Runaway Slave Notices

Contributed by Lee Freeman.

Note: Every effort has been made to make an accurate transcription of these records, however mistakes may invariably occur; the researcher is therefore urged to obtain copies of the originals if possible. Spelling and punctuation have not been corrected. These old papers are often faded, torn or badly soiled, making transcription of some of them difficult, hence the use of editor's brackets [ ] and ? .

From the Florence Gazette, December 2, 1830, p. 3.

150 DOLLARS REWARD!

ABOUT the of October past, [a] man who calls himself Moses Vest, left Florence and carried with him, a Negro Woman an[d] Child, belonging to me. This woman is a low, chunky woman, about nineteen years old, very black, her name is SYLVIA:-the CHILD was born [o]n the 3rd of October, 1830, in Limestone County, where she had been left to recover her strength, at one Thomas Shoemakers, and from where said Vest took her.
Mr. Vest is about 26 years old, weighs about one hundred and sixty five pounds, chunky built, dark eyes, stoop shouldered-- he wore about the time he went away, a blue fr[o]ck coa[t] and rode a large grey horse; he is a Stone-mason by trade; he came from Indiana opposite Louisville[,] Kentucky. I will give the above reward to any person, who will secure said Vest and NEGROES, so that I get them again, or one hundred dollars for the NEGROES alone.
NANCY ELLIS.

N: B: Said Vest got possession of my NEGROES in consequence of being engaged to me in a marriage contract; I deem it my duty to make this statement, (though painful) in order that other inoffensive females may be aware of the man.
The Nashville Whig and Banner, Louisville Public Advertiser, and Memphis Advocate will give this 6 insertions and forward their accounts to me, in Florence, for payment. It would be an act of humanity, and might tend far towards the promotion of [public] justice for printers throughout the country and Louisiana and Mississippi, [to] give publicity to the above advertisement, and any individual to give any information they possess[,] in relation to said Vest and SLAVES, or either.
N. E.
November 18th 1830.-43-6t.

From the Florence Gazette, Saturday, December 7, 1850, p. 3.

RANAWAY [sic] from Henery Musleman, some time in the month of January last, a Negro man named ERASMUS, about forty years of age, copper complexion. A reward of ten dollars will be given for the apprehension and delivery of said negro, to said Muselman, or if lodged in some safe jail so that he can get him. It is believed that said negro is lurking about the neighborhood of said Muselman on Shoal Creek in this County, (Lauderdale.)
THOMAS BARNETT,
Guardian, of Elmira T. Cross.
Nov. 30, 1850.
28--pw.

From the Florence Gazette, Saturday, January 25, 1851, p. 3.

$50 REWARD.
RUNAWAY from the subscriber about 15th Dec. last my Boy DAVE, he is about 46 years of age, 5 fet 6 or 9 inches high, weighs about 160 or 170 pounds[,] dark copper color, stepsquick [sic], good countenance, speaks well, a peculiar laugh and a very heavy beard; when last heard of, he was on Steamer Cherokee, and report says he had a pass to hire his time for 12 months.
I will give $50 to any person that will arrest and secure said negro and his pass so that I can get them both.
BENJ. TAYLOR.
Centre Star P. O., Jan. 25, 1851.

From the Florence Gazette, Saturday, March 8, 1851, p. 3.

COMMITTED

TO THE Jail of Lauderdale County, Ala., on Monday, the 3d instant, a negro man who says his name is Jerry, and belongs to a Mr. Brayton living in Franklin County near Tuscumbia, Ala. Said boy is dark complected about 5 feet, 6 inches high. The boy says he was sold to Mr. Brayton about a week ago, and when [he] was taken, was endeavoring to make his way back to Kentucky, from which State he was brought. The owner of said boy is requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges, and take said negro away or he will be dealt with as the law directs.
JOHN S. JACKSON, Jailor,
Florence, March 8, 1851.

From the Florence Times, Saturday, May 24, 1851, p. 3

Catch the Runaway!

Ranaway [sic] from the subscriber about two weeks ago, a negro man John, (calls himself John Slaughter) thirty two or three years old, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, rather spare made and inclined to be round shouldered. A great talker and sometimes stammers a little. Pretends to be a good mechanic at most any thing, and prides himself upon being a fortune teller.
He may be making for a free State, and any information of said negro will be thankfully received, or a liberal reward paid for his delivery to me, or for his confinement in any jail, with information so that I can get him.
T. L. MINOR.

Houston's Store, Ala., May 24, 1851.

From the Florence Gazette, Wednesday, January 26, 1859, p. 3.

Committed

TO the Jail of Lauderdale County, Alabama, on the 15th day of January, 1859, a Negro man named GABRIEL, about six feet high, weighs 175 or 180 pounds: dark copper color, and says he belongs to the [sic] Samuel Garner's Estate in Yallabusha county, Miss[i]ssippi. The owner of said negro is notified to come forward and prove property, pay charges, and take said negro away, or he will be dealt with as the law directs.
Jan. 26, 1859. JNO. M. C. HOOKS, Jailor.

