slavery in pennsylvania
York County
slaveholders and slaves
slaveholders listed on this page
- Unknown slaveholder (Slaves listed: an entire slave family)
- Agnew, John (Slaves listed: advertised to buy a slave)
- Alexander, William (Slaves listed: Jack Johnson)
- Banta, Samuel (Slaves listed: Jack, Leah, Seeb)
- Chambers, Joseph (Slaves listed: James Jones)
- Chesney, William (Slaves listed: William Keith, seven un-named slaves)
- Cronmiller, Martin (Slaves listed: Un-named male)
- Dill, Matthew (Slaves listed: Phida)
- Dorland, Garret (Slaves listed: Jack, Leah, Seeb)
- Dowdle, Michael (Slaves listed: Cato)
- Gossler, P., Captain (Slaves listed: Joe a.k.a. John)
- Graybell, Jacob (Slaves listed: Ann Thornton and daughter, Thomas Doyle)
- Graybell, Michael (Slaves listed: John,
Sally, Negroe Harry)
- Harnett, Cornelius (Slaves listed: Sawney)
- Jameson, David (Slaves listed: Cato)
- Jones, Robert (Slaves listed: Un-named male, Un-named female)
- McAllister, Richard (Slaves listed: Cato, Jack, Poll, Grate, Jack (2), Jonathan)
- Rankin, James (Slaves listed: Adult
male, his wife and three children--all unnamed)
- Rankin, John (Slaves listed: Ralph)
- Tamer, Elizabeth (Slaves listed: Sue)
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. 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).
Dates of birth for the slaves, unless specified in the original documents, have been calculated by subtracting their given age from the date of the record. Very often, their ages as reported in the original records are given as approximations (such as "about 25 years of age"), which is indicated by a lower case "a" following their age. The term Status refers to the slave's relative freedom. Unless specified otherwise, slaves served "for life" prior to Pennsylvania's Gradual Emancipation Act of 1780. Children born to slave mothers after the passage of that legislation were to serve until age 28, which was much of their productive lives.
The term Description refers to the main description of the slave as given in the original source (including misspellings). This is often a means by which slaves were put into certain categories according to race and relative age. Source numbers 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." This list does not include white indentured servants, who were an entirely different class of labor from Black slaves and Black "indentured servants."
The locations listed for the owners, especially City or 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.
enslavement data
- Slaveholder Name: ?
City or Township: York
County: York
Occupation:
Notes: The slaveholder here, in selling an entire slave family, apparently wished to remain anonymous.
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: 30a
Slave Date of Birth: 1748 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Text of sale ad: "York Town, March 21, 1778.
TO BE DISPOSED OF, A STRONG healthy Negro MAN, has had the smallpox, about 30 years of age, his wife and three children, the eldest of whom is six years: The man has been employed on a farm for some years, and besides his knowledge of farming he can ditch very well. Whoever may incline to purchase them, will apply to the PRINTERS."
Date of Record: March 21, 1778
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: ? (adult in 1778)
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description:
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in March, 1778, along with her husband and three children.
Date of Record: March 21, 1778
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Not determined
Slave Age: 6
Slave Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: child
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in March, 1778, along with rest of family. This is the oldest child.
Date of Record: March 21, 1778
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Not determined
Slave Age: ? (child)
Slave Date of Birth: Prior to 1772.
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: child
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in March, 1778, along with rest of family.
Date of Record: March 21, 1778
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Not determined
Slave Age: ? (child)
Slave Date of Birth: Prior to 1772.
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: child
Slave Notes: Offered for sale in March, 1778, along with rest of family.
Date of Record: March 21, 1778
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slaveholder Name: Agnew, John
City or Township: Hamilton Bann Township
County: York
Occupation:
Notes: Agnew placed the following advertisement in The Pennsylvania Gazette on September 10, 1778: "Wanted immediately, a stout young Negro Lad, fit for farming."
It is not known if he obtained a slave as a result of this ad.
- Slaveholder Name: Alexander, William
City or Township: Codorus Forge, "near York Town"
County: York
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Johnson, Jack
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: 35a
Slave Date of Birth: 1743 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "much in the yellowish order"
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad:
"January 31, 1778.
TEN POUNDS Reward.
