May 21, 1767
The Pennsylvania Gazette
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Leacock township, Lancaster County, on the 10th of this inst. May, a servant man, named John Dawson, born in Scotland, and came in with one John Donnal, from Belfast, near two years ago, aged about 22 or 23 years, about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, chunkey made, of a sickly complexion, and dull look, black hair, commonly tied behind;
wears a good felt hat, with yellow buttons, a blue coat and waistcoat, with horn buttons, a new coarse shirt, old patched buckskin breeches, old white yarn stockings, old shoes and brass buckles.
Whoever secures said servant, so that his master may have him again, shall have thirty Shillings [1] reward, and reasonable charges, paid by ROBERT CLENCH.
N.B He had been some time a soldier in the Queen regiment in Ireland.
Notes
1. A 30 shilling reward is equal to 30 days’ pay for a free laborer. John would be required to compensate his master after capture by serving additional time.
So Her Master May Have Her Again
A History of Runaway White Slaves in Plantation America: Part Two
