Slaveholders Listed on this Page
- Taylor, James (Enslaved persons: Un-named man)
- Tharp, William (Enslaved persons: Un-named man)
- Thomas, William (Enslaved persons: Ishmael)
- Tod, William (Enslaved persons: Cato, Dick)
- Trapnall, John (Enslaved persons: Sam)
- Turner, Joseph (Enslaved persons: Several imported persons)
- Turner, Robert (Enslaved persons: Dick)
- Van Horne, Cornelius (Enslaved persons: Un-named man)
- Vandegrift, Joseph (Enslaved persons: Un-named young woman)
- Verhulst, Stanford (Enslaved persons: Un-named, man, two women and a child)
- Verner, Frederick (Enslaved persons: Tom)
- Wade, Francis (Enslaved persons: Joe)
- Wallace, James (Enslaved persons: Caesar)
- Wallace, John (Enslaved persons: Un-named girl and boy)
- Waterman, John (Enslaved persons: Un-named teenaged girl)
- Watkins, Joseph Jr. (Enslaved persons: Tom Tony)
- Watts, Stephen (Enslaved persons: Un-named boy)
- Wells, Rebecca (Enslaved persons: Un-named young woman, un-named man)
- Wescott, George (Enslaved persons: Un-named woman)
- Wharton, Thomas, Jr. See Stocker and Wharton
- White, James (Enslaved persons: Dublin)
- White, Thomas (Enslaved persons: Un-named man)
- Whitehead, James (Enslaved persons: Un-named mother and child, Will, un-named man, un-named woman)
- Whitely, Anthony (Enslaved persons: Un-named woman and girl)
- Whyte, Robert, Capt. (Enslaved persons: Lewis)
- Wilcocks, John (Enslaved persons: Grigg)
- Wilcox, Alexander (Enslaved persons: Caesar)
- Williams, Thomas (Enslaved persons: Un-named teenaged girl)
- Willing, Mr. (Enslaved persons: Larey)
- Willing, Charles (Enslaved persons: Two un-named women and two men)
- Wilson, James (Enslaved persons: Larey)
- Wilson, John (Enslaved persons: Bay)
- Wilson, Philip (Enslaved persons: Caesar, Ben)
- Wilson, Robert (Enslaved persons: Friday)
- Wirtz, Mr. (Enslaved persons: Cesar Rodney)
- Witherspoon, Thomas (Enslaved persons: Frank)
- Witt, Christopher, Dr. (Enslaved persons: Robert Claymer, or Clymer)
- Wood, Joseph (Enslaved persons: Jack)
- Woodrop, Alexander (Enslaved persons: "Parcel" of women, boys and a girl)
- Woodrow, Henry (Enslaved persons: Stephen)
- Wright, Hugh, Captain (Enslaved persons: Un-named boy)
- Wright, John (Enslaved persons: Un-named mother and son)
- Yard, Shandy (Enslaved persons: two un-named female term slaves)
- Yeldall, Anthony (Enslaved persons: Prince)
- Young, Charles (Enslaved persons: Advertised in 1779 to purchase slaves)
- Young, Samuel (Enslaved persons: Un-named female)
- Young, William (Enslaved persons: Un-named woman and her male child)
Enslavement Data
A Note on Slave Numbers
The listings below represent an ongoing effort to identify slaveholders with an emphasis on documenting as many details about their enslaved persons as possible. This is, however, only a small fraction of Philadelphia's slaveholders and enslaved persons. Published studies by prominent historians reveal that Philadelphia was home to thousands of enslaved people in the colonial period.
Historian Gary B. Nash estimated the total enslaved population of Philadelphia and Southwark during it's peak slaveholding years of 1767-1775, using tax asssessments, census records, burial records and comparisons with other reliable datasets from New York City and Boston, to come up with the following estimates of total enslaved persons in Philadelphia and Southwark in these years:
1767: 1392
1769: 1270
1772: 1069
1773: 945
1774: 869
1775: 672
The figures above clearly show that the listings on this page are far from complete. They also show a steady decline in the rate of slaveholding in Philadelphia due to increased abolition activity and sentiment, a significant increase in the importation of white redemptioners and indentured servants into the province after the Seven Years War, and the combination of a very high mortality rate and very low birth rate among enslaved Blacks.
Source: Nash, Gary B. “Slaves and Slaveowners in Colonial Philadelphia.” The William and Mary Quarterly 30, no. 2 (1973): 223–56. https://doi.org/10.2307/1925149.
- Slaveholder Name: Taylor, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Located on Spruce Street.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Not named in ad
Sex: Male
Age: "about 22 Years of Age"
Date of Birth: circa 1740
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe Man"
Notes: Offered for sale in July 1762. Text of the advertisement placed by Taylor: "To be SOLD, A Likely Negroe Man, fit for Town or Country Business, about 22 Years of Age, and has had the Small-pox and Measles. Enquire of James Taylor, in Spruce-street."
Dates of Records: 22 July 1762
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 22 July 1762.
- Slaveholder Name: Tharp, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes: Shop on Front Street "near Walnut-street."
Source:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Not named
Sex: Male
Age: Not stated, but appears to be an adult experienced in carpentry
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto slave"
Notes: Offered for sale on October 30, 1778. Text of the advertisement placed by Tharp:
TO BE SOLD,
On the 30th day of this instant,
A MULATTO SLAVE, near six feet high, well made, a compleat hand for a ship carpenter, as he can saw with any kind of saw, use an adze, broadaxe, or auger, is a special hand at getting timber for shipping, blocking off and hewing, has worked some time at the business; He can also reap and mow, both with cradle and naked scythe, in doing which, few, if any, can excel him. Enquire of Mr. WILLIAM THARP, Merchant, in Front-street, near Walnut-street, Philadelphia.
Dates of Records: 22 October 1778
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet & General Advertiser, 22, 29 October 1778.
- Slaveholder Name: Thomas, William
City or Township: Southwark
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: "living in Second street opposite the Swede's church in the district of Southwark"
Source:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Ishmael
Sex: Male
Age: "twenty-five years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1751
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Ishmael escaped from Thomas on July 5, 1776. Thomas placed the following ad about two weeks later in a Philadelphia newspaper:
THREE DOLLARS Reward.
RAN away the fifth instant, a Negro man named ISHMAEL, twenty-five years of age, about six feet high, strong made, his colour between a Mulatto and a Black, rocks in his walk, or rather somewhat lame, occasioned by his having his thigh bone broke when a boy. Had on when he want away a small brimmed hat, a brown cloth jacket without sleeves, let out in the back, new tow shirt and trousers, old shoes. Whoever takes up and secures said Negro in any jail, so as his master may have him again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by the subscriberl living in Second street opposite the Swede's church in the district of Southwark.
WILLIAM THOMAS.
Dates of Records: 16 July 1776
Sources: The Pennsylvania Evening Post, 16 July 1776.
- Slaveholder Name: Tod, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Coach maker
Notes: Shop on Arch Street. In 1772, Tod advertised for a 15-year old boy: "WANTED IMMEDIATELY, Either to purchase or hire,
A WHITE or NEGRO BOY, about fifteen years of age, of a small size, for a postillion to drive a carriage, who can be well recommended for honesty and sobriety. Apply to WILLIAM TOD, in Arch-street." By 1776, with the escape of his blacksmith Dick, Tod advertised his location as Front Street. For a detailed article on William Tod and his business, see "William Tod," The Adverts250 Project.
Source: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet, Daily Advertiser, 09 November 1772.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cato
Sex: Male
Age: "about fifteen years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1759
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro lad" and "Negro Boy"
Notes: Ran away multiple times. Text of the first advertisement placed by Tod:
Philadelphia, August 12, 1774
TEN SHILLINGS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, about two weeks ago, a negro lad, named CATO, about fifteen years of age, four feet eight or nine inches high, square built; Had on, a hat that was painted, an oznabrug shirt and trowsers, a claret coloured broadcloth coat with white metal buttons, and good shoes. Whoever takes up and secures said negro, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above Reward, paid by
WILLIAM TOD.
