Virginia Gazette excerpts
Virginia Gazette - May 7, 1772
Since the Commencement of the Suit now pending in the Court of
King’s Bench, relative to the Freedom of a Negro Servant, the Spirit of
Liberty has diffused itself so far amongst that Species of People that they
have established a Club near Charing Cross, where they meet every Mon-
day Night, for the more effectual Recovery of their Freedom.
Virginia Gazette - September 30, 1773
RUN away from the Subscriber in Surry
County, near Cabin Point, two Negroes. One is a Wench, named
AMY, of a very black Complexion, about 27 Years old, middle sized,
well made, and has a mild soft Way of speaking. I have heard that she
has been Part of the Time since her Elopement at Portsmouth, where she
hired herself, and passed for a free Woman, by the Name of Sukey Jones.
The other is a Fellow, African born, named BACCHUS, about 19
Years of Age, and speaks somewhat broken; he escaped from my Over-
seer, as he was conveying him down from Chesterfield Jail. He has been
branded in his Hand; but the Brand, as I am informed, is scarcely per-
ceivable. During his former Elopement he passed as a free Negro, and
has been employed as such. Whoever apprehends the said Runaways,
and conveys them to me, or secures them in any Jail so as I get them,
shall have 20s. Reward for each, if taken 25 Miles from home, and if at
a greater Distance 40s. for each; if out of the Colony 5 l. besides all rea-
sonable Expenses. As I have some Reason to believe they will endeavour
to get out of the Colony, particularly to Britain, where they imagine
they will be free (a Notion now too prevalent among the Negroes, greatly
to the Vexation and Prejudice of their Masters) I hereby forewarn Masters
of Vessels from carrying them off at their Peril, and all Persons from
harbouring or employing them. JOHN AUSTIN FINNIE.
Virginia Gazette - June 30, 1774
AUGUSTA, June 13, 1774.
RUN away the 16th Instant, from the
Subscriber, a Negro Man named BACCHUS, about 30 Years of
Age, five Feet six or seven Inches high, strong and well made; had on,
and took with him, two white Ruffia Drill Coats, one turned up with blue,
the other quite plain and new, with white figured Metal Buttons, blue
Plush Breeches, a fine Cloth Pompadour Waistcoat, two or three thin
or Summer Jackets, sundry Pairs of white Thread Stockings, five or six
white Shirts, two of them pretty fine, neat Shoes, Silver Buckles, a fine
Hat cut and cocked in the Macaroni Figure, a double-milled Drab Great
Coat, and sundry other Wearing Apparel. He formerly belonged to
Doctor George Pitt, of Williamsburg, and I imagine is gone there under
Pretence of my sending him upon Business, as I have frequently hereto-
fore done; he is a cunning, artful, sensible Fellow, and very capable of
forging a Tale to impose on the Unwary, is well acquainted with the
lower Parts of the Country, having constantly rode with me for some
Years past, and has been used to waiting from his Infancy. He was
seen a few Days before he went off with a Purse of Dollars, and had just
before changed a five Pound Bill; most, or all of which, I suppose he
must have robbed me off, which he might easily have done, I having
trusted him much after what I thought had proved his Fidelity. He will
probably endeavour to pass for a Freeman by the Name of John Christian,
and attempt to get on Board some Vessel bound for Great Britain, from
the Knowledge he has of the late Determination of Somerset‘s Case.
Whoever takes up the said Slave shall have 5 l. Reward, on his Delivery
to […] GABRIEL JONES.