Black, White, and Freedom: Seeing the Color of Slavery Through Advertisements
26 August 1837
Columbus Democrat (August 26, 1837)
[Columbus, Miss.]
Runaways in Jail.
COMMITTED to the jail of Winston county, Louisville, a negro man who calls himself WILLIE, he is a tolerably dark skin boy, rawbony, about 25 years old, 5 feet 6 or 8 inches high. [Pr fee $2 50
ALSO,
SYLVA, his wife, 24 or 25 years old, about 5 feet 3 inches high.
[Pr fee $2 50
CHARLES, a large, stout, black boy, 25 or 26 years old, about 6 feet high, big in proportion, and will weigh about two hundred and fifty pounds.
[Pr fee $2 20
ALSO,
BIRD, a dark complected fellow, countenance had, five feet six or seven inches high, well built, slow motioned.
The owners of the above mentioned slaves are requested to come forward and take them out of jail; otherwise they will be dealt with according to law.
THOS. D. CONNELL, Jailor.
Aug 19, 1837 Pr fee $2 50
17 August 1839
Columbus Democrat (August 17, 1839)
[Columbus, Miss.]
Take Notice.- $20 Reward.
RANAWAY from the subscriber near Fulsom, in Oktibbeha county, on the night of the 11th inst. a negro woman by the name of Rome , twenty four or five years old, dark complected, or rather black, stout and heavy set, no scars, except on her neck on the right side just under the ear a small not. Had on when left a course cotton coat, and a drawing chain locked around her neck. I will give the above reward on the delivery of her.
DAVID M. COOK.
August 17, 1839.-6w-tf.
18 April 1840
Columbus Democrat (April 18, 1840)
[Columbus, Miss.]
Runaway in Jail.
TAKEn up on the 17th day of March, 1840, by James G. Blow, a negro man calling himself Sampson, and who says he belongs to Sami Wakefield of Adams county, Mi. said negro is of dark complexion, about five feet ten inches high, stout built, supposed to be about 35 years old- has a scar on the thumb of his right hand. He had on when taken up an old blanket coat, otherwise badly dressed. Said negro has been deposited in the jail of Oktibbeha county at Starkville, and the owner is requested to take him out and pay charges, otherwise he will be disposed of according to law.
J.W. EASTLAND, Sh’ff.
April 18th, 1840-41-tf
2 August 1842
The Southern Argus (August 2, 1842)
[Columbus, Miss.]
A runaway negro was caught within about three miles of Brandon Mississippi, on the 27th ult. He has acknowledged that he murdered, about ten months ago, Wiley R. Parker. Esq. a highly respectable citizen of Brandon. He took the parties who arrested him to one of his haunts, where there were two other runaways. One of them was arrested.-The murderer has been sent to Hines county jail.
5 July 1842
The Southern Argus (July 5, 1842)
[Columbus, Miss.]
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARDS
Reward.
WILL be given by the undersigned for securing in any jail so that we get him, a negro boy named WILEY who murdered
LEROY SHACKELFORD
Of this county on the 28th of of June ult:
DESCRIPTION,
WILEY is about six feet high or upwards; is about 26 to 28 years old; of rather a copper color; has a scar on the right arm above the elbow, has also some scar on the calf of his left leg; also a some scars on his head. One of his fingers is unusually large from an injury sustained. One of his eye teeth is out.
When he left, he said he would endeavor to make his way to Ohio.
The murder, was a cold-blooded deed, without any provocation as his accomplice (who has been arrested) admits.
HENRY SHACKELFORD.
JOS. B. FIELDS.
SAML. McGOWEN.
Columbus Mi. July 1st 1842.
3 September 1839
The Southern Argus (September 3, 1839)
[Columbus, Miss.]
$400 REWARD.
BROKE from custody on Friday the 9th inst, a negro man ALFRED, between forty and forty-five years of age, of middle stature, has a scar upon his neck, occasioned by the scrofula, which occasions him to carry his head considerably on one side ; he also has a large scar just above one of his hips, from having been stabbed. Alfred reads and writes a little, is a very good blacksmith, has a down look, pauses when spoken to, but intelligent for a negro, and is about five feet, nine or ten inches high, and of a light black color.
