Activity 7—Advertisement 1

RUN from the Subscriber’s plantation in Albemarle county, a tall slim Negro fellow, named GEORGE; he is marked in the face as the Gold Coast slaves generally are, had the usual clothing of labouring Negroes, and is supposed to be harboured at some of the plantations on Cary’s creek, in Goochland county. Also run away from the subscriber’s quarter called Westham, in Henrico county, another Negro fellow, named ROBIN; he is very tall, slim, and of a thin visage, having lost some of his teeth; he formerly belonged to Col. Benjamin Harrison of Berkeley, and is supposed to be gone in the neighbourhood of his plantation on Nottoway river, where he formerly lived. Whoever will convey the former Negro to Mr. Lucas Powell in Albemarle, and the latter to William Walker at Westham, shall receive FORTY SHILLINGS for each of them, besides what is allowed by law. As I have been always tender of my slaves, and particularly attentive to the good usage of them, I hope wherever these fellows may apprehended that they will receive such moderate correction as will deter them from running away for the future; and wherever any of my Negroes are taken up as runaways, I desire the favour of the magistrate, who may be applied to for a certificate, to order them back to their respective overseers, instead of sending them to me in this city.

RO. C. NICHOLAS

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., 15 January 1767.

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KING’s CREEK, York county, Sept. 14, 1768. 

RUN away from the subscriber, about three months ago, a tall black Negro fellow named GABY, about 40 years old, round shouldered, bends in one of his knees (which I have forgot) is very subject to sore legs, has very long feet, and had on when he left me the usual winter clothing of corn field Negroes.  He has a wife at Mr. Robert Nicolson’s in Williamsburg, where (in all probability) he may be secreted by her. He is outlawed, and a reward of TEN POUNDS will be given for his head, or TWENTY SHILLINGS, if safely delivered to 

JAMES BURWELL.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., 15 September 1768.

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£ 20 REWARD.

RUN away from the subscriber on Monday night the 9th instant, three Negro men, two of them slaves, viz. NED, about 5 feet 8 inches high, 21 years of age, of a yellow complexion, a likely well made fellow; his usual clothing an osnabrug shirt, dark gray fearnought waistcoat, cotton breeches, coarse yarn stockings, bad shoes, and a felt hat. He also took other clothes, but what not yet known. FRANK, a foreign Negro, a very good cook, says he was born in the Spanish West Indies, speaks bad English, as also French, Spanish, and some Dutch, near the same height of Ned, about 30 years of age, of a yellow complexion, with little or no beard, and has several remarkable wounds on his body, and a large one near his throat; he is clothed in blue plains, osnabrug shirt, and felt hat, as also a pair of red flannel muffs, and a red cap. HENRY COOKE, a free Negro, born in Gloucester county, but indented himself for five years for the cure of a pox, about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high, about 24 years of age[…]and very well made, of a good black complexion, and thick lips; his clothing mean, being an old brown cloth waistcoat and breeches much patched with green cloth, osnabrug shirt, yarn stockings, very bad shoes, though he took leather with him ready cut out for another pair. He understands a little of the carpenter business, and has likewise followed the water. It is thought they took with them a Negro fellow belonging to the estate of the late Major William Tate, middle aged, about 5 feet 6 inches high, well set, bow legged, of a dark copper complexion, an old offender in this way, and a few years past advertised in the Maryland and Pennsylvania Gazette by William Tate, deceased, by virtue of which he was taken up near the head of the bay, within a few miles of the Pennsylvania government. They took with them a yawl of about 18 feet keel, London clinch work, painted white to her gunwales, two good sails, rudder, and two new pine oars. The £20 reward, or £5 for each, will be paid if taken in any other colony; but if taken in Virginia only £12 or £3 for each.

WILLIAM FLOOD.

WESTMORELAND, April 12, 1770.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., 19 April 1770.

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RUN away, some time last spring, from the subscriber’s plantation at the Green Mountain, in Albemarle county, a Negro man named GEORGE; he is a tall dark coloured fellow, speakes broken English, has several long marks down each of his cheeks, and was cloathed as plantation Negroes generally are. This same fellow formerly left his overseer, and was out near two years; he rambled, as I was informed, as low down the country as the county of King William, and was at last taken up in the county of Hanover. Whoever apprehends and will deliver him either to Mr. Charles Simms in Albemarle, Mr. William Walker, at Westham, in Henrico, or to me in Williamsburg, shall be genteeley rewarded in proportion to the trouble he may be at.

RO. C. NICHOLAS.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Rind, ed., 7 February 1771.

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YORK County, March 7, 1771. 

FORTY SHILLINGS Reward will be given to any person who will take up, and deliver to the Subscriber, an outlawed Negro Slave named GABY, that has been run away several Months. He is a tall, black, ill shaped Fellow, stoops much, and has generally sore Legs. His Wife was hired by Mr. Lenox in Williamsburg, where, in all Probability, he may be taken, as he was seen in that City about three Weeks ago. When he went off he had on the usual Clothing of labouring Negroes. If taken there he may be committed to Jail, and Notice immediately given to 

JAMES BURWELL.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., 7 March 1771.

