BCDA (Objects) · Bill- MD-SHOE8

Bill- MD-SHOE8

Title: Bill- MD-SHOE8
Identifier: MD-SHOE8
Subject: African Americans--History, African Americans--History--To 1863, Artisans
Source: Baltimore Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser
Date: July 17, 1781
Trade: Shoemaker
gender: Male
Enslaver: John Ross
events: 1. Self-emancipated from John Ross
Notes: Compiled from Lathan Windley
Transcription: FIVE POUNDS (HARD MONEY) REWARD.
RAN away, from the subscriber, living in Baltimore-Town, Maryland, on the 8th day of May last, a Negro Man named BILL*, about 22 years of age, full 6 feet high, remarkably active, very black, the whites of his eyes something reddish, has a scar on his left eye-brow, one on the narrow part of his nose near his eyes, and one on the calf of his right leg. His legs are small, and his feet large, can give a good account of most parts of this country, especially Virginia, being a native of that place, and I make no doubt but he will attempt to pass for a free man. He was taken up, since he ran away, in Charlestown, Cecil County, and committed to gaol, whence he made his escape. I have strong reason to believe he is now sculking about in the neighbourhood of this town. He is an excellent fellow at any kind of farming business, and can work a little at shoemaking. Whoever apprehends the said Negro, and secures him in any gaol, so that I get him again, shall receive the above Reward.
JOHN ROSS, formerly Gaoler,
July 18.