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slavery in pennsylvania

Dauphin County slaveholders, a-b

slaveholders listed on this page

Unknown Slaveholders (Slaves listed: Joseph Johns, Un-named slave, Jack, Lloyd)
Ainsworth, John (Slaves listed: Hager)
Allen, Joseph (Slaves listed: Hannah; Dinah)
Allen, William, Jr. (Slaves listed: James; Moll; Peg)
Andrews, James (Slaves listed: Solomon (adult); Pug; Pruss; Phoebe; Samson, Solomon (child))
Andrews, Hugh (Slaves listed: Peg; Isaac; Phillis)
Awl, Jacob (Slaves listed: Rose; Francis; Gruff; Grace; Jo; Caesar; Phillis; Pete; Cato; Dina)
Awl, Nancy (Slaves listed: Charles)
Awl, Sarah (Slaves listed: Peter)
Beauchamp, Jacob (Slaves listed: Unnamed male)
Bell, Andrew M. (Slaves listed: Unnamed boy)
Bell, Samuel (Slaves listed: Dinah, Samuel Reed)
Bender, Adam (Slaves listed: Lucas)
Boal, Robert (Slaves listed: Tom; Joe; Adam; Hagar; Dinah; Cato)
Boyer, Michael (Slaves listed: Jacob)
Bradley, Daniel (Slaves listed: Peter; Dinah; Ephraim, Nance)
Bradley, Samuel (Slaves listed: Pink; Prince; Pompey; Tom)
Brenizer, George (Slaves listed: Charles Butler; Nathaniel Butler; Hannah Butler)
Brisben, James (Slaves listed: Eve)
Brown, William (Slaves listed: Peg; Dina)
Burd, Elizabeth (Slaves listed: John)
Burd, James (Slaves listed: Lucy; John; Lucey; Cuff; Dina; Venus, unnamed man)
Burd, Joseph (Slaves listed: Hannah)
Byers, James (Slaves listed: Saul; William Sisko)

about the information in this list

Each listing represents a record of one Black slave or indentured servant (more on terminology below). The list is sorted alphabetically according to the owner's surname first, the owner's given name second, and the slave's given name third. I felt that this order would be the most useful for several reasons. It groups slaves together who would have lived with the same owner, and increases the likelihood of finding persons related to each other. Records of slave surnames are rare, many being identified only through their given name. You can search this listing for a specific slave given name by using your browser's "find" feature (Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer use Ctrl + F).

The "Counter" entry tracks the order in which the listings were entered in the database, and is useful for judging relative ages for those children who were recorded in the later registry of children of slaves, source number 02. The lower the counter number, the earlier the birthdate of the child, in general. Source numbers are listed in the last entry, and correspond to the accompanying list of sources used in compiling this record.

terminology, and other notes

The terms "slave" and "servant" were often used interchangeably, especially in the earliest years of the time period covered in this study. After the Gradual Emancipation Act of 1780 was passed in Pennsylvania, the term "servant" frequently came to mean either someone in indentured servitude or someone employed by the head of the household. The passage from slave to servant was often indistinct for many Blacks, many of whom remained with their former owners after being legally emancipated. For simplicity I have used the term "slave" to represent these people whom I believe were truly in bondage, even though some records list them as "servants."

The locations listed for the owners, especially "Township" are greatly mixed, and represent the location listed in the original record. As township boundaries shifted and new townships and counties were created, the original listing may be very misleading. The township of "Paxtang," for instance, encompassed much of the area which later became Dauphin County.

