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1816 - Woodford Co., Escape of a child
In April, 1816, Jim, and 11-year-old freedom seeker, escaped from Woodford County enslaver, Warren Offutt. Jim, who was described as "uncommonly active" and "well-made" made his escape on a grey mare. Offutt offered a reward of $150 for his return (with the horse.)
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1816 - Woodford Co., Aquilla rides away
On September 28, 1816, Aquilla (aka "Quill") escaped from Woodford County enslaver Warren Offutt, on the back of one of Offutt's horses. Aquilla was described as 28 years old, 5'10" tall and missing his two front teeth. It was suspected that he was in the company of another freedom seeker held by enslaver James Meek. A reward of $150 was offered for Aquilla's return, along with the horse or $100 without.
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1801 - Woodford Co., Smiling Ben steals away
In March, 1801, Woodford County enslaver, Henry Caldwell, discovered the disappearance of 25-yr-old Ben. Ben was described as about 5'8" tall, with a bald patch on the back of his head, the result of a childhood burn. Ben was pleasant and smiled frequently. A reward of up to $30 was offered for his return.;
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1818 - Woodford Co., Abel escapes the Deep South
Abel, a 30-yr-old freedom seeker, escaped from enslaver Samuel Herman in New Orleans, sometime in 1818. Abel had been purchased from Woodford County enslaver, John Harvy, in 1817 and it was suspected that he had made his way back to Kentucky. A reward of $50 was being offered for his return nearly two years after his escape.
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1829 - Woodford Co., Disappearance of George
On July 10, 1829, 21-yr-old George escaped from Versailles-area enslaver William B. Blackburn. George was slender and over six feet tall and had a "bright" complexion. A reward of up to $100 was offered for his return
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1822 - Woodford Co., Jane self-emancipates
On October 19, 1822, a 36-yr-old freedom seeker named Jane escaped from Woodford County enslaver Warren Offutt. Jane was described as "stout" and was missing most of the fingers on her left hand from a childhood burn. A reward of $50 was offered for her return.
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1820 - Woodford Co., Escape of Sam
In mid-May, 1820, a freedom seeker named Sam escaped from Woodford County enslaver, Sowyel Woolfolk. Same was about 5'10" tall, bow-legged and had a large scar on his right cheek. Reward of up to $100 was offered for his return.
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1811 - Woodford Co., The search for Sam
Sam, a 29-yr-old freedom seeker, escaped from Versailles-area enslaver Jesse Ellis on Jan. 15, 1811. Sam was described as 5'11" tall, with a slim build. A $50 reward was offered for his return.
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1808 - Woodford Co., Preacher Jim and Tom take flight
On Mar. 7, 1808, 26-yr-old Jim and 20-yr-old Tom (also known as "Didmus") escaped from Woodford County enslaver, Lewis Castleman. It was suspected they had obtained a pass. Jim acted as a preacher and had six fingers on his left hand. Tom was described as "low and heavy-made." Twenty dollars was offered for their return.
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1799 - Woodford Co., Moses' first escape
On July 22, 1799, 25-yr-old Moses, held by Woodford County enslaver John. Finnie, made his first attempt at freedom. Finnie offered a reward of $5 for his return. Just over a year later, Moses escaped again.
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1795 - Woodford Co., Reward for a miller
In early September, 1795, a 28-yr-old freedom seeker named Phill escaped from Woodford County enslaver Sally Beard, on South Elkhorn, near McBride's mill. Phill was described as a "good miller" and had a sore on his left leg. Beard suspected he had a pass and would head toward the mouth of the Kentucky river. A six dollar reward was offered for his return.
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1830 - Woodford Co., Miner escapes the factory
Miner, a 35-yr-old freedom seeker, escaped from a bagging factory in Woodford County on April 10th, 1830. Partners "Adams & Brasfield" who owned the factory were his enslavers. Miner was about 5'8" tall and was formerly held by Capt. Edward Howe, also of Woodford Co., A reward of $10 was offered for Miner's return.
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1823 - Woodford Co., Escape of Bob and Nancy
On October 1, 1823, two freedom seekers, 22 -yr.-old Bob and 25-yr-old Nancy, escaped from Versailles-area enslaver William B. Blackburn. Blackburn offered a reward of up to $200 for their return.
