet, Bristo)
- Ramsey, William (Enslaved persons listed: Un-named slave)
- Reed, Alexander (Enslaved persons listed: Sammey)
- Reed, William (Enslaved persons listed: Hanna, Nan, Bet, Bett, Wemm, George)
- Reigart, Adam (Enslaved persons listed: Cesar, Un-named male, Will, Peg)
- Reigart, Christopher (Enslaved persons listed: Peter, Rachel, Michael, Jude, Jack)
- Reigart, Emanuel (Enslaved persons listed: Charley Brookens, Eliza, Juliana, Caroline, George)
- Reigart, Henry (Enslaved persons listed: Violet)
- Riegirt, Ulrick (Enslaved persons listed: Un-named male child)
- Richardson, I (Enslaved persons listed: Mary)
- Richey, William (Enslaved persons listed: Cezar, Philis)
- Rieger, Jacob (Enslaved persons listed: Clarissa)
- Rine, George, Junior (Enslaved persons listed: Reuben, Venus, James Sewell)
- Ritchey, William, Sr. (Enslaved persons listed: Lot)
- Ritsell, William (Enslaved persons listed: Louisa Smith)
- Robinson, Jane (Enslaved persons listed: Un-named female, Un-named male)
- Robinson, Thomas (Enslaved persons listed: Luce)
- Robison, Samuel (Enslaved persons listed: Bet, Peter)
- Ross, George, Esquire (Enslaved persons listed: Bob, Cooper, Thomas, Barnard, Richard, Dick, Betsy, James)
- Ross, James (Enslaved persons listed: Tom, Judge)
- Ross, Polly (Enslaved persons listed: Betsy)
- Royer, Jonathan (Enslaved persons listed: Thomas Morgan)
- Rutter, Barbara (Enslaved persons listed: Eve)
About the data in this list
Each listing represents a record of one Black enslaved person or indentured servant (more on terminology below). The list is sorted alphabetically according to the owner's surname. This order seems to be the most useful for several reasons. It groups enslaved persons together who would have lived with the same owner, and increases the likelihood of finding persons related to each other. Records of slave surnames are rare, many being identified only through their given name. You can search this listing for a specific slave given name by using your browser's Find feature.
Dates of birth shown for the enslaved persons, unless specified in the original documents, have been calculated by subtracting their given age from the date of the record. Their ages as reported in the original records are frequently given as approximations (such as "about 25 years of age"), signified by a lower case "a" following their age. The term Status refers to the enslaved person's relative freedom. Unless specified otherwise, slaves served "for life" prior to Pennsylvania's Gradual Emancipation Act of 1780. Children born to enslaved mothers after the passage of that legislation were to be kept in bondage until age 28, which was much of their productive lives.
The term Description is the description of the enslaved person as given in the original source (including misspellings). This was often a means by which those in bondage were placed into certain categories according to race and relative age.
Terminology, and other notes
The terms "slave" and "servant" were often used interchangeably, especially in the earliest years of the time period covered in this study. After the Gradual Emancipation Act of 1780 was passed in Pennsylvania, the term "servant," originally meaning either someone in indentured servitude or someone employed by the head of the household, was increasingly used to refer to the children of enslaved mothers who, being duly registered, where enslaved for twenty-eight years instead of for life. The passage from "slave" to "servant" was often indistinct for many Blacks, many of whom remained with their former owners after being legally emancipated. For simplicity I have used the term "slave" to represent these persons whom I believe were truly in bondage, even though some records list them as "servants." This list does not generally include white indentured servants, who were an entirely different class of exploited labor from Black slaves and Black "indentured servants."
The locations listed for the slaveholders, especially City or Township are mixed, and represent the location listed in the original record. As township boundaries shifted and new townships and counties were created, the original listing may be different from modern boundaries.
Enslavement Data
- Slaveholder Name: Parker, Thomas
City or Township:
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes: Purchased a "negro woman" from John M'Cay of Little Britain Township for sixty pounds in 1798. He later believed he was defrauded because the woman was actually free at the time.
- Enslaved Person's Name: ?
Sex: Female
Age: ? "woman"
Date of Birth: ?
Status: Not determined
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Parker purches this person from John M'Cay of Little Britain Township in 1798, but later came to believe that she was "free by law" at the time. Text of advertisement:
"CAUTION. WHEREAS John M'Cay, of Little Britain township, sold a negro woman to me Thomas Parker, for sixty pounds. I have given four notes to him of fifteen pounds each, with interest, payable August 1798, 1799, 1800 and 1801:--I am determined not to pay any more of them, as I think she was free by law at the same time.
N.B. The above notes are drawn payable to Elizabeth F. M'Cay, his daughter. THOMAS PARKER.
March 25."
Date of Record: March 25, 1801
Source: Lancaster Journal
- Slaveholder Name: Parr, William
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation: "Gentleman," Lawyer
Notes: In 1780 Parr registered his enslaved persons along with his wife, Grace, who registered as co-owner on some of the slaves. Parr was a lawyer, admitted to the Bar in the 1750s, who practiced in Lancaster and Philadelphia.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Mary
Sex: Female
Age: 46
Date of Birth: 1734 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto wench"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life." In that same document, Mary is also identified as the mother of Jack, Amelia, Poll, Sally (who is possibly the slave identified as Sarah), and Jennet. (see listings for children, below)
Date of Record: October 27, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sable
Sex: Male
Age: 24a
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration notes "a cooper by trade, and now hired to the Fetter of the bor. of Lancaster."
Date of Record: October 27, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cato
Sex: Male
Age: 24a
Date of Birth: circa 1756
Status: Runaway
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "a slave during life, runaway and supposed to be gone to the enemy." In September, Parr had placed the following ad in the Pennsylvania Gazette for Cato's capture:
Two Hundred Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, on the 9th instant, A NEGROE MAN, named CATO; had on a drab coloured jacket, or a brown one, leather breeches, and sundry other apparel with him. He is about 5 feet 7 inches high, aged 23 years, has remarkable small handsome features, plays on the violin, and took one with him. Whoever brings the said Negroe to the subscriber, or John Kidd, of Bensalem, Bucks county, Esq; Captain Thomas Reed, of Whitehill, near Bordentown, New Jersey, or Mr. John Redman, merchant in Front street, Philadelphia, shall receive the above reward, and reasonable charges.
WILLIAM PARR, Lancaster.
Parr's ad ran through the November 15, 1780 issue, indicating that he never recovered Cato. Another ad in a different paper reveals that Cato escaped in company with Tom, the enslaved young man of John Hubley, who also lived in the borough. Both men were believed by the owners to be attempting to get to British controlled New York to gain protection and freedom offered by British commanders. See the entry for Tom, enslaved man of John Hubley, for the full text of that ad.
Date of Record: Registration: October 27, 1780; Advertisement: September 20, November 15, 1780.
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"; The Pennsylvania Gazette, September 20, 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: 24a
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto man"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration notes "a slave during life, the child of the above named Mary and now at Sea on board the vessel call'd the Jolly Trooper, Captain Howell, Commander."
Date of Record: October 27, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Amelia
Sex: Female
Age: 22a
Date of Birth: 1758 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "girl"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life." It also includes the note that Amelia was the child of "the first named wench" (Mary).
Date of Record: October 27, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Fanny
Sex: Female
Age: 14
Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Status: Slave to age 18
Description: "Negro girl:
Notes:: 1780 Slave Registration notes: "bound out untill she is 18, and now living with Samuel Head, Shopkeeper, Philadelphia, the property of the above named Grace."
Date of Record: October 27, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Poll Footman
Sex: Female
Age: 13a
Date of Birth: circa 1767
Status: Slave for life
Description: girl
Notes: Poll's 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life." It also includes the note that Poll was the child of "the first named wench" (Mary). On May 20, 1791, at about age 24, Poll gave birth to a son, William. Her son was registered as a term slave by Lancaster lawyer Joseph Hubley on 26 September 1791, with the notation "Son of Poll Footman, a Female Slave" who was registered by the "late William Parr, Esquire, deceased (her former Master) at Lancaster as a Slave." It is from Hubley's registration of William that Poll's surname of Footman is documented.
Date of Record: October 27, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Age: 12a
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life to William Parr. Apprenticed to age 21 to a weaver in Philadelphia County.
Description: Negro boy
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration notes "bound an apprentice to ______ of Oxford twp, Philadelphia County, weaver, untill he arrives to the age of 21 yrs. The property of the said William."
Date of Record: October 27, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sally
Sex: Female
Age: 07a
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life." It also includes the note that Sally was the child of "the first named wench" (Mary). Sally may be the slave named "Sarah" who's baptism at St. James' Church in Lancaster in 1785 is recorded here. (Source 104)
Date of Record: October 27, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sarah
Sex: Female
Age: 10a
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Status: Not determined
Description:
Notes: Baptised November 11, 1785 in St. James' Episcopal Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Entry: "Sarah, a girl about 10 years, of a slave of William Parr." This is possibly "Sally," who was registered by Parr on October 27, 1780 at Lancaster. ("Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780")
Date of Record: 1785
Source: Wright, "Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Church Records of the 18th Century, Vol. 3"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jennet
Sex: Female
Age: 03a
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life." It also includes the note that Jennet was the child of "the first named wench" (Mary).
Date of Record: October 27, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Patrick, John
City or Township:
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Shop keeper and tan yard owner
Notes: Supposed to be living in Baltimore in 1771.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Paul
Sex: Male
Age: 23
Date of Birth: 1748 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro"
Notes: Ran away and was captured in Amherst County, Virginia. Text of jailer's advertisement:
COMMITTED to the gaol of Amherst county, a likely Negro fellow who calls himself PAUL, appears to be 23 years of age, is 5 feet 6 inches high, and has lost three of his fore teeth; has on an oznabrig shirt and trowsers, and a leather hat. He was lately brought into this county by James Ray, supposed to be a runaway servant, and now in gaol on suspicion of felony. The Negro says he is a tanner by trade, and is the property of John Patrick, who sometimes past kept a store and tan-yard in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and at present lives on Susquehannah in Baltimore county, Maryland. The owner of the said slave is desired to send for him, and pay charges to RICHARD ALLCOCK, Gaoler.
Date of Record: 10 January, 1771
Source: "http://people.uvawise.edu/runaways//index.html" Virginia
Runaways: Runaway Slave Advertisements from 18th Century Virginia Newspapers Virginia Gazette (Rind), Williamsburg, January 10, 1771, posted by Professor Thomas Costa, University of Virginia's College at Wise.
- Slaveholder Name: Patterson, Arthur
City or Township: Rapho Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ben Grist
Sex: Male
Age: "22 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1789
Status: Slave for a term of years. His year of birth suggests he is a term slave for 28 years.
Description: "Mulatto servant man"
Notes: Grist escaped from Patterson on December 23rd, 1810. Patterson published the following runaway notice to recapture him:
Ten Dollars Reward.
RAN away from the Subscriber, in Rapho township, Lancaster county, on the 23d ult. a Mulatto servant man, named Ben Grist, 22 years of age, about 5 feet 9 inches high; has a large scar in the middle of his forehead. had on an old fur hat, velvet roundabout, jacket and pantaloons of a dark-colored lyon-skin.
Whoever secures said Runaway in any jail, so that I may get him again, shall receive the above reward, and reasonable expenses, if brought home. ARTHUR PATTERSON.
Jan. 19.
Date of Record: 19 January 1811
Source: Lancaster Journal, 19 January 1811.
- Slaveholder Name: Patterson, James
City or Township: Little Britain Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: ???
Sex: Female
Age: 50
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Enslaved Person's Name: ???
Sex: Male
Age: 25
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Enslaved Person's Name: ???
Sex: Male
Age: 23
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Enslaved Person's Name: Samuel
Sex: Male
Age: Six months old at Registration.
Date of Birth: May 18, 1801
Status: Slave to the age of 28
Description: "Negro male child"
Notes: 1801 Registration notes "son of negro Susanna."
Date of Record: November 16, 1801
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Alfred
Sex: Male
Age: About four months old at Registration.
Date of Birth: November 23, 1805
Status: Slave to the age of 28
Description: "Negro male child"
Notes: 1806 Registration notes "son of Susanna," a female slave.
Date of Record: April 01, 1806
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Slaveholder Name: Patterson, James
City or Township: Rapho Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Blacksmith/Farmer
Notes: Husband of Margaret.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hannah
Sex: Female
Age: 19
Date of Birth: 1761 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro Woman
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies "slave for life." Mother of Dinah, born October 14, 1781; Tom, born December 22, 1783; Deb, born April 03, 1787; and Elizabeth, born November 15, 1794. Dinah, Tom and Deb were registered by Margaret Patterson in March 1789 for her husband James.
Date of Record: September 30, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780" | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me. . ."
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jonah
Sex: Male
Age: 11
Date of Birth: 1769 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies "slave for life."
Date of Record: September 30, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Elizabeth
Sex: Female
Age: infant
Date of Birth: November 15, 1794
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Female Child"
Notes: 1794 Registration notes "daughter of negro Hannah," a female slave.
Date of Record: November 22, 1794
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me. . ."
- Slaveholder Name: Patterson, John
City or Township: Little Britain Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Julius
Sex: Male
Age: 20a
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Ran away in Text of ad placed by Patterson, in conjunction with David Montgomery:
Twenty Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscribers, living in Little Britain township, Lancaster county, on the 19th inst. Two Negro Men, one named JOE, who likewise claims HOPKINS, as surname, about 28 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, a broad well made fellow, of a good countenance, his colour a clear black, his lips thin, and features all more like a white man than a Negro, has lost two of his teeth before, in the lower jaw, remarkable high forehead, the little finger of his left hand is crooked, occasioned by the cut of a sickle; had on and took with him one blue coat with broad carved metal buttons, another of a light coloured cloth, two striped jackets, two pair of troswers, one of which is striped, and old shoes.
The other named JULIUS, about 20 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high a well-made fellow, but not so clear a black, nor his countenance and features so good as the other, wears his hair tied, and plaited at the sides, has a small scar on the right cheek, and can play the violin tolerably well; had on a lapelled coat of yellow cassimere, and nankeen overalls.
Whoever takes up said Negroes, and secures them in any gaol, shall have the above reward, or ten dollars for either of them, and reasonable charges if brought home to their masters.
DAVID MOUNTGOMERY.
JOHN PATTERSON.
April 26, 1797
N.B. All masters of vessels are forewarned harbouring or carrying off said Negroes at their peril.
Date of Record: April 26, 1797
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, April 26, 1797
- Slaveholder Name: Patterson, Margaret
City or Township: Rapho Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes: Registered children of slaves for husband James.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dinah
Sex: Female
Age: 07
Date of Birth: 1781-October 14
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: Mulatto Wench
Notes: 1789 Registration notes: "child of Negroe Wench Hannah" who was registered in Lancaster. This is the Hannah listed under James Patterson of Rapho Township, above.
Date of Record: March 24, 1789
Source: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me. . ."
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Age: 05
Date of Birth: 1783-December 22
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: Mulatto Boy
Notes: 1789 Registration notes this child's mother was Hannah, a Negro slave registered in Lancaster. This is the Hannah listed under James Patterson of Rapho Township, above.
Date of Record: March 24, 1789
Source: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me. . ."
- Enslaved Person's Name: Deb
Sex: Female
Age: 01
Date of Birth: 1787-April 03
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: Mulatto Wench
Notes: 1789 Registration notes this child's mother was Hannah, a Negro slave registered in Lancaster. This is the Hannah listed under James Patterson of Rapho Township, above.
Date of Record: March 24, 1789
Source: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me. . ."
- Slaveholder Name: Patterson, Thomas
City or Township: Little Britain Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: ???
Sex: Female
Age: 60
Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Slaveholder Name: Patton, James
City or Township: Hempfield Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Africa
Sex: Male
Age: 25a ("or thereabouts")
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "Slave for life."
Date of Record: October 05, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Patton, Thomas
City or Township: Manor Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Age: 20a
Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro man
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave for life."
Date of Record: October 21, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Phillis
Sex: Female
Age: 19a
Date of Birth: 1761 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro woman
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave for life."
Date of Record: October 23, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Peck, Jacob
City or Township: Strasburg Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nero
Sex: Male
Age: 22a
Date of Birth: 1749 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: Ran away on July 28, 1771. Advertisement placed by Peck for his capture:
THIRTY SHILLINGS REWARD.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Strasburgh township, Lancaster county, on the 28th day of July last, a Negroe man, named NERO, about 22 years of age, a well set fellow, about 5 feet 6 inches high; had on a castor hat, a tow shirt, and old tow trowsers, patched on the knees; as he took no other cloathing with him, it is supposed he may steal vituals and cloathing, and travel mostly by night, to keep himself from being apprehended. Whoever takes up the said Negroe, and secures him in any goal, or brings him home, shall receive the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by me
JACOB PECK.
On the same day that Peck's ad appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette, this ad appeared in the same newspaper, placed by Chester jailor Joel Willis:
Chester, July 30, 1771. WAS committed to my Custody, a certain Negroe Man, named PEREW, who acknowledges himself to be the Slave of JACOB BECK, of Strasburgh township, in Lancaster county. His said Master is therefore requested to come or send for the said Negroe, pay charges, and take him away.
JOEL WILLIS, Goaler.
Date of Record: August 15, 1771
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, August 15, 1771
- Enslaved Person's Name: Pero
Sex: Male
Age: 23a
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: Ran away on July 28, 1771. Advertisement placed by Peck for his capture:
RUN away, from the subscriber, living in Strasburgh township, Lancaster county, on the 26th of July last, a NEGROE MAN, named PERO, about 5 feet 7 inches high, and about 23 years of age; had on, and took with him, three shirts, and a pair of trowsers of hemp, filled with tow, buckskin breeches, blue stockings, that have been footed, a lead coloured short coat, with tow lining, a new wool hat, and old shoes. Whoever takes up said Negroe, and secures him in any goal, so that his master may have him again, shall have Twenty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JACOB PECK.
Note the similarities to the slave Nero, who escaped two years earlier, almost to the day, and was recaptured. This may be the same person.
Date of Record: August 18, 1773
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, August 18, 1773
- Slaveholder Name: Peden, Esabella
City or Township:
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes: Daughter of John Peden, who died in 1775 and left the title to slave Dina to her.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dina
Sex: Female
Age: ? "girl"
Date of Birth: ? Pre-1775
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro girl
Notes: Source 109 notes that this is recorded in Lancaster County will book C, page 232. Excerpt: "John Pedan, of Hempfield township, leaves to 'daughter, Esabella, Dina ye Negroe Girl.' Will proved November 7, 1775."
Date of Record: November 07, 1775
Source: Robinson, "Sidelights on Slavery"
- Slaveholder Name: Peden, Hugh
City or Township: Rapho Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Beet (Bett?)
Sex: Female
Age: 24
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto woman"
Notes: 1780 Registration specifies status as "A Slave."
Date of Record: October 10, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: ?
Sex: Male
Age: 11
Date of Birth: 1769 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: 1780 Registration specifies status as "A Slave." No name is given in the Registration for this person (a violation of the law).
Date of Record: October 10, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: ?
Sex: Male
Age: 05
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto boy"
Notes: 1780 Registration specifies status as "A Slave." No name is given in the Registration for this person (a violation of the law).
Date of Record: October 10, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: ?
Sex: Female
Age: 03
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto female"
Notes: 1780 Registration specifies status as "A Slave." No name is given in the Registration for this person (a violation of the law).
Date of Record: October 10, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
Sex: Male
Age: 05
Date of Birth: 1783-October 17
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Mulatto Boy"
Notes: 1789 Registration notes: "born of a Mallatta woman."
Date of Record: March 31, 1789
Sources: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Slaveholder Name: Peden, John
City or Township: Hempfield Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes: Died 1775. His will leaves a slave to his daughter Esabella.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dina
Sex: Female
Age: ? "girl"
Date of Birth: ? Pre-1775
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Source 109 notes that this is recorded in Lancaster County will book C, page 232. Excerpt: "John Pedan, of Hempfield township, leaves to 'daughter, Esabella, Dina ye Negroe Girl.' Will proved November 7, 1775."
Date of Record: November 07, 1775
Source: Robinson, "Sidelights on Slavery"
- Slaveholder Name: Pinkerton, Henry
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Farmer, Wagoner, Director of the Farmer's Bank
Notes: Revolutionary War veteran, serving as Wagonmaster for Pennsylvania troops. Elected Assistant Burgess of Lancaster, 1806. Died 1816.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Samuel Forrest
Sex: Male
Age: "about 30 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1774
Status: Not determined
Description: "Mulatto man or Mustee"
Notes: Forrest did not return from a trip to Philadelphia, taking Pinkerton's wagon, team and receipts for goods he transported there. He appears to be an employee rather than an enslaved man.
100 DOLLARS REWARD.
ABSCONDED from the service of the subscriber, living in the borough of Lancaster, state of Pennsylvania, a Mulatto man or Mustee, named Samuel Forrest, about 30 years of age, about 5 feet 10 inches high, has black hair, squints and shuts his eyes when speaking or spoken to, had both his ears pierced for wearing rings. He left the city of Philadelphia on or about the first day of January 1814, with the subscribers team, consisting of three bay horses, one of them having a bald face with a ringle eye, and a fare dark bay mare with a blaze in her face, a large turnpike waggon, having broad wheels and the body painted blue and a new cover of Russia sheeting. He also took with him or made way with 5 or 600 dollars, which he received for the loading he took from Lancaster to Philadelphia. It is supposed he went with the team towards Amboy or New-York. Whoever takes up the said Samuel Forrest and secures him so that the subscriber may get his property, shall receive the above reward or in proportion to any part of the property recovered, and reasonable charges paid by
HENRY PINKERTON.
Jan. 14.
Date of Record: 14 January 1814
Source: Lancaster Intelligencer, 14 January 1814.
- Slaveholder Name: Porter, Andrew
City or Township: Little Britain Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Husbandman
Notes: Brother of William Porter.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
Sex: Male
Age: ? "child"
Date of Birth: ? Pre-1785
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "child"
Notes: Son of Else. Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen enslaved persons. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Abner
Sex: Male
Age: 34
Date of Birth: 1751 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen enslaved persons. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: ???
Sex: Female
Age: 45
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800. This is most likely Fanny, who was sold to Andrew Porter in 1785 at age 29.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Enslaved Person's Name: Fanny
Sex: Female
Age: 29
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Mother of Ben and Pegg. Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jean
Sex: Female
Age: 21
Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Else
Sex: Female
Age: 20
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Mother of Sam. Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Abbe
Sex: Male
Age: 20
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cyrus
Sex: Male
Age: 18
Date of Birth: 1767 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: ???
Sex: Male
Age: 30
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Enslaved Person's Name: Senaca
Sex: Male
Age: 14
Date of Birth: 1771 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Reach
Sex: Female
Age: 08
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dark
Sex: Female
Age: 05
Date of Birth: 1780 (calculated)
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ned
Sex: Male
Age: 5 years old
Date of Birth: 1780 (calculated)
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen enslaved people. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ben
Sex: Male
Age: 8 years old
Date of Birth: 1780-November
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Male Child"
Notes: 1789 Registration lists Ben's mother as Fanny, a "Negroe Female Slave" who was registered by William Porter at Lancaster as a slave.
Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: March 31, 1789
Sources: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Pegg
Sex: Female
Age: 7 years old
Date of Birth: 1782-February
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Female Child"
Notes: 1789 Registration lists Pegg's mother as Fanny, a "Negroe Female Slave" who was registered by William Porter at Lancaster as a slave.
Pegg was sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: March 31, 1789
Sources: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nance
Sex: Female
Age: Infant at time of Registration
Date of Birth: 1788-May
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Female Child"
Notes: 1789 Registration lists Nance's mother as Jane, a "Negroe Female Slave" who was registered by William Porter at Lancaster as a slave.
Date of Record: March 31, 1789
Sources: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Benjamin
Sex: Male
Age: infant
Date of Birth: 1791-May 28
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Male Child"
Notes: Benjamin was registered twice, first by William Porter on October 15, 1791, and then by William's brother Andrew on November 25, 1791. Andrew notes in the registration for Benjamin: "Son of Negroe Jane, registered by William Porter (whose property she formerly was) at Lancaster as a Slave." See also the registration for James, below.
Date of Record: November 25, 1791
Sources: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: James
Sex: Male
Age: About six months old at Registration.
Date of Birth: Reported by Andrew Porter as May 12, 1794 (see Slave Notes, below)
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Male Child"
Notes: This appears to be the same child registered by William Porter on August 15, 1794, as the son of Jane. The birth date is slightly different, but could be an error. Another of Jane's sons, Benjamin, was registered first by William Porter and then again later by his brother Andrew.
Date of Record: November 08, 1794
Sources: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Slaveholder Name: Porter, James
City or Township: Leacock Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: John Shields
Sex: Male
Age: "about 20 years"
Date of Birth: circa 1801
Status: Runaway slave (listed as "indentured")
Description: "servant"
Notes: Ran away on 16 September 1821. Text of runaway ad below:
$50 Reward.
Ran away from the subscriber, living in Leacock township, Lancaster county, on the night of the 16th inst. an indented negro servant who calls himself John Shields, aged about 20 years, of a yellow complexion, about five feet ten or eleven inches high, straight built and wll proportioned. He has a very large bushy head of hair and is very polite when spoken to. He has lived in Philadelphia for some time past in the capacity of servant at the Custom House.
He took with him a brown frock coat with a velvet collar, a blue cloth body coat made without flaps behind and trimmed with coronation buttons, one or two pairs of white drilling pantaloons, a blue striped seersucker roundabout, a red vest, grey cassimere pantaloons, and a number of other articles of clothing not known. He is supposed to have gone either towards Philadelphia or Pittsburg.
The above reward and all reasonable charges will be paid to any person on returning said runaway to the subscriber or securing him in any jail where he can get him.
James Porter.
Leacock township, Lancaster county, Pa, Sept. 21.
Date of Record: 21 September 1821
Source: Lancaster Journal, 21 September 1821
- Slaveholder Name: Porter, Stephen
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation: "Practitioner of Law"
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Prince
Sex: Male
Age: 44
Date of Birth: 1736 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specified status as "a slave."
Date of Record: October 31, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nan
Sex: Female
Age: 36
Date of Birth: 1744 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specified status as "a slave."
Date of Record: October 31, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tamar or Tame
Sex: Female
Age: 34
Date of Birth: 1746 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specified status as "a slave."
Date of Record: October 31, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Priscilla or Pris
Sex: Female
Age: 14
Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specified status as "a slave."
Date of Record: October 31, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jude
Sex: Female
Age: 12
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specified status as "a slave."
Date of Record: October 31, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bet
Sex: Female
Age: 07
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specified status as "a slave."
Date of Record: October 31, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
Sex: Male
Age: 02
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specified status as "a slave."
Date of Record: October 31, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Porter, William
City or Township: Leacock Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Farmer
Notes: By 1791, William Porter's township residence was listed as Little Britain.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jane
Sex: Female
Age: ?
Date of Birth: ?
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Female"
Notes: Jane's child Nance was registered by William Porter's brother Andrew, of Little Britain Township. The 1789 registration notes that Jane was registered by William at Lancaster as a slave. Jane's son Benjamin was registered twice, first by William Porter on October 15, 1791, and then by William's brother Andrew on November 25, 1791. Andrew notes in the registration for Benjamin: "Son of Negroe Jane, registered by William Porter (whose property she formerly was) at Lancaster as a Slave."
Mother also of James, born May 28, 1794, and who was also registered by both Porter brothers.
Date of Record: March 31, 1789
Source: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
Sex: Male
Age: ? "child"
Date of Birth: ? Pre-1785
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "child"
Notes: Son of Else. Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bess
Sex: Female
Age: 50
Date of Birth: 1730 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: October 06, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dick
Sex: Male
Age: 40
Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: October 06, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: ?
Sex: Female
Age: 32a
Date of Birth: 1748 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave for life."
Date of Record: October 10, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Abner
Sex: Male
Age: 30
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113. Abner's age, at the time of the sale, was listed as 34 years.
Date of Record: October 06, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: ?
Sex: Female
Age: 26
Date of Birth: 1754 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto woman"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave for life."
Date of Record: October 10, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Fanny
Sex: Female
Age: 25 (in 1780 Slave Registration)
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro Female
Notes: Fanny's children Ben and Pegg were registered by William Porter's brother Andrew, of Little Britain Township. The 1789 registration notes that Fanny was registered by William at Lancaster as a slave. This is verified in source 102, which shows William Porter registering Fanny on October 06, 1780.
Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113. Fanny's age at time of sale is listed as 29 years.
Date of Record: March 31, 1789
Source: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780
- Enslaved Person's Name: ???
Sex: Male
Age: 40
Date of Birth: 1760 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jean
Sex: Female
Age: 17
Date of Birth: 1763 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: This could be "Negroe Jane a Female Slave, registered by me at Lancaster," who is named as the mother of Nance, and who is listed above as "Jane." A "Jane" does not show up in the 1780 Registrations for William Porter, which I have seen. (GFN, Editor)
Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Jean's age at time of sale was given as twenty years. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: October 06, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Franck
Sex: Male
Age: 16
Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: October 06, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Abraham, a.k.a. Abe
Sex: Male
Age: 16
Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Abraham was sold to Nicholas Boyd in 1800. It is not known how possession of Abraham came back to William Porter, or for certain if this is even the same person. Text of the 1800 bill of sale:
Know all men by these presents that I William Porter of the Township of Little Britain in the County of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania Yeoman for and in Consideration of the Sum of One hundred and Fifty Pounds in Gold or Silver Coin current in Pennsylvania to me at or before the Sealling and Delivery hereof well and truly in Hand paid by Nicholas Boyd of the Township of Drumore in the said County of Lancaster Yeoman (the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge)
Have bargained sold assigned transferred set over and delivered and hereby Do bargain sell assign transfer set over and deliver unto the said Nicholas Boyd his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns one Negro Man named Abraham, one brown Mare and also the following Articles Goods and Chattels, to wit three Feather Beds with the Bedsteads and Furniture thereto belonging, one Clothespress, two folding tables, one of them Mahogony, one Corner Cupboard with Glass Doors, one Desk, one Brass Warming Pan, Six rushbottom Chairs one Couch, two Brass Andirons, one large Looking Glass, and one Trunk, and all my Right Title Interest Property Claim and Demand of in and to the same. To have and to hold the said Negroe Man the said Mare and all and singular the said Articles Goods and Chattels and Premises hereby granted assigned and set over (or mentioned or intended or intended to be) unto the said Nicholas Boyd his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns To and for his and Their proper Use Benefit and Behoof." Signed August 11, 1800. Recorded in Deed Book I, Vol. 3; November 10, 1800. (Source 112)
Date of Record: October 06, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Else
Sex: Female
Age: 20
Date of Birth: 1765 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Mother of Sam. Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cyrus
Sex: Male
Age: 18
Date of Birth: 1767 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen enslaved persons. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Seneca
Sex: Male
Age: 10
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen enslaved persons. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113. Seneca's age at the time of sale is given as fourteen years.
Date of Record: October 06, 1780 (Registration)
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: 8 years old
Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes:
Date of Record: October 06, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nelly
Sex: Female
Age: 7 years old
Date of Birth: 1773 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "child"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave for life." It also notes that this is the child of one of the two un-named slave women registered on the same date.
Date of Record: October 10, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dinah
Sex: Female
Age: 5 years old
Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "child"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave for life." It also notes that this is the child of one of the two un-named slave women registered on the same date.
Date of Record: October 10, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Reach (Short for Rachel?)
Sex: Female
Age: (at Registration, in 1780) 4 years old
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Name could be familiar for Rachel. Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113. Reach's age at time of sale was listed as eight years.
Date of Record: October 03, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nancy
Sex: Female
Age: 3 years old
Date of Birth: 1777 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "child"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave for life." It also notes that this is the child of one of the two un-named slave women registered on the same date.
Date of Record: October 10, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dark
Sex: Female
Age: 1 year old
Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Dark's age at the time of sale was listed as five years. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: October 06, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ned
Sex: Male
Age: 1 year old
Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro"
Notes: Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale which included thirteen slaves. Ned's age at the time of the sale was given as five years. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: October 06, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Feb (Short for Phebe)
Sex: Female
Age: 1 year old
Date of Birth: 1779 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "child"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave for life." It also notes that this is the child of one of the two un-named slave women registered on the same date. Possibly the mother of Jack, born November 15, 1801, and identified as "mulatto Phebe."
Date of Record: October 10, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Benn
Sex: Male
Age: 4 years old
Date of Birth: 1781 (calculated)
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: Son of Fanny. Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale that included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Rachel
Sex: Female
Age: 8 years old
Date of Birth: 1781-March
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: (original return)"Wench;" (clerk's record) "Negro girl"
Notes: 1789 Registration notes: "born March."
Date of Record: March 27, 1789
Source: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me. . ."
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peg
Sex: Female
Age: 2 years old
Date of Birth: 1783 (calculated)
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro girl"
Notes: Daughter of Fanny. Sold by William Porter to Andrew Porter on July 26, 1785, as part of a large estate sale that included thirteen slaves. Full text of the Bill of Sale is at Source 113.
Date of Record: July 26, 1785
Source: Bill of Sale; William Porter to Andrew Porter. Dated 26 July 1785
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jacob
Sex: Male
Age: 6 years old
Date of Birth: 1783-March
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: (Original return) "Boy;" (clerk's record) "Negro boy"
Notes: 1789 Registration notes: "born March."
Date of Record: March 27, 1789
Sources: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me. . ."
- Enslaved Person's Name: Benjamin
Sex: Male
Age: Five months old at Registration
Date of Birth: 1791-May
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Male Child"
Notes: 1791 Registration notes "Son of Negroe Jane a Female Slave, registered by me at Lancaster." Jane's son Benjamin was registered twice, first by William Porter on October 15, 1791, and then by William's brother Andrew on November 25, 1791. Andrew notes in the registration for Benjamin: "Son of Negroe Jane, registered by William Porter (whose property she formerly was) at Lancaster as a Slave."
Date of Record: October 15, 1791
Sources: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: James
Sex: Male
Age: Infant at Registration
Date of Birth: May 28, 1794
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro Male Child"
Notes: 1794 Registration notes "Son of Negroe Jane a Female Slave"
Date of Record: August 15, 1794
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: Infant at Registration.
Date of Birth: November 15, 1801
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Mulatto Male Child"
Notes: 1802 Registration notes "son of mulatto Phebe." (See notes for the slave "Feb," listed above.)
Date of Record: January 28, 1802
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Slaveholder Name: Postlethwaite, John
City or Township: Conestoga Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Farmer, tavernkeeper
Notes: Born 1680 in England, died 1749 in Lancaster County. Father of Samuel Postlethwaite, of Cumberland County.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Age: Not stated, but appears to be an adult.
Date of Birth: Prior to 1749.
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto"
Notes: Bequeathed temporarily to Postlethwaite's wife, then to his son John as follows: "I Give and Devise unto my son John the Plantation whereon I now live, with all the houses, buildings and improvements thereon and the Tract of land thereto belonging as the same is laid out and divided, being bound on the North-East by Conestogoe Creek, on the South-west by the Mill Tract and on the South-end by Jacob Miller's land, and contains one hundred acres, and the Allowance for Roads etc to Hold to my son John's Heirs and Assigns forever, and Privileges and Benefits thereon for my Wife herein before mentioned, and for maintaining the younger children, always excepted and referred, and it is further my will that my Mulatto Tom, Negro Boy James and Negro Woman Sal work on the Plantation for ye Benefit of my Wife and maintenance of the children until my Son John, shall obtain his age of Twenty-One Years and then I Give and Bequeath the same or such of them as shall be living to my said Son John."
Date of Record: Will written 22 February 1749, proved 10 July 1749.
Source: Philadelphia Will Book 1, p. 139, #87, 1748/49. Will fully transcribed at "Vonda's Home Page, John Postlethwaite Will," http://home.comcast.net/~vondadem/postwill.htm, accessed 20 March 2006.
- Enslaved Person's Name: James
Sex: Male
Age: Not stated, but described as a "boy."
Date of Birth: Prior to 1749.
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Bequeathed temporarily to Postlethwaite's wife, then to his son John as above.
Date of Record: Will written 22 February 1749, proved 10 July 1749.
Source: Philadelphia Will Book 1, p. 139, #87, 1748/49. Will fully transcribed at "Vonda's Home Page, John Postlethwaite Will,"
http://home.comcast.net/~vondadem/postwill.htm, accessed 20 March 2006.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sal
Sex: Female
Age: Not stated, but described as a "woman."
Date of Birth: Prior to 1749.
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: Bequeathed temporarily to Postlethwaite's wife, then to his son John as above.
Date of Record: Will written 22 February 1749, proved 10 July 1749.
Source: Philadelphia Will Book 1, p. 139, #87, 1748/49. Will fully transcribed at "Vonda's Home Page, John Postlethwaite Will,"
http://home.comcast.net/~vondadem/postwill.htm, accessed 20 March 2006.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cuffy
Sex: Male
Age: Not stated, but described as a "boy."
Date of Birth: Prior to 1749.
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Purchased from John Postlethwaite by Isaac Baker of "Conogschege," Maryland. Baker was Postlethwaite's son-in-law, having married his eldest daughter Catharine. In his will, Postlethwaite allowed the debt for "the Negro Boy Cuffy he purchesed [sic] of me" to subside.
Date of Record: Will written 22 February 1749, proved 10 July 1749.
Source: Philadelphia Will Book 1, p. 139, #87, 1748/49. Will fully transcribed at "Vonda's Home Page, John Postlethwaite Will,"
http://home.comcast.net/~vondadem/postwill.htm, accessed 20 March 2006.
- Slaveholder Name: Purdy, Robert
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Gentleman
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
Sex: Male
Age: 19
Date of Birth: 1761 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe Man"
Notes: 1780 Registration specifies "Slave for life."
Date of Record: August 29, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Ramsey, Elizabeth
City or Township: Bart Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Widow
Notes: Elizabeth Ramsey is enumerated in the 1790 Federal Census for Bart Township, Lancaster County. In that census, her household contains one slave and one "other free person," which is consistent with Ramsey owning Hester and Hester's son Peet. It also reinforces the theory that Esther and Hester are the same person. "Widow Ramsey" is enumerated in the Federal Census of 1800 for Bart Township, but no enslaved persons are recorded in her household, nor any "Free Persons of Color." Only one white female between the ages of 26 and 44, and one white female over age 44 are enumerated. (Source: 1800 Federal Census, Bart Township, Lancaster County)
Source: First Census of the United States, 1790, Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, page 189, NARA microfilm publication M637, Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hester (see also "Esther," listed below)
Sex: Female
Age: ?
Date of Birth: ?
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Wench"
Notes: 1789 Registration of Hester's son Peet says: "Now these are to certify the She the said Hester, was on the Night of the Thirteenth or the Morning of the fourteenth Day of March Last, Delivered in my house of a Male Child by us Named Peet."
Note: This is probably the slave Esther, registered by Ramsay on October 31, 1780 at Lancaster (see below). Hester was also the mother of Bristo, a son born on November 14, 1791. The county clerk's Registration for Bristo notes "son of Negro woman called Hester, a slave."
Several years prior the birth of her children, Hester made an escape attempt. She was captured and jailed in New Castle, Delaware on January 5, 1782, indicating she probably escaped from Ramsey in late December 1781. New Castle Jailer Thomas Clark advertised her capture in The Pennsylvania Gazette:
New-Castle, Feb. 4, 1782.
WAS committed to the goal of this county, on the fifth day of January last, a young Negroe wench, named HESTER; and confesseth herself to be the property of Elizabeth Ramsey, at or near to Octarara. Her mistress or owner is requested to come, pay charges, and take her away within three weeks from the above date, otherwise she will be discharged according to law.
THOMAS CLARK, Goaler.
Hester sat in the New Castle jail for a month after her capture before the ad above was published. As noted, she was apparently recovered from the jail by Ramsey, and was with her through the birth of her sons, Peet (1789) and Bristo (1791).
Date of Record: 04 February 1782 (Jailer's ad); August 05, 1789 (Peet's registration)
Sources: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780; The Pennsylvania Gazette, 13 February 1782.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Esther (see also "Hester," listed above)
Sex: Female
Age: 18
Date of Birth: 1762 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro wench"
Notes: Esther may actually be "Hester," the slave documented by Ramsay as the mother of Peet and Bristo. Ramsay registered only one slave in 1780 and reported her name as "Esther."
Date of Record: October 31, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peet
Sex: Male
Age: About five months old at time of Registration
Date of Birth: 13 or 14 March 1789 (County clerk's records note "born on or about March 13, 1789" but Ramsey's original registration, dated 05 August 1789, states the birth occurred "on the Night of the Thirteenth or the Morning of the fourteenth Day of March Last.")
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Male Child"
Notes: Peet's mother is Hester, also owned by Elizabeth Ramsey (see entry above).
Date of Record: August 05, 1789
Sources: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bristo
Sex: Male
Age: One month old at Registration
Date of Birth: 14 November 1791
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Male Negro Child"
Notes: 1791 Registration notes "Son of Hester." Hester was a female slave owned by Elizabeth Ramsey.
Date of Record: 14 December 1791
Sources: Returns of Negro and Mulatto Children Born After the Year 1780 | "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Slaveholder Name: Ramsey, William
City or Township: Bart Township
County: Lancaster County
Occupation:
Notes: Though this person is listed in the 1800 Federal Census as owning one slave, his name does not appear in the 1800 Pennsylvania Septennial Census as a slaveholder. This could indicate that the slave was too young to be counted as a taxable slave, as no slaves under age twenty were enumerated on that census. It could also indicate incomplete records.
- Enslaved Person's Name: ?
Sex: Not determined
Age: ?
Date of Birth: ?
Status: Not determined
Description:
Notes: The 1800 Federal Census does not identify age, name or sex of slaves. Not shown on the 1800 Pennsylvania Septennial Census, possibly indicating that this slave was under age twenty at the time, or a change of ownership between the recording of the two census records.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: 1800 Federal Census, Bart Township, Lancaster County
- Slaveholder Name: Reed, Alexander
City or Township:
County:
Occupation:
Notes: Reed, from North Carolina, registered his slave with the county clerk in accordance with law as a person "taking refuge" in the state.
This is in reference to a September 1781 amendment to the Gradual Abolition Act, which gave refuge to slaveholders from the south who were fleeing the fighting there. Without special refuge status, any slaves they brought into the state of Pennsylvania would have become free in six months. This amendment gave a special exemption to these southern slaveholders, allowing them, as long as they registered their slaves with the county clerk, to keep those slaves while living in Pennsylvania, without fear that those slaves would be emancipated.
For an example of a southern slaveholder losing a slave through non-compliance with Pennsylvania abolition laws, see "Ritsell, William" and read about his former slave Louisa Smith.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sammey
Sex: Male
Age: "about ten years of age"
Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro boy"
Notes: Full text of the entry reads: "Alexander Reed of North Carolina Enters as his slave, a negroe boy named Sammey, about ten years of age."
Date of Record: March 06, 1782
Source: "Register of Negroe & Mullatto Slaves Entered in the Clerk's Office in pursuance of the Act 'An Act to give Relief to certain persons taking refuge in this state, with respect to their slaves.' "
- Slaveholder Name: Reed, William
City or Township: Drumore Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Farmer/Husbandman
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Hanna
Sex: Female
Age: 33a
Date of Birth: 1747 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe"
Notes: Mother of Bett, Wemm, and George--slave children registered by Reed at Lancaster on March 31, 1789. (Source 119)
Date of Record: August 22, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nan
Sex: Female
Age: 04a
Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe"
Notes:
Date of Record: August 22, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bet
Sex: Female
Age: 02a
Date of Birth: 1778 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe"
Notes:
Date of Record: August 22, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bett
Sex: Female
Age: 10 months old at time of Registration
Date of Birth: May, 1788
Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Description: "Negro female child"
Notes: 1789 Registration notes "daughter of Hannah," a negro female slave. Hannah was registered by Reed at Lancaster on August 22, 1780 (see her entry, above).
Date of Record: March 31, 1789
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Wemm
Sex: Male
Age: 6 years old at time of Registration
Date of Birth: August, 1782
Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Description: "Negro male child"
Notes: 1789 Registration notes "the son of the said negro Hannah." Hannah was registered by Reed at Lancaster on August 22, 1780 (see her entry, above).
Date of Record: March 31, 1789
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: George
Sex: Male
Age: 6 years old at time of Registration
Date of Birth: June, 1785
Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Description: "Mulatto male child"
Notes: 1789 Registration notes "another son of the said negro Hannah." Hannah was registered by Reed at Lancaster on August 22, 1780 (see her entry, above).
Date of Record: March 31, 1789
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Slaveholder Name: Reigart, Adam, Colonel
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Innkeeper, The Grapes, North Queen Street, Lancaster
Notes: Lived 1739-1813. Mentioned by Jacob Gamber in a runaway ad as the former employer of his slave, Tim Jenkin, as a carriage driver in 1806. (See "Gamber, Jacob")
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cesar
Sex: Male
Age: 32a
Date of Birth: 1748 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 21, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: ???
Sex: Male
Age: 50
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Enumerated in the 1800 Septennial Census. Possibly "Cesar," above.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Enslaved Person's Name: Will
Sex: Male
Age: 24a
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto man"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life." Shortly before registratin, Will escaped from Reigart, who placed the following advertisement to recover him:
September 14, 1780.
RAN AWAY last night from the subscriber, living in the borough of Lancaster, a mulatto slave named WILL, about 24 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, round face, pleasant look, a good deal pock marked, fond of talking, plays the fiddle well, and is very fond of it; had on and took with him a white linen coatee with narrow red bindings, a cloth coloured velvet jacket made belt fashion, ribb'd linen breeches, thread stockings, half worn shoes, one fine shirt, and shirt and trowsers of tow linen. Whoever takes up and secures said Mulatto so that his master may have him again, shall receive EIGHT SILVER DOLLARS Reward, and if brought home to the owner, reasonable charges, paid by
ADAM REIGART.
Date of Record: October 21, 1780 (Registration); September 14, 1780 (Advertisement);
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peg
Sex: Female
Age: 21a
Date of Birth: 1759 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro wench"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 21, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Reigart, Christopher
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Butcher
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: 18a
Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe Man"
Notes: Ran away on 11 December, 1763. Text of runaway ad placed by Reigart:
RUN away, on Sunday the 11th inst. December, from the Subscriber, living in Lancaster, a Negroe Man, named Jack, about 18 Years of Age, 5 Feet 7 or 8 Inches high, speaks broken English, and is apt to stutter, when suprized, well made, and has a tolerable good Countenance, has had the Small pox; Had on, when he went away, a new light coloured Cloth Coat, a red Cloth Waistcoat, double breasted, a Pair of Leather Breeches, and a Pair of Check Trowsers, a new Hat, a Pair half worn Shoes; he says he has been used to the Seas, it is probable he may make to some Landing. Whoever takes up and secures said Negroe, so that his Master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, besides what the Law allows, and reasonable Charges, paid by
CHRISTOPHER RYGART.
N.B. All Masters of Vessels are forbid to carry him off.
Reigert placed another ad sixteen months later, which seems to describe a similar person, very possibly Jack again:
RUN away last Night, from the Subscriber, living in the Borough of Lancaster, a likely Negroe Fellow, about 5 feet 6 Inches high, 21 Years of Age, Stutters in his Talk a little: Had on, when he went away, an Ash coloured Lincey Coat, red double breasted Jacket, Wool Hat, and good Shoes and Stockings. Whoever takes up said Negroe, and secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by CHRISTOPHER REIGART. April 2, 1764.
Jack is definitely identified as the runaway in this advertisement, three months after the previous:
RUN away from the Subscriber, in the Borough of Lancaster, in the Province of Pennsylvania, on the 16th of July, a likely Negroe Man, named Jack, about 20 Years of Age, of a yellowish Colour, speaks tolerable good English, but when surprised is apt to stutter; he has for some Time been kept at the Butchering Business: Had on, and too, with him, a good Castor Hat, about half wore, but has been lately dressed; a good Coat, made of homemade Cloth of a Cloth Colour, with flat Metal Buttons; a double breasted scarlet Waistcoat, good Shirt, made of Country Lines; Check Trowsers, and good Shoes or Pumps. Whoever takes up said Negroe Fellow, and brings him to his Master, or secures him in any Goal, so that his Master may have him again, shall have Thirty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by
CHRISTOPHER RIGART.
Jack ran away again the next month, in the company of another slave, named October, belonging to Henry Helm:
RUN away, the 12th of August inst., from the Subscriber living in the Borough of Lancaster, two Negroe Men; one named Jack, of a Mulattoe Colour, about 5 Feet 4 Inches high; had, when he went away, an Iron Collar round his Neck, with a short Prong, a little crooked at the Point, which might be pretty easily hid or covered; he is a slender made Fellow, pretty smart, can talk, and understands the French Tongue; had on a small Caster Hat, bound round, and a Jacket without Sleeves. The other named October, about 5 Feet 2 Inches high, very black, and wants some of his Teeth before; a broad shouldered well set Fellow, with a good deal of the Wool off one Side of his Head, by Reason of a Cut or two; had on, when he went away, a white Cotton jacket, and Tow Shirt and Trowsers. They are both about 19 or 20 Years of Age, and both speak good English. Whoever takes up both the Negroes, and secures them in any Goal, so that their Masters may have them again, shall have Fifty Shillings Reward for both, or Twenty five Shillings for each, and reasonable Charges, paid by
CHRISTOPHER RIGERT, and HENRY HELM.
Henry Helm offered for sale an unnamed male slave, "about 19 or 20 years of age" the following April, possibly the slave named October.
Dates of Record: December 22, 1763; April 12, 1764; July 26, 1764; September 13, 1764
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, December 22, 1763; April 12, 1764; July 26, 1764; September 13, 1764
- Enslaved Person's Name: October
Sex: Male
Age: "about 19 or 20 Years of Age"
Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Ran away in August 1764 in the company of Jack. See the advertisement dated September 1764, above.
Date of Record: September 13, 1764
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, September 13, 1764
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: 30
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies "slave for life."
Date of Record: September 30, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Rachel
Sex: Female
Age: 25
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Woman"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies "slave for life."
Date of Record: September 30, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Michael
Sex: Male
Age: 25
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies "slave for life."
Date of Record: September 30, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jude
Sex: Female
Age: 14
Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies "slave for life."
Date of Record: September 30, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Reigart, Emanuel
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Charley Brookens, a.k.a. Larry or Aleck
Sex: Male
Age: 21a
Date of Birth: 1786 (calculated)
Status: Runaway
Description: "Mulatto servant man"
Notes: Text of runaway ad:
Twenty Dollars Reward. RAN away on Saturday night last, a Mulatto servant man, named Larry, sometimes calls himself Charley Brookens, near 21 years of age, 6 feet high, raw-boned, small-face, small eyes, down look when spoken to--strong and active, very quarrelsome when in liquor. Had on and took with him a dark blue roundabout jacket with white buttons, swansdown waistcoat with red, yellow and white stripes, a pair of dark olive velvet pantaloons nearly new and rather short, a pair of light olive coloured do. old nankeen roundabout jacket and pantaloons of an olive colour, 2 homemade shirts, 1 pair shoes and 1 pair pumps, a yellow neck handkerchief, a black fur hat, large rim, about half-worn; --he also took with him a heavy turned hickory stick. He has worked two years at the tanning business.
Whoever secures said run-away in any goal so that I get him again, shall receive the above reward, with reasonable charges, if brought home to the subscriber, living in the borough of Lancaster. EMANUEL REIGART.
September 13, 1807.
N.B. All masters of vessels are forbid harbouring or taking away said run-away at their peril.
Brookens (also spelled Brookins) was captured but escaped again about the same time the next year:
FORTY DOLLARS REWARD. RAN-AWAY on Tuesday night last, a Mulatto man, named LARRY, Sometimes calls himself CHARLEY BROOKINS, alias ALECK, has six years to serve, nearly 22 years of age, 5 feet 10 1/2 inches high,; raw boned; small face; has a scar on his left cheek, which he got by fighting; small eyes; down look; stoop shouldered; strong and active; very quarrelsome when in liquor. Had on, and took with him, a dark blue broad cloth frock coat, with a black velvet collar, and faced with the same; an olive coloured nankeen roundabout and pantaloons; a calico waistcoat--all new; two home made shirts; a black fur hat, with a large rim, about half worn. He has worked three years at the tanning business.
Whoever secures said run-away in any jail, so that I get him again, shall receive the above reward, with reasonable charges, if brought home to the subscriber, living in the borough of Lancaster. EMANUEL REIGART.
September 2, 1808.
N.B. All masters of vessels are forbid harbouring or taking away said run away at their peril.
Date of Record: September 18, 1807; September 2, 1808.
Source: Lancaster Journal,18 September 1807; 02 September 1808.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Eliza
Sex: Female
Age: ? (adult--under age 24)
Date of Birth: ?
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Servant girl"
Notes: Mother of Juliana, born January 15, 1816, Caroline, born September 26, 1817 and George, born August 10, 1820. The Registration for Juliana notes that Eliza "was emancipated by her former master George Gale of Cecil County Maryland and by him sold to George Bryan Esquire and by him transferred to said Reigart." It also notes that her status was "liable to serve till she arrives at the age of 28 years."
Date of Record: July 03, 1816
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Juliana
Sex: Female
Age: Five months old at Registration.
Date of Birth: January 15, 1816
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Female negro child"
Notes: Text of the Registration for Juliana: "Emanual Reigart of Lancaster Bor., farmer, returns a female negro child named Juliana, daughter of his servant girl named Eliza, who was emancipated by her former master George Gale of Cecil County Maryland and by him sold to George Bryan Esquire and by him transferred to said Reigart, liable to serve till she arrives at the age of 28 years, said child was born January 15, 1816."
Date of Record: July 03, 1816
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Caroline
Sex: Female
Age: Four months old at Registration.
Date of Birth: September 26, 1817
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Female negro child"
Notes: Text of the Registration for Caroline: "Emanual Reigart, Esq. of Lancaster Bor., farmer, returns to the Clerk of the Peace of said county of Lancaster to be entered of record, a female negro child named Caroline, daughter of his servant girl named Eliza, who was emancipated by her former master George Gale of Cecil County Maryland and by him sold to George Bryan Esq., and by him transferred to said Emanuel Reigart liable to serve till she arrives to the age of 28 years, said child was born September 26, 1817."
Date of Record: February 10, 1818
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: George
Sex: Male
Age: Five months old at Registration.
Date of Birth: August 10, 1820
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Male negro child"
Notes: Text of the 1821 Registration of George: "Emanuel Reigart Esquire of Lancaster City, returns a male negro child named George, son of his servant woman named Eliza, liable to serve until she arrives at the age of 28 years. Said child was born August 10, 1820."
Date of Record: January 09, 1821
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Slaveholder Name: Reigart, Henry
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Coppersmith
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Violet
Sex: Female
Age: Three months old at Registration.
Date of Birth: December 23, 1808
Status: "Liable to serve till she arrives to the age of 28 years."
Description: "Female child"
Notes: 1809 Registration notes "the daughter of negress Poll, a female servant till the age of 28 years liable to serve till she arrives to the age of 28 years."
Date of Record: March 23, 1809
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Slaveholder Name: Riegirt, Ulrick
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Male
Age: "about 14 Years of Age"
Date of Birth: 1747 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe Boy"
Notes: Offered for sale by Riegirt in 1761. Text of advertisement: "To be SOLD, A LIKELY healthy Negroe Boy, about 14 Years of Age, has had the Small pox and Measles, Country born, and fit to wait on a Gentleman. Apply to ULRICK RIEGIRT, in the Borough of Lancaster."
Date of Record: May 21, 1761
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, May 21, 1761
- Slaveholder Name: Richardson, I
City or Township:
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Mary
Sex: Female
Age: ? "adult"
Date of Birth: ? Pre-1795
Status: Not determined
Description: "Black adult"
Notes: From "A Register of Baptisms kept by Elisha Riggs, Minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Borough of Lancaster of Pequea--in the State of Pennsylvania" (St. James Episcopal Records): "Mary, a black adult and slave to I. Richardson," baptised March 28, 1795.
Date of Record: March 28, 1795
Source: Wright, "Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Church Records of the 18th Century, Vol. 3"
- Slaveholder Name: Richey, William
City or Township: Drumore Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Farmer (Source 102)
Notes: Identified in the 1780 Slave Registrations as "William Ritchey, Jr." ("Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780")
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cezar (Source 102)
Sex: Male
Age: 55
Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man" (Source 102)
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800. Cezar was registered by Ritchey on August 14, 1780, as a "slave," aged 36, which would make his year of birth 1744.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Enslaved Person's Name: Philis (Source 102)
Sex: Female
Age: 55
Date of Birth: 1745 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto woman" (Source 102)
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800. Philis was registered by Ritchey on August 14, 1780, as a "Mulatoe woman," aged 37. This would make her year of birth 1743 or 1744. ("Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780")
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Slaveholder Name: Rieger, Jacob
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Physician
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Clarissa
Sex: Female
Age: 04a
Date of Birth: 1784 (calculated)
Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Description: Mulatto female child
Notes: This registration does not appear on the microfilm collection of returns, source number 67.
Date of Record: August 12, 1788
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me..."
- Slaveholder Name: Rine, George, Junior
City or Township: "Village and township of Strasburg"
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Innkeeper
Notes: Surname is also spelled Rein.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Reuben
Sex: Male
Age: Two months old at Registration.
Date of Birth: May 20, 1797
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro male child"
Notes: 1797 Registration notes "son of Judith," female slave.
Date of Record: July 21, 1797
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Venus
Sex: Female
Age: About six months old at Registration.
Date of Birth: January 17, 1799
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro female child"
Notes: 1799 Registration notes "daughter of negro Jude." The registration was performed by "John Ferree, one of the Administrators of the Estate of George Rein of the Village and Township of Strasburg, Innkeeper."