enslavement data

Owner's Surname: ?
Owner's First Name: ?
Owner's City:
Owner's Township:
Owner's County: Fauquier
Owner's State: VA
Owner's Occupation: Farmer
Date of Registry or Record:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 382
  Slave Surname, if known: Johns
  Slave Given Name: Joseph
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): 112 at death
  Slave Memo: Status: Escaped slave. Slave Johns escaped with two other men in the 1840's or 1850's. Johns settled in Dauphin County, then moved to Lebanon County. Buried in 1906 in Moonshine Church Cemetery, Route 443, Union Twp., Lebanon Co.
  Source: "Historical Society acquires relic"
Owner's Surname: ?
Owner's First Name: ?
Owner's City:
Owner's Township:
Owner's County: Washington
Owner's State: MD
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 371
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Jack
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Runaway slave
  Date of Registry or Record: 11/11/1815
  Source: The Oracle of Dauphin, and Harrisburgh Advertiser, November 11, 1815
2. Counter: 373
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Lloyd
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Runaway slave.
  Date of Registry or Record: 11/11/1815
  Source: The Oracle of Dauphin, and Harrisburgh Advertiser, November 11, 1815
Owner's Surname: Ainsworth
Owner's First Name: John
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: East Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 189
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Hager
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Owner's Surname: Allen
Owner's First Name: Joseph
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: West Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: In the 1800 census, Joseph Allen Senior of Lower Paxton Township was enumerated with two slaves in his household. While this could be the two girls, Hannah and Dinah, registered as children of slaves, listed below, no matching names are found for them in the 1800 Septennial Census of Pennsylvania, for Lower Paxton Township. There are, however, several slaves named Dina listed in the Septennial Census in West Hanover Township. Usually, though, only slaves for life were listed in the Septennial Census, and Hannah and Dinah were to be freed at age 28.
1. Counter: 237
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Hannah
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
2. Counter: 238
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Dinah
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Owner's Surname: Allen
Owner's First Name: William, Jr.
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: Farmer
Owner--Memo: Registered along with William Wallace, of Hanover Township.
1. Counter: 56
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: James
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): 38
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life.
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
2. Counter: 57
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Moll
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): 28
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life.
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
3. Counter: 58
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Peg
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): 02
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life.
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
Owner's Surname: Andrews or Andrew
Owner's First Name: James
Owner's Township: Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: Farmer
Owner--Memo: Married Jean Strain in 1761. James Andrews died May 2, 1784, aged 54 years. Buried in Hanover Burial Ground. James Andrew, acting as attorney for David Ramsey of Hanover Township, registered Ramsey's slaves at Lancaster.
1. Counter: 103
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Solomon
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): about 32 years old at registration
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered in 1780 at Lancaster as "Negroe Man," about 32 years old, a "slave during life."
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/25/1780
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
2. Counter: 104
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Pug (also spelled Pugg)
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): about 22 years old at registration
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered in 1780 at Lancaster as "Negroe Woman," about 22 years old, a "slave during life." In his will, dated February 13, 1783 and proved December 27, 1785, James Andrews leaves his "slave Pugg" to his wife Jean. ("Slaves and Indentured Servants in Dauphin County Wills")
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/25/1780
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
3. Counter: 105
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Pruss
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): 03
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered in 1780 at Lancaster as "Negroe Girl," 3 years old, a "slave during life." In his will, dated February 13, 1783 and proved December 27, 1785, James Andrews leaves his "slave Pruss" to Mary Strain, his step-daughter. ("Slaves and Indentured Servants in Dauphin County Wills")
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/25/1780
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
4. Counter: 106
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Phoebe
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): 02.5
  Slave Memo: Aged 2 1/2 years. Status: Slave for life. In his will, dated February 13, 1783 and proved December 27, 1785, James Andrews leaves his "mulatto girl Phebe" to his daughter Elizabeth. ("Slaves and Indentured Servants in Dauphin County Wills")
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/25/1780
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
5. Counter: 107
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Samson
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): "Aged 9 months and 17 days." at registration
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered in 1780 at Lancaster as "Negroe Boy, Aged 9 months and 17 days, a slave for life."
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/25/1780
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
6. Slave Given Name: Solomon
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): not known, described as "child"
  Slave Memo: In his will, dated February 13, 1783 and proved December 27, 1785, James Andrews leaves his "black male child Solomon" to his son John.
