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1816 - Fayette Co., A downtown disappearance
Sometime in March, 1816, 17-yr-old Stephen vanished from the property of Lexington enslaver, Thomas T. Burns, who lived on Main Cross Street. Stephen was wearing a fun hat, pale blue coat and deep blue pantaloons. A "liberal reward" was offered for his return.
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1814 - Fayette Co., George breaks free
On October 20, 1814, 19-yr-old freedom seeker, George, escaped Fayette County enslaver, Stark Taylor. George had been formerly enslaved by Col. James McClelland of Millersburg and it eas believed he was on his way to that neighborhood in Bourbon Co. A reward of $5 plus expenses was offered for his return.
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1839 - Fayette Co., Lewis leaves Lexington
Around the first of the year, 1839, 50-yr-old freedom seeker, Lewis, made a break for freedom. Lexington area enslaver, H. S. Elgin, offered a reward of up to $100 for his return. Lewis was about 6'3" tall and was wearing a dark blue frock coat and grey pantaloons when he escaped.
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1837 - Fayette Co., Soloman's departure
On May 14th, 1837, 30-yr-old Soloman escaped Lexington enslaver, David Castleman. At the time of his escape, Soloman was about 30-yrs old and was described as about 5'10" tall and had dimples when he smiled. He escaped on horseback and it was believed he would head for Canada. a reward of up to $200 was offered for his return.
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1837 - Fayette Co., Spirited away
In mid-May, 1837, 19-yr-old Cynthia left the property of Lexington-area enslaver, Alexander Crawford. Crawford believed the girl was tricked or kidnapped and did not suspect her of participating in her escape. Cynthia described as "delicate," and only about 4'6" tall, and left behind her parents and seven younger brothers. A reward of up to $50 was offered for her return
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1825 - Fayette Co., Reuben's run to freedom
On Feb. 3, 1825, 30-yr-old Reuben escaped enslavement in Lexington, Ky. John Gordon, of Lexington and J.R. Trunbull, of Winchester offered a reward of up to $100 for Rueben, who was described as about 6 fee tall and slim. It's not clear who the legal enslaver was, but it seems that Reuben was in Gordon's custody at the time of his escape; possibly a leasing arrangement.
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1824 - Fayette Co., Bill escapes the mill
On May 8, 1824, Bill,, a freedom seeker held by Isaac Yarnell, proprietor of the Fayette Paper Mill near Lexington, escaped bondage. He had been initially enslaved by Col. (Joseph) Crockett of Jessamine Co, then sold to J. Lewis of Simpsonville before coming into the hands of Yarnell. Bill was six feet tall with a large frame. A reward of up to $100 was offered for his return
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1797 - Fayette Co., Armed and ready for freedom
Tom, a freedom seeker held by Fayette Co. enslaver George Caldwell, made a break for freedom on Mar 10, 1797. He took a rifle and ammunition with him and it was thought he would either head for Ohio or to Virginia. Caldwell offered a "generous reward" plus expenses for Tom's return. Tom was also mentioned in a later ad that offered a reward for his return and that of his brother, Nat.
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1812 - Fayette Co., Elick's exit
On July 5th, 1812, 38-yr-old Elick escaped Fayette County enslaver, Abner Wilson, who lived near Bryan Station. Elick was 5'10" tall, nearly bald and had a "yellow" complexion. He had gotten a pass from a small boy and had ridden off on a bay mare. A reward of $50 was offered for his return
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1829 - Fayette Co., Chasing Charles
On about August 30, 1829, 16-yr-old Charles escaped Lexington enslaver, Maslin Smith, who owned a bagging factory. Charles was lender and was missing one of his front teeth. He had been spotted in the neighborhood of former enslaver Benjamin Warfield and near the Walnut Hill meeting house in Lexington. A reward of up to $100 was offered for his return
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1827 - Fayette Co., Daniel's departure
Just before Christmas, 1827, 17-yr-old Daniel escaped from Fayette County enslaver W.C. Connett. Daniel was described as about 5'10" tall with a stout build and very small ears. He had previously been enslaved by Jacob Laudaman. A reward of $10 plus expenses was offered for his return.
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1827 - Fayette Co., Three for freedom
In the fall of 1827, three men, Jim, 28, Harry, 22 and Bill, 24, escaped from Fayette County enslaver, John Atchison. It was suspected that Jim, who could read and write, may have forged passes for all three. It was thought they would head for the road to Carolina. A "handsome reward" would be given for their return.
