January 17, 1765

The Pennsylvania Gazette

RUN away, about the first of November last, from the Subscriber, living near Bladensburgh, in Prince George County, Maryland, a Convict [1] Servant Man, named Patrick Carroll, born in Ireland, by Trade a Butcher; he is a lusty well set Fellow, about 5 Feet 8 Inches high, he has lost the fourth Finger of his left Hand, has remarkable black Hair, which he wears short, and is pitted with the Small Pox, is very talkative, and excessive fond of strong Liquor;

had on, when he went away, a dark Cloth Coat, Check Shirt, and a Pair of Boots, the rest of his Apparel I cannot describe;

he carried with him a dark Chestnut sorrel Horse, about 13 Hands high. He obtained a Pass from a Magistrate of this County, by making him believe he was a Free man. [2]

Whoever takes up the said Servant, and secures him in any Goal, so that I get him again, shall receive Two Pistoles Reward, from NATHANIEL POPE.

1. This typically meant a 14-year term of labor.

2. In Plantation America, any poor man without a pass could be captured and sold, as indicated by the advertisement below. The goalor does not know if or from whom these men escaped. If a person does not come forward with proof of ownership they will be sold, for fresh terms of servitude, the Negroe probably for life. In what kind of world is any person not carrying a pass or owning property assumed to be a fugitive?

January 24, 1765

The Pennsylvania Gazette

Joppa, December 19, 1765.

Committed to this Goal as Runaways, the two following Persons,viz.

a young man, who calls himself John Wilson, born in Ireland, about five Feet nine Inches high, much pitted with the Smallpox, and badly cloathed.

And a Negroe Man, who has been in Goal about two Months, five Feet ten Inches high, has a small round Mark over his left Eye, speaks bad English.

Whoever owns the said Runaways, may have them again by applying to JOHN TAYLOR, Goal keeper.