Will Samuel Askin—did he—outrun the Evil that was Plantation America?

October 8, 1767

The Pennsylvania Gazette

FORTY SHILLINGS Reward.

RUN away, the 27th day of September last, at night, from the subscriber, living in Leacock township, Lancaster county, a servant lad, named Samuel Askin,

came in the ship Rose last fall from the north of Ireland, a little set fellow, about 5 feet 3 inches high, 23 years old, of a dark complexion, small dark eyes, long thin nose, wears his own long brown hair, cut at top, and tied behind;

had on, and took with him, a good cloth coat, brown coloured buttons round the cuff, and up the sleeve, trimmed full, with yellow gilt buttons, a jacket nearly of the same, the back parts dull coloured twilled flannel, not so long as before, half worn drab breeches, with black horn buttons, half worn felt hat, cocked up with pins, two new tow shirts, and one of flax, good thick new shoes, with one steel, and one carved yellow buckle. [1]

Whoever takes up and secures the said servant, so that his master may have him again, shall receive the above reward from MOSES BRINTON. [2]

1. Note the gross materialism of the culture, with the things worn and carried by the runaway always of more and more precisely worded note than the person.

2. The Old Testament sanction for slavery rings loud and clear throughout the history of Plantation America

A History of Runaway White Slaves in Plantation America: Part Two