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1811 - Bourbon Co., Escape to Maryland
In 1811, Bourbon County enslaver James Ingles offered a $50 reward for the return of a man named Aaron who had recently escaped him. Aaron's age was not given, but he was described has having a scar on his face, several of his front teeth missing and with one leg shorter than the other. It was thought he was headed to Maryland with a drove of horses.
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1817 - Bourbon Co., Daniel escapes
On October 24, 1817, a man named Daniel escaped from bondage in Bourbon County. Enslaver William Thomas offered a $50 reward for his return. Daniel was described as about 34 years old, 5'10" tall, yellow complexion.
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1820 - Bourbon Co., Artful Andrew
On February 13, 1820, Andrew escaped from enslaver James Ingles of Grant's Old Station in Bourbon County. Andrew was about 23 years old and was described as "artful" and it was assumed he may obtain a free pass and head for Ohio.
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1808 - Bourbon Co., Julus takes his leave
Bourbon County enslaver Littleberry Bedford placed an ad offering a reward for the return of 25-year-old "Julus," who had escaped him on August 2, 1808. In the advertisement, Bedford included the most minute details including his inclination to walk on the insides of his feet and his habit of leaning his head to one side when at leisure. A reward was offered for his return.
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1810 - Bourbon Co., Tony's still gone
In January of 1812, Bourbon County enslaver Robert Respass offered a high reward for the return of 23-year-old Tony, who had escaped him eighteen months prior.
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1812 - Bourbon Co., Jim tries again
Jim, about 30 years old, escaped from enslaver Robert Scott for the second time on May 1, 1812. Scott believed he would make for Ohio and attempt to pass a s a free man. Jim had previously used the name "James Mattison" when he escaped once before. A reward was offered for his return.
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1813 - Bourbon Co., Four men, three enslavers and two horses
On August 25th, Stroder and Charles, both 17 years old, escaped from Bourbon County enslaver Laban Shipp. It was thought that they also took two workhorses belonging to Shipp's neighbor, Alexander Ogle. With them came Ben, also 17, and twenty-year-old Adam, claimed by Thomas Mountjoy and John M. Allen, respectively.
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1836 - Bourbon Co., Preacher Jim's ride to freedom
Henry Towles of Bourbon County offered a $500 reward for the capture and return of Jim, A.K.A. James Edwin or Edwards. Jim, who was about 25 yrs. old and a shoemaker by trade, made his escape on a stolen grey horse. It was likely that Jim was carrying a Bible and was known to preach, though the enslaver found him to be a "hypocrite and detestable villain" for having absconded.
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1827- Bourbon Co., Free Will
Twenty-six year old Will left enslavement behind on July 3, 1827. He escaped Bourbon County enslaver N. L. Lindsay, who believed Will had prepared for his escape, packing clothing, money and procuring a free pass. A reward of up to $100 was offered for his return.
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1808 - Bourbon Co., Tall Virgil
Virgil, about 21 or 22 years old, escaped from enslaver Jonathan Scott whose property was a few miles south of Paris, Bourbon Co. Virgil stood at about 6'1" or 6'2" tall and was likely headed to Tennessee or North Carolina.
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1808 - Bourbon Co., Freedom on Sunday morning
Early on Sunday morning, November 6, 1808, Bourbon County enslaver Robert Wilmott discovered there had been an escape. Tom, about 2y years old and wearing a fur hat, had escaped from the property on the Limestone Road between Lexington and Paris. A reward of up to $20 was offered for his return.
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1819 - Bourbon Co., Polly with the smiling countenance
On the 6th of January, 1819, twenty-year-old Polly disappeared from Bourbon County enslaver Nicholas Grimes. It was thought that she may try to reach her husband, Simon, who was held by James Weir in Lexington. Polly had also been hired out to Weir for a period of time two years prior. the reward for her return was as high as $100.
