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1819 - Fayette Co., Joe's journey to freedom
In August, 1819, 24-yr-old Joe escaped Fayette Co. enslaver Lewis Dedman, who lived four miles west of Lexington. Joe was descried as about 5'9" tall with a "yellow complexion and a humiliated or humble look." A reward of up to $50 was offered for hist return.
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1818 - Fayette Co., The escape of Andrew
On the morning of March 13, 1818, 23-yr-old Andrew escaped Fayette Co. enslaver Elizabeth Dulin. Andrew was described as about 6 feet tall with a "smiling countenance" and was known to speak "pertly." a reward of $20 was offered for his return.
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1818 - Fayette Co., Miles makes his move
Freedom seeker Miles escaped Fayette Co. enslaver Richard Patterson near the end of February, 1818. Miles was about 5'6" tall and was wearing a white cot and brown pants when he escaped. Paterson offered a $5 reward for his return.
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1817 - Fayette Co., A desperate situation
On the 20th of August, 1817, freedom seeker George escaped Lexington enslavers James and Francis McConnell. George was trained as a plasterer and very "handy at anything he's put at". George was about 5'10" tall and was described as having a "yellow" complexion, large whiskers and a scar on his throat from a self-inflicted wound. A reward of up to $40 was offered for his return.
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1817 - Fayette Co., Woman self-emancipates
In the fall of 1817, an unnamed 25-yr-old woman escaped Fayette Co. enslaver Miner Hart. She was described as about 5'10" tall with a quarter-sized scar under her eye and several other similar scars on her right arm. A reward of up to $50 was offered for her return.
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1815 - Fayette Co., Enslaved Moses escapes indenture
Near the end of February, 1815, 28-yr-old Moses escaped from Samuel Long of Fayette Co, to whom he was indentured to learn the trade of carpentry. Long offered $10 for his return and revealed that he was enslaved by Mr. D. White. It's unclear who the indenture arrangement was with.
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1814 - Fayette Co., Young Matilda leaves enslaver Leaving Young
On the 25th of October, 1814, 22-yr-old Matilda disappeared from the property of a Lexington enslaver with the unlikely name, Leaving Young. She was about 5'9" tall, of a light complexion and could read and write. It was believed she was still in the area when a $50 reward was offered for her return.
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1814 - Fayette Co., Jacob's escape
On the 4th of July, 1814, 20-yr-old Jacob escaped from Lexington-area enslaver, Will Gist. In his description of Jacob, Gist mentioned, ironically, that he "talks bad English." A "reasonable reward" was offered for Jacob's return.
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1811 - Fayette Co., Frank's flight to freedom
In October, 1811, 40-yr-old Frank escaped from Thomas Wallace of Lexington. Wallace had hired Frank from the estate of deceased enslaver Edward Thomas. Frank was about 5'7" tall and intelligent. He was versed in bot house and farm work and was familiar with the Frankfort area. A reward of $5 plus expenses was offered for his return.
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1811 - Fayette Co., Daniel escapes captivity
On July 20th, 1811, 18-yr-old Daniel escaped Fayette Co. enslaver Lewis Collins. Daniel was described as a "smart, likely, keen, active, sensible fellow." It was thought that Daniel may have been headed to the Goose Creek Salt works (Clay County) or the Salt-Petre caves in Rockcastle- an indication that he was a salt miner at some point. Previously, Daniel was held by James Smith in Pulaski County. A reward of $50 was offered for his return.
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1811 - Fayette Co., Maria, small but brave
On July 11, 1811, 19-yr-old Maria escaped Fayette Co. enslaver Jonathan Jewell. The young freedom seeker was about 5'2" tall and had very large eyes. A reward of $10 plus expenses was offered for her recapture.
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1811 - Fayette Co., Joe Rutherford's flight to freedom
Joseph Rutherford escaped Fayette County enslaver Robert S. Russell on May 25th, 1811. Rutherford, named after his father, was likely headed to Ohio or "Green River country" as he was familiar with both places. A reward of $20 was offered for Rutherford's capture and return.
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1808 - Fayette Co., A price on Joe's head
Joe, a 25-yr-old man enslaved by William Smith Sr. of Fayette Co., escaped to freedom. It was assumed he would head for Ohio. Smith offered a reward of up to $50 for his capture and return.