Cato remained free only a few weeks before being captured in Chester. Joel Willis, the Chester jailer included him in a long list of other runaways committed as runaways advertised on September 5, 1774, describing him as: "A Negroe, named Cato, who says he belongs to William Todd, of Philadelphia." Todd apparently paid his costs and took him back to Philadelphia, but Cato got away again a few months later. The ad below ran through February 1775:
December 3d, 1774
TWO DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, the 21st of Nov. ult. a Negro Boy, namde CATO, about 4 feet 7 or 8 inches high, strong and well made; had on when he went away, a scarlet coatee, a superfine purple jacket, and a small hat. Whoever takes up said negro and brings him home, or secures his so that his master may get him again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by
WILLIAM TOD.
Dates of Records: 12 August 1774, 03 December 1774
Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 04 October 1774 and 19 December 1774; Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 September 1774.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dick
Sex: Male
Age: "about twenty two years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1754
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Dick escaped from Tod on October 18, 1776. Text of the escape advertisement placed by Tod:
RAN away the 18th instant, a Negro man named DICK, by trade a blacksmith, about twenty two years of age, near five feet six inches high. He had on, when he went away, a London brown short coat with yellow buttons, a scarlet jacket which had been turned, with yellow buttons, striped ticken trousers, an old beaver hat, new pumps, and plated buckles. It is supposed he is in or near this city, working at his trade. Whoever brings the said Negro to the subscriber, shall have TWENTY SHILLINGS reward.
ALEXANDER TOD
in Front street, two doors above Chesnut-street.
Philad October 19.
Dates of Records: 19 October 1776
Sources: The Pennsylvania Ledger, or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey Weekly Advertiser, 26 October 1776.
- Slaveholder Name: Trapnall, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Identified by Chester County iron master Samuel Flower as a previous owner of Sam, who escaped from Reading Furnace in July 1753. There was a John Trapnall with a farm in Kingsessing during that time.
Source:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Sam
Sex: Male
Age: "aged about 40 years"
Date of Birth: circa 1713
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Sam escaped from Reading Furnace on 20 July 1753 in company with fellow enslaved man James. Flower notes that Sam was formerly enslaved by John Trapnall in Philadelphia. Samuel Flower placed the following ad to try to recover the two men:
Philadelphia, July 26, 1753.
RUN away on the 20th inst. from Reading Furnace, Two Negro men; one named Sam, who formerly lived with John Trapnall, of Philadelphia, Blacksmith, aged about 40 years, an able bodied fellow, very talkative, and subject to laugh at his own discourse. The other named James, he formerly lived with Mr. Edward Jones, of Philadelphia, aged about 28 years, a stout able bodied fellow, his knees are much bending forwards; their cloathing is unknown. Whoever takes up and secures the said Negroes in any goal in this province, or brings them to Reading furnace, shall have Three Pounds reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
SAMUEL FLOWER.
Date of Record: 26 July, 1753
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 16 August 1753.
- Slaveholder Name: Turner, Joseph
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant, slave trader
Notes: See the page on Slave Traders for more on the slave trading firm of Turner and Allen.
Source:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Not given in ad
Sex: Male and female
Age: Ages not specified in ad, but probably a mixture of adults and young persons.
Date of Birth: Not known, varies
Status: Slaves for life
Description: "Negroes," "Negro Women"
Notes: Turner, along with Alexander Woodrop and William Allen, offered the following enslaved persons for sale in May 1736:
JUST arrived from Barbadoes, several likely Negroes; among which are two likely Women bred to House-work. To be Sold by Alexander Woodrop, William Allen and Joseph Turner.
Dates of Records: 06 May 1736
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 06 May 1736
- Slaveholder Name: Turner, Robert
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Market Street Wharf
Source:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dick
Sex: Male
Age: "about fifty years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1728
Status: Slave for life; repeated escapes
Description: "Negro fellow"
Notes: Formerly owned by Lovett, in Bucks County. Has a wife in Bucks County. Ran away from Philadelphia in May 1777, and then again in late June or early July 1778. Text of the escaped slave advertisements placed by Turner:
RAN away from the subscriber, about ten months ago, a Negro fellow named DICK, about fifty years of age, lame in his body, near five feet high, and is supposed to have gone lately up the Reading road. Whoever apprehends said Negro, so that his master gets him again, shall have THREE POUNDS reward, and reasonable charges.
July 8. ROBERT TURNER, Market-street wharf.
An ad, several weeks later, gave a similar description but said Dick escaped "about four or five weeks ago," indicating the Turner may have captured Dick after his earlier ten month escape, but the man got away again:
FIVE POUNDS REWARD. RAN AWAY from the subscriber, about four or five weeks ago, out of the city of Philadelphia, a Negro man named DICK, about four and a half feet high, 50 years old, has a lameness in his body; it is supposed he is gone to Bucks County, as he has a wife there. Whoever takes up the above Negro and brings him to the subscriber on market street wharf, Philadelphia, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by ROBERT TURNER."
A second ad two months later added additional details:
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, a Negro fellow named DICK, about fifty years of age, lame in his body, formerly belonged to one Lovett, of Bucks county, now the property of Robert Turner, of Philadelphia. I do forwarn all persons not to harbour said fellow at their peril. Any person taking him up shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by
ROBERT TURNER. Sept 11.
An ad with almost identical wording, only leaving out the reference to Lovett in Bucks County, appeared in the Pennsylvania Journal, 03 February 1779, and ran for two weeks. Note that the later ads in September 1778 and again in February 1779 add the warning against harboring Dick. This may indicate that Turner learned of aid Dick received from persons in or around Philadelphia in his escape.
Dates of Records: 25 July, 11 September 1778; 02 February 1779
Sources: The Pennsylvania Evening Post, 08 July 1778; Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 25 July, 15 September 1778; The Pennsylvania Journal or Daily Advertiser, 03 February 1779.
- Slaveholder Name: Van Horne, Cornelius
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Advertised as the co-owner, along with Andrew Fesneau, of the escaped enslaved man listed below.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Male
Age: "aged about 30 years"
Date of Birth: Circa 1695
Status: Slave for life
Description: "New Negroe Man"
Notes: Newly brought into America from Africa and having the sharpened teeth body modification of certain central African cultures. Text of escape advertisement:
RUN away from Mr. Andrew Fresneau and Mr. Cornelius Van Horne the 30th of May last, a new Negroe Man pretty well set of a middle Stature, aged about 30 years, his upper Teeth all Ground sharp like unto the Ebo Negroes Teeth, he speakes no English, has on a pair of Ozenbrigs Trousers and Breeches. Whoever can take up said Negroe and bring him to the said Fresneau or Van Horne or give Notice thereof so that he may be had again shall be very well Rewarded for their Trouble.
Date of Record: 03 June 1725
Sources: The American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), 03 June 1725.
- Slaveholder Name: Vandergrift, Joseph
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Innkeeper, Sign of the Cross Keys, corner of Chestnut and Third Streets
Notes: Surname also spelled "Vandegrift"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Male
Age: 20
Date of Birth: circa 1755
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Offered for sale in November 1775:
TO BE SOLD,
A STRONG, well made NEGRO MAN,
twenty years of age, has had the small pox, understands the management of horses, driving a team, and is as good a plowman as any in the province; the reason why he is to be sold is for want of employ. Also several good working HORSES.
Credit may be had if required. For further particulars enquire of Mr. JOSEPH VANDERGRIFT, at the Cross Keys, in Third-street.
WANTED, an elderly MAN, who writes a good hand, &c. and is qualified to keep a small school in the country. Apply as above.
Dates of Records: 13 November 1775
Sources: The Pennsylvania Packet, 13 November 1775.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Female
Age: 20
Date of Birth: circa 1756
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Wench"
Notes: Offered for sale in February 1776:
TO BE SOLD,
For want of employ,
A NEGRO WENCH, twenty years of age, has had the small-pox, understands housewifery and all sorts of country work in general; is sober and honest. For further particulars enquire of Mr. JOSEPH VANDEGRIFT, at the Cross Keys, the corner of Chesnut and Third-streets, Philadelphia.
