Apologists for northern slavery often cite how content or well-treated enslaved people were. Yet the prevalence of newspaper notices seeking runaway/self-liberated people prove the opposite. In addition, slave owners placed newspaper ads to sell or rent out enslaved individuals in the same columns in which they sold or rented homes or goods. This page contains examples of these advertisements.
Samuel Roads, Jr.'s Notes on Slaves and Slavery
Transcriptions of advertisements in 18th century newspapers for the sale of enslaved individuals and escaped slaves (runaways). Also some notes on slavery in Massachusetts in general.
Self-Liberating ("Runaway") Notices
These listings have been compiled and transcribed by Freedom on the Move, a database of fugitives from American Slavery.
Ran-away from Master Capt. Richard Trevett of Marblehead, a Negro Named Pompey, about Twenty-two Years of Age, a Lusty, Tall Fellow: He had on when he went away, a striped homespun Jacket, Cotton & Linen Shirt, dark coloured Kersey Breeches, grey yam Stockings, round To’d leath- er heel Shoes, and Felt Hat. Note, he deserted his Master Service in the Shallop Ann, at Plymouth. Whoever shall apprehend the said Run away, and him safely convey to his said Master at Marblehead, or to Mr. Francis Miller in Boston, near the Green Dragon, shall have Fifty Shillings Reward and all necessary Charges paid.
The Boston News-Letter, 08/06/1724, permalink
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RUN away from the Subscriber last Night, a Negro Wench named Philis, a likely smooth handsome Face, but not vey black one. Had on and carried away with her, one old striped Homespun Coat, one Quilted Coat dark on one Side, and the other Side red Baize; two short Gowns or Jackets striped, two Shirts, one white Apron, white Stockings clock’d with blue, heel’d Leather Shoes. Any Person taking and securing the said Negro, and giving Notice, shall receive Four Dollars Reward, and all necessary Charges paid by JAMES MUGFORD. Marblehead, June 22.
The Boston Gazette, 06/25/1770, Reprints: Boston Gazette, 07-02-1770; 07-09-1770, permalink
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A Runaway NEGRO. The 11th instant left his Master John Gallison, Esq; of Marblehead, and on the Road towards Boston told some of his Acquaintance he was going there.—NERO, a large Negro Man, the Property of said Gallison, about 25 Years of Age, speaks good English, clothed in an Olive-coloured German Serge Coat lined and cuffed with red, black Waistcoat, Leather Breeches, and white worsted Stockings, Cotton and Linnen Shirt, a Hat (or Cap) doubleSole Shoes. -A Reward of EIGHT DOLLARS,with all necessary Charges, is offered to any one who will take up said Negro and commit him to any of his Majesty’s Goals, or to Bridewell, and will give Information of the same either to said Gallison at Marblehead, or to Melatiah Bourn, esq; of Boston, of his being secured, shall receive the Reward.— All Persons are cautioned not to conceal, harbour, or transport said Negro over Sea, as they will be called to answer such Conduct.—If taken up at or near Boston, it is desired Information may be immediately given to Melatiah Bourn, who will take proper Care of him. Marblehead, 12th November, 1768.
The Boston Gazette, 11/14/1768, Reprint: Boston Gazette, 11-28-1768, permalink
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Ran-away from the Subscriber living in Marblehead, a Negro Man about 34 Years old, about 5 Feet and half high: Had on when he went away last Monday Se’nnight, a mill’d Cap, an old Ratteen Jacket, and an Homespun under Jacket, both lin’d with red Baize, Homespun Breeches and Cotton Shirt, and grey Yam Stockings. Whoever will take up and secure said Negro, and send me Word, so that I can have him again, shall have FIVE DOLLARS and all Charges paid, by CHRISTOPHER BUBIER. All Persons are forbid entertaining, and Masters of Vessels carrying off said Negro at their Peril. Marblehead, Feb 8. 1772.
The Boston Gazette, 02/10/1772, Reprints: Boston Gazette, 02-17-1772; 02-24-1772, permalink
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TEN DOLLARS REWARD. Ran away from the subscriber, a negro man named ZEB, about 30 years old, five feet seven or eight inches high, carried off with him a horse, saddle and bridle, very black, full ey’d, had on a brown duroy coat, black short breeches, patch’d, checkd linen draws over them, blew ribb’d stockings. Whoever will take up said runaway, and confine him in any of the goals in the United States, so that his master may have him again, shall be intitled to the above reward, and all necessary charges paid by me. JOSEPH GORDON. N.B. Said Negro Ran away some time ago, went to Marblehead, and returned again. South-Kingston, May 30,1783.
The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser, 06/19/1783, Reprints: The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser, 06- 26-1783; 07-03-1783, permalink
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Ran-away from the Rev. Mr. Pigot of Marblehead, a Negro Man Servant, Named Cufly, who had on a broadcloth Jacket lined with black, a pair of black Leather Breeches lined with shamy, an Ozenbrigs Shirt, a bouble wor- sted Cap, and a silk Handkerchief. He is distinguished by an oblong Wen over his left Eye. Whosoever shall secure said Negro shall receive Forty Shillings reward, with reward, with reasonable Charges.
The Boston Gazette, 07/30/1733, permalink
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Ran-away from Capt. John Diamond at Marblehead, on Tuesday the 11th of September Instant, a Spanish Negro Fellow, named Cuffe, about 25 Years old, speaks broken English, and can talk the Spanish language: He is a tall slim Fellow; had on a new Felt Hat, striped homespun Jacket and Breeches, new Shoes, with square Buckles. Whosoever will bring or send the said Negro to Mr. Norwood, Innholder, at Lynn, shall have TWO DOLLARS Reward, and all necessary Charges paid.—All Masters of Vessels and others, are caution’d not to conceal or carry off the said Negro, as they would avoid the Penalty of the Law.