  Date of Registry or Record: December 27, 1785
  Source: "Slaves and Indentured Servants in Dauphin County Wills"
Owner's Surname: Andrews
Owner's First Name: Hugh
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: East Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: In the 1790 census of Dauphin County, Hugh Andrew is enumerated with four slaves.
1. Counter: 187
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Peg
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
2. Counter: 188
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Isaac
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
3. Counter: 204
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Phillis
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Owner's Surname: Awl
Owner's First Name: Jacob
Owner's Location: Lower Paxton Township
Owner's County: Dauphin (Paxtang Township, Lancaster, at time of 1780 registrations)
Owner's Occupation: Farmer, Tanner
1. Counter: 199
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Rose
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
2. Counter: 200
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Francis
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
3. Counter: 212
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Gruff
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
4. Counter: 363
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Grace
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record: 1/8/1800
  Slave Memo: Advertisement for disposal of (deceased) owner's property. Described in the ad as "a Negro Woman." to be sold along with a Negro Man named Peter, aged 22 years. Text of advertisement:
  By virtue of sundry Writs of Fieri Facias and a Writ of Venditioni Exponas, to me directed, will be exposed to Public Sale on Monday the 27th Day of January inst. at 10 o'clock in the Forenoon, at the Dwelling-House of Mrs. Awl in Lower-Paxton. A NEGRO MAN called Peter, about 22 years of age, an excellent Tanner to trade, a Negro Woman called Grace, likewise horses, a Sleigh, Plow, a quantity of Leather, and a number of Household and Kitchen Furniture. Taken in execution as the property of Jacob Awl, and will be sold by Henry Orth, Sheriff, Harrisb. January 2d, 1800.
  Source: The Farmer's Instructor, and Harrisburgh Courant, Wednesday January 8, 1800
5. Counter: 90
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Jo or Joe
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): 28
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/5/1780
  Slave Memo: Registered in Lancaster as a "Negroe Man" with note: "runaway sometime ago." Awl believed that Joe had run off to join Howe's Army, then encamped in Philadelphia. He apparently never recovered him. (Source The Pennsylvania Packet, December 17, 1777) Text of runaway ad:
  December 6, 1777. TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD. RAN AWAY from the subscriber, living in Paxton Township, Lancaster County, on the 4th of this inst. a Negro man named JOE, about twenty five years old, a thick well set fellow, speaks the English and German tongues well; had on when he went away, an orange coloured coat, a lead coloured jacket, a coarse shirt, and leather breeches. He took with him a black MARE, big with foal, about six years old, a natural trotter and carries herself well, and has no brand: It is supposed that he intends to go to Howe's army. Whoever takes up said Negro and Mare, shall receive the above Reward, or for any one of them, secured so that the owner gets them again, the one half of the above Reward, and reasonable charges, paid by JACOB AWL
  This is a fascinating advertisement. His owner, Jacob Awl, believes that he has set out for Philadelphia to join the British army who were in winter quarters there. Awl had not recovered Joe by 1780, when he registered him as a slave, but with the note "run away some time ago." It is highly doubtful that Awl ever recovered Joe. Perhaps this slave made it to Howe's Army and fought on the British side in the Revolutionary War as did many escaped slaves.
  Status: Runaway.
  Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
6. Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Caesar
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): 24
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/5/1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described as "Negro Man" in registration. Registered in Lancaster.
  Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
7. Counter: 92
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Philis
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): 25
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/5/1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described as "Negro Woman" in registration. Registered in Lancaster.
  Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
8. Counter: 93
  Slave Surname, if known: Bung (?)
  Slave Given Name: Peter or Nathan (also spelled Peet, also known as "Black Peter" or "Black Pete")
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): 06
  Slave Date of Birth: 1774 (calculated)
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/5/1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described as "Negro Boy" in registration. Registered in Lancaster. Later sold as part of the estate of Jacob Awl, along with a female slave named Grace (see the ad, printed with Grace, above), on January 27th, 1800. (source 06)
  By 1800, Peter was listed with slaveholder Sarah Awl. (Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807) Another source, Egles Notes and Queries (Vol. 37, page 257), lists "Black Peter,...a slave of the Awl family" as the occupant of a small log cabin with a stick chimney, which was formerly used by Francis Kerr as a school house. It was supposedly located three hundred yards southwest of Paxton Church. The source, identified by Egle simply as "H.R." also noted that "Peter lived alone, and so died in his chair. My brother, the doctor, desired to place a memorial stone over him, but could not find his grave." H. R. was probably Hiram Rutherford, a frequent contributor of history articles to Egle's column, and his brother the doctor would have been the abolitionist and Underground Railroad supporter, Dr. William Rutherford.
  Writing later, W. Frank Rutherford identifies his full name as Nathan Bung, and says he "died near Linglestown about forty years ago." This places his death in the late 1840s or early 1850s. Rutherford also notes that he "lies in the graveyard of the Dauphin county almshouse." The 1830 census for Susquehanna Township lists a "Peter Nathan" living alone, age between 36 and 55 years, which is a possible match.
  