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1822 - Woodford Co., A search for Burt the bricklayer
On Nov. 10, 1822, 32-yr-old Burt escaped Woodford County enslaver James Elliott. Burt was a bricklayer by trade and was described as 5'9" tall, "artful and intelligent." Elliott offered a reward of up to $100 was offered for his return.
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1821 - Woodford Co., Nelson sets out for free soil
A few days before Christmas, 1821, 16-yr-old Nelson escaped enslavement in Woodford County. Enslaver Joel Smith offered a reward of $100 for his return. Nelson was about 5'4" tall and was described as "smart and active."
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1815 - Woodford Co., Jailed in Jefferson County
On Feb. 1st, 1815,a freedom seeker named Emanuel Hanes was captured and jailed in Jefferson County. He claimed to have been held by the "widow Beacham" in Woodford County. A man named Manuel was appraised as part of the estate of Edward Beacham, deceased, of Woodford Co. in August, 1814. Emanuel was 49 yrs. old and about 5'8" tall.
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1824 - Woodford Co., A clever freedom seeker
Ruthe, a 22-yr-old freedom seeker held by Enslaver Warren Offut of Woodford County, escaped in early 1824; Offut had purchased her from Francis Giltner, of . At the time of her escape, she left behind a 14-month-old child. It was suspected that the father of the child would attempt to retrieve him or her. Ruth had once attempted escape disguised as a male servant to a white man. Offut offered a reward of $150 for Ruthe and another $150 for any white man in her company.
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1801 - Woodford Co., The escape of the four horsemen
In 1801, four men: Abraham, Jacob, John and Sawney, escaped Woodford County on the backs of four "likely horses." The men were enslaved by Reuben Twyman, who claimed they left without the "least provocation." $30 for each freedom seeker and $4 for each returned horse was offered as reward.
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1800 - Woodford Co., The search for Ephraim
Just after Christmas, 1800, a 25 yr. old freedom seeker named Ephraim escaped from enslavement in Woodford County. The enslaver, John Jackson, placed a ad offering a reward of $20 for his return. Ephraim was described as about 5'8" tall, had a black spot on his nose and when he left, was wearing a blue cloth coat and overalls.
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1800 - Woodford Co., A clever distiller
In early September, 1800, 26-yr-old Moses escaped the clutches of Woodford County enslaver John Finnie. Moses was trained as a distiller and was described as a "sensible fellow" who was likely to escape unless "sufficiently ironed" when captured.
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1816 - Woodford Co., Jacob's desperate escape
Sometime before Aug. 7th, 1816, 42-yr-old Jacob, held by Woodford County enslaver, Reuben Twyman, was accused of stealing whiskey. Likely fearing punishment, he escaped. In an add placed by the enslaver, Jacob was described as about 5'10" tall with large whiskers. He had suffered a burn to his left hand that "deprived him of nearly all his fingers and part of his thumb." Twyman offered a reward of up to $200 for his return.
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1816 - Woodford Co., Departure of a distiller
Jeffrey, a 37-yr-old freedom seeker held by Woodford County enslaver, James Coleman, escaped on horseback in April, 1816. Jeffry was trained as a distiller and also had some carpentry skills. $100 was offered as reward for his return.
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1818 - Woodford Co., Daniel's proud walk to freedom
On about September 2, 1818, 26-yr-old freedom seeker, Daniel, escaped from Woodford County enslaver Laban Scearce. Daniel was about 5'11" tall and "manifests a great deal of pride when walking." Scearce offered a reward of $100 for his return.
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1826 - Woodford Co., Harry's exit
Around November, 1826, 35-yr-old Harry escaped from Woodford County enslaver William Rice. He was described as about 5'5" tall with some scarring on his ankles from cuts made by an axe. He was a shoemaker and a "good post and railer." A reward of up to $50 was offered for his return.
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1810 - Woodford Co., Jeffrey steals away
In August, 1810, a freedom seeker named Jeffrey escaped from Woodford County enslaver William Buford. Jeffrey was described as wearing his hair in plats, standing about 5'8" tall and 25 or 26 years old, though he appeared younger. A reward of $20 was offered for his return.