Activity 2—Advertisement 1

RUN away from the subscriber, the 20th of October last, a likely young Mulatto man named SAM HOWELL, 23 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches high, well made for strength, has a remarkable good set of teeth, very black large eyebrows, and is a little bow legged– as for his apparel it is so long since he went away that I [suppose] he has worn them out, and got others. He was bound for 31 years, according to the condition of his mother, who was to serve until that time; his pretence for going away was to apply to some lawyer at Williamsburg to try to get his freedom, though he had a trial in the county court, and was adjudged to serve his full time. I did hear that he applied to the King’s attorney, and he told him he could not get free until his time was out; and I have never heard from him since. As he passes for a free man, I imagine he will endeavour to get on board some vessel, I therefore desire all masters of vessel not to entertain him, or carry him out of the country. Whoever apprehends the said slave, and brings him to me, in Cumberland county, on James river, shall receive £5 reward.

WADE NETHERLAND.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., 2 May 1766.

Activity 2—Advertisement 2

RUN away from the Subscriber’s Plantation in Manakin Town, the last of July or first of August last, a black Negro Man named TOM, formerly the Property of Major Henry Gaines of King William, but since the said Gaines’s Death has been sold several Times, and is now my Property. He was [trained] by Major Gaines to keeping Horses and riding Races, but is now a good Sawyer. He is not tall, knock-kneed, full Eyes, and I believe a Speck in one of them, caused by a Chip as he was cutting with an Axe. He values himself for his fine Dancing, is subject to Liquor, and fond of talking about Religion. If he is taken in the Colony, and brought to me, near the old Courthouse, in Albemarle County, or my Overseer, James Scott, at Manakin Town, I will give £3 and if out of Colony £10.

JOHN SCOTT
Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., 1 December 1774.