RUN away last September, from the Subscriber, living at Codorus Forge, near York Town, a Negroe man, named Jack Johnson, about 35 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, much in the yellowish order; had on when he went away, a small bound felt hat, a new tow shirt, a pair of snuff coloured fustian breeches, lined with check, old stockings and shoes; he is a saucy fellow, and much given to drink. Whoever takes up and secures said Negroe, so as his master may have him again, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges if brought home, paid by WILLIAM ALEXANDER."
Date of Record: February 07, 1778
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slaveholder Name: Banta, Samuel
City or Township:
County: York
Occupation:
Notes: "Garret Dorland was leaving York County for Kentucky in 1790 and sold these
three people to his brother in law Samuel Banta, who was married to Garret's
sister Dyna Dorland. Garret and Dyna were the children of Lambert Dorland and Styntje
Terheune Voorhees of Somerset County, NJ. Both the Bantas and the Dorlands were members
of the Low Dutch Colony living in Straban, Berwick, Mt. Pleasant and Mt. Joy Townships of York County. The Colony existed from about 1769
through 1790, before
the majority of its members moved to Mercer, Henry and Shelby Counties,
Kentucky. Garret Dorland had been a justice living in Berwick Township. His father
Lambert died in 1772 and Garret moved to Conewago after that date. It is possible
that the parents of these slaves originated in the Montgomery Twp Somerset County,
NJ area."
"Sam and Dyna Dorland Banta did move to Kentucky and eventually with their
children joined the Shaker Community. If these slaves traveled with them, then
there is a chance that they also became part of the Shaker Community at
Pleasant Hill." (Email correspondence, Judy Cassidy to Afrolumens Project, March 7, 2005)
- Slave Name: Jack
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: 10
Slave Date of Birth: 1779 -- December 18
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Moalote" (mulatto)
Slave Notes: Sold to Samuel Banta of York County in May, 1790. Text of sales agreement:
All men by these presents know that I, Garret Dorland of York
County, state of Pennsylvania, for and in consideration of the sums of one hunired
poinds to me in hand pade at and before the selling and delivery hear of by
Samuel Banta in the County of York, State of Pennsylvania, wear of I do hereby
acknowledge have bargained and sold and by these presents aforesaid a Moalote
boy named JACK, boarin the year one thousand seaven hundret and seavinty-nine,
the eighteen day of December and a negro garl, LEAH, boarn seaventeen and
Eaty-two the twenty day of March and a negro boy SEEB, boarn seavinteen and
eat-five, tent day of March.
Date of Record: May 11, 1790
Source: Dorland, Garret to Samuel Banta, Bill of Sale, York Co Deed Book F, 399 11
May 1790. Transcription provided by Judy Cassidy. (Email correspondence, Judy Cassidy to Afrolumens Project, March 7, 2005)
- Slave Name: Leah
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: 8
Slave Date of Birth: 1782 -- March 20
Slave Status: Slave to age 28
Slave Description: "Negro garl"
Slave Notes: Sold to Samuel Banta of York County in May, 1790. See the notes for the slave Jack, above, for the text of the sales agreement.
Date of Record: May 11, 1790
Source: Dorland, Garret to Samuel Banta, Bill of Sale, York Co Deed Book F, 399 11
May 1790. Transcription provided by Judy Cassidy. (Email correspondence, Judy Cassidy to Afrolumens Project, March 7, 2005)
- Slave Name: Seeb
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: 5
Slave Date of Birth: 1785 -- March 10
Slave Status: Slave to age 28
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Sold to Samuel Banta of York County in May, 1790. See the notes for the slave Jack, above, for the text of the sales agreement.
Date of Record: May 11, 1790
Source: Dorland, Garret to Samuel Banta, Bill of Sale, York Co Deed Book F, 399 11
May 1790. Transcription provided by Judy Cassidy. (Email correspondence, Judy Cassidy to Afrolumens Project, March 7, 2005)
- Slaveholder Name: Chambers, Joseph
City or Township: York Town
County: York
Occupation:
Notes: Registered two slaves-for-life in 1780 (source: History of York County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1. George R. Prowell. J.H. Beers & Co., Chicago. 1907)
- Slave Name: James Jones
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: 28a
Slave Date of Birth: 1741 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Ran away in 1756. Text of runaway ad placed by
Chambers in the Pennsylvania Gazette:
Yorktown, York county, Sept. 2, 1756.