Dates of Records: 26 February 1776
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 26 February 1776.
- Slaveholder Name: Verhulst, Stanford
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Verhulst boarded the enslaved people he was selling with Joseph Richards and Mrs. Rogers.
Sources:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Male
Age: Age not provided, but described as a "man."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Offered for sale along with two women and a child in May 1738:
Just Imported from BARBADOS,
And to be SOLD,
By STANFORD VERHULST,
A LIKELY Negro Man, and two Women, one of them having a Child. They may be seen at Mr. Joseph Richards in Water-street, or Mrs. Rogers in Arch-street.
Dates of Records: 18 May 1738
Sources: American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), 18 May 1738.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Names not given in ad
Sex: Female
Age: Ages not provided, but described as "women."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slaves for life
Description: "Negro Women"
Notes: Offered for sale along with a man and a child in May 1738, the child belonging to one of the women. See above for text of ad.
Dates of Records: 18 May 1738
Sources: American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), 18 May 1738.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Sex not indicated
Age: Age not provided, but described as "child."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro child"
Notes: Offered for sale along with a man and two women in May 1738, one of the women being the child's mother. See above for text of ad.
Dates of Records: 18 May 1738
Sources: American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), 18 May 1738.
- Slaveholder Name: Verner, Frederick
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Jail Keeper
Notes: Loyalist, serving in the British service, was imprisoned in 1778 following the British evacuation of Philadelphia. Tried for treason in August 1778 and later freed in a prisoner exchange with the British.
Sources: Henry J. Young, "Treason and its Punishment in Revolutionary Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 1966, Vol. 9, p. 299' Wilbur H. Siebert, "The Loyalists of Pennsylvania," Ohio State University at Columbus, 1905, online at Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, https://archives.gnb.ca/exhibits/forthavoc/html/PennsylvaniaLoyalists.aspx?culture=en-CA#link59, accessed 22 October 2024.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tom
Sex: Male
Age: "25 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1750
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Offered for sale in April 1778:
TO BE SOLD,
A Likely NEGRO MAN named TOM, 25 years of age, has had the small-pox and measles; he is a good farmer in all its branches, is capable of driving a carriage, and waiting in a gentleman's family. Enquire of FREDERICK VERNER, keeper of the old goal.
Dates of Records: 15 April 1778
Sources: The Pennsylvania Ledger, or the Philadelphia Market Day Advertiser, 15 April 1778.
- Slaveholder Name: Wade, Francis, Colonel
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Brewer, militia officer during Revolutionary War
Notes: Francis Wade served as deputy quartermaster general in the Continental Army for Delaware and part of Maryland in the spring of 1778. He had previously served a short term as victualizing agent for the Pennsylvania navy in 1775.
Source: The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, notes accompanying "Orders to Captain Francis Wade, 11 January 1777," and "To George Washington from Francis Wade, 6 February 1792," National Archives Founders Online, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-08-02-0044, and https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-09-02-0321 accessed 24 October 2024.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Joe
Sex: Male
Age: "about 25 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1738
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: Joe was born in Virginia and was also previously enslaved in the West Indies and on a ship. Escaped from Francis Wade on September 14, 1763:
September 15.
TEN DOLLARS Reward.
RUN-away last night from Francis Wade, of this city: A lusty negroe man, named Joe, about 25 years of age, and speaks pretty good English; he has been for some years past in the West-Indies, and three or four years followed the sea; had on when he went away, a fine oznabrigs shirt and trowsers, a light blue German serge wastecoat, lined with black shalloon, without sleeves, a pair of olive coloured worsted plush breeches under his trowsers, and commonly wears a silk handkerchief about his head, but no shoes nor stockings nor hat when he went away, but perhaps may change his dress; he has a mild way of speaking, was born in Virginia, and it is supposed he may go that way. Whoever takes up said negro, and confines him in any goal, or brings him to his master, shall have the above reward of Ten Dollars, and reasonable charges paid by
FRANCIS WADE.
N.B. All master of Vessels are forbid to carry him off, and all others in town or country are desired not to harbour him as they may depend they shall be prosecuted as the law directs for so doing.
Dates of Records: 15 September 1763
Sources: The Pennsylvania Journal, 15 September 1763.
- Slaveholder Name: Wallace, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes: Business located on Arch Street
- Enslaved Person's Name: Caesar
Sex: Male
Age: 15
Date of Birth: circa 1752
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Born in Jamaica and was sold and re-sold. James Wallace was his third owner, purchasing him from Captain Godfrey McDonnell in 1767. Wallace later sold Caesar to merchant Philip Wilson of Philadelphia. See that owner for more information.
Dates of Records: 1767
Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 19 December 1774;
- Slaveholder Name: Wallace, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Residence on Chestnut Street.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Female
Age: "about fourteen years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1738
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe girl"
Notes: Offered for sale in April 1752, along with a young boy. Text of ad:
To be SOLD,
A Likely young Negroe girl, about fourteen years of age, has had the small-pox, and is fit for town or country business.
Also a likely Negroe boy. Enquire of John Wallace, in Chestnut-street.
Dates of Records: 16 April 1752
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 16 April 1752.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given in ad, but described as a "young boy." Probably younger than the girl listed first in the ad.
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe boy"
Notes: Offered for sale in April 1752, along with a fourteen-year-old girl. Text of ad:
To be SOLD,
A Likely young Negroe girl, about fourteen years of age, has had the small-pox, and is fit for town or country business.
Also a likely Negroe boy. Enquire of John Wallace, in Chestnut-street.
Dates of Records: 16 April 1752
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 16 April 1752.
- Slaveholder Name: Waterman, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Trader; ship's captain
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not provided
Sex: Female
Age: "about fourteen Years of Age"
Date of Birth: circa 1731
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe Girl"
Notes: Advertised for sale in December 1745:
To be SOLD,
A Likely Barbadian Negroe Girl, about fourteen Years of Age, fit for Town or Country Business. Enquire of John Waterman, at Capt. John Elliot's, in Second-Street, Philadelphia.
N.B. There is also to be sold, very reasonable, by said Waterman, choice Claret, and sundry West-India Goods, at his Store, on Carpenter's Wharff.
Born in Barbados.
Dates of Records: 31 December 1745
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 31 December 1745.
- Slaveholder Name: Watkins, Joseph Jr.
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Tom Tony
Sex: Male
Age: "about thirty-five years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1734
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: Acquired from Alexander Parker of Philadelphia. Escaped from Watkins on November 13, 1769:
RUN away from the Subscriber, of Philadelphia, on the thirteenth of this instant November, a NEGROE man, named TOM TONY, about thirty-five years of age, tall and slender; had on, a new felt hat, a wollen cap, a light coloured nap coat and jacket, a great coat of the same colour, half worn buckskin breeches, and white yarn stockings. He formerly belonged to the late Alexander Parker. Whoever secures said Negroe, so that his master may have him again, shall have Four Dollars reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
JOSEPH WATKINS, junior.
In December 1769, Lancaster jailer George Eberly advertised the capture of a man that he thought was Tom Tony, but Eberly's description of the man in his custody differs significantly in physical description and clothing from that provided here by Joseph Watkins, Jr. See Eberly's ad here for comparison. Dates of Records: 23 November 1769
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 23 November 1769.
- Slaveholder Name: Watts, Stephen
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Residing on Arch Street
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not provided
Sex: Male
Age: "about 15 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1758
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Lad"
Notes: Offered for sale in May 1773. Ad placed by Watts:
To be SOLD, by
STEPHEN WATTS, in Arch-street, Philadelphia,
A LIKELY active NEGRO LAD, about 15 years of age, who has had the small-pox and measles, and is remarkably healthy; being a lad of great vivacity, he is too easily seduced from paying a proper attention to his master's business, by the various allurements which present themselves in a populous city; which is the reason of his being offered for sale; in the country, where fewer temptations occur, he would make an excellent servant. To prevent unnecessary applications, his price is 70£. and he will not be sold to any person residing to the southward of Pennsylvania.
