Activity 5—Advertisement 3

TEN POUNDS REWARD.

RUN away from the Subscriber, in Northumberland, on Wednesday the 14th of October, a very [able-bodied] young Virginia born Negro Man named DAVID, of a yellowish Complexion, and about five Feet five Inches high; had on when he went off an Osnaburg Shirt, a Pair of Purple Virginia Cloth Breeches lined with white Linen, a Pair of Rolls Breeches over them, and a Fearnought Jacket with Horn Buttons. He carried with him a brown coloured Kersey Jacket, a blue and white Virginia Cloth One with coarse Osnaburg Pockets, brown and white Linen Shirts, and sundry other Clothes which I cannot well describe; but, as he is a very cunning artful Fellow, I imagine he will sell and swap his Clothes as may suit him. Though his Hair is of the Negro Kind, he keeps it very high and well combed; but, as he wants to be free, I imagine he will cut it off, and get a Wig to alter and disguise himself. He had with him thirty or forty Shillings in Silver Money, and a Brass Medal with Image of our present King and Queen on it, which he will endeavour to pass for Gold. He can read pretty well, and I make no Doubt will endeavour to pass for a Freeman and get himself a forged Pass, and endeavour for some foreign Part, either by getting on Board of some Vessel or stealing some Gentleman’s Horse and make for Carolina. He has always been my Waiting Man when I went from home, and is a good Waiter, Driver, and Hostler, understands something of Gardening, of combing and dressing Wigs and Hair, can plough, work at the Hoe and Axe very well, and is, on the Whole, a very clever active brisk Fellow. Whoever will apprehend the said Runaway, and bring him home to me, or secure him in any Jail in the Colony, so that I get him, shall have FIVE POUNDS Reward, and reasonable Charges allowed; if out of the Colony TEN POUNDS, and reasonable Charges for bringing him home.

THOMAS GASKINS.

N.B. He is suspected to have carried with him a Drab coloured Sailor’s Jacket with Slash Sleeves, Leather Buttons on the Sleeves, if not on the Breast, and lined through with red and white Swanskin; also a Pair of old white Plush Breeches which are missing.
Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, 5 November 1772.