RUN away from Joseph Chambers, of Yorktown, a well set active
Negroe fellow, named James, about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high,
and speaks good English: Had on a brown coloured coat, lined
with white coloured calimancoe, a brown jacket, lined with
Bristol stuff, coarse shirt and trowsers, old shoes, and a
hat, but I know not what sort. Whoever secures said fellow in
any goal, so as his master may have him again, shall have
Forty Shillings reward, and reasonable charges, if taken in
this province, and Three Pounds if taken out of it, paid by
JOSEPH CHAMBERS.
N.B. He can beat a drum, and has a great desire to be
amongst soldiers. He was seen near Philadelphia, and is
supposed to be in or about town. Whoever secures him as
aforesaid, shall be paid as mentioned above, by Joseph Bell,
at the Harp and Crown, in Third street, Philadelphia.
Ran away again in 1769 in the company of two other men. Text of runaway ad, from the Pennsylvania Gazette, August 17, 1769:
RUN away from the Subscriber, living in Donegall, Lancaster county, an Irish servant man, named JOHN ROBESON, about 22 years of age, about 5 feet 6 inches high, of a fresh complexion, red hair, and commonly wears it tied behind, and cued; had on, when he went away, a shirt and trowsers, a linen jacket, with 4 rows of buttons on the breast, and a pair of old shoes; he is a good scholar, and perhaps may pass for a Doctor. There went off with him, a negroe man, named NED, well set, and strong, but not very tall, aged about 28 years, born in the Jerseys, speaks very good English, and can read and write, of a down look, and thick lips; had on, when he went away, a coarse shirt and trowsers, a hat, bound round the edge, and a hood worked in it; he may be taken for a Mulattoe, by his colour, and probably both may have provided other clothes. Likewise ran away in company with them, a likely Negroe man, belonging to Joseph Chambers in York town, named James Jones, about 28 years of age, about 5 feet 11 inches high, slim made, born in this country, and has a good countenance; he took with him a blue broadcloth coat, black velvet jacket, and breeches, a pair of leather ditto, two fine shirts, one of them ruffled, 2 coarse ditto, two pair of coarse trowsers, a pair of pumps, with silver shoe buckles, a pair of strong shoes, a blanket, and a gun, with a splint in the stock, near the butt. It is likely they may have forged passes, as the white man writes a good hand. whoever takes up and secures the said servants, so that their masters may have them again, shall have SIX POUNDS reward for the three, or Forty Shillings for either, if taken separate, and reasonable charges, paid by us. ALEXANDER LOWRY, JOSEPH CHAMBERS.
Dates of Records: September 9, 1756; August 17, 1769
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slaveholder Name: Chesney,
William
City or Township: Newberry Township
County: York
Occupation:
Notes: Registered seven slaves-for-life in 1780 (source: History of York County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1. George R. Prowell. J.H. Beers & Co., Chicago.
1907) His will, dated November 4, 1782, bequeaths "all my Negro
and Mulatto slaves, male and female," to his wife Elizabeth (York
County Will Book F, 72). The exact number of slaves is not specified.
- Slave Name: Keith, William
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age: 40a
Slave Date of Birth: 1729 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: Negro man
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad, from the Pennsylvania Gazette, June 15, 1769: "York County, in Pennsylvania, June 10, 1769. RUN away, on the 13th of March last, from the Subscriber, at Sasquenanna, near Harris Ferry, a Negroe Man, called Will, alias William Keith; he is about 5 feet 9 Inches high, thin visaged, a little Pock marked, not very black, about 40 years old, a smooth talking Fellow, can be very mannerly, reads and writes, and is a
Cooper by Trade and is also very handy about a Farmer's House; he is well acquainted in Philadelphia, having learnt his trade there, and lived several years ago with Dr. Graham, of that city; he had on, when he went away, a brown homespun Cloth Coat, pretty much worn, yellow buttons; an old white Flannel Jacket, Buckskin Breeches, and an old Felt Hat. He told on the Road, that he was a free Negroe, formerly belonging to one
Mr. Blunston, of Lancaster County. Whoever takes up said Slave, and secures him, so that his Master, the subscriber, may have him again, shall have THREE POUNDS Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by
WILLIAM CHESNEY.
N.B. All Masters of Vessels are requested not to carry him off."
Date of Record: June 15, 1769
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slaveholder Name: Cronmiller, Martin
City or Township: York Township, "two Miles from York Town."
