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1822 - Woodford Co., A search for Burt the bricklayer
On Nov. 10, 1822, 32-yr-old Burt escaped Woodford County enslaver James Elliott. Burt was a bricklayer by trade and was described as 5'9" tall, "artful and intelligent." Elliott offered a reward of up to $100 was offered for his return.
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1821 - Woodford Co., Nelson sets out for free soil
A few days before Christmas, 1821, 16-yr-old Nelson escaped enslavement in Woodford County. Enslaver Joel Smith offered a reward of $100 for his return. Nelson was about 5'4" tall and was described as "smart and active."
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1830 - Fayette Co., Tom Johnson's escape
Tom, a 32-yr-old freedom seeker held by Fayette County enslaver, John Brand, escaped on Mar 22, 1830. Toms was described by Brand as "bright mulatto" and known by the enslaver as "my white Tom" but called himself Tom Johnson. Tom was trained as a hemp twine spinner and was married to a free woman living in Paris, Ky named Milley. Milley is found on the 1830 census for Bourbon County. Brand offered a reward of up to $100 for Tom's return.
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1815 - Woodford Co., Jailed in Jefferson County
On Feb. 1st, 1815,a freedom seeker named Emanuel Hanes was captured and jailed in Jefferson County. He claimed to have been held by the "widow Beacham" in Woodford County. A man named Manuel was appraised as part of the estate of Edward Beacham, deceased, of Woodford Co. in August, 1814. Emanuel was 49 yrs. old and about 5'8" tall.
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1824 - Woodford Co., A clever freedom seeker
Ruthe, a 22-yr-old freedom seeker held by Enslaver Warren Offut of Woodford County, escaped in early 1824; Offut had purchased her from Francis Giltner, of . At the time of her escape, she left behind a 14-month-old child. It was suspected that the father of the child would attempt to retrieve him or her. Ruth had once attempted escape disguised as a male servant to a white man. Offut offered a reward of $150 for Ruthe and another $150 for any white man in her company.
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1801 - Woodford Co., The escape of the four horsemen
In 1801, four men: Abraham, Jacob, John and Sawney, escaped Woodford County on the backs of four "likely horses." The men were enslaved by Reuben Twyman, who claimed they left without the "least provocation." $30 for each freedom seeker and $4 for each returned horse was offered as reward.
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1800 - Woodford Co., The search for Ephraim
Just after Christmas, 1800, a 25 yr. old freