-
1839 - Scott Co., Large reward offered
On March 31st, 1839 Abram (27 years old) and Solomon (30 years old) escaped from separate enslavers in Scott County. A reward of $450 was offered for the return of both men and two horses they took with them. Enslaver Newton Craig claimed Abram and John Payne claimed Solomon. It was assumed the men had crossed at Warsaw and were headed toward Cleveland, Ohio or Canada.
-
1815 - Scott Co., Escape from a congressman
In September, 1815, Richard Mentor Johnson, who would eventually become the Vice President of the United States, placed an ad in 1815, offering a reward for the return of Kit, a freedom seeker who had escaped his farm in Scott County while he was away in Washington D.C., serving in the U..S. House of Representatives. Johnson had purchased Kit several years prior from the jailer of Scott County, where he was being held, likely as aw runaway. Kit had left during the previous winter, and had been spotted in Gallatin County near the home of Robert Johnson, Richard's father in February, 1815. It was expected that he was in either Ohio or Indiana, or possibly had gone south toward Natchez or New Orleans. Kit was about 40 years old and was a carpenter.
-
1814 - Jefferson Co., Royal Escape
In 1814, Louisville area enslaver David Ward placed an ad for the return of two freedom seekers, Prince and Harry, AKA "King," offering a reward of $50 for each. The men were both around 30-years-old at the time of their escape and had been spotted in the Georgetown area. It was understood that they intended to make their way to Cincinnati or travel up the Ohio river eastward, then eventually reach Maryland.
-
1813 - Scott Co., Freedom for Dennis
Freedom seeker Dennis escaped from Georgetown enslaver Hugh Emison on May 15, 1813. He was spotted with a white man in Dry Ridge, Grant County, two days later, presumably making his way toward Cincinnati. Dennis was about 27 years old, blind in one eye and was likely to be carrying paperwork from a previously pending freedom lawsuit in Harrison County. A reward of up to $100 was offered for his return.
-
1830 - Shelby Co., Bob the Blacksmith takes off
In November, 1830, Shelby County enslaver Pierce Griffin placed an ad offering a reward of $50 for the return of forty-year-old Bob, who was an enslaved blacksmith. It was suspected that he may try to go to Virginia.
-
1799- Shelby Co., Escape of Artful Nelly
Twenty-six year old Nelly escaped from Shelby County enslaver William Morton on August 2, 1799. Morton purchased Nelly from Ben Bridges who had brought her to Kentucky from Williamsburg, VA. Nelly was described as "artful" and "well-formed" and it was thought she may attempt to return to Virginia.
-
1822 - Shelby Co., Joseph Payn vanishes
Forty-yr.-old freedom seeker Joseph Payne vanished from the Shelby County property of enslaver Henry Caplinger on December 3rd, 1822. He had once lived in both Frankfort and Lexington and it was suspected he may return to one of those cities. Caplinger offered a reward of up to $40 for his return.
-
1806 - Shelby Co., Jim heads to Cincinnati
In mid-July, 1806, 21-yr-old Jim escaped bondage in Shelbyville. In an ad placed by enslaver E. Lindsay, Jim is described as 5' 5" tall with a slender build. He was seen in Frankfort a few days after his escape and it was assumed that he was headed to Cincinnati.
-
1804 - Shelby Co., Jack and his dog take off for freedom
On November 17th, 1804, 27-yr-old Jack escaped from enslaver Luke Haff, of Shelby County, along with his brindle-colored dog. Jack, described as "smart and active" was familiar with many parts of Kentucky, having traveled extensively with a previous enslaver, John Campbell. A reward of $10 plus expenses was offered for his capture and return.
-
1816 - Shelby Co., Slim Bill Sullivan escapes
27 year old freedom seeker Bill Sullivan, enslaved by Richard Meriwether of Mann's Lick, Shelby county, slipped away to freedom around July 1, 1816. He was described as having a slim build and was known to chew tobacco. A $20 reward was offered for his return.
-
1816 - Shelby Co. Peter seeks freedom
On about September 1, 1816, Peter escaped enslaver Levi Carico of Shelby County. The 22-yr-old was described as about 5'8" with scarring from a bout of small pox. Peter was previously held by enslavers James Beard, also of Shelby Co., and Henry Duncan, of Louisville.
-
1801 - Shelby Co., Preacher Humphrey escapes
Humphrey, an enslaved Baptist preacher held by Charles Lynch of Shelby County, self-emancipated in April, 1801. Lynch offered up to twenty dollars for his return.