  Rutherford describes Nathan (Peter) as "a genius in his way, and a handy man in the neighborhood--being an excellent cook, a neat housekeeper and an expert at pulling and breaking flax. He was never married." Nathan was employed as a sexton at Paxton Church, and one of his duties included digging graves. He lived in the woods near the church (see above) but when the land was cleared he moved near Linglestown. (Egles Notes and Queries, XLVIL, First and Second Series, Volume II, pages 264-265)
  Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
9. Counter: 94
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Cato
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): 03
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/5/1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described as "Negro Boy" in registration. Registered in Lancaster.
  Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
10. Counter: 95
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Dina
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): Nine months old at registration.
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/5/1780
  Slave Memo: Aged 9 months. Status: Slave for life. Described as "Negro Girl" in registration. Registered in Lancaster.
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
Owner's Surname: Awl
Owner's First Name: Nancy
Owner's Location: Lower Paxton Township
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 302
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Charles
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Owner's Surname: Awl
Owner's First Name: Sarah
Owner's Location: Lower Paxton Township
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Petter (Peter)
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): 24
  Slave Date of Birth: 1776 (calculated)
  Date of Registry or Record: July 1800
  Slave Status: Slave for life
  Slave Memo: This is apparently the same slave as listed with Jacob Awl, above, and auctioned as part of an estate sale in January of 1800. There is a slight discrepancy with the age, but that is not uncommon with multiple records on the same slave.
  Source: Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807
Owner's Name: Beauchamp, Jacob, aka "French Jacob"
Owner's Township:
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: trader/settler
Owner--Memo: According to Egle, Beauchamp was an early settler of the area that is now Millersburg in upper Dauphin County. He is believed to have moved into the area prior to the revolution from Lancaster County with a wife, sister and a slave. He disappears from local tax lists after 1790.
1. Slave Given Name: Not known
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): adult
  Date of Record: not known. Prior to 1790.
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Executed for murder.
  The following story is from Egle's Notes and Queries: "As the story goes he [Beauchamp] and his wife once made a business visit to Lancaster, leaving the girl and the negro to plant corn on the island. On their return they met the negro on the road. On close questioning he confessed to having murdered the girl and to burying her in the sand. He was hanged in due time. I had this incident from my old friend, G. J. Campbell, of Millersburg, one of its honored octogenarians."
  Source: "Reminiscences of Long Ago. French Jacob," in Egle's Notes and Queries, Fourth Series, Volume I, LXI, page 171.
Owner's Surname: Bell
Owner's First Name: Andrew M.
Owner's Township: Middle Paxton
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: An Andrew Bell is listed as a slaveholder on our Cumberland County pages. His slave Jack Duffy was indicted for theft. It is not known if this is the same Andrew Bell. Click here for that listing.
1. Slave Given Name: Not known
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): "between five and six years of age"
  Date of Record: 8 September, 1836
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to the age of 21.
  Text of advertisement: "FOR SALE, A NEGRO BOY. The subscriber, residing in Middle Paxton, Dauphin County, is desirous of selling the time of a Negro Boy, bound to him until he arrives at the age of 21 years by the Overseers of the Poor. The boy is between five and six years of age and in excellent health. The subscriber having no use for the boy, is anxious to dispose of his time. For terms which will be moderate, application can be made to the editor of this paper, with whom the Indenture is left. ANDREW M. BELL. Dauphin, Sept. 8, 1836."
  Source: Unknown Dauphin County newspaper--clipping advertised on E-Bay, 08/27/2003
Owner's Surname: Bell
Owner's First Name: Samuel
Owner's Township: Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: Farmer
Owner--Memo: Samuel Bell was enumerated in the 1800 census for West Hanover as having one slave in his household. The 1800 Pennsylvania Septennial Census lists a slave named Dina, age 27 in West Hanover Township, very likely the same Dinah listed below, a slave for life.
1. Counter: 138
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Dinah
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): 10
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
  Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Wench," 10 years old, a "slave during life."
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
2. Slave Surname, if known: Reed
  Slave Given Name: Samuel
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): Not known, but described as "boy"
  Date of Registry or Record: June 9, 1825.
  Slave Memo: Status: Not determined, but probably a slave to the age of 28 years. In his will, dated September 26, 1822 and proved June 9, 1825, Samuel Bell stipulates that his "black boy Samuel Reed" should be sold and the money be given to Bell's son Berryhill Bell.
  Source: "Slaves and Indentured Servants in Dauphin County Wills"
Owner's Surname: Bender
Owner's First Name: Adam
Owner's Township: Upper Paxton (Halifax)
