A Runaway Ad from the Pennsylvania Gazette – mid 1700’s
Run away in July last, from Nicholas Everson, living in East-New-Jersey, two miles from Perth-Amboy ferry, a mulatto Negroe, named Tom, about 37 years of age, short, well-set, thick lips, flat nose, black curled hair, and can play well upon the fiddle; Had on when he went away, a red-colored watch coat, without a cape, a brown coloured leather jacket, a hat, blue and white twisted yarn leggins; speaks good English, and Low Dutch, and is a good shoemaker; his said master has been informed that he intends to cut his watchcoat, to make him Indian stockings, and to cut off his hair, and to get a blanket, to pass for an Indian; that he enquired for one John and Thomas Nutus, Indians at Susquehanna, and about the Moravians, and the way there. Whoever secures him in the nearest goal or otherwise, so that his master may have him again, shall have Forty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, paid by Nicholas Everson
Runaway Ad from the Virginia Gazette, May 1770
Run away from the subscriber, the first day of November last (under the pretence of suing for his freedom) a likely young fellow, named Bob, of a yellow complexion, slim made, near six feet high, has a remarkable down look, is a very good blacksmith, and as supposed, is harboured by some white man of that trade. Whoever will bring the said fellow to my house in Dinwiddie county, near the court-house, shall receive a reward of FIVE POUNDS.
JOHN HARDAWAY
Runaway Ad from the Virginia Gazette, May 1773
Run away from the subscriber, on the 15th of April, a negro man named JACK, belonging to Mr. John fox, of Gloucester county…He is by trade a shoemaker, and once worked with Mr. Robert Gilbert in Williamsburg, is fond of the violin, and has taken with him a new one, which his master lately gave him…His clothing was the same as that of other labouring Negroes..He is well acquainted in Williamsburg and Gloucester, and in many other places in this colony.
Source: Copies of newspaper ads for runaways, from the Pennsylvania Gazette and the Virginia Gazette