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Wiles, William
William Wiles was born sometime around 1814, possibly in Kentucky, where he was enslaved in Jessamine County by George J. Brown. Willam bought his freedom. He paid Brown $125 a year for his "time" so that he could do work to earn money. After four years, he saved the $400 to purchase his freedom. At some point in life, he moved to Lexington, where he lived and worked as a carriage driver. It is unknown when he died, but he lived to be at least 83 in 1897.
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unknown, Jane [56]
Jane, a 27-yr-old freedom seeker held by Jessamine Co. enslaver, Samuel Offutt, escaped on April 2, 1823. Jane was about five feet tall with a "fine voice and smiling countenance." She had previously been held by Mr. Morton of Lexington and it was believed that she was headed toward the neighborhood of her previous enslaver. A reward of up to $100 was offered for her return
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unknown, Tom [42]
On Saturday, April 14, 1816, 29-yr-old Tom fled the Jessamine County farm of enslaver Jesse Haydon. He was described as about 5' 10" with a dark complexion. Haydon offered a reward of up to 50 plus expenses for his return.
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unknown, Charles [29]
Charles, a 25-yr-old freedom seeker, escaped from Jessamine County enslaver John Hawkins on Jan. 3, 1820. Hawkins offered a reward of $10 for his return.
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unknown, Will [6]
In the spring of 1812, a freedom seeker named Will, also known as Manuel, fled Jessamine County enslaver Joseph Higbee. Will was between 30-40 years old and stood about six feet tall. It was thought he would head for Fleming County, where his wife lived or to Mr. Huston's in Woodford County, where his other wife lived. A $10 was offered for his return
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unknown, Harry [21]
In October, 1810, Harry (A.K.A. Henry or David Lawson) escaped from Jessamine County enslaver Thomas B. Scott. Harry is described as about 30 years old but appearing older, walks with a limp and stands at about 5'7" tall. Harry took with hiim a fiddle which he played well.
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unknown, Letty [3]
In August, 1811, Jack, Letty and their three children, aged 18 months to about six years old fled Jessamine County enslaver Joseph Hughes. Letty was described as about 25 years old, tall and well-proportioned. A reward of $10 was offered for their return.
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unknown, Jack [24]
In August, 1811, Jack, Letty and their three children, aged 18 months to about six years old fled Jessamine County enslaver Joseph Hughes. Jack was described as about 25 years old, chuncky and well-built. A reward of $10 was offered for their return.
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unknown, Peter [26]
Peter, a 43-yr-old freedom seeker, escaped the lands of Jessamine County enslaver James Coger. Peter was describeds as about 5'5" tall and slender, with an "uncommon brisk, lively walk." A reward of up to $20 plus expenses was offered for his return.
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unknown, Charles [28]
Sometime before the fall of 1803, an enslaved man named Charles was sold South by Thomas B. and Robert Scott of Jessamine Co., to Thomas Green of Mississippi. His first escape occurredin in Sept or Oct, 1803, but he was caught in Robertson Co. TN, where he remained in jail until March 1805. He was placed on a boat and taken to Mississippi, but again escaped. A reward of $100 was offered.
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unknown, Daniel [15]
On August 28, 1830. 22-year-old Daniel was whipped for stealing. The next day, Jessamine County enslaver James E. Ferguson realized Daniel had escaped. He was described as about 5'8" tall and intelligent. He had a scar on his leg that ran from his ankle up his shin. A reward of up to $40 was offered for his return
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unknown, Lewis [34]
Around the 21st of June, 1820, a 23-yr-old freedom seeker named Lewis escaped enslaver George Rowland, who lived near Shaker Ferry in Jessamine County. A $50 reward was offered for his return
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unknown, Jacob [18]
Jacob, a forty-year-old freedom seeker trained as a shoemaker escaped enslavement in Jessamine County in 1819. He was held by the heirs to the estate of Capt. Robert Edwards. He escaped at Christmas and a reward for fifty dollars was offered for his return.
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unknown, Peter [25]
Jessamine County enslaver George Rowland offered a reward of up to $60 for the return of Peter, who had escaped him on May 10, 1828. Peter was described as "about 6 feet four inches high, rather bold countenance, quickspoken, artful, discourses well, reads tolerably."
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unknown, Weden
On Sept. 7, 1828, Jessamine County enslavers David Trabue and James Gillespie offered a reward of $100 for the return of 35-year-old Ben and 17-year-old Weden if captured together, or $50 apiece if separate. Weden was about 5'9" tall and often replied with a smile when spoken to.
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unknown, Ben [32]
On Sept. 7, 1828, Jessamine County enslavers David Trabue and James Gillespie offered a reward of $100 for the return of 35-year-old Ben and 17-year-old Weden if captured together, or $50 apiece if separate. Ben was of a dark complexion and about 5'7" tall, with a scar on his shin.
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unknown, Forde
on about the 24th of September, 25 year old Forde escaped Jessamine County enslaver Manoah Singleton. He was described has about 5' 7" tall with recently shorn hair. Singleton offered a reward of up to $30 for his return and a word of caution that Forde was "artful and cunning."
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unknown, Celia [5]
Around Mar. 15, 1821, thirty-year-old freedom seeker Celia escaped from Jessamine County enslaver, William L. McQuie. It was thought she would be found either in Frankfort, where several of her children were or Gallatin County, where her husband worked in the steam mill. A reward of $50 was offered for her return.
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unknown, Merrit [2]
In August, 1863, a freedom seeker named Merrit was captured in Kenton County and jailed as a "fugitive." He named his enslaver as Dr. Thomas Foster of Jessamine County. Merrit was about 23 yrs. old, six feet tall and 160 lbs. with a bad left knee. By October, Foster had not yet claimed Merrit, who would be auctioned per the law of Kentucky if he was not claimed.