Slaveholders Listed on this Page
- Battell, William (Enslaved persons: Toby)
- Grubb, John (2nd) (Enslaved persons: Seazor, Phillis, Nance, Lad, Pegg)
- Harvey, Alexander (Enslaved persons: Caesar, two un-named men)
- John, Thomas (Enslaved persons: Joseph Williams)
- Keith, Sir William (Enslaved persons: Jack)
- Lennon, Thomas (Enslaved persons: John Sharper)
- Malcolm, John (Enslaved persons: Un-named young man)
- Montgomery, John (Enslaved persons: Kate)
- Naudain, Arnold (Enslaved persons: John Sharper, Nan, Ishmael)
- Patterson, William (Enslaved persons: Unnamed pregnant woman with 3 children)
Enslavement Data
- Slaveholder Name: Battell, William, Captain
Town or Hundred: New Castle
County: New Castle County
Occupation: Miller, County Sheriff
Notes: Operated a grist and bolting mill known as Battell's Mill, on or near Christiana Creek, between 1723 and 1730.
Source: Steve Childers, "White Clay Creek Hundred Mills - part IV; Christiana Mills," 2022, online at https://www.gristfromabbottsmill.net/post/white-clay-creek-hundred-mills-part-iv, accessed 22 July 2025.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Toby
Age: Age not given, but described as a "man."
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negroe Man"
Status: Probable slave for life; imprisoned
Notes: Toby was imprisoned in the New Castle County jail as a suspected escaped slave:
THat there is in the Custody of William Battell Sheriff of the County of New-Castle on Delaware; a very likely Negroe Man, who was taken up and Committed as a runaway, he calls himself Toby, and says his Masters name is Captain Bond, be he has not English enough to discribe where his Master Lives. Whoever can make a legal Claim to the said Negroe and will pay the Lawful Charges, may have him delivered by the above Sheriff.
Date of Record 01 September 1726
Source: The American Weekly Mercury, 01 September 1726.
- Slaveholder Name: Grubb, John (2nd)
Town or Hundred:
County: New Castle County
Occupation:
Notes:
Source: The Grubb Family of Pennsylvania and Delaware. (From the Daily Local News, Oct. l893.) Reprint online
- Enslaved Person's Name: Seazor (Caesar)
Age: Age not given, but described as a "man."
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negroe man"
Status: Manumitted March 1758, per will of John Grubb.
Notes: The will of John Grubb manumitted Seazor and Phillis upon his death. Will dated March 10, 1758, excerpt:
To daughters Rachel Pedrick and Hannah Flower all my Lotts in Lower Chichester tbat I bought of Richard Bezer and of Adam Buckley, and all the lotts, rights and titles that, came by my father, John Grubb.
I give to my negroe man, Seazor, his Freedom at my decease and my negroe Phillis her Freedom at my decease and my negroe Nance to live with my Daughter Rachel Pedrick Till she arrives to the age twenty-five years and then to be free and my negroe Lad to live with my son Adam Grubb till he arrives to the age of Twenty-five years and then to be Free And my negroe Child Pegg to live with my Daughter Hannah Flower Till she arrives to the age Twenty-five years and then to be free.
Will on file in New Castle, County, Delaware.
Date of Record 10 March 1758
Source: The Grubb Family of Pennsylvania and Delaware. (From the Daily Local News, Oct. l893.) Reprint online
- Enslaved Person's Name: Phillis
Age: Age not given
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negroe"
Status: Manumitted March 1758, per will of John Grubb.
Notes: The will of John Grubb manumitted Seazor and Phillis upon his death. Will dated March 10, 1758. See above for excerpt. Will on file in New Castle, County, Delaware.
Date of Record 10 March 1758
Source: The Grubb Family of Pennsylvania and Delaware. (From the Daily Local News, Oct. l893.) Reprint online.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nance
Age: Age not given
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negroe"
Status: To be manumitted at age 25
Notes: Bequeathed by John Grubb to his daughter Rachel (Grubb) Pedrick. Per will of John Grubb: "my negroe Nance to live with my Daughter Rachel Pedrick Till she arrives to the age twenty-five years and then to be free."
Date of Record 10 March 1758
Source: The Grubb Family of Pennsylvania and Delaware. (From the Daily Local News, Oct. l893.) Reprint online.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Lad
Age: Age not given
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negroe"
Status: To be manumitted at age 25
Notes: Bequeathed by John Grubb to his son Adam Grubb. Per will of John Grubb: "My negroe Lad to live with my son Adam Grubb till he arrives to the age of Twenty-five years and then to be Free"
Date of Record 10 March 1758
Source: The Grubb Family of Pennsylvania and Delaware. (From the Daily Local News, Oct. l893.) Reprint online.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Pegg
Age: Age not given, but described as a "child."
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negroe Child"
Status: To be manumitted at age 25
Notes: Bequeathed by John Grubb to his daughter Hannah (Grubb) Flower. Per will of John Grubb: "And my negroe Child Pegg to live with my Daughter Hannah Flower Till she arrives to the age Twenty-five years and then to be free."
Date of Record 10 March 1758
Source: The Grubb Family of Pennsylvania and Delaware. (From the Daily Local News, Oct. l893.) Reprint online.
- Slaveholder Name: Harvey, Alexander
Town or Hundred: New Castle
County: New Castle County
Occupation: County Jailer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Caesar
Age: Age not given, but described as a "fellow." Probably an adult man.
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negroe Fellow"
Status: Imprisoned as an escaped slave from Maryland
Notes: Caesar was imprisoned in the New Castle County jail as a suspected escaped slave:
New-Castle, December 2, 1762.
NOW in the Goal of this County, A Negroe Fellow, calls hiimself Caesar, says he belongs to John Hall, Esq; in Caecil-County, Maryland; his Master is hereby desired to come, in four Weeks after this Date, pay Charges, and take him away, otherwise he will be sold for the same, by
ALEXANDER HARVEY, Goaler.
N.B. He is a Cooper by Trade.
Per the notice placed by jailer Harvey, Caesar was scheduled to be sold for his costs after December 30, 1762, if not claimed.
Date of Record 02 December 1762
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 23 December 1762.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in jailer's ad
Age: Age not given, but described as a "man."
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negroe Man"
Status: Imprisoned as an escaped slave from Maryland
Notes: This man was imprisoned in the New Castle County jail as a suspected escaped slave:
New-Castle, May 22, 1764.
NOW in the Goal of this County, a Negroe Man, says he belongs to Mr. Perry Frisbey, in Newtown, Maryland:
Also a Negroe Man, belonging to Joshua McDowell, in Chester County. Their Masters are desired to come or send for them.
ALEXANDER HARVEY, Goaler.
This ad had been published for about a month by this time. Jailer's usually kept imprisoned people suspected of being escaped slaves between four to six weeks before selling them out for costs.
Date of Record 22 May 1764
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 21 June 1764.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in jailer's ad
Age: Age not given, but described as a "man."
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negroe Man"
Status: Imprisoned as an escaped slave from Chester County.
Notes: This man was imprisoned in the New Castle County jail as a suspected escaped slave:
New-Castle, May 22, 1764.
NOW in the Goal of this County, a Negroe Man, says he belongs to Mr. Perry Frisbey, in Newtown, Maryland:
Also a Negroe Man, belonging to Joshua McDowell, in Chester County. Their Masters are desired to come or send for them.
ALEXANDER HARVEY, Goaler.
This ad had been published for about a month by this time. Jailer's usually kept prisoners between four to six weeks before selling them out for costs.
Date of Record 22 May 1764
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 21 June 1764.
- Slaveholder Name: John, Thomas
Town or Hundred:
County: New Castle County
Occupation: Farmer
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Joseph Williams
Age: "about 24 Years of Age"
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: circa 1705
Description: "Malatto man"
Status: Self emancipated January 1729
Notes: Williams escaped from John in late January 1729 with his wife. Text of escape notice posted by John:
RUN away the 29th. of January, 1728 9, from Thomas John, of New-Castle County, Farmer; a Malatto man, named Joseph Williams, about 24 Years of Age, having on an Ozenbrug Jacket and Breeches, and a Gray Homespun outside Jacket, Gray Yarn Stockins, and New Shoes; a White Woman went away with him, which he calls his Wife, named Bridget: Whoever secures the said Malatto Man, shall have Thirty Shillings Reward pay'd by, Thomas John.
Note that Joseph and Bridget Williams had been gone about ten weeks by the time this escape notice was published.
Date of Record 10 April 1729
Source: The American Weekly Mercury, 10 April 1729.
- Slaveholder Name: Keith, Sir William
Town or Hundred:
County: New Castle County
Occupation: Ironmaster of Keithsborough works (later acquired by John England); Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania and the Lower Counties.
Notes: See also Sir William Keith's entries in Philadelphia.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Age: Age not specified, but described as "an elderly man."
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: Not known
Description: "Negro Man"
Status: Slave for life; Self emancipated January 1729
Notes: Jack was enslaved by Sir William Keith at his New Castle County iron works Keithsborough. Jack was later acquired by John England, who in 1726 gained control of Keithsborough works, and sent to work at England's Principio works in Maryland. He escaped from John England's iron works on February 27, 1731.Text of escape notice posted by John England:
RUN away the 27th of February from John England and Company, at Principio Iron Works, a Negro Man named Jack, formerly belonging to Sir William Keith, Bart. at his Works in New-Castle County:
He is an elderly Man, speaks thick, and generally pretty Sawcy; is a Carpenter by Trade, and has a Wife in New-Castle County. Whoever secures him, so as his Master may have him again, shall have Five Pounds Reward, and reasonable Charges paid, by
John England. March 2, 1730-1.
England implied in the escape notice that Jack would make his way back to his wife in New Castle County.
Date of Record 02 March 1731
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 02 March 1731.
- Slaveholder Name: Lennon, Thomas
Town or Hundred: Christina Ferry, near New Castle
County: New Castle County
Occupation: Ferry man
Notes: Previous enslaver of John Sharper, below, who escaped with his family from Arnold Naudain in April 1772.
- Enslaved Person's Name: John Sharper
Age: "about 35 years of age"
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: circa 1737
Description: "Negro man"
Status: Slave for life; self-emancipated, April 1772
Notes: John, Nan and Ishmael all escaped together from Naudain on April 29, 1772. Naudain placed the following ad for their capture:
RUN-AWAY from the subscriber, living in New-Castle county, near Noxontown, the 29th of April, 1772, a Negro man, who calls himself JOHN SHARPER, and a Negro wench, named NAN, who took with her a Negro boy, about three years old, named ISHMAEL.
The Negro man is about 5 feet 4 inches high, well-set, pock-marked, his fingers and toes appear to be hurt with the frost, born, as he says, in Barbados, pretends to be a bricklayer: Some years ago he belonged to Thomas Lennon, at Christina ferry, near Newcastle, and serv'd as Ferryman for said Lennon: Had on when he went away, an old pair of shoes, white yarn stockings, old blue breeches, fearnought jacket, tow shirt, and old hat. The said Negro is about 35 years of age, talks bad English.
The wench is likely, tall and slim, black, smooth skinned, about 21 years of age, country born, talks good English; had on when she went away, an old linsey petticoat, and a white linen ditto, linsey bed gown, two shifts, & white caps.
The Negro boy is small of his age, and very bow-legged, but lively and smart.
'Tis supposed they will pass for free Negroes. Whoever takes up the said Negro man and wench, with the child, and brings them to the subscriber, shall have FIVE POUNDS reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
ARNOLD NAUDAIN.
Date of Record 07 May 1772
Source: The Pennsylvania Journal or Weekly Advertiser, 07 May 1772.
- Slaveholder Name: Malcolm, John
Town or Hundred: "Monckton-park, near Christiana-ferry" (modern day Eden Park, and the ferry that crossed the Delaware at Wilmington)
County: New Castle County
Occupation:
Notes: Monckton Park was a one-time estate owned by Malcolm. It passed through several owners, including Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independance. It was renamed Eden Park, and eventually became a recreation area and park in Wilmington. Christiana Ferry refers to the ferry that crossed the Delaware River at Wilmington, and not to the modern day town of Christiana.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not provided in ad
Age: "about 18 years of age"
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: circa 1751
Description: "Negro Boy"
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Offered for sale in March 1769 as part of a larger ad in which Malcolm appears to be re-organizing his household:
WANTED,
TO take care of a family on a farm, a middle aged WOMAN, a Widow clear of incumbrance, that can come with a good character, and that understands every branch of country business, necessary for a woman to know, especially the business of a dairy. Such a person will meet with suitable encouragement by applying to JOHN MALCOLM, at Monckton-park, near Christiana-ferry, in New-Castle county.
N.B. Said Malcolm has to sell a Negro BOY, about 18 years of age, brought up to country business, smart, lively and honest; has had the small pox and measels.
And a genteel house to be let, with or without furniture, in Second-street, Philadelphia, near to the South Sugar-house. The house is large and commodious, with a garden, coach-house, and stables with stalls for four horses. Apply as above, or to Mr. JAMES WALLACE, merchant, in Third-street, Philadelphia.
Date of Record 16 March 1769
Source: The Pennsylvania Journal or Weekly Advertiser, 16 March 1769.
- Slaveholder Name: Montgomery, John
Town or Hundred: Mill Creek Hundred
County: New Castle County
Occupation:
Notes: Son of Alexander Montgomery. Owned property in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Relocated to North Carolina circa 1773.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Kate
Age: "about 28 years of age"
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: circa 1726
Description: "Negroe woman"
Status: Slave for life; self-emancipated, June 1754
Notes: Kate escaped from Montgomery on 18 June 1754. He published the following escape notice in The Pennsylvania Gazette:
RUN away, on the 18th ult. from the subscriber, living in Mill-creek Hundred, Newcastle county, a Negroe woman, about 28 years of age, nam'd Kate, smooth faced, a good black, 5 feet 6 inches high: Had on, when she went away, a calicoe gown, blue quilted petticoat, and carried off with her several other clothes.
Whoever takes up and secures said Negroe woman, so as her master may have her again, shall have Thirty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOHN MONTGOMERY.
Date of Record 11 July 1754
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 11 July 1754.
- Slaveholder Name: Naudain, Arnold
Town or Hundred: Near Noxontown (near present day Middletown)
County: New Castle County
Occupation:
Notes: Lived circa 1728-1796. Noxontown was a colonial milling and trading center in New Castle county.
- Enslaved Person's Name: John Sharper
Age: "about 35 years of age"
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: circa 1737
Description: "Negro man"
Status: Slave for life; self-emancipated, April 1772
Notes: John, Nan and Ishmael all escaped together from Naudain on April 29, 1772. Naudain placed the following ad for their capture:
RUN-AWAY from the subscriber, living in New-Castle county, near Noxontown, the 29th of April, 1772, a Negro man, who calls himself JOHN SHARPER, and a Negro wench, named NAN, who took with her a Negro boy, about three years old, named ISHMAEL.
The Negro man is about 5 feet 4 inches high, well-set, pock-marked, his fingers and toes appear to be hurt with the frost, born, as he says, in Barbados, pretends to be a bricklayer: Some years ago he belonged to Thomas Lennon, at Christina ferry, near Newcastle, and serv'd as Ferryman for said Lennon: Had on when he went away, an old pair of shoes, white yarn stockings, old blue breeches, fearnought jacket, tow shirt, and old hat. The said Negro is about 35 years of age, talks bad English.
The wench is likely, tall and slim, black, smooth skinned, about 21 years of age, country born, talks good English; had on when she went away, an old linsey petticoat, and a white linen ditto, linsey bed gown, two shifts, & white caps.
The Negro boy is small of his age, and very bow-legged, but lively and smart.
'Tis supposed they will pass for free Negroes. Whoever takes up the said Negro man and wench, with the child, and brings them to the subscriber, shall have FIVE POUNDS reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
ARNOLD NAUDAIN.
John Sharper was previously enslaved by ferryman Thomas Lennon of Christiana Ferry.
Date of Record 07 May 1772
Source: The Pennsylvania Journal or Weekly Advertiser, 07 May 1772.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Nan
Age: "about 21 years of age"
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: circa 1751
Description: "Negro wench"
Status: Slave for life; self-emancipated, April 1772
Notes: John, Nan and Ishmael all escaped together from Naudain on April 29, 1772. Naudain placed an ad for their capture. See the full text under the entry above.:
Date of Record 07 May 1772
Source: The Pennsylvania Journal or Weekly Advertiser, 07 May 1772.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ishmael
Age: "about three years old"
Sex: Male
Date of Birth: circa 1769
Description: "Negro boy"
Status: Slave for life; self-emancipated, April 1772
Notes: John, Nan and Ishmael all escaped together from Naudain on April 29, 1772. Naudain placed an ad for their capture. See the full text under the entry above.:
Date of Record 07 May 1772
Source: The Pennsylvania Journal or Weekly Advertiser, 07 May 1772.
- Slaveholder Name: Patterson, William
Town or Hundred: Near Christiana Bridge
County: New Castle County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Age: "about 29 or 30 Years of age"
Sex: Female
Date of Birth: circa 1711 or 1712
Description: "Negro Woman"
Status: Slave for life
Notes: Advertised for sale in September 1741 along with her three children, and about to give birth to a fourth child:
To be SOLD by WILLIAM PATTERSON,
near Christiana Bridge in New-Castle County;
A Likely Negro Woman fit for any Country House Business, such as Washing, Milking, Cooking, &c. She is about 29 or 30 Years of age, has 3 Children and is big with a fourth, being a good Breeder. Whoever inclines to buy her may apply as above, and agree on reasonable Terms, with Credit on Security, if required.
Date of Record 24 September 1741
Source: The American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), 24 September 1741.
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