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1826 - Fayette Co., An escape against all odds.
On October 2, 1826, 24-yr-old Israel escaped Lexington enslaver Richard Ashton. Israel was about 5'8" tall and trained as a shoemaker. He was missing his right leg above the knee and had several scars on his throat. Israel made his escape on a grey mare. a reward of up to $40 was offered for his return.
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1820 - Fayette Co., Preacher Tom rides away
On the evening of June 9, 1820, 26-yr-old freedom seeker, Tom, escaped the lands of Fayette County enslaver Charles Humphreys. Tom was able to read and possibly write some. He was a devout Baptist and was known to preach. Humphreys also suspected Tom had taken his sorrel mare. An "adequate reward" would be given for the return of both Tom and the mare
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1820 - Fayette Co., Peter and Harry's disappearance
On July 14, 1820, freedom seekers Peter, 45 yrs. old, and Harry, 22, escaped their Fayette County enslavers, John Hart and Burrus Arnet. Peter was described as "stout," about 6 feet tall and would "probably pass for a doctor." Harry was described as "very heavy made" and did not talk much. $50 was offered for the return of the two men.
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1820 - Fayette Co., Freedom for Bill
Around April 24th, 1820, 22-yr-old Bill escaped enslaver Henry Rogers of Fayette County. Bill was described as about 5'10" tall and had a scar from an axe stroke on his back. He was able to read and write and was expected to pose as a free man. Rogers offered $50 for his return.
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1820 - Fayette Co., David's self-emancipation
On June 26, 1820, freedom seeker David made a break for freedom from Fayette County enslaver, W. H. Tegarden. David was about six feet tall and had some scarring from small pox. He wore his hair short, but with braids at each temple. David did not smoke, drink nor chew tobacco. A reward of $100 was offered for his return.
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1814 -Fayette Co., Jim joins his wife
Jim, a 35-yr-old freedom seeker held by Fayette County enslaver John Rogers, escaped on April 19th, 1814. He was described as about 5'6" tall, "heavy-made," and had a scar on the bottom of one foot. His wife, Phebe, had escaped the same enslaver over two weeks prior to his escape. $25 was offered for Jim's return
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1814 - Fayette Co., Phebe takes flight
Phoebe, a 33 yr.-old freedom seeker held by Fayette County enslaver John Rogers, escaped to freedom on April 1st, 1814. She was described as a free-spoken woman, "stout and well-made." Her husband, Jim, escaped the same enslaver on April 19th. A reward of $25 was offered for Phebe's return
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1837 - Fayette Co., Ben's opportunity
In mid-August, 1837, 50-yr-old Ben escaped while sent by stagecoach from Blue Licks to the Lexington home of his enslaver, Clement Smith. Ben was expected to be found in the neighborhood of the "widow McIlvaine" or free African Americans in Lexington. Ben also had a wife at Blue Licks.
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1830 - Fayette Co., A ride to free soil
Just before Christmas, 1830, Jack saddled up a small roan mare and escaped Fayette County enslaver Waller Bullock. Jack was about 5'11" tall, with a full beard, and was about 35-40 years old. It was assumed he would head to Canada. A reward of up to $50 was offered for his return.
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1828 - Fayette Co., AllBaury heads to Chillicothe
On October 28, 1828, Allbaury, also known as "Pines" escaped Fayette County enslaver, Susan Fleming. Allbaury was described as bald, about 45-50 years old and a shoemaker by trade. He escaped on a bay mare. It was assumed he would head for Chillicothe by way of Mount Sterling. A reward of up to $125 was offered
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1827 - Fayette Co., Tom's flight to freedom
In late January, 1827, 35-yr-old Tom escaped Fayette Co. enslaver Sally Graves. Tom was of average size and had formerly been held by enslaver Dr. James Fishback. Graves warned "all persons" from helping to hide Tom.
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1823 - Fayette Co., Freedom for Thaddeus
on July 8, 1823, 40-yr-old Thaddeus escaped Fayette Co. enslaver Peter Gatewood. Thaddeus had a wife and children in Lexington and he was suspected of stealing a horse in the neighborhood of their enslaver. A reward of up to $50 was offered for his return.
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1852 - Fayette Co., Alfred's escape
On June 22, 1852, 20-yr-old Alfred escaped enslaver Jacob Stone, who lived in Fayette Co, about four miles from Lexington. Alfred was about 5'10" tall and slender. A reward of up to $100 was offered for his return.