May 14.
Dates of Records: 14 May 1773
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 19 May 1773
- Slaveholder Name: Wells, Rebecca
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Widow of Thomas Wells
Notes: Residence "a few doors above the Bank Meeting-house." Executrix for Thomas Wells, who died circa 1750. As executrix, she advertised in December 1750 the lot of land on Front Street to settle the estate. In 1753 she was still advertising to sell the Front Street lot and added an additional parcel of 3 acres meadow land in Point-no-Point, as well as an ad for the woman. In 1757 she was still attempting to dispose of the same lots of land and added the enslaved man. The additional lot of meadow ground and the enslaved persons may have been her personal property and not part of the estate of Thomas Wells.
Rebecca Wells died in 1758.
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 31 August 1758.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not stated in record
Sex: Female
Age: Age not stated in record, but described as a "young woman"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe woman"
Notes: Advertised for sale in July 1753. Notice of sale on the end of an ad for a real estate parcel: "N.B. To be sold, a likely young Negroe woman, well acquainted with house business."
Date of Record: 12 July 1753
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 July 1753.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not stated in record
Sex: Male
Age: Age not stated in record, but described as a "man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: Advertised for sale in January 1757 along with a woman, possibly the same woman advertised in July 1753 (above). Notice of sale on the end of an ad for a real estate parcel: "N.B. Likewise to be sold a likely Negroe man and woman; the man is a good sawyer."
Date of Record: 06 January 1757
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 06 January 1757.
- Slaveholder Name: Wescott, George
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: "Brasier" (An artisan who works in brass)
Notes: Business located on Third Street
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not stated in record
Sex: Female
Age: Age not stated in record, but described as a "woman"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Molattoe woman"
Notes: Advertised for sale in August 1751. Text of ad placed by Wescott: "TO BE SOLD, A Molattoe woman, has had the measles and small-pox, and is fit for town or country business. Enquire of George Wescott, brasier in Third-street."
Dates of Records: 29 August 1751
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 29 August 1751
- Slaveholder Name: White, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant, shop located "near the Draw-bridge" (1750s)
Notes: Identified by South Carolina brickmaker William Hopton as the first enslaver of Dublin, a Philadelphia-born man who was sold south by White, then re-sold multiiple times and eventually escaped from Hopton's brick yard in August 1767. This James White is the father of North Carolina politician James White.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Dublin
Sex: Male
Age: Age not stated in record, but described as a "man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Dublin was born in Philadelphia. James White sold him to a man in Cross Creek, North Carolina. Dublin was then sold and resold, ending up on an auction block in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was purchased by brickmaker William Hopton. Dublin escaped from Hopton on August 17, 1767, and Hopton placed the following runaway ad in the Charleston South Carolina Gazette:
RUN away from the subscriber's brick yard, at Wando, in Christ-Church parish, on Monday, the 17th of August instant, a NEGRO man named DUBLIN, a black, well set fellow, about five feet seven inches high; has a large scar on one of his cheeks, speaks good English, has a gruff voice, and bold countenance; can mould bricks. He was born at Philadelphia, and belonged to one James White there, who sold him to Josiah Parvezole of Cross Creek in North Carolina, who sold him to John Bohanson of Mecklenburgh county, and he to John Roy of the same county, and he to James M'Clenashan, of Charles-Town, of whom the subscriber bought him, at public vendue, in June last. It is supposed he will make for North Carolina. Whoever will apprehend him, and deliver him to the subscriber in Charles-Town, or to the warden of the work house, shall have Twenty Pounds reward, besides the charges allowed by law.
WILLIAM HOPTON. August 19, 1767.
Date of Record: 19 August 1767
Source: South Carolina Gazette (Charleston, SC), 31 August 1767.
- Slaveholder Name: White, Thomas
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Chocolate maker
Notes: Business located on Front Street, "opposite to Norris's Alley"
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not stated in record
Sex: Male
Age: Age not stated in record, but described as a "young man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Advertised for sale in August 1749. Text of ad placed by White: "To be SOLD, A Likely young Negroe man, by trade a painter, and very fit to wait upon a gentleman. Enquire of Thomas White, chocolate maker, opposite to Norris's Alley, in Front-street, Philadelphia."
Dates of Records: 31 August 1749
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 31 August, 7 September 1749
- Slaveholder Name: Whitehead, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Workhouse Keeper
Notes: As Keeper of the city Workhouse, Whitehead was sometimes charged with selling enslaved persons confined there. In addition, slaveholders would often have troublesome or captured runaway slaves confined in the Workhouse while they advertised them for sale.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Female
Age: "about 23 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1733
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro woman"
Notes: Advertised for sale with or without her three-year-old child in January 1756: "TO be SOLD, A Likely Negro woman, about 23 years of age, fit for town or country business, with her child, 3 years old, last May; she will be sold with or without the child. Enquire of James Whitehead, at the Work-house." The listing for her child is below.
Dates of Records: 08 January 1756
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 08 January 1756
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Gender not given in ad
Age: "3 years old, last May"
Date of Birth: May 1752
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Child"
Notes: Advertised for sale with or without the mother, in January 1756: "TO be SOLD, A Likely Negro woman, about 23 years of age, fit for town or country business, with her child, 3 years old, last May; she will be sold with or without the child. Enquire of James Whitehead, at the Work-house." The listing for the mother is is above.
Dates of Records: 20 November 1755
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 November 1755, 08 January 1756
- Enslaved Person's Name: Will
Sex: Male
Age: "about 28 or 30 Years of Age"
Date of Birth: circa 1733 - 1735
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe Man"
Notes: Advertised for sale in May 1763: "To be SOLD, A Lusty Negroe Man, named Will, has had lately the Small-pox, about 28 or 30 Years of Age, fit for Country Business. Enquire of James Whitehead, at the Work-house."
Dates of Records: 26 May 1763
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 26 May 1763.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Male
Age: "about 28 Years of Age"
Date of Birth: circa 1737
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Advertised for sale in July 1765: "TO BE SOLD, A Likely strong made Negroe Man, about 28 Years of Age. For further Particulars enquire of JAMES WHITEHEAD, Workhouse-keeper."
Dates of Records: 18 July 1765
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 July 1765
- Slave Name: Name not given
Sex: Female
Age: 24
Date of Birth: circa 1744
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Wench"
Notes: Advertised for sale in April 1768: "TO BE SOLD, A LIKELY healthy NEGROE WENCH, 24 Years old, can do all Sorts of House-work, such as Cooking, Washing, Spinning, &c. fit for Town or Country Business. Enquire of JAMES WHITEHEAD."
Dates of Records: 7 April 1768
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 7 April 1768
- Slaveholder Name: Whitely, Anthony
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Ship's captain, schooner Industry
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Female
Age: Age not given, but described as a young woman
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe woman"
Notes: Advertised for sale along with a five-year-old girl, possibly her daughter, by the captain of the schooner Industry, in May 1752, just prior to a voyage to South Carolina:
For SOUTH-CAROLINA,
The Schooner INDUSTRY,
Anthony Whitely, Commander,
Now lying at Edward Chew's wharff, will be ready to sail in 15 days. For freight or passage, apply to James Rennals, Alexander Alexander, or said commander, either on board, or at his house, next door to Capt. Huston's, on Society-hill. Said vessel has good accommodations for passengers.
N.B. Said Whitely has a likely young Negroe woman, and a Negroe girl, about five years old, to dispose of; she is a very good house wench.
Several years prior to this advertisement, Whitely advertised a woman with child, possibly the same persons:
TO BE SOLD
A Likely English servant lad's time, has seven years to serve, is about 15 years of age, and is very fit for country business.