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: The 1807 listing of slaves in Dauphin County shows Bender in Halifax.
1. Counter: 316
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Lucas
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): 04
  Slave Date of Birth: 1803 (calculated)
  Date of Registry or Record: 1807
  Slave Status: Slave to age 28
  Slave Memo: Listed on an 1807 list of slaves in Dauphin County, for Halifax, with owner Bender (first name not easily readable). Listing as follows: "Luke a Negroe age 4 years."
  Sources: Children of Previously Registered Slaves | Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807
Owner's Surname: Boal
Owner's First Name: Robert
Owner's Township: East Hanover; also reported as West Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's Occupation: Farmer
Owner--Memo: On October 25, 1780, Robert Boal registered his two slaves, Hagar and Dinah, at Lancaster. While there and acting as attorney for several of his neighbors, he also registered the slaves of James Rogers, Andrew Rogers, William Rogers and Samuel Sturgeon, all of Hanover Township.
1. Counter: 202
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Tom
  Slave Gender: M
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
2. Counter: 305
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Joe
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
3. Counter: 320
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Adam
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
4. Counter: 115
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Hagar
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): about 20 years old at registration
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/25/1780
  Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Woman," about 20 years old, a "slave during life."
  Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
5. Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Dinah
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age: 10 months old at Registration.
  Slave Date of Birth: January, 1780 (calculated)
  Date of Registry or Record: October 25, 1780
  Slave Status: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Child," 10 months old, a "slave during life."
  Slave Memo: In an 1800 list of slaves in East Hanover Township, Dauphin County, Dinah is listed as "Dianah the property of Robert Boal aged 21 years."
  Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780" | Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807
6. Counter: 298
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Cato
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Owner's Surname: Boyer
Owner's First Name: Michael
Owner's City: Harrisburg
Owner's Township:
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 345
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Jacob
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Owner's Surname: Bradley
Owner's First Name: Daniel
Owner's Township: East Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 165
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Peter
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
2. Counter: 166
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Dinah
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
3. Counter: 211
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Ephraim
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
4. Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Nance
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): 38
  Slave Date of Birth: 1762
  Date of Registry or Record: 1800
  Slave Status: Slave for life
  Slave Memo: Nance is listed in an 1800 record of slaves in East Hanover Township, Dauphin County as follows: "Nance the property of Daniel Bradley aged 38 years."
  Source: Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807
Owner's Surname: Bradley
Owner's First Name: Samuel
Owner's Township: Londonderry
Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: In his will, dated April 11, 1785 and proved May 13, 1785, Bradley leaves a "negro wench" to his wife Agnes. ("Slaves and Indentured Servants in Dauphin County Wills")
1. Counter: 146
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Pink
  Slave Gender: Female
  Slave Age (Years): about 30 years old at registration
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Woman," age about 30 years, "a slave."
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
2. Counter: 147
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Prince
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): about 15 years old at registration
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Boy," age about 15 years, "a slave."
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
3. Counter: 148
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Pompey
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): about 3 years old at registration
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Boy," age about 3 years, "a slave."
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
4. Counter: 149
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Tom
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): about 1 year old at registration
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Mulattoe Boy," age about 1 year, "a slave."
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
Owner's Surname: Brenizer
Owner's First Name: George
Owner's City: Harrisburg
Owner's Township:
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 289
  Slave Surname, if known: Butler
  Slave Given Name: Charles
  Slave Gender: M
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
2. Counter: 386
  Slave Surname, if known: Butler
  Slave Given Name: Nathaniel
  Slave Gender: M
  Slave Age (Years): ? ("man")
  Date of Registry or Record: 7/6/1805
  Slave Memo: Status: Runaway slave. Ran away June 30, 1805 with his wife Hannah. He and Hannah were recovered by Brenizer within a few weeks. (source 29)
3. Counter: 387
  Slave Surname, if known: Butler
  Slave Given Name: Hannah