County: York
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: 26a
Slave Date of Birth: 1737 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad:
"RUN away from the Subscriber, living in York Township, two Miles from York Town, on George Stevenson Esquire's Mill, on
the First of this inst. January, A middle sized Negroe Man,
about 25 or 26 Years of Age: Had on when he went away, A
lightish home made Cloth Coat, made Dutch Fashion, with large
white Metal Buttons, and an under jacket, of the same Cloth,
with small Buttons of the same Sort, black Leather Breeches,
stitched on each Side of the Thighes, with a Worm worked with
Silk, and a straight Stroke worked up through the Middle of
the Worms, greyish fulled Stockings, old Shoes, newly soaled,
the Soals full of Nails, white Metal Shoe Buckles, one of them
has a Piece broken off on one Side, and a yellow Silk
Handkerchief. He has an Ailment in his Left eye. Whoever takes
up said Negroe, and secures him in any of His majesty's Goals,
so that his Master may have him again, or brings him to henry
Wolfe, Tavernkeeper, in York Town, shall have Five Pounds
Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by
MARTIN CRONMILLER."
Date of Record: January 20, 1763
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slaveholder Name: Dill, Matthew
City or Township: Monaghan Township
County: York
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Phida
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: "about 27 years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: About 1758, based upon her reported age in the
runaway advertisement. This year of birth would have made Phida a slave
for life.
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Negroe Wench"
Slave Notes: Ran away on September 15, 1785. Text of runaway ad from the Carlisle Gazette:
FOUR DOLLARS REWARD
RAN away about the 15th of September last. From the subscriber, a
Negro Wench, about 27 years of age, a good looking Wench, pock pitted;
most about her nose; she has a good many summer clothes; her name is
Phida. It is supposed she will make towards Fredrick-town in Maryland.
Whoever takes and secures said Wench, so that the owner may ger her
shall have the above reward and reasonable charges paid by
Matthew DILL
Monaghan township,
York County, 5th Oct. 1785
Date of Record: October 5, 1785
Source: The Carlisle Gazette, in "Cumberland County gleanings: 1785-92: Carlisle Gazette: PA,"
Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Calista Sanderson.
calista@pyramid3.net
- Slaveholder Name: Dorland, Garret
City or Township: Berwick Township
County: York
Occupation: Judge
Notes: "Garret Dorland was leaving York County for Kentucky in 1790 and sold these
three people to his brother in law Samuel Banta, who was married to Garret's
sister Dyna Dorland. Garret and Dyna were the children of Lambert Dorland and Styntje
Terheune Voorhees of Somerset County, NJ. Both the Bantas and the Dorlands were members
of the Low Dutch Colony living in Straban, Berwick, Mt. Pleasant and Mt. Joy Townships of York County. The Colony existed from about 1769
through 1790, before
the majority of its members moved to Mercer, Henry and Shelby Counties,
Kentucky. Garret Dorland had been a justice living in Berwick Township. His father
Lambert died in 1772 and Garret moved to Conewago after that date. It is possible
that the parents of these slaves originated in the Montgomery Twp Somerset County,
NJ area."
"Sam and Dyna Dorland Banta did move to Kentucky and eventually with their
children joined the Shaker Community. If these slaves traveled with them, then
there is a chance that they also became part of the Shaker Community at
Pleasant Hill." (Email correspondence, Judy Cassidy to Afrolumens Project, March 7, 2005)
- Slave Name: Jack
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: 10
Slave Date of Birth: 1779 -- December 18
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Moalote" (mulatto)
Slave Notes: Sold to Samuel Banta of York County in May, 1790. Text of sales agreement:
All men by these presents know that I, Garret Dorland of York
County, state of Pennsylvania, for and in consideration of the sums of one hunired
poinds to me in hand pade at and before the selling and delivery hear of by
Samuel Banta in the County of York, State of Pennsylvania, wear of I do hereby
acknowledge have bargained and sold and by these presents aforesaid a Moalote
boy named JACK, boarin the year one thousand seaven hundret and seavinty-nine,
the eighteen day of December and a negro garl, LEAH, boarn seaventeen and
Eaty-two the twenty day of March and a negro boy SEEB, boarn seavinteen and
eat-five, tent day of March.
Date of Record: May 11, 1790
Source: Dorland, Garret to Samuel Banta, Bill of Sale, York Co Deed Book F, 399 11
May 1790. Transcription provided by Judy Cassidy. (Email correspondence, Judy Cassidy to Afrolumens Project, March 7, 2005)
- Slave Name: Leah
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: 8
Slave Date of Birth: 1782 -- March 20
Slave Status: Slave to age 28
Slave Description: "Negro garl"
Slave Notes: Sold to Samuel Banta of York County in May, 1790. See the notes for the slave Jack, above, for the text of the sales agreement.