Also a likely negroe woman, with a young child, about ten months old; she is fit for town or country business. Enquire of Anthony Whitley, at the ship aground, on Chestnut-street wharff.
Dates of Records: 14 May 1752, 15 June 1749.
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 May 1752, 15 June 1749.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given in ad
Sex: Female
Age: "about five years old"
Date of Birth: Circa 1747
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe girl"
Notes: Advertised for sale along with an adult woman, possibly her mother, by the captain of the schooner Industry, in May 1752, just prior to a voyage to South Carolina. See above for text of ad.
Dates of Records: 14 May 1752
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 May 1752
- Slaveholder Name: Whyte, Robert, Capt.
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Ship's captain
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Lewis
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given, but described as a "man."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life -- Escaped slave
Description: "Spanish Indian slave"
Notes: Escaped from Whyte in winter 1761:
RUN-away last Sunday night, from Capt. Robert Whyte, of this City, a Spanish Indian slave, a sailor, speaks Spanish and French and very little English, named Lewis, is a thick short fellow, with black Hair; had on a blue Jacket and short Trowsers. Whoever takes up said Indian and secures him so that he may be had again, shall have Three Pounds reward, and reasonable charges paid by
ROBERT WHYTE.
Dates of Records: 03 December 1761
Sources: The Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, 03 December 1761.
- Slaveholder Name: Wilcocks, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Grigg or Grig
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given, but described as a man
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life -- Escaped slave
Description: "Creole Negroe Man"
Notes: Escaped from Wilcocks in 1761:
RUN away from the Subscriber, a Creole Negroe Man, named GRIGG, about 5 Feet 10 Inches high, of a yellowish Complexion, large Bones, follows the Sea, wears Sailor's Apparel, and it is likely he may change his Clothes. Whoever takes up the said Negroe Man, and secures him, so that the Subscriber may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by
JOHN WILCOCKS.
Wilcocks subsequently sold Grigg to Thomas Mullan, keeper of the Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. Mullan in turn sold Grigg to Joseph Hugg of Gloucester, New Jersey. In August 1769, Grigg escaped from Hugg. Hugg placed an ad to recover Grigg, in which he stated that he believed he was being "harboured about Spring-Garden, or somewhere near the city."
Dates of Records: 20 August 1761
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 August 1761.
- Slaveholder Name: Wilcox, Alexander
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Caesar
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given, but described as a man
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life -- Escaped slave
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Escaped from Wilcox in late 1777 or early 1778, during of the British occupation of the city.
THREE GUINEAS Reward.
RUN-AWAY a negro man, called CAESAR, five feet seven inches high, square shouldered, has a large head, with much wool on it, generally well combed, remarkable large eyes and thick lips: Had on when he went away, a short green coat and waistcoat, leather breeches and blue stockings. He took with him many other clothes, both for winter and summer, particularly a fine white cloth coat, without lining, and a red waistcoat. Whoever will deliver the said negro to the subscriber, his master, shall be paid the above reward.
ALEXANDER WILCOX.
Dates of Records: 03 January 1778
Sources: The Pennsylvania Ledger, or the Philadelphia Market-Day Advertiser, 03 January 1778.
- Slaveholder Name: Williams, Thomas
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant, shop on Second Street
Notes: In 1749, Williams acted as the city contact person for William Currie, a farmer in rural Plymouth Township, who was selling an enslaved teenaged girl.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not mentioned
Sex: Female
Age: "about fifteen years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1734
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe girl"
Notes: Offered for sale in August 1749: "A Likely Negroe girl, about 15 years of age, fit for town or country business. Enquire at Thomas Williams's, in Second-street."
Dates of Records: 31 August 1749
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 31 August 1749
- Slaveholder Name: Willing, Mr.
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Probably either Thomas or James, both prominent Philadelphians at this time.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Larey
Sex: Male
Age: "about twenty-two years of age" (at time of escape from James Wilson)
Date of Birth: circa 1756 or 1757
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Larey was enslaved by Willing of Philadelphia "some years ago." He escaped from James Wilson on New Years Day, 1779.
Dates of Records: 12 January 1779
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet & General Advertiser, 12 January 1779
- Slaveholder Name: Willing, Charles
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant and politician. Mayor of Philadelphia, 1748-1749 and 1754. Founder and trustee of Academy and College of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania). Served as Justice on City Court.
Notes: House on Front Street (1733), then Third Street (1747)
- Enslaved Person's Name: Names not given
Sex: Female
Age: Age not specified but described as "women"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slaves for life
Description: "Negroe Women"
Notes: Two women advertised for sale in July 1733:
To Be SOLD.
TWO likely Negroe Women fit for House or Country work, both having had the Small Pox. Enquire of Charles Willing at his House in Front-street Philadelphia.
Dates of Records: 12 July 1733
Sources: The American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), 12 July 1733
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Male
Age: Age not specified but described as a "man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: One of two men advertised for sale in November 1747: "Philadelphia, November 26, 1747. To be SOLD, BY CHARLES WILLING, at his house in Third-street, two likely Negroe men, fit for town or country business. Also a great variety of woollen and other goods suitable for the season."
Dates of Records: 26 November 1747
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 December 1747
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Male
Age: Age not specified but described as a "man"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe man"
Notes: One of two men advertised for sale in November 1747. See above for text of ad.
Dates of Records: 26 November 1747
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 December 1747
- Slaveholder Name: Wilson, James
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Larey
Sex: Male
Age: "about twenty-two years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1756 or 1757
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Larey was enslaved by Willing of Philadelphia "some years ago." He escaped from James Wilson on New Years Day, 1779:
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWEARD.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber, on Friday the first inst. (January) a Negro Man named LAREY; he is short, neat and well made, about twenty-two years of age, speaks English well, is lively, plausible and artful; he had on a new suit of blue cloaths. He belonged some years ago to Mr. Willing, of this city.
Whoever apprehends and delivers the said Negro to the subscriber, shall receive the above reward and reasonable charges.
JAMES WILSON.
Dates of Records: 12 January 1779
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet & General Advertiser, 12 January 1779
- Slaveholder Name: Wilson, John
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Bay
Sex: Male
Age: Age not given in description, but described as a "man."
Date of Birth: not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Bay escaped from John Wilson on July 21, 1763:
RUN away, on the 21st of July last, from John Wilson, a Negroe Man, named Bay, about six Feet high, a little marked with the Small-Pox, a clean neat-limb'd Fellow, and talks very little English: Had on, when he went away, a Flannel Shirt, a red great Coat, the Skirts cut off about the Waist, with large Whitemetal Buttons, another red Coat, with the same Sort of Buttons, a Pair of Buckskin Breeches, old Shoes, with Strings, old Stockings, and a Cap, made of Tow Cloth. Whoever takes up and secures said Negroe, so that his Master may have him again, shall have Twenty Shillings Reward, and all reasonable Charges, paid by me
JOHN WILSON.
Dates of Records: 18 August 1763
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 18 August 1763.
- Slaveholder Name: Wilson, Philip
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant and importer
Notes: Store on Wate Street in the 1770s, then moved to Front Street near Chestnut Street in the 1780s. Wilson traded with more than 22 English merchants and held interests in thirteen ships and or cargoes. During the war he regularly endured losses to British warships, and in 1783 the merchant vessel Mentor was completely destroyed by a British warship with the loss of all cargo at Cape Henlopen, effectively ruining Wilson. He relocated to London shortly thereafter to seek damages, but was unsuccessful. In 1798 he petitioned the US Congress for relief from losses incurred during the war.
Source: The North American, 23 April 1798; Wilson, Philip, "The declaration and case of Philip Wilson, a citizen of the United States of America, and late a merchant of Philadelphia, respecting the capture and destruction of his ship, called the Mentor, at Cape Henlopen, on the 2d day of April 1783," London, 1796, Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections, accessed online at https://trislandora-production.brynmawr.edu/object/hc27563.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Caesar
Sex: Male
Age: "about 22 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1752
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Born in Jamaica and was sold and re-sold. Philip Wilson was his fourth owner, purchasing him from James Wallace of Philadelphia. Escaped from Wilson in late June 1774. Wilson placed the following advertisement for his return. The ad is unusually detailed, including an extensive physical description of Caesar, his personality, abililities, wardrobe and a timeline of former owners:
FIFTEEN POUNDS REWARD.