The said negro man, Alfred, is charged with having been accessary to the murder of Flavial Vivion, his master; he will endeavor to get as far as can with some white man; or, write himself a free passport.
We, the undersigned, will give $100 for the apprehension of said Alfred in Washington county, this State; $200 if taken in any other county in the State of Alabama; and $400 if apprehended out of the State, and delivered to one of us, near Washington Court with said Alfred, and proof to conviction be established, that he was conveying him form justice, we will give $1000 if taken anywhere.
THACKER VIVION,
ALEX TROTTER,
JAMES T. VIVION.
11 June 1839
The Southern Argus (June 11, 1839)
[Columbus, Miss.]
Runaway Negroes- A gang of runaway negroes have a rendezvous about eight miles above Grand Gulf, in a swamp on the Louisiana side, and commit depredations on the cattle of the neighboring plantations. On the 11th inst. Mr. Douglass, hearing that report of a gun in the swamp, found several negroes there, some armed with guns, around a cow which they had just killed. On Mr. D’s approach, one of them presented the muzzle of his gun at him and snapped, but it missed fire. The negroes then disappeared in the swamp.
11 July 1837
The Southern Argus (July 11, 1837)
[Columbus, Miss.]
NOTICE.
TAKEN up by the subscriber on the 11th March last, living about 2 miles East of Carthage in the County of Leake State of Mississippi, a negro boy 5 feet 10 inches high, with some scars on his breast and says they were oceasioned by a burn, and says his name is Bill, that he belongs to Mr. Owins of Wilcox County Alabama. He says he left home sometimes before last Christmas. I suppose said boy is between 26 and 30 years old.
The owner is requested to come forward prove property pay charges and receive him.
JOSEPH ANSHUTZ.
Carthage, July 4, 1837- 4l-5t
P.S. I intend keeping said boy still in possession at my own risk, until the jail of said County is completed, at which time I will dispose of him according as the law directs.
J.A.
30 July 1839
The Southern Argus (July 30, 1839)
[Columbus, Miss.]
400 DOLLARS REWARD.
STOLEN, on the night of the 21st of July, from he plantation of the subscriber, three and a half miles west of Vienna, Pickens county, Ala. the following six Negroes, vizt- MILICY, a woman of good size, 32 years of age, black-complexion, think lips quick spoken; has a scar on her forehead caused by a blister plaster; her feet very broad across the toes, features irregular, and her limbs large:
AND HER CHILDREN,
Lethy, a girl 11 years old quite smart, yellow complexion, features good- Jordan, a boy 9 years old, light complexion, hair of a reddish or sun-burnt color below the hat features irregular, and face sunk back aboat his eyes, mouth large, very broad across the toes. Marshall, a likely boy 5 or 6 years old. Complexion black, features good, has a scar on his breast from a burn, and I think he has another on his neck, just below the jaw. Frank, a boy about four years old, light complexion, limbs large. And Davy Jackson a likely, fleshy boy child, about 5 months old.
It is probable the name of the Negroes will be altered; therefore the description given above will have to be relied on. These Negroes could all be concealed from observation in a one horse wagon, when desired by the thief. I suspect they have taken the direction of Arkansas, Louisiana or Texas. The above reward will be given for the thief and negroes delivered to me at Columbus, (Mississippi) or one half will be paid for the thief, and the other half for the negroes, delivered as aforesaid.
A.W. SORSBY
July 25, 1839. 46tf.
7 October 1840
The Southern Argus (October 7, 1840)
[Columbus, Miss.]
STOP THE RUNAWAY!
$50 Reward.
RUNAWAY from the subscriber about the first of March last, a negro fellow named Essex, about thirty years of age, said negro I bought of Jessee McKay of Scott county, Miss.
McKay purchased the boy of a Kentuckian. It is believed he will aim for the State of Kentucky, where he has a wife. He may be harboured by some person, as he was once caught near Pikeville, Alabama.
A.L. CAMPBELL.