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1808 - Fayette Co., Young Jack absconds
On July 1, 1808, Lexington enslaver William Hanson discovered that 19-yr-old Jack had escaped him. Jack was about 5'4" tall and had a stout build. Hanson offered a reward of up to $20 for his return if taken out of the county.
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1807 - Fayette Co., Freedom on Independence Day
On July 4, 33-yr-old Morris celebrated Independence Day by escaping from Fayette Co. enslaver William Allen. He was described as about 5'9" tall and had extensive scarring on the right side of his face from a burn. He left astride Allen's bay horse that had a brand which read "R. B." A "liberal" reward would be given to anyone returning Morris.
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1807 - Fayette Co., Nick escapes with his family
In late-summer, 1807, a freedom seeker named Nick escaped Fayette County enslaver Jacob Sageser. Nick was travelling with a white woman and "mulatto" child, likely his family. He was described as about six feet tall and had a "blemish in his right eye. Nick could read and write and it was suspected that he would have written himself a pass.
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1806 - Fayette Co., Teen freedom seeker on the run
On Oct 12, 1806, 19-yr-old Patt escaped from enslaver Jacob McConathy, who lived at the Forks of Elkhorn in Fayette Co. She had been purchased one month prior from Pendleton County enslaver George Beenson. Patt was about 5'7" tall, slender and had a scar on the upper part of her breast. A reward of $10 was offered for her return
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1801 - Fayette Co., A woman's flight
On Dec 1, 1801, an unnamed 30-yr-old woman escaped Fayette County enslaver, Adrian Davenport. She was described as a large woman with a "sour look." Davenport offered $5 for her return.
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1806 - Fayette Co., Hampton escapes and evades
On September 22, 1806, 34-yr-old Hampton escaped Fayette County enslaver, John Graves. He was recaptured near Paris, Bourbon Co., and a pass with a letter directed to Isaac Rankin near Chillicothe was found on his person, signed by Thomas Rankin. Hampton also had changed his name to John. He again escaped his captors in Paris and a reward of $20 was offered for his return.
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1805 - Fayette Co., Letty's Christmas escape
On Christmas, 1805, 28-yr-old Letty escaped Lexington enslaver, Will Morton. Letty was of "common stature" and took with her 2-3 white muslin dresses, one of fancy chintz, a salmon colored petticoat, white yarn stockings and good shoes, along with other "good quality" clothing. It was suspected Letty was headed to Clark County, Bardstown or Danville. A reward of $20 was offered for her return.
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1803 - Fayette Co., Talkative Tom escapes
Near the end of February, 1803, 30-yr-old Tom escaped from Fayette County enslaver, Robert Barr. Tom was a tall, thin, religious man described as "talkative." Tom's wife was held by enslaver Stephen Rozels, who lived near Henry's mill. A "reasonable reward" was offered for Tom's return.
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1799 - Fayette Co., Nelly's self-liberation
In early August, 1799, 26-yr-old Nelly escaped Lexington enslaver Will Morton. Morton had purchased Nelly from Ben Bridges, of Madison County, KY, who brought her with him from Williamsburg, VA. Nelly was described as "handsome and well-formed" and it was suspected that she may have procured a pass.
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1799 - Fayette Co., Salley's chance for freedom
In June, 1799, a woman named Salley took the opportunity to emancipate herself from Fayette County enslaver John Hall. Hall purchased Sally from Scott County enslaver Jesse Peak. Salley had been hired by George Adams of Lexington, to work in his "Indian King" tavern. After Hall took custody of Salley, she escaped. Hall did not offer a reward, but warned others against helping Salley elude capture.
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1798 - Fayette Co., Sam's second chance
On Sunday, Sept 23, 1798, 35-year-old Sam escaped enslaver James Gatewood, of Lexington. Sam was about six feet tall, slim and was a blacksmith. Sam had escaped previously and was captured at Fort Hamilton (now Butler County, OH) with a pass in the name of Nicholas Davis of Bedford Co, VA. Sam was a fiddle player and very social. A reward of $15 was offered for his return.
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1798 - Fayette Co., Enslaver warns against aid
On September 18th, 1798, 30-yr-old freedom seeker, Dick, escaped the lands of Fayette County enslaver, John Clark, who lived on Tate's Creek Road. Dick was likely to have a pass and was described as very "active and sensible." Clark warned against anyone providing help, transportation or safe harbor to Dick. A reward of $10 was offered for his return.