RAN AWAY, about the 24th of June, 1774, from the subscriber living in Philadelphia, a Negro man named CAESAR, of a middling black colour, about 22 years of age, 5 feet 3 or 4 inches high, well made, with a long neck and falling shoulders, walks very upright, has bandy well made legs, with thick muscular calves, a large mouth and lips; is much inclined to laugh, and when he laughs shews much of his gums and teeth; is talkative and impertinent, with often an elevated voice, where he dare make free; is insolent and ready to box amongst his companions, and is fond of playing scraps of tunes on the fife, of which he has several; He having taken a Bristol pipe box, about two feet and a half long, with sundry cloaths, may change his dress, but may have on either a mended cloth colour, or an old dark blue, superfine cloth coat, a blue knap round-about, or short sea jacket lined with white flannel, a read and white narrow striped waistcoat, green plush or black stocking breeches, remarkable narrow striped Irish ticken breeches and trowsers, thread stockings, &c.--
The reward of FIVE POUNDS with reasonable charges, on delivering the said Negro at Philadelphia, or the above reward of FIFTEEN POUNDS, on proving and prosecuting to conviction the person who aided, assisted or carried him off, will be punctually paid by
PHILIP WILSON.
N.B. He was born at Jamaica, lived with Thomas and James Lucas and Co. of the Grenades, anno 1766; they sold him to Captain Godfrey McDonnell, who sold him to James Wallace of Philadelphia, anno 1767.
Dates of Records: 14 December 1774
Sources: Pennsylvania Packet, 19 December 1774; Pennsylvnia Gazette, 14 December 1774.
- Slave Name: Ben
Sex: Male
Age: "about twenty-four years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1754
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Man"
Notes: Escaped from Wilson in early October 1778. Wilson placed the following advertisement for his return:
EIGHT DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY about the 8th of October last, from the subscriber living in Philadelphia, a broad well set Negro Man named BEN; he is not very black nor fleshy, is about twenty-four years of age, but looks older and wrinkled; he is lame of a leg, having been shot in the back leaders thereof which makes him loose or weak in the heel, walk wide, and wag his body in bringing up that foot; is fond of a brass-headed cane or stick which he sometimes carries in his hand. He had on when he went away, a white cloth coat, but had also one of a light blue colour, a red plush short jacket, a white round hat with narrow gold lace, the under side of which was lined with green silk, and also a black one. Persons who harbour him and thereby encourage such elopements, which he is much given to, may depend on being prosecuted; also any of his Negro associates may expect the punishment that the law inflicts. Information where he is will be thankfully received, and the above reward paid, by PHILIP WILSON.
Ben was captured in Chester County somewhere between Marcus Hook and Chester Borough, and placed in the Chester jail. Chester Sheriff Robert Smith advertised in early 1779 for someone to come claim him.
Dates of Records: 26 December 1778
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet & General Advertiser, 26 December 1778.
- Slaveholder Name: Wilson, Robert
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Friday
Sex: Male
Age: "about 18 years of age"
Date of Birth: circa 1790
Status: Escaped
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Friday escaped from the Lioness, docked in Philadelphia harbor.
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD.
DESERTED from on board the brig Lioness, from Charleston, laying at Clifford's wharf, belonging to the subscriber, a negro man named FRIDAY, about 18 years of age, 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high -- has three scars on his forehead, slim made, jet black -- had on, when he went away, a blue jacket, grey cassimere pantaloons, white neck handkerchief, and waistcoat -- it is probable he may change his dress. For his apprehension the above reward will be paid by the subscriber, or in his absence by JOHN ANGUE, No. 109, north Second street, who is duly authorized to take possession of him, and to secure him for me.
ROBT. WILSON.
October 14
Dates of Records: 14 October 1808
Sources: Aurora General Advertiser (Philadelphia), 18 October 1808.
- Slaveholder Name: Wirtz, Mr.
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: Cited as the previous owner of Cesar Rodney, below.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Cesar Rodney
Sex: Male
Age: "about 22 years of age"
Date of Birth: 1780 (calculated)
Status: Self-emancipated
Description: "negro man"
Notes: Rodney escaped from Frederick Stump of Columbia, Lancaster County, on June 12, 1802 in company with a woman. Stump's escape ad included the note "It is supposed he is in company with a negro wench, and is gone towards Philadelphia, having been raised by Mr. Wirtz, of that city."
Date of Record: June 26, 1802 (Stump's ad was published through September 22, 1802.)
Source: Lancaster Journal
- Slaveholder Name: Witherspoon, Thomas
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: May also be from New Castle County, Delaware.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Frank
Sex: Male
Age: "about 20 years of Age"
Date of Birth: circa 1744
Status: Self-emancipated
Description: "Young Mulattoe Fellow"
Notes: Frank escaped from Witherspoon in June 1764. By November Witherspoon had not yet recovered him. See the ad placed by Witherspoon, below.
FIVE POUNDS Reward.
RUN away from the Subscriber on Saturday, the 30th of June last, a young Mulattoe Fellow, about 20 years of Age, named Frank, about five Feet five Inches high, well set, full faced, short black curled Hair, very apt to swear when angry; had on and with him, when he went away, a coarse home-made Tow Shirt and Trowsers, a Woollen Jacket, home-made, old Hat and Stockings; it is supposed he has changed his Cloathes, and perhaps his Name by the Time; it also is supposed he is some where in the Cedar Swamps in the Jerseys, down Delaware River, as his Mother, and others of his Acquaintance, live near Cohansey, where the Fellow I believe was bred. Whoever secures said Mulattoe in any Goal, or brings him to his said Master, shall have the above Reward, besides reasonable Charges, paid by
THOMAS WITHERSPOON.
The family of twenty-year-old Frank, in Cohansey, may have supplied him with whatever provisions he needed to remain in the swamps for so many months. Runaway slaves, white servants and others formed a community with the remnants of the regional Nanticoke tribe who inhabited the swamps and waterways of Kent and Sussex Counties in Delaware and New Jersey. The people living in this area came to be known as the Delaware Moors, and although much of their history is not fully known, it is possible that this mixed race community was the result of a cooperative Maroon community of fugitive black slaves, local Native Americans, and white servants. Watermen of this and other nearby regions would later become important links on the Underground Railroad, and would transport many fugitive slaves out of bondage in Virginia and Maryland and pass them into freedom in Philadelphia and Wilmington. For a more detailed discussion of this area, see Chapter Six of The Year of Jubilee.
Date of Record: 22 November 1764
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 22 November 1764.
- Slaveholder Name: Witt, Christopher, Dr.
City or Township: Germantown
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Physician, clockmaker
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Robert Clymer or Claymer
Sex: Male
Age:
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Manumitted 1765, lived as a free person until his death in 1816.
Description: "Mulatto"
Notes: Upon the death of Dr. Witt, in 1765, his will manumits his enslaved man "commonly known as Robert Claymer, and also gives to him a certain tract of land in Germantown on the north side of Keyser's lane, which I bought of Adam Holt."
"Also to said mulatto Robert, all my tools, instruments and utensils belonging to or appertaining to the making of watches and also my great clock which strikes every quarter. Also all household goods belonging to me which shall be found at the time of my decease, in my old house where I formerly lived next door above Andrew Keyser's (alias Pistorias)."
The land bequeathed to Clymer by Witt was a 3-acre lot on the northwest side of Abington Lane. In 1767 Clymer purchased additional land. These adjoining lots were located on the west side of present day Germantown Avenue near Walnut Lane. The deeds listed Clymer as a "practitioner of physic." Clymer became prominent as Germantown's first Black physician.