  Slave Gender: F
  Slave Age (Years): ? a woman
  Date of Registry or Record: 7/6/1805
  Slave Memo: Status: Runaway slave. Ran away on June 30, 1805 with her husband, Nathaniel Butler. She and Nathaniel were recovered by Brenizer within a few weeks. (source 29)
Owner's Surname: Brisben
Owner's First Name: James
Owner's City: Harrisburg
Owner's Township:
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: Physician
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 328
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Eve
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Owner's Surname: Brown
Owner's First Name: William
Owner's Township: Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 70
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Peg
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): 19
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as "Negroe Woman." Registered at Lancaster.
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
2. Counter: 71
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Dina
  Slave Gender: Female
  Slave Age (Years): aged 14 months at registration
  Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as "Negroe Girl." Registered at Lancaster.
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
Owner's Surname: Burd
Owner's First Name: Elizabeth
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Lower Paxton
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 277
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: John
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Owner's Surname: Burd
Owner's First Name: James
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: "Paxton"
Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration in 1780)
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: Gentleman Farmer
Owner--Memo: Tinian was Burd's Middletown area estate. For a discussion of agricultural estate management in Pennsylvania as it relates to southern plantation management, see the article about agriculture in the educational pages. For a photograph of Burd's gravesite, and some biographical information, click here. View a photograph of the Pennsylvania state historical marker for Col. James Burd and his wife Sarah by clicking here.
Tinian, located near Highspire, was about one-half mile west of Walnut Hill, the estate of James Crouch. Historian William Henry Egle described a trip from Walnut Hill to Tinian in the last few years of the nineteenth century, remarking "On our way we passed the remains of several log cabins, formerly occupied by Colonel Burd's negro slaves." This offhand observation is valuable proof of the existence of separate living quarters for slaves on Burd's estate. (William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries, First and Second Series, Vol. II, LXIII, p.339-341).
1. Counter: 167
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Lucy
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
2. Counter: 253
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: John
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
3. Counter: 7
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Lucy
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): about 35 years
  Date of Registry or Record: September 11, 1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as a "Negroe Woman." Registered in Lancaster.
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
4. Counter: 8
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Cuff
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): about 13 years
  Date of Registry or Record: September 11, 1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as a "Negroe Boy." Registered in Lancaster.
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
5. Counter: 9
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Dina
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): about 7 years
  Date of Registry or Record: September 11, 1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as a "Negroe Girl." Registered in Lancaster.
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
6. Counter: 10
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Venus
  Slave Gender: Female
  Slave Age (Years): about 12 years (Egle lists her age as 2 years at registration)
  Date of Registry or Record: September 11, 1780
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as a "Negroe Girl." Registered in Lancaster.
  Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
Owner's Surname: Burd
Owner's First Name: Joseph
Owner's Township: Swatara
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 307
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Hannah
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Owner's Surname: Byers
Owner's First Name: James
Owner's Township: Paxton Township
Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 186
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Saul
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
2. Slave Surname, if known: Sisko
  Slave Given Name: William
  Slave Sex: Male
  Slave Age (Years): 35 (estimate)
  Slave Description: "Mulatto;" Described as "Negroe" at registration.
  Date of Registry or Record: Runaway ad: September 15, 1779; Registration: October 10, 1780
  Slave Status: "Slave during life"
  Slave Memo: James Byers registered "Will" at Lancaster on October 10, 1780, describing him as a "Negroe Man," about 36 years of age. William had run away the previous year and was captured in Easton, Northampton County. Text of runaway ad:
  Easton, Northampton County, Sept. 13, 1779.
  COMMITTED to this Gaol, the 8th inst. WILLIAM SISKO, a mulatto, who says he belongs to James Byers, living in Paxton Township , Lancaster County. His Master is therefore desired to come, pay the Charges, and take him away. PETER EHLER, Gaoler.
  Sources: The Pennsylvania Gazette, September 15, 1779 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"

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This page was updated on 11 June 2007.