The Boston Weekly News-Letter, 09/13/1759, Reprint: Boston Weekly News-Letter, 09-20-1759, permalink
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Ran away from Joshua Somers in this town, a Negro Boy, belonging to James Mugford of Marblehead, named Jack ; about fifteen years of age, walks a little knock kneed : Had on when he went away, a crow colour’d cloth coat, with red cuffs, striped shirt, white Jacket, red breeches with stock- ings & shoes. — Whoever will take up said negro, or give information so that the subscriber may have him again, shall have TWO DOLLARS reward and all necessary charges paid by JAMES MUGFORD. N.B. All Persons are forbid entertaining or carrying off said negro, he says he is free, that his father and mother is dead.
The Boston Gazette, 06/10/1776, Reprints: Boston Gazette, 06-17-1776; 06-24-1776; 11-04-1776; 11-11-1776; 11-18-1776, permalink
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RUN away from Jacob Fowle, Esq; the Twenty-ninth ult. a Negro Boy, about Eighteen Years old, was bom in Hopkington, and brought up by the Rev. Mr. Barret; his name is Ishmael, he has been a Soldier at the Lake, is thick sett, has thick Lips, and goes limping by Reason of the great Toe of his right Foot being froze and not quite well. He had on when he went away, a striped Jacket, leather Breeches, checquered woolen Shirt, blue under Jacket, light coloured Stockings, brass Buckles in his Shoes, and an old mill’d Cap. He is an artful Fellow, and is supposed will endeavour to pass for a Soldier, as he carried off with him a Firelock and Blanket.—Whoever shall take up said Negro and bring him to his Master, or confine him in any of his Majesty’s Goals so that his Master may have him again, shall have FOUR DOLLARS Reward, and all Charges paid. Marblehead, April 2, 1765. JACOB FOWLE.
The Boston Gazette, 04/08/1765, Reprints: Boston Gazette, 04-15-1765; 04-29-1765. This notice was also printed in the Boston News-Letter, 04-04-1765; 04-11-1765; 04-19-1765. Permalink
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Ran away from the Subscriber, on the 5th Inst, a Negro Man named Phero, of a very light Complection, something scar’d in the Face, and 5Vi Feet in Height, and 18 Years of Age, remarkable for the Fingers of his Right Hand (more especially his Thumb) being crooked; carried off with him a red broadcloth Jacket and Breeches, and a Pair of Pepper and Salt homespun ditto, with sundry other Things.—Whoever will return or secure said Run- away, shall have Four Dollars Reward, and all Charges paid. SAMUEL DEVEREUX.
N.B. All Masters of Vessels and others are hereby cautioned against concealing or carrying off said Runaway, as they would avoid the Penalty of the Law.
Marblehead, August 6,1770.
Continental Journal, 11/27/1778, Reprints: Essay Gazette, 08-14 to 08-21, 1770; 10-20 to 10-27-1772; 10- 27 to 11-09-1772, Permalink
Essex Gazette, Tuesday, September 18, to Tuesday, September 25, 1770
Runaway from the Subscriber, on the 17th Inst, at Night, a Negro Man, named Jack, about 6 Feet high, near 50 Years of Age, speaks bad English, and bom in Martinico; had on when he went away, a blue Coat with Mohair Buttons, a black Jacket with black Glass Buttons, blue Breeches with white metal Buttons, and a red worsted Cap, but may have changed his Cloaths, as he had more at Beverly. - Whoever shall take up said Negro, and deliver him to Mr. Brown, Deputy-Sheriff, in Salem, shall have Two Dollars Reward, and all necessary Charges paid them.
All Masters of Vessels, and others, are cautioned against carrying off said Negro, as they would avoid the Penalty of the Law. JOSEPH HOMAN.
Marblehead, Sept. 22,1770.
Continental Journal, 11/27/1778, Reprints: Essay Gazette, 09-25 to 10-02-1770; 10-02 to 10-09-1770, Permalink
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Essex Gazette, Tuesday, November 5, to Tuesday, November 12,1771. RUN-away from the Subscriber, about 15 Days ago, a Negro Boy, of the yellow Sort, about 16 Years old; had on a blue half-thick Jacket, homespun Waistcoat & Breeches, and a lopp’d Hatt; speaks bad English. — Whoever takes up said Runaway, so that his Master may have him again, shall have THREE DOLLARS Reward. WILLIAM BODEN. Marblehead, November 11,1771.
Continental Journal, 11/27/1778, Permalink
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Essex Gazette, Tuesday, February 4, to Tuesday, February 11,1772. RUN away from Christopher Bubier, last Monday, a Negro Man named Prince; had on a white cotton Shirt; gray Stockings; striped homespun Jacket lined with Baize, and Breeches of the same; light-coloured great Jacket, lined with Baize, much wore, and mill Cap. Whoever may take up said Negro and deliver him to Mr. Brown, D. Sheriff, in Salem, shall have Two Dollars Reward, and all necessary Charges paid by CHRISTOPHER BUBIER. Marblehead, Feb 3,1772.
Continental Journal, 11/27/1778, Reprints: Essay Gazette, 02-04 to 02-11-1772; 02-11 to 02-18-1772., Permalink