-
1801 -Shelby Co., Sam heads for freedom
Sam, also known as "Samewel" escaped from enslaver Matthew Flournoy, who lived near Clear Creek, Shelby County, on the morning of April 11, 1801. The 26-yr-old was described as about 5'10" tall, wearing overalls and a sailor's coat. He was expected to change his name and attempt to pass as a free man after crossing the Ohio River. A reward of up to $40 was offered.
-
1824 - Owen Co., George slips away
In early January, 1824, 45-yr-old George fled enslaver James VanAllen of Owenton. He had previously been held by Stanley P. Gower of Frankfort. VanAllen offered a reward of $10 for his return
-
1826 - Nicholas Co., Joshua escapes and evades recapture
Thirty-three year old Joshua, who was trained as a tanner, escaped Nicholas County enslaver John Smith on November 14, 1826. Joshua was briefly apprehended in Mason County the following day but managed to slip away. A reward of $75 was offered for his return.
-
1817 - Nicholas Co., Nancy flees toward her family
In July, 1817, Nancy, and enslaved woman of about 35 years old, fled the property of enslaver Josiah McCabe, near the Lower Blue Licks in Nicholas County. It was expected that she would head towards Washington, Ky, where her husband and children were held by Mrs. Sarah Tebbs.
-
1801 - Montgomery Co., Jim and Adam leave well-equipped
ON August 7th, 1801, 25-yr-old Jim, claimed by enslaver Moses Bledsoe and 20-yr-old Adam, claimed by Thomas Jameson, both of Mount Sterling, escaped bondage. The men left well equipped with ample clothing, tack for horses and a small rifle. The men were briefly detained in the Montgomery jail, where the gun was seized, but they soon escaped again. A reward of $20 was offered for their return.
-
1811 - Montgomery Co., Nelson steals away
On the 16th of May, 1811, twenty-two year old Nelson escaped from Montgomery County enslaver, John Peebles. One of Nelson's distinguishing marks described in the newspaper was a lang scar that ran from his ankle bone to his big toe. A reward of $20 was offered for his return.
-
1808 - Montgomery Co., Anthony makes a break for it
On Feb 12, 1808, 22-yr-old Anthony escaped from Montgomery County enslaver Abraham Wilson. Anthony took with him a "large homemade knife" and a wine bottle. Anthony had posed as a freedman, formerly the property of a fictional Henry Sandford in the past and it was assumed he may try the same again. Ten dollars was offered for his capture and delivery to a man named Micajah Clark in Clark County.
-
1809 - Montgomery Co., Determined Charles
Montgomery County enslaver Rawleigh Williams offered a large reward for the return of Charles whose age was between 30 and 40. Charles had attempted escape three years prior, but was caught at the Scioto Salt Lick and returned. He was suspected of having headed to Ohio again.
-
1822 - Udorah's disappearance
In late July or early August 13-year-old Udorah, sometimes called Amanda, left the property of Mr. Johnston, Esq of New Castle, where she and her mother had been hired out from enslaver JD Breckinridge. A few days later, B. J. Harrison of Louisville took over the hire of Udorah's mother and the financial responsibility of the missing Udorah. Harrison hoped the young girl would come to Louisville looking for her mother.
-
1822 - Henry Co., Phil tries again
in 1822, enslaver Hiram Beasley of New Castle offered a reward of $50 for the return of Phil. It was assumed he might go to Frankfort, where his wife was enslaved by Mr. Ralph. Otherwise, he was expected to try to go to Indiana, where he had been captured after escaping a previous enslaver in 1821.
-
1821 - Mercer Co., Phil caught in Indiana
Phil, held by enslaver David Jarell, escaped from Mercer County but was captured in Indiana in June, 1821. According to a reward ad posted for a later escape.
-
1823 - Henry Co., Escape of Charles
In 1823, Henry County enslaver William Woolfolk offered a $20 reward for the return of a freedom seeker named Charles, a 22-yr-old man with a burn on his head and missing the end of one of his fingers, lost in a sawmill accident.
-
1814 - Harrison Co., Family escape
On March 25th, 1814, Fanny and her 12-month-old daughter escaped from Cynthiana enslaver, Isaac Miller. Her husband Harry, followed, two days later. It was expected that they would head toward Green River or Grant's Lick. A reward of $20 was offered.