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RUN away from the Subscriber, two Negro Men, namely, JACK, a well set full faced, Country born Fellow, about thirty five Years of Age, five Feet seven or eight Inches high, was lately seen lurking about Mr. Sterling Thornton’s at Verina, where he has a Wife, and has been absent from my Service since February last. JOE, born in the Spanish West Indies, speaks English very indifferently, is remarkably stout and well made, about the Age of Jack, five Feet nine or ten Inches high, and has been absent about a Fortnight. They are both Watermen, and carried with them the Clothes usually wore by such Negroes. Jack has for some Time gone as Skipper of one of my Flats, and Joe is well known on James River. Whoever apprehends the said Slaves, and conveys them to me in Petersburg, or secures them in Jail, and advises me thereof, shall be well rewarded for any Trouble and Expense they may be at.

EDWARD BRISBANE. 

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., 22 July 1773.

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Run away from the Subscriber, in the upper End of King William, about the 1st of September, two new Negro Men, of the Ibo Country, named CHARLES and FRANK, who have been in the Province about twelve Months, and it is supposed cannot tell their Master’s Name. Charles is a large Fellow, with his Country Marks in his Face, and has lost or broke off one or two of his fore Teeth, which he says was done by a Cow in his Country. Frank is a smaller Fellow, well set, and has sharp Teeth. They carried with them a Dutch Blanket, had each a coarse Hat, and other usual Summer Clothes. Whoever delivers both or either of them to me, or secures them and gives me Notice therof, shall be well rewarded for their Trouble, besides what the law allows.

JOSEPH HILLYARD.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., 2 December 1773.

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RUN away from the subscriber, about the 20th of April, a Mulatto Fellow named PETER BROWN, by Trade a Painter, but can do Carpenters Work, about 35 or 40 Years of Age, five Feet eight or nine Inches high, of a dark Complexion, slim made, thin Visage, has lost several of his upper fore Teeth, is fond of Singing and sings well, has several Suits of Clothes, therefore I cannot describe his Dress. He was some Years past tried for a Robbery; and found guilty, but obtained the Governour’s Pardon on suffering one Year’s Imprisonment. After that Time he was sold to Mr. John Fox of Gloucester, with whom he lived one or two Years; he then ran away and passed for a Freeman in the Counties of King William, Caroline, and Hanover, where he was taken up and brought home. As he has a Wife at Mr. Benjamin Hubbard’s, it is likely he may be lurking in that Neighbourhood, or near Petersburg, where he was raised. Whoever takes up the said Runaway, and delivers him to me at Osborne’s, shall have 40 s. Reward. All Persons are forbid from harbouring or carrying him out of the Colony.

PETERFIELD TRENT.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., 16 June 1774.

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YORK Town, October 10, 1774

RUN away from the Subscriber, last Friday, a likely Virginia born Negro Man called JOHNNY, about 22 Years of Age, five Feet eight Inches high, has a down Look, and walks upright; he carried with him a Variety of Clothes, is fond of Liquor, in which he is very talkative and insinuating, has been always bred to the House, and is an extraordinary good Waiter. This Fellow formerly belonged to Armistead Lightfoot, Esq; deceased, and is remarkable for Cock-fighting, Card-playing, and many other Games. I suspect he will pass as a Freeman, and endeavour to get out of the Colony, as he can read and write. All Masters of Vessels are cautioned not to carry him off, at their Peril. I will give 40s. if taken within this Colony and brought home, besides what the Law allows, or £5 if taken in any other Colony.

CHARLES GRYMES.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, eds., 13 October 1774.

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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 bred 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.

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RUN away from the subscriber in Dinwiddie, the 5th day of April last, a dark mulatto man named JEMMY, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, well made, has remarkable long feet, the middle toes longer than the rest, which they ride over, has lost part of one of his foreteeth, which occasions the next to it to look blue, is a very artful fellow, and will probably endeavour to pass for a freeman; he is very fond of singing hymns and preaching, and has been about Williamsburg ever since he went off, passing by the name of James Williams. Whoever apprehends the said slave, and secures him so that I get him again, shall have 40 s. reward, and if delivered to me in Dinwiddie £4.

DAVID WALKER.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie, ed., 8 September 1775.

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RUN away from the subscriber’s plantation, in Cumberland county, some time in December, 1774, TOM, a likely negro man, about 32 years of age, 5 feet 7 inches high, with very full eyes. One of his thighs is broke just above his knee, as also one of his arms just above his wrist which I think leaves a scar. I believe he has also a scar on one side of his forehead, and on one of his legs; he is a handy fellow in a house or stable, very sensible, exceeding talkative, and fond of strong drink. He rides and dances well, and was formerly the property of Mr. Aylett, in King William county, and raised by Major Ganes, deceased. Whoever secures him, so that I get him again, shall have FIVE POUNDS reward if taken in this colony, and TEN POUNDS if taken out.