Date of Record: May 11, 1790
Source: Dorland, Garret to Samuel Banta, Bill of Sale, York Co Deed Book F, 399 11
May 1790. Transcription provided by Judy Cassidy. (Email correspondence, Judy Cassidy to Afrolumens Project, March 7, 2005)
- Slave Name: Seeb
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: 5
Slave Date of Birth: 1785 -- March 10
Slave Status: Slave to age 28
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Sold to Samuel Banta of York County in May, 1790. See the notes for the slave Jack, above, for the text of the sales agreement.
Date of Record: May 11, 1790
Source: Dorland, Garret to Samuel Banta, Bill of Sale, York Co Deed Book F, 399 11
May 1790. Transcription provided by Judy Cassidy. (Email correspondence, Judy Cassidy to Afrolumens Project, March 7, 2005)
- Slaveholder Name: Dowdle, Michael
City or Township: York Town
County: York
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Cato
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: Not stated
Slave Date of Birth: Not known
Slave Status: Runaway--captured
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Captured and imprisoned in Reading, Berks County. Text of jailor's ad:
Reading, February 20, 1784.
DELIVERED into my custody, A certain person, called John McKinney, a native Irishman, has been in the country but a short time; says he came over to America in this ship known by the name of Three Brothers, commanded by Captain Gilles.
Also, a Negroe Man, who calls himself CATO, belonging to Michael Dowdle, living in York-Town, in the county of York, and state of Pennsylvania.
The owner or owners are hereby requested, on or before the 15th day of March, to take them away, defray the expences and charges, otherwise they will be discharged or sold according to law.
WILLIAM WITMAN, Goaler.
Date of Record: March 3, 1784
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette--Accessible Archives, Item #69824
- Slaveholder Name: Gossler, P., Captain
City or Township: York Borough
County: York
Occupation:
Notes: Mentioned in a runaway ad as the previous owner of Joe, who escaped from a Libertytown, Maryland slaveholder in January 1800.
- Slave Name: Joe a.k.a. John
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: ? ("man")
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Negro man"
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad: "RAN away from the Subscriber, living in Frederick County, Maryland, two miles from Libertytown, about the 1st of January Inst. a Negro man named JOE. He is about 5 feet 7 inches high, stout and well made, is near sighted, and has a remarkable lump on one of his rists. He had on, when he went away, a round-about jacket of a drab colour, breeches of the same, much worn, a drab-coloured under-jacket, pieced across the shoulders with coarse dark mixed cloth, white woolen stockings, and coarse shoes with nails in the bottoms. He formerly lived with Capt. P. Gossler, in York, and had a Wife when there.
Whoever takes up said fellow, and secures him in any Jail, so that his master gets him again, shall have the above Reward, and reasonable charges if brought home.
JOHN NORRIS.
N.B. It is suspected he has a Pass, and will call himself John."
Date of Record: January 22, 1800
Source: Lancaster Intelligencer & Weekly Advertiser
- Slaveholder Name: Graybell, Jacob
City or Township: York Borough
County: York
Occupation: Jailer, York County
Notes: County jailers often became temporary slaveholders, acting as agents for the county in disposing of slaves who went unclaimed by their owners. Some were advertised as being "sold for costs," while others, such as the example of the woman and her child below, were to be released upon the payment of her fees.
- Slave Name: Thornton, Ann
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: ? (adult in 1763)
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Runaway--captured
Slave Description: Mulatto Woman
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad: "ON the seventh of April last was committed to the Goal of York County, on Suspicion of her being a Slave, a Mulatto Woman,
who calls herself Ann Thornton, and has with her a Female
Child, about two Years old, she says she was born in Baltimore
County, near Deer Creek. Any Person having any Claim to her,
is hereby notified to come, pay her Prison Fees, and take her
away, in four Weeks from this Date, otherwise she will be
discharged, paying her Fees. JACOB GRAYBELL, Goaler.
York County, June 4, 1763."
Date of Record: June 16, 1763
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: 2
Slave Date of Birth: 1761 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway--captured
Slave Description: Female Child
Slave Notes: Daughter of Ann Thornton, captured with her mother as a runaway and jailed in York County. See the text of the runaway ad, above.
