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Rui Zhang   

"Flee for freedom"

 

          During the sixteen century to eighteen century is the time where slave exchange business was very popular. People sitting a court room and bet money in the slave which slave owner whish to sale. The person with the highest betting will buy the slave and own him as his property. The more strength the slave shows on his body build, the higher price will the slave owner start with. Slaves were often handcuffed and leg cuffed to prevent to revolt. After the slaves are being brought, most of them work at farms, raising livestock, building ships, forging irons, being a household servant and raising crops in owner's farm which the slave owners are not familiar with. Slaves must obey the master, and the master have the right to shoot them with guns if they disobey their master's order. Many of the slaves live in fear and hate everyday attempt to escape from slave owner's land by foot, horse and boat. Most of them were unsuccessful attempts, they were capture and probably killed, depends on the master's will. Some escaped into the deep forest, and master who couldn't find them will put ads on the ally or walls near the marketplace, where most people will pay a little attention to it whenever they walk by. Of course there might be people who are obsess with theses ads and enjoy a day of adventure, or enjoys hunting a man. They would look for these ads and give back what the slave owner was asking for and get a reward. Different reward will given depends on the condition of the slave. If the slave was found dead, the amount of price in the reward will probably decrease. If the slave was found with the exact as the description says on the reward. The master shall give whoever returning his property the proper reward.

 

The Virginia Runaway

 

A runaway slave advertisement from 18th century

         RAN away from the Subscriber, in the upper Parish of Nantemond County, on the 15th of this Instant, a Servant Man, named John Jones, a Welshman: He is about 40 Years of Age; and had on a yellow Kersey Coat, a red Cotton Jacket, Country Cloth Breeches, two Oznabrig Shirts, and one Speckled Shirt; wears his own light colour'd Hair, of a middling Length, and has a Wenn on the back of one of his Hands about the Bigness of an Egg. Whoever will secure the said Runaway, so that his Master may have him again, shall have a Pistole Reward, besides what the Law allows,

paid by                                                                                                                                                                                        John Danby. 

Virginia Gazette
(Parks), Williamsburg ,
From May 4 to May 11, 1739.

                                                                                                                         

        This is an advertisement  from slave owner. This runaway slave's first name is john. but I am sure that is not what the slave's real name. who will reward whoever returning his property a Pistole, an old Spanish gold coin.

 

Another runaway slave advertisement from 18th century

         RAN away from Edward Barradall, Esq; of the City of Williamsburg, on the Eighth of this Inst. a Servant Man, named John Davis. He is a West Country Man, lately imported from Bristol, tall and thin, with black Hair, or a Wig very much like his own Hair, Sun-burnt Complexion, and looks like a labouring Person. He had on, when he went away, a dirt colour'd Pea Jacket and Breeches, a short Wastecoat laced on, a Pair of good Shoes, and Yarn Stockings. He also took with him two check'd Shirts, and two Oznabrig Ones. 'Tis supposed he is gone to the Northward, having formerly lived in Philadelphia. Whoever will take up and secure said Runaway, so that the Subscriber may have him again, shall have a Pistole Reward; besides what the Law allows, paid by                                                                                                               Edward Barradall.

Virginia Gazette
(Parks), Williamsburg ,
From May 4 to May 11, 1739.

        This is another advertisement about a slave owner who will reward whoever returning his runaway servant  name John also as his first name, a Pistole.

 

Works Cited :

1.Costa, Thomas, compiler.  Virginia Runaways. 27 October 2003.  University of Virginia Etext Library.  20 Septmber 2004. 

<http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/costa-browse?id=r39041353>

2.Costa, Thomas, compiler.  Virginia Runaways. 27 October 2003.  University of Virginia Etext Library.  20 September 2004. 

<http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/costa-browse?id=r39051355>

Pictures Cited:

1. “Runaway Slave Advertisement from Virginia Gazette.”  1752. Online image. Costa, Thomas, compiler.  Virginia Runaways. 27 October 2003.  University of Virginia Etext Library.  30 August 2004.

<http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/users/costa/images/v1355.jpg>

2. “Runaway Slave Advertisement from Virginia Gazette.”  1752. Online image. Costa, Thomas, compiler.  Virginia Runaways. 27 October 2003.  University of Virginia Etext Library.  30 August 2004.

<http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/users/costa/images/v1282.jpg>

Painting Cite:

1. "George L. Sulivan "Group of Negro men and boys taken out of captured Dhow in state of starvation" March 8, 1873

<http://hitchcock.itc.virginia.edu/Slavery/index.html >

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