JOHN SCOTT

Source: Virginia Gazette, Pinkney, ed., 6 January 1776.

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Run away from the subscriber in Williamsburg, about three months ago, a negro man named Bacchus who formerly belonged to mr. John Wilkinson, not far from New Kent courthouse.  He has a father and other relations on that family, and has several times been seen there since he ran away, and I have great reason to believe he is harboured and employed in that neighborhood. I will give 25s to any person that brings him to me, and 5l. to any person that will prove in Court who the villain is that conceals and employs him.

John Greenhow.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie, ed., 11 October 1776.

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Run away from the subscriber, in Williamsburg, the two following negro men, viz. Fox, about 40 years old, who is clad in cotton, and about ten days ago beat his overseer and went off. Emanuel, upwards of six feet high, about 26 years old, a strong able fellow, of a daring resolute temper, very subtle [rest illegible].

John Greenhow.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie, ed., 17 January 1777.

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Run away from the subscriber in Amelia, on the 3d of March last, a negro man slave named SAM, about 28 years of age, about 5 feet 7 inches, well made, has a flat nose, large feet, and had on when he went away a Newmarket coat made of lightish coloured brown cloth, also a Virginia cloth jacket, cotton warp, and filled in with yarn, striped yarn breeches, double wove, his shirt cotton and thread; he is a carpenter by trade, and is a good cooper. He can read print, pretends to a deal of religion, has been a good fiddler and is acquainted with many parts of Virginia. I have a suspicion that some malicious person has given him a pass to travel to North Carolina, or some other parts of North America. I will give 40s. reward for apprehending the said runaway, if taken up in Virginia, £5 if taken up in any other state, and 6d. a mile for bringing him home, besides all reasonable expenses paid,

WILLIAM GREEN.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie, 9 May 1777.

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RUN away from the subscriber in Hanover, two negro fellows, viz. LEWIS and PRINCE, the former was advertised some time last May by John Wilson to be delivered to the subscriber, and is a well set fellow about five feet six or seven inches high, has thick lips, and when spoke to a downcast look, had on when he went away a white hunting shirt, a pair of short breeches of tow and cotton, and a small hat. I expect he will endeavour to pass for a freeman, he having attempted to pass as such. Prince is an outlandish fellow, about six feet high, stout made, full eyed talks very fast, and not plain; had on a pair of sheepskin breeches, a woollen jacket serge wove, striped in the filling with black and white wool, a white cotton shirt, and took another of the same kind with him, and had on a small bound black hat. He formerly was the property of mr. Brown of King William, and has been much used to the tending of gentlemen, and is will acquainted with most of America. I expect he will endeavour to get to Howe’s army, as he has once attempted to join Dunmore. Whoever will deliver the said runaways to the subscriber shall have ten dollars for each, or half the sum for securing them in jail, so I get them again, I will sell or swap either of them to any person they may incline to go to.

NELSON ANDERSON, jun.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie, 19 September 1777.

Activity 7—Advertisement 17

WILLIAMSBURG, Dec. 10, 1777.

I WILL give a reward of five dollars, besides what the law allows, to any person who will apprehend Johnny, otherwise called John Harris, a mulatto man slave who formerly waited upon my uncle, the late Peyton Randolph, Esq; and secure him, so that I may get him again. He took with him, when he went away, a green broadcloth coat, and a new crimson waistcoat and breeches, a light coloured Bath coating great coat, a London brown Bath coating close bodied coat, a pair of old crimson cloth breeches, and some changes of clothes. He is about five feet seven or eight inches high, wears straight hair, cut in his neck, is much addicted to drinking, has gray eyes, can read and write tolerably well, and may probably endeavour to pass for a freeman. The above reward of five dollars will be given if he is taken in Virginia, but five pounds, besides what the law allows, will be paid to any person who apprehends him out of Virginia, and conveys him to me.

Edmund Randolph.

Source: Virginia Gazette, Purdie, ed., 12 December 1777.

Activity 7—Advertisement 18

Sixty DOLLARS Reward.

RUN away from the subscriber in Amherst county, about the middle of August last, two negro fellows, viz.  Billy, about twenty years old, Virginia born, well made, rather tall than otherwise, and is much marked on his legs with a breaking cut, which is but largely healed up. He has served at the trade of shoemaking some years in Williamsburg, where he was brought up, and belonged to Mr. John Greenhow of the same place, where I expect he will endeavour to get to again. SAM, about nineteen years old, Virginia born, middle sized, of yellow complexion, and likely. I must believe he was carried off by Billy. I will give a reward of thirty dollars for each to any person that will apprehend the said runaways, and have them confined in any publick jail, or for delivering to me, one hundred dollars for each.

JOSEPH PENN.
Source: Virginia Gazette, Clarkson, ed., 30 October 1779.