Date of Record: June 16, 1763
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slave Name: Doyle, Thomas
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: 25a
Slave Date of Birth: 1746 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway--captured
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad: York Goal, June 1, 1771.
COMMITTED to my custody, the 28th day of May last, a Negroe man, who calls himself Thomas Doyle, about 5 feet 8 inches high: had on, when committed, an old castor hat, a greyish double breasted coat, with metal buttons, and leather breeches; he has a mark, occasioned by the flash of powder, under his right eye, and is about 25 years of age; his master is desired to come, pay charges, and take him away. As also one Richard Healy, who was taken out of this goal, about three weeks ago, by his master, who said he would take him to Virginia and sell him there, was afterwards taken up at WrightFerry, on Sasquehanna river, with a bay Horse, with a snip on his nose; had also with him, a blue broadcloth coat, with silver twist buttons, supposed to be stolen; any person claiming the same, may be informed, by the goaler, where they are. Also Henry Steuard, about 17 years of age; who says he belongs to William Steel, in Conegocheague, near ChambersTown; had on, when committed, a blanket coat, and an iron collar about his neck. Their masters are desired to come, pay the charges, and take them away.
JACOB GRAYBIL, Goaler.
Date of Record: July 11, 1771
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slaveholder Name: Graybell, Michael
City or Township: York Borough
County: York
Occupation: Jailer, York County
Notes: County jailers often became temporary slaveholders, acting as
agents for the county in disposing of slaves who went unclaimed by their
owners. (see also, Graybell, Jacob, above)
- Slave Name: John
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: not specified
Slave Date of Birth:
not known
Slave Status: Runaway--captured
Slave Description: "Negroe man"
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad:
York Town Goal, May 12, 1776.
WAS committed to my custody the following persons, ... A Negroe man,
named John, who is a slave to a certain Mr. Bogle, of Cumberland county,
formerly belonging to Joseph Simons,
of the borough of Lancaster. Also a Negroe woman, who calls herself
Sally, and is suspected to be a runaway, having lost her left eye. Their
masters are desired to come in three weeks from the date hereof, pay
charges, and take them away, otherwise they will be discharged for their
fees. MICHAEL GRAYBILL, Goaler.
Date of Record: 22 May 1776
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slave Name: Sally
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: not specified
Slave Date of Birth:
not known
Slave Status: Runaway--captured
Slave Description: "Negroe woman"
Slave Notes: For the text of runaway ad, see "John," above.
Date of Record: 22 May 1776
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slave Name: Harry or Negroe Harry
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: "about twenty two years of age"
Slave Date of Birth: 1759 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway--captured
Slave Description: "Negroe"
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad:
York Town Goal, October 11, 1781.
WAS committed into my custody on the 13th day of September last past, a
certain NEGROE HARRY, who confesseth himself to be a slave to Nicholas
Casey, of the State of Virginia, he is about five feet seven inches
high, a likely fellow; had on an old felt hat, a torn shirt and trowsers,
speaks tolerable good English, and says he was born in the State of New
York, in West Chester; about twenty two years of age; his master is
desired to come, pay the charges and take him away, with the space of
four weeks, or he will be sold.
MICHAEL GRAYBILL, Goaler.
Date of Record: 11 October 1781
Source:
The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slaveholder Name: Harnett, Cornelius
City or Township: York Borough
County: York
Occupation:
Notes:
- Slave Name: Sawney
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: 35a
Slave Date of Birth: 1743 (calculated)
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Mulatto slave"
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad:"York Town, February 26, 1778.
RUN away from the subscriber about three weeks ago, a Mulatto slave, named SAWNEY, well known in this town, he is well built, about 35 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches high, a taylor by trade, dark complexion, a small face and much pitted with the smallpox; had on when he left, an old brown Bath coating surtout, oznabrig shirt, thin jacket, linen breeches, yarn stockings, shoes, and an old beaver hat, &c. Whoever apprehends said slave, and delivers him to the Goaler of York Town, taking his receipt, shall receive TWENTY DOLLARS if taken in the town, or within twenty miles of it, if upwards of twenty miles, THIRTY DOLLARS, and all reasonable charges, paid by CORNELIUS HARNETT."