From the Florence Gazette, Wednesday, January 26, 1859, p. 3.

$10 Reward.

RANAWAY [sic] from the subscriber, on the 2nd day of this month, a NEGRO MAN named ABRAM. Said negro is about twenty-five years old, five feet nine inches high, and weighs about one hundred and sixty pounds, is black, and speaks slowly when spoken to by a white person; wears very long hair and usually has it plaited and tied up[.] I will give the above reward for his delivery to me at Florence, Ala.
Jan 19, 1859. JAS. B. GRAY.

From the Florence Gazette, Wednesday, March 2, 1859, p. 2.

Committed,

To the Jail of Lauderdale County, on the 24th day of February, 1859, a NEGRO MAN, who says his names is BILL, and that he belongs to WILLIAM SLEDGE, of Moulton, Ala.,

The owner is requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges, and take him away, or he will be dealt with as the law directs.
J.M.C. HOOKS, Jailor.
March 2, 1859. 1f.

From, "NEW ADVERTISEMENTS," the Florence Gazette, Wednesday, June 1, 1859, p. 1.

Committed

To the Jail of Lauderdale County, Alabama, on the 27th of May ult., a negro man who says that his name is GEORGE, and that he belongs to James Gray, who resides in Lawrence County, Ala., beyond Cour[t]land on the Mountain. Said boy is about 5 feet 10 inches high, supposed to be about 21 years old, and quite black. The owner is required to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take said negro away, or he will be dealt with according to law.
J.M.C. HOOKS, Jailor.
June 1, 1859, 1f.

From the Florence Gazette, Wednesday, October 15, 1859, p. 3.

Committed to the Jail

OF Lauderdale County, Ala., as a runaway, on the 24th of [A]ugust, 1859, by THOMAS H REYNOLDS, a BOY about 18 or 20 years, black color, rather slender, weighs about one hundred and fifty lbs., stated when committed that his name was JOHN, and that he belonged to John Riley, near Rodgersville, Hawkins County, Tennessee. Since, he calls his name PHIL, and belongs to Green Merit, of Itawamba County, Mississippi. The owner is requested to come foward, prove property, pay charges and take said slave away, or he will be dealt with as the State provides.

JOHN REID, Jailor.
August 31st, 1859. tf.

From the Florence Gazette, Wednesday, December 21, 1859, p. ?

$100 R[e]ward.

RANAWAY [sic] from the Subscriber, some Two Years [ago] a negro man STEPHEN, about 26 [years] of age, heavy set, about 5 feet 5 inches high, with very broad front T[ee]th, which do not touch each other. He is rather slow in address when spoken [to] & will weigh about 160 pounds[.] S[ai]d boy was purchased of Col. Hough, near Florence, Ala., and is no doubt Harbored by some person in the neighborhood of said Hough[.] I will giv[e] the above $100 REWARD for proof to convict the person who may be [harboring] [him]. Any information thankfully received[.] Address at Milligen's Bend, La.

Wm. H. EDRINGTON.
September 28, 1859, ub 10 w paid

From the Florence Gazette, Wednesday, December 26, 1860, p. 2.

Fugitive from Labor.

A Yellow boy 15 years old part indian [sic], part white man, and part nigger [sic], left my cotton field on the 14th day of last August without my permission and contrary to my wishes. The boy has straight hair and a down look when spoken to, any information by which I will be enabled to renew my acquaintance with said boy, CHARLES, will be very acceptable to me. I am clearly of the opinion that CHARLES is in the midst of our neighbors.

HORACE SUMMERHILL.
December 19, 1860. q'

From the Florence Gazette, Wednesday January 9, 1861, p. 4.

COMMITTED TO THE JAIL OF Lauderdale County, Alabama, on the 13th inst, a negro Boy, who says his name is PHIL, and that he belongs to Joe Davis, near Jackson, Mississippi. Said boy is about 20 years of age, will weigh about 170 pounds, is about 5 feet, 8 or 19 [sic] inches high, and of dark complexion. The owner of said boy is requested to come forward, prove property; pay charges, and take him away or he will be dealt with according to law.

JOHN REID, Jailor.
August 15, ? qb? 1ft?

From the Florence Gazette, Wednesday, December 31, 1862, p. 3.

Committed

To the Jail of Lauderdale County, Alabama, on the 5th of December 1862, a negro boy who says his name is ANTHONY, and that he belongs to Albert Guy, of Franklin County, Ala. Said boy is about 23 years old, is 5 feet 10 inches high, of very dark complexion-- had on when arrested, a blue cap, blue pants and white sack coat.* The owner of said boy is here requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take him away or he will be dealt with as the law directs. THOS. J. FRY, Jailor.

December 31, 1862, nb-tf.

* Sack coat: A style of men's leisure, or business suit coat which was popular from 1860-1890.