Clymer enrolled in the Pennsylvania Militia, serving in Christian Snyder's Battalion in Philadelphia from 1778-1780. Trained in medicine by Dr. Witt, Clymer served as a battalion surgeon and, per local legend, surgically removed a bullet from British general James Agnew, who was wounded at the Battle of Germantown.
Clymer married in 1788 and moved from Germantown to Bensalem Township, Bucks County, where he took up farming. Some time toward the end of his life he moved again to Southwark, where he died in 1816.
Dates of Records: Will dated 07 November 1761; Witt died January 1765 and his will was proved 04 February 1765.
Sources: Ancient and Modern Germantown, Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill, S. F. Hotchkin, Philadelphia, 1889, pp. 178-179; African American Heritage Guide to Philadelphia's Historic Northwest, Gloria David Goode, Germantown Historical Society, 2007, p. 5; "Blacks in Germantown Before the Civil War," Germantown Crier, 40:2 (Spring 1988), p. 41.
- Slaveholder Name: Wood, Joseph
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Captain of the Sloop Polly
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Jack
Sex: Male
Age: Age not specified in ad, but he is described as a "man."
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Presumed enslaved for life; self emancipated in 1784
Description: "Negro man"
Notes: Jack escaped from the Sloop Polly and the ship's captain, Joseph Wood, placed the following ad for his return:
Eight Dollars Reward.
RAN away from on board the Sloop Polly, Joseph Wood Master, a negro man named JACK, about five feet high, and very black, has a scar at the corner of his right eye, and his hair cut in scallops on the top from ear, to ear. had on when he absconded, a white frock and trowsers, and carried with him, his bag of clothes. Whoever will apprehend and deliver the said negro to Messrs. Elliston and John Perot, or to Captain Joseph Wood, on board said vessel, laying at the Bird in hand wharf, will receive the above reward.
All Masters of Vessels, and other persons are forbid harbouring employing, or carrying off the said negro on Penalty of the Law.
Philadelphia, August 20, 1784.
Dates of Records: 20 August 1784
Sources: The Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser (Philadelphia), 21 August 1784
- Slaveholder Name: Woodrop, Alexander
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Merchant, slave trader
Notes: Offered a "Parcel" of enslaved persons for sale from the wharves in 1723 and several enslaved persons in October 1729. In May 1736 he advertised several persons "Just arrived from Barbadoes." This ad was in conjunction with slave merchants Turner and Allen. See the page on Slave Traders for more on these men.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Not given in ad
Sex: Male and female
Age: Ages not specified in ad, but described as "women, boys and a girl."
Date of Birth: Not known, varies
Status: Slaves for life
Description: "Negro Women," "Negro Boys," "Negro Girl"
Notes: Wooddrop offered the following enslaved persons for sale in April 1723:
TO be sold by Mr. Alexander Wooddrop in Water-street, near the Crane on Abraham Bickley's Wharf
A Parcel of very likely Negroes, viz. Two Negro Women two Negro Boys and one Negro Girl. Also Several sorts of good Cordial Waters at 5 s. per Gallon by the Quantity.
Dates of Records: 11 April 1723
Sources: The American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), 11 April 1723
- Slave Names: Not given in ad
Sex: Not determined
Age: Ages not specified in ad
Date of Birth: Not known, varies
Status: Slaves for life
Description: "Negroes"
Notes: Wooddrop offered the following goods and enslaved persons for sale in October 1729:
To be SOLD.
BY Alexander Wooddrop, several sorts of Dry Goods, as Ginger, Nutmegs, Black-Pepper, Rum, and Sugar of several sorts, Mallasso'es, Lyme-Juice, Nailes, Bar Iron, Riggin both Old and New, sweet-Oyl, Oyl of Turpentine; also one Case of Super-Fine Bohea-Tea: He has also a Servant Woman's Time to dispose of, being near five Years to come; and likewise three Negroes to be Sold, at his House near Mr. Carpenters Wharf.
Dates of Records: 09 October 1729
Sources: The American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), 09 October 1729.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Not given in ad
Sex: Male and female
Age: Ages not specified in ad, but probably a mixture of adults and young persons.
Date of Birth: Not known, varies
Status: Slaves for life
Description: "Negroes," "Negro Women"
Notes: Wooddrop, along with William Allen and Joseph Turner, offered the following enslaved persons for sale in May 1736:
JUST arrived from Barbadoes, several likely Negroes; among which are two likely Women bred to House-work. To be Sold by Alexander Woodrop, William Allen and Joseph Turner.
Dates of Records: 06 May 1736
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 06 May 1736
- Slaveholder Name: Woodrow, Henry
City or Township: Northern Liberties
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Lumber merchant
Notes: Residence on Front Street; died 1778
- Enslaved Person's Name: Stephen
Sex: Male
Age: "between 14 and 15 years old"
Date of Birth: circa 1754 to 1755
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulattoe boy"
Notes: Stephen escaped from Woodrow, probably in the spring of 1769 (escape ad does not specify when he left):
RUN away from the subscriber, a Mulattoe boy, named Stephen, between 14 and 15 years old, middling tall, but slim, with black curled hair, tolerable good countenance; had on, when he went away, a blue cloth jacket, with a strap buckled round him, ozenbrigs shirt, a pair of thickset breeches, too long for him, old stockings and shoes, with buckles; he has followed sweeping of chimneys some time past, and perhaps may have got a blanket and materials for sweeping. Whoever takes up the said Mulattoe boy, and secures him, so as his master may have him again, shall have Fifteen Shillings reward, if taken in the country; and Ten Shillings, if taken up in Philadelphia, and all reasonable charges, paid by HENRY WOODROW, living in Front-street, above Pool's bridge.
N.B. All masters of vessels are desired not to take him off at their peril.
Dates of Records: 06 April 1769
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 06 April 1769.
- Slaveholder Name: Wright, Hugh, Captain
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Male
Age: "about 14 Years of Age"
Date of Birth: circa 1749
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Boy"
Notes: Advertised for sale in February 1763: "To be SOLD, A Very healthy likely Negroe Boy, about 14 Years of Age, this Country born, has had the Small-pox, sold for no Fault, but for want of Employ. Enquire of Capt. HUGH WRIGHT, at Capt. Gibbon's, in Spruce-street."
Dates of Records: 18 July 1765
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 24 February 1763
- Slaveholder Name: Wright, John
City or Township: Moyamensing
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Female
Age: "about 20 years old"
Date of Birth: circa 1763
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negroe Woman"
Notes: Advertised for sale along with her infant son to settle the estae of John Wright:
TO BE SOLD,
A STOUT, healthy NEGROE WOMAN, about 20 years old, and her Male CHILD, about 9 months old; said to be part of the estate of John Wright, late of Moyamensing, deceased.
JOHN LEE, Acting Executor.
N.B. If said Negroe Woman and Child are not sold before the 16th instant, they will on that day be sold by public Sale, at Mount-Pleasant, near Mountholly, New-Jersey, precisely at three o'clock in the afternoon.
Jan. 1, 1783.
Only one day remained for the private sale of this woman and her child when this ad was re-published on January 15, 1783. If not sold by the end of the day, she and her child were to be publicly auctioned off at John Lee's house in New Jersey. As this was to settle the estate, the executor probably had little or no say regarding whether the mother and child had to be sold together, or were to be sold apart.
Executor John Lee had advertised this woman for public sale a year earlier to settle Wright's estate. The sale was advertised for January 7, 1782 at John Wright's "late dwelling house" on Second Street in Southwark. The sale included: "all the Negroes, Stock, and HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE &C." The woman was described as "ONE likely Negroe Wench, about twenty years old, fit for town or country work." No mention was made in that ad of her child. Apparently Lee was unable to see her, as she appears a year later in his further ads for settling Wright's estate.
Dates of Records: January 1, 1783
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 15 January 1783; Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 05 January 1782.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Name not given
Sex: Male
Age: "about 9 months old"
Date of Birth: circa March 1782
Status: A child of this age would be a term slave for 28 years. Sale of the child outside of Pennsylvania would have been illegal.