Date of Record: February 28, 1778
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slaveholder Name: Jamison, David
City or Township: York Borough
County: York
Occupation: Merchant
Notes:
- Slave Name: Cato
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: ? (adult in 1772)
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Runaway
Slave Description: "Negroe slave"
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad: "RUN AWAY from the subscriber, the 20th day of August last, a NEGROE slave, called CATO, middle sized, bow legged, and speaks good English. The said Negroe was formerly in the possession of ---- Brisbane, of Chester county, and afterwards of Hieronimus Echman, of Lancaster county, and is a great rogue, having committed several daring burglaries. He is supposed to have broke into the shop of the subscriber since he absconded, and to have stolen from thence 3 Half Johannes, and other money, a silver watch seal, and several paste or stone buttons, set in silver. Whoever apprehends the said Negroe, and delivers him to the Goaler of York county, shall receive FOUR POUNDS reward, and reasonable charges, and One Third the value of the money or things stolen, as they shall secure for the owner.
York Town, Sept. 30, 1772.DAVID JAMESON.
*** The said Negroe broke into a house in York Town, an stole from thence upwards of Ninety Pounds, belonging to Nicholas Shaffer, who has offered a very considerable reward for apprehending him."
Date of Record: October 14, 1772
Source: Accessible Archives --The Pennsylvania Gazette, ITEM #51950.
- Slaveholder Name: Jones, Robert
City or Township: York Borough
County: York
Occupation: Jailer, York County
Notes: Jones is not a regular slaveholder, but became one temporarily when two runaways turned up on his farm near York. The slaves had apparently escaped in the confusion of a British advance during the war.
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: ? (adult in 1779)
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Runaway--captured
Slave Description: "Negroe Man"
Slave Notes: Text of runaway ad: "CAME to the plantation of Robert Jones, near York Town, in the State of Pennsylvania, a NEGROE man and woman, can speak but very bad English, so as they cannot be well understood, but from what can be gathered from their dialect, it is apprehended they left some part of Maryland or Virginia about the time the enemy made their last excursion into the said States. Whoever owns the said Negroes, by applying to ROBERT JONES aforesaid, on his plantation, proving property, and paying charges, may have him again."
Date of Record: July 28, 1779
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: ? (adult in 1779)
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Runaway--captured
Slave Description: "Negroe woman"
Slave Notes: Partner of the man discussed in the runaway advertisement above.
Date of Record: July 28, 1779
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette
- Slaveholder Name: McAllister, Richard
City or Township: Hanover
County: York
Occupation:
Notes: Egle's Notes and Queries lists a short genealogy of McAllister along with the names of the following slaves and to whom they were bequeathed upon his death in August, 1795.
- Slave Name: Cato
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: ? (adult in 1795)
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Slave for life.
Slave Description: "Negro"
Slave Notes: Father of Jack, below. Bequeathed by Richard McAllister to his son Archibald. See that entry for the text of the will pertaining to these slaves.
Date of Record: August, 1795
Source: William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries, Fourth Series, Volume 1
- Slave Name: Jack
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: ?
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Slave for life.
Slave Description: "Negro"
Slave Notes: Son of Cato, above. Bequeathed by Richard McAllister to his son Archibald. See that entry for the text of the will pertaining to these slaves.
Date of Record: August, 1795
Source: William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries, Fourth Series, Volume 1
- Slave Name: Poll
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: ?
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Not determined.
Slave Description: "Negro girl"
Slave Notes: Bequeathed by Richard McAllister to his daughter Nancy, wife of Patrick Hays.
Date of Record: August, 1795
Source: William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries, Fourth Series, Volume 1
- Slave Name: Grate
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: ? (adult in 1795)
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Slave for life.
Slave Description: "Negro wench"
Slave Notes: Bequeathed by Richard McAllister to his daughter Jane. Grate was the mother of Jack, listed below. McAllister also bequeathed the "negro boy" Jonathan to Jane, but does not name Jonathan's mother.
Date of Record: August, 1795
Source: William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries, Fourth Series, Volume 1
- Slave Name: Jack
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: ?
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Not determined.
Slave Description: "son" (of "Negro wench" Grate)
Slave Notes: Bequeathed by Richard McAllister to his daughter Jane. Jack was the son of Grate, listed above. McAllister also bequeathed the "negro boy" Jonathan to Jane, but does not name Jonathan's mother.
Date of Record: August, 1795
Source: William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries, Fourth Series, Volume 1
- Slave Name: Jonathan
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: ?
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Not determined.