Columbus, Oct. 5, 1840. tf.
The Louisville Journal will insert the above, once a week, for 3 months and forward account to this office for payment.
12 December 1840
Columbus Democrat (December 12, 1840)
[Columbus, Miss.]
$30 Reward.
WILL be paid for the arrest of the negro boy BILL, who absented himself from the subscriber’s plantation, in Hancock county, Miss., in the month of July last. The said boy is five feet one or two inches high, thick set, stutters when speaks English only; has rather a feminine voice, and is in the habit of drinking.
The above reward will be paid to any person who will lodge him in any jail in this State; or one half for any information that will lead to his detection.
W.E. & R. MURPHY.
N. Orleans, 182 Old Basin.
Dec. 12, 1840. 23-3w.
The Mississippi and Alabama papers will give the above three insertions. [N.O. Bee.]
11 August 1840
The Southern Argus (August 11, 1840)
[Columbus, Miss.]
RANAWAY,
FROM the subscriber, living in Noxubee county, Mississippi, on the 2d inst. two negroes, a man named Caleb, and a woman named Milly.
CALEB, is about 40 years old, spare made , about 5 feet 11 inches high, very black, slight lameness in one of his legs, wears small brass rings in his ears, (which however he may remove ;) it is supposed that he will endeavor to to get to Nashville, Tenn.
MILLY, is about 22 years old, dark brown complection, common height, stout built walks brisk and very erect, speaks quick. She will probably be lurking about Columbus.
Any person that may apprehend said negroes and deliver them to me, or give information so that I get them again, shall receive a suitable reward.
LEWIS B. TALLIAFERRO.
Aug. s 1th, 1840-47-tf
The Nashville (Tenn.,) Banner, will publish the above 3 times and forward the account to this office for payment.
8 June 1843
The Democratic Whig (June 8, 1843)
[Columbus, Miss.]
FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD.
RANAWAY from my plantation, on Society Ridge, Madison County Mississippi, on Sunday night, May 21st, 1843. My negro man ABRAM, 24 or 25 years old, 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high, black complexion, well made, stout and very likely, and smart. He is seen between this and Columbus. I will give $10 reward for him if taken in this county or any adjoining county – and $20 if taken out of the State, or $50 if taken in a non-slaveholding State, and delivered to me or secured so I get him. He has noted scar on one rist, occasioned by a cat. Address
WM.A. FORT,
Meridian Springs, Mississippi.
June 1st, 1843.
*8 July 1837
Columbus Democrat (July 24, 1837)
[Columbus, Miss.]
$75 REWARD.
RANAWAY from the subscriber’s plantation in Holmes county Mi. 8 negroes- viz;
JOHN 23 or 24 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 10 inches high; marked with scars of the whip on his back, talks slow and “course”, long face, projecting cheek bones. He had a Kentucky jeans coat, a brown cloth coat with a velvet collar and white fur hat. Was purchased by me a short time “since of the estate of Hardy Weems Dec’d.”
BEN, 28 or 30 years of age, stout built, bow legged, and limps a little; speaks quick, down look, marks of bail or shot in one of his legs and about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches in height. He had a linen frock coat, a green merino frock coat, saddle bags and umbrella and black fur hat, partly worn.
BRYANT, about 22 or 23 years of age, 5 feet 5 or 6 inches in height, one – side of his face marked; eyes inclined to be red. He had a black pea coat of – cloth. Black cloth coat and black fur hat, half worn.
Ben and Bryant were purchased by me in Nov. 1836 – Durrell & Barnes, A. B. & W.F. “Hawkins” Lauderdale County, Alabama. When they left, they designed making for Ohio and said they would have the assistance of some white man out the Natchez Trace. They have perhaps obtained a pass or other paper. They will probably attempt to pass through North Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. If they should deny their owner’s name they may perhaps be detected by questioning from they may perhaps be detected by questioning from this advertisement. I will give the about reward of 875 it taken and secured out of the State, or 520 dollars I taken and secured within it.
John M. Brown.
*No issue from June 17. The ‘’ ” and – are words that should not be made out clearly.