Description: "Male Child"
Notes: Advertised for sale or auction along with his mother to settle the estae of John Wright. see above for the full text of the ad. Note that only one day remained for the private sale of this mother and child when the ad was re-published on January 15, 1783. If not sold by the end of that day, the pair were to be publicly auctioned off at John Lee's house in Mount Pleasant, New Jersey. As this was to settle the estate, the executor probably had little or no say regarding whether the mother and child had to be sold together, or were to be sold apart.
A subsequent ad placed by executor John Lee in Dunlap's Pennsylvani Packet, date January 10, 1783, formally announced the public sale of the woman and child, and gave the child's age as "about 9 months old."
Dates of Records: January 1, 1783
Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 15 January 1783; Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and Genearl Advertiser, 11 January 1783.
- Slaveholder Name: Yard, Shandy
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Grocer and Mariner
Notes: A free African living in Philadelphia, Shandy Yard is believed to have been born in West Africa about 1772. He was a close friend to James Forten and was originally indentured to James Yard. He married Sarah Fortune on July 11, 1799. Yard was serving aboard the Brig Franklin, captained by Andrew Morris, sailing from Marsailles for the West Indies when it was captured by a Tripolitan corsair in June 1802. A state of hostilities then existed between the Barbary states and the United States and the American consul at Algiers persuaded the Dey of Algiers not to sell the American crewmen into slavery. In October, Yard, the captain and two other men were ransomed for $6500. His fortunes began to wane upon his return to Philadelphia, likely causing his sale of the two slaves listed below.
Sources: Clarence M. Busch, Record of Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1810, Vol. 1, Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. 8, "Marriage Records of the Swedes Church (Gloria Dei) 1750-1810," p. 382; Julie Winch, A Gentleman of Color: The Life of James Forten, Oxford University Press, 2002, p. 137; Lieutenant Felix Howland, U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, "The Blockade of Tripoli, 1801-1802," United States Naval Institute Proceedings, Vol.63/12/418 (December 1937); Insolvent Debtor notice, Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, 7 April 1812, p. 3.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Un-named girl
Sex: Female
Age: Not known; described as a "girl"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for a term of years--having 7 or 8 years to serve.
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Offered for sale in September 1805. Text of advertisement:
FOR SALE,
THE time of two NEGRO GIRLS who have from 7 to 8 years to serve, the time of both is sold for the want of employ, they are perfectly well acquainted with house work of every kind, and understand plain cooking, &c. &c. For terms enquire of
SHANDY YARD.
Walnut street, No. 77,
Sept. 4
Date of Record: 04 September 1805
Sources: Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, PA, 18 September 1805, page 1.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Un-named girl
Sex: Female
Age: Not known; described as a "girl"
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for a term of years--having 7 or 8 years to serve.
Description: "Negro Girl"
Notes: Offered for sale in September 1805. See text of advertisement, above.
Date of Record: 04 September 1805
Sources: Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, PA, 18 September 1805, page 1.
- Slaveholder Name: Yeldall, Anthony
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation: Surgeon; eye surgeon; druggist
Notes: Arrived in Philadelphia in 1770 and established his residence and practice on Market Street. Anthony Yeldall became regionally famous for successful cataract surgeries. A vigorous self-promoter, Yeldall travelled throughout the region performing surgeries and, backed by a stage show of acrobats and high wire performers, sold drugs from the stage. He remained a British Loyalist, though, and in 1778 was denounced as a traitor by Pennsylvania's revolutionary government, charged with treason and advised that his estate and wealth was subject to forfeiture. He fled to London where he continued his medical practice, and in 1794 patented a magnetic belt for the treatment of various ailments.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Prince
Sex: Male
Age: 20
Date of Birth: circa 1753 or 1754 (age is reported as both 20, and 19 years)
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro man" His ears are pierced.
Notes: Escaped from Yeldall repeatedly, first in late 1773. SeetText of runaway advertisements:
Philadelphia, November 30, 1773.
THREE POUNDS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Market-street, a NEGROE man, named PRINCE, 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, 20 years of age, smooth faced, has one if not both his ears bored; had on when he went away, a black velvet cap, brown coat, waistcoat and breeches. Whoever takes up the said Negroe, and brings him to his master, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by
ANTHONY YELDALL.
Prince was captured and returned to Yeldall, but in July 1774 escaped again. Yeldall's advertisement seeking his return adds additional details about this enslaved man:
FIVE POUNDS REWARD.
RAN AWAY the 18th of July last from the subscriber, a negroe man, named PRINCE, about nineteen years old, five feet four or five inches high, is a smart active fellow, a very black complexion, and is apt to grin and laugh when talked to by his equals, and is fond of strong liquor; Had on and took with him a brown cloth coat and jacket, with red collar and cuffs to the coat, white shirt and trowsers, pretty good shoes, and an old hat;
He is a sly fellow, and has run away from his former masters, both here and in New England, from whence he came, and it is likely he may go that way, as he has before attempted to do, and been taken up and brought home. Whoever takes up and secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward and reasonable charges, paid by JOSEPH FOX, blacksmith and farrier, in Philadelphia, or
DR. ANTHONY YELDALL.
Prince was at large for several weeks but was finally captured and jailed in New Castle, Delaware. The county jailer, Thomas Pusey, advertised descriptions of several persons committed to his jail, including Prince:
New-Castle, September 5, 1774.
NOW in the goal of said county, the following persons, viz.
A Negroe lad, who calls himself Prince, and by an advertisement of Doctor Anthony Yeldall's, in the Pennsylvania Packet, and confession of said Negroe, appears to be the person therein described.
Date of Records: 30 November 1773, 22 August 1774 and 5 September 1774.
Sources: Pennsylvania Gazette, 02 February 1774; Pennsylvania Packet, 22 August 1774; Pennsylvania Gazette, 14 September 1774.
- Slaveholder Name: Young, Charles
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes: In September 1779, Young placed an ad seeking to purchase two slaves: "WANTED TO PURCHASE, A NEGRO WENCH acquainted with cooking and house-work; also a NEGRO MAN or BOY for family purposes, taking care of horses, &c. Enquire of CHARLES YOUNG, the corner of Lombard and Third-streets, Philadelphia." (Source: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 21 September 1779.)
- Slaveholder Name: Young, Samuel
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Un-named female
Sex: Female
Age: Not known; described as a "wench" indicating a young woman or older teenaged girl
Date of Birth: Not known
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Negro Wench"
Notes: Offered for sale in August 1779. Text of advertisement: "TO BE SOLD, A NEGRO WENCH. Enquire of SAMUEL YOUNG, near the Draw-bridge, Philadelphia."
Date of Record: 14 August 1779
Sources: Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet and General Advertiser, 14 August 1779.
- Slaveholder Name: Young, William
City or Township: Philadelphia
County: Philadelphia County
Occupation:
Notes:
- Enslaved Person's Name: Un-named woman
Sex: Female
Age: "2 years old"
Date of Birth: Circa 1787
Status: Slave for a term of years
Description: "Male child"
Notes: Offered for sale in September 1789 along with her male child. Text of advertisement:
TO BE SOLD.
A Mulatto Woman, aged 33 years, duly registered, with a MALE CHILD 2 years old, also registered; she is a very good cook and house wench; understands pickling and preserving; likewise, the management of a dairy. The owner going to quite this state, is the real reason of his parting with her. Enquire of Mr. WILLIAM YOUNG, in Arch street, between Seventh and Eighth streets.
Date of Record: 28 September 1789
Sources: The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, 28 September 1789.
- Enslaved Person's Name: Un-named child
Sex: Male
Age: "aged 33 years"
Date of Birth: Circa 1756
Status: Slave for life
Description: "Mulatto Woman"
Notes: Offered for sale in September 1789 along with his mother. See above for the text of advertisement.
Date of Record: 28 September 1789
Sources: The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser, 28 September 1789.
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