Date of Record: July 08, 1799
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sewell, James
Sex: Male
Age: About five months old at Registration.
Date of Birth: October 24, 1802
Status: Slave to age 28
Description: "Negro male child"
Notes: 1803 Registration notes "son of negro Jude." The actual registration was made by "John Henderson, one of the Administrators &c of George Rine, late of the village of Strasburg Township."
Date of Record: April 06, 1803
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Slaveholder Name: Ritchey, William, Sr.
City or Township: Drumore Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Lot
Sex: Male
Age: 40
Date of Birth: 1740 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes:
Date of Record: October 03, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Ritsell, William
City or Township:
County: Lancaster ?
Occupation:
Notes: County of residence is not certain. Moved from Hagerstown, Maryland.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Louise Smith
Sex: Female
Age: 19a
Date of Birth: ? Document not dated
Status: Manumitted by law (see notes)
Description:
Notes: Source 110 reprints this manumission document:
"To All Whom it May Concern, Louisa Smith, about nineteen years of age, claims to be a free woman, agreeably to the laws of Pennsylvania. She was a slave to William Ritsell, of Hagerstown, Md., and the said master moved to Pennsylvania about two years ago with his family and brought the said Louisa with him, and after remaining with the said master about four months she left him in Pennsylvania, first being well assured that she was free according to the laws of Pennsylvania.
her
LOUISA X SMITH
mark
Witness: ROBERT SPEAR."
Date of Record: Not Dated
Source: Clark, "Lancaster County's Relation to Slavery"
- Slaveholder Name: Robinson, Jane
City or Township: Mount Joy Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: ???
Sex: Female
Age: 45
Date of Birth: 1755 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Enslaved Person's Name: ???
Sex: Male
Age: 30
Date of Birth: 1770 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description:
Notes: Enumerated in the Septennial Census of 1800.
Date of Record: 1800
Source: Lancaster County Septennial Census Returns, 1800
- Slaveholder Name: Robinson, Thomas
City or Township: Mount Joy Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Luce
Sex: Female
Age: 21
Date of Birth: 1759 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro woman
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "a slave."
Date of Record: October 27, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Robison, Samuel
City or Township: Rapho Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bet
Sex: Female
Age: 24
Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro woman
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 20, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Peter
Sex: Male
Age: 06
Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro boy
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 20, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Ross, George, Esquire
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bob
Sex: Male
Age: 30a
Date of Birth: 1736 (calculated)
Status: Runaway
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: Ran away in January 1766 in the company of a white servant girl named Ann Bourghton, apparently his wife. Text of runaway advertisement placed by Ross in the Pennsylvania Gazette:
Lancaster, January 15, 1766.
THREE POUNDS Reward. RUN away, last Night, from the Subscriber, a Servant Girl, named Ann Bourghton, aged about 20 Years, 5 Feet 4 or 5 Inches high, is tolerable likely, her Hair is light brown and curls much, has taken with her different Kinds of womens Apparel, served her time in Salem, in New Jersey. Also a Negroe man, named Bob, very well made about 5 Feet 6 Inches high, aged about 30 but looks older, he is a Skinner by Trade: had on, when he went away, a redish brown Country Cloth Coat, with yellow carved Buttons, red Jacket, and Buckskin Breeches, took with him other Breeches and Trowsers, Yarn Stockings, new Shoes, and yellow colored Buckles; he appears a civil good natured Fellow; they will probably pass for Man and Wife. Whoever brings them home, or secure them in any Goal, so that their Master may have them again, shall receive Thirty Shillings Reward for each from
GEORGE ROSS.
NB. They are both this Country born.
Date of Record: January 30, 1766
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, January 30, 1766
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cooper
Sex: Male
Age: 45a
Date of Birth: 1735 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro man
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 25, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Thomas
Sex: Male
Age: 30a
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro man
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 25, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Barnard
Sex: Male
Age: 30a
Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Mulatto man
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 25, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Richard
Sex: Male
Age: 26a
Date of Birth: 1754 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Mulatto man
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
On April 21, 1794, Richard (a "Mulatto and servant to R. Ross, Esq.") married Elilzabeth Otley ("a free woman") in St. James Episcopal (Anglican) Church, Lancaster. (Source 104, page 126) Note that the church records do not give Richard's age, and this record could also refer to another slave, registered in 1780 as "Dick."
Date of Record: October 25, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dick
Sex: Male
Age: 14a
Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Mulatto boy
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 25, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Betsy
Sex: Female
Age: 08a
Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Mulatto girl
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 25, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: James
Sex: Male
Age: 06a
Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: Negro boy
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 25, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Ross, James
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Colonel
Notes: Ross' 1789 Registration of the slave child Judge lists his occupation as "High Sheriff of Lancaster County."
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Age: 12a
Date of Birth: 1768 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto boy"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave for life."
Date of Record: October 12, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Judge
Sex: Female
Age: 2 years old at time of Registration.
Date of Birth: September 15, 1786
Status: Slave to the age of 28 years
Description: "Negro female child"
Notes: 1789 Slave Registration notes "daughter of _______ (name unreadable) a female slave."
Date of Record: March 31, 1789
Source: "A RECORD of the returns made in writing and delivered to me "
- Slaveholder Name: Ross, Polly
City or Township: Lancaster Borough
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Betsy
Sex: Female
Age: 09a
Date of Birth: 1771 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto girl"
Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 25, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
- Slaveholder Name: Royer, Jonathan
City or Township: Leacock Township
County: Lancaster
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Thomas Morgan
Sex: Male
Age: 22 or 23a
Date of Birth: 1782 (calculated)
Status: Runaway
Description: "negro man"
Notes: Text of 1805 runaway ad:
"Thirty Dollars Reward. RAN-AWAY from the subscriber, living in Leacock township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on Monday morning the 5th of August, (instant,) a negro man named Thomas Morgan, about 22 or 23 years of age, about 5 feet 2 inches high, stout built, stammers in his speech. Had on when he went away a black felt hat, a pair of dark colored tow trowsers, pretty well worn; a half worn brown linsey coatee with buff cape and cuffs. Whoever takes up the said negro and secures him in any jail, and gives notice thereof to the subscriber, so that he may get him again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges paid, by JONATHAN ROYER."
Morgan was apparently recovered, because he ran away again a year later almost to the day:
"Twenty Dollars Reward. RAN-AWAY from the subscriber living in Leacock township, Lancaster county, on Saturday the 2d August, inst. a negro man, named THOMAS MORGAN, about 22 years of age, about 5 feet high, stammers in his speech, is well built. Had on when he went away, a hemp linnen shirt, a pair of copperas colour striped-tow trowsers, a violet colored broad cloth jacket, half worn, and an old felt hat. Whoever apprehends the said run-away, and secures him in any jail, giving notice thereof to the subscriber his master, so that he may get him again, shall have the above reward. JONATHAN ROYER.
August 29."
Morgan escaped a third time in 1808:
"TEN DOLLARS REWARD. RAN away in the evening of the 12th of March, from the subscriber, living in Leacock township, Lancaster county, a negro servant, by name THOMAS MORGAN, about 5 feet one or two inches high; he has a stoppage in his speech, and has lost one of his fore teeth; had on when he went away, a dark bottle green cloth roundabout, pantaloons and waistcoat, a pair of laced boots, an old wool hat half worn. Whoever takes up said servant and secures him in any jail, and gives information to the owner, so that he may get him again, shall receive the above reward. JONATHAN ROYER.
April 22, 1808."
Morgan escaped for a fourth time in 1809. Note that after the third escape attempt, Royer had an iron collar clamped on Morgan's neck as punishment.
"FIVE DOLLARS REWARD. RAN away from the subscriber living in Leacock township, Lancaster county, on Sunday the 2d ult. a negro man, named TOM MORGAN, about 5 feet 2 or 3 inches high, 27 years of age, well set, has lost one of his foreteeth, and is remarkable for stoppage in his speech. Had on when he went away a pair of tow pantaloons, coarse shirt with French sleeves, and a wool hat partly new; also an iron collar with two prongs around his neck. Whoever takes up and secures said runaway in any jail, and gives information thereof to his master, shall receive the above reward. JONATHAN ROYER.
August 1, 1809."
Date of Record: August 09, 1805
Source: Lancaster Journal
- Slaveholder Name: Rutter, Barbara
City or Township:
County: Lancaster
Occupation: Widow
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Eve
Sex: Female
Age: 60a
Date of Birth: 1720 (calculated)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro wench"
Notes:
Date of Record: October 31, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
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