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1827 - Bourbon Co., Will Evades Capture
On July 3rd, 1827, twenty-six year old Will escaped the farm of enslaver Nimrod Lindsay, in Bourbon County, while suffering from an injury to his shin. He was spotted still in Bourbon County a week after his escape, but remained at large by the time a reward was offered.
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1827- Bourbon Co., Large Reward for Dread and Betty
In early January, 1827, a couple recently brought from South Carolina by Bourbon County enslaver James Hutchcraft. Dread,, AKA Baltimore was described as 30 yrs. old, very intelligent and with a long beard. His wife, Betty was described as 30 or 40 yrs. old, wearing a head scarf. Betty spoke "broken English." Hutchcraft offered a $200 reward for them.
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1826- Bourbon Co., Escape from Notorious Slave Trader
in 1826, notorious Bourbon County slave trader, Ned Stone, placed a reward ad for the return of 22-yr-old Rowsley Peyton. Stone claimed that Peyton and his brother (unnamed) escaped on the night of August 22, stopping to steal horses and goods on their way. Rowley's brother was captured. Rowsley was born in Stafford County, Virginia where he was held by Mr. Kendall; he was literate.
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1863 - Bourbon Co., Captured in Fayette
In August, 1863, A 21-yr-old man named Morris was captured by Fayette County jailer, William Lusby. The jailer's ad names William Crouch of Bourbon County as the enslaver. The ad was still running in October.
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1796 - Bourbon Co., Sal Departs to Freedom
On July 13, 1796, a freedom seeker named Sal left the farm of enslaver John Peebel of Bourbon County. Sal was twenty five years old and wore "blue-white stones" in her ears. She took with her a small bundle of goods, including flat-heeled leather shoes.
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1802 - Bourbon Co., Charles Mumford Rides Away
Enslaver Samuel Dawson, of Bourbon Co., placed an ad in 1802 for the return of Charles Mumford, who escaped on a small brown horse. The 33 yr. old Charles may have had a pass and a hymnal, and may pass for a preacher.
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1814 - Bourbon Co., Artful Peter Escapes
In April, 1814, twenty dollars reward was offered by Bourbon Co. enslaver Benjamin Mills for the return of his "servant" Peter, described as "talkative, intelligent and artful"
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1814 - Bourbon Co., Reward for Sam
In April, 1814, enslaver James Eales from Stoner, Bourbon Co. offered a reward for the return of Sam who was described as 45 yrs. old, of yellow complexion and "has lost the use of the forefinger of the right hand."
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1814 - Bourbon Co., Escape… or Kidnapping?
Ten dollars reward was offered for the return of a woman named Sall to Bourbon County enslaver John Ford. A post script to the ad mentions that the enslaver had been approached several times to sell the woman and he is "Determined to put the law in its full force against the aggressor." Sall may have been kidnapped.
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1810 - Bourbon Co., Edmond Departs to Freedom
On the first of October, 1810, freedom seeker Edmond left enslaver Benjamin Hallack behind in Bourbon County. $100 reward was offered for the 22 yr. old man, who was described as "carrying his head remarkably high." Edmund suffered from the effects of a tropical bacterial infection that affected his nose.
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1818-Bath Co., Peter Makes for Ohio
On the 13th of February, 1818, forty-year-old Peter escaped from enslaver William Richards of Bath County. Peter is described as 5'6" tall, with an injury to his left hand from a burn received as a child. Richards suspected eh was headed to Ohio and offered $50 reward for his return.
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1817 - Bath Co., Richmond Elopes to Freedom
Enslaver Mary Menifee of Owingsfille, Bath County, placed an ad on Mar. 4, 1817 for the return of a freedom Seeker named Richmond, 35 years old. His description details a broken front took and height of six feet.
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1814 - Bath Co., Lunnin takes his leave
Lunnin, a 27 year old freedom seeker, escaped from enslaver Charles Rosebury of Bath County. Lunnin's description includes the detail that the middle finger of his right hand is "off to the first joint". Ten dollars reward was offered for his return.