Slave Description: "Negro boy"
Slave Notes: Bequeathed by Richard McAllister to his daughter Jane.
Date of Record: August, 1795
Source: William Henry Egle, Notes and Queries, Fourth Series, Volume 1
-
Slaveholder Name: Rankin, James
City or Township: York Township
County: York
Occupation:
Notes: James Rankin, along with his brother John, was involved with
a Loyalist conspiracy plot in Newberry Township. Pennsylvania State
Archive records show that he was "Attainted for treason and all property
confiscated. June 16 1778 inventory includes 'One Negro Man his Wife &
3 children' appraised at 550 pounds. (PA Archives, Ser. 6, Vol XIII, pp.
40-41)
"June 16 1778 auction (at which Godfried Lonberger was paid 3 pounds, 15
shillings for "crying the vendue") included sale of 'one Negro man his
Wife & 3 Children' for 745 pounds - George Stevenson was the buyer. (ibid.,
pp. 40, 138)." Source: Research by Fred Kelso, correspondence
to Afrolumens Project December 2, 2003.
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: ? (adult in 1778)
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Slave for life; sold to George Stevenson on
June 16, 1778.
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: This man was sold along with the rest of his
family, a wife and three children, when James Rankin's property was
confiscated as a result of his implication in a Loyalist conspiracy in York
County.
Date of Record: July 16, 1778
Source: Correspondence, Fred Kelso to Afrolumens, December 2, 2003.
- Slave Name: ?
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age: ? (adult in 1778)
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Slave for life; sold to George Stevenson on
June 16, 1778.
Slave Description: "Wife"
Slave Notes: See the notes for the slave at number 1,
above.
Date of Record: July 16, 1778
Source: Correspondence, Fred Kelso to Afrolumens, December 2, 2003.
-
Slave Names: ? (Three unnamed children)
Slave Gender: Not specified
Slave Ages: ? ("children" in 1778)
Slave Dates of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Slaves for life; sold to George Stevenson on
June 16, 1778.
Slave Description: "3 children"
Slave Notes: See the notes for the slave at number 1,
above.
Date of Record: July 16, 1778
Source: Correspondence, Fred Kelso to Afrolumens, December 2, 2003.
-
Slaveholder Name: Rankin, John
City or Township: Newberry Township
County: York
Occupation:
Notes: John Rankin, along with his brother James, was involved with
a Loyalist conspiracy plot in Newberry Township. Pennsylvania State
Archive records show that he was "Attainted for treason and all property
confiscated." This property included an adult male slave named
Ralph. Fred Kelso writes "September 25 1779 - His slave Ralph
petitioned that he had been manumitted by John prior to attainder for treason.
It was determined that the manumission service of March 7, 1778 at the
Warrington Friends Monthly Meeting was not fully performed and that a mtg of
April 11, 1778 was unsuccessful because John had already joined the enemy in
Philadelphia - Ralph presented a manumission with allegedly fraudulent date and
was discovered. (PA Archives, Min Sup Ex Counc PA, Vol XII, p. 113)
"Ralph was purchased by John Rankin about 1769 from Robert Power of
Chester County (PA Archives, Ser. 6, Vol XIII, p. 94)
"Newberry Friends Meeting noted in their minutes of May 9 1771 that John
had purchased a slave. (Abstracts of Warrington MM Records, Gilbert Cope,
1877)"
- Slave Name: Ralph
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age: ? (adult in 1778)
Slave Date of Birth: ?
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro Man"
Slave Notes: Purchased by Rankin from Robert
Power of Chester County about 1769. It appears that Rankin, a
Quaker, may have intended to manumit Ralph about 1778, but the
Pennsylvania court did not recognize the manumission because it occurred after
Rankin had "joined the enemy." Ralph allegedly altered his
manumission papers with a fraudulent date but "was discovered."
Date of Record: September 25, 1779
Source: Correspondence, Fred Kelso to Afrolumens, December 2, 2003.
-
Slaveholder Name: Tamer, Elizabeth
City or Township:
County: York
Occupation: Spinster
Notes: The slave Sue was registered at Lancaster by John Boyd, of
Drumore Township, Lancaster County. Her reason for registering in Lancaster County is not stated.
- Slave Name: Sue
Sex: Female
Slave Age: 14
Slave Date of Birth: 1766 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Description: "Negro girl"
Slave Notes: 1780 Slave Registration specifies status as "slave during life."
Date of Record: October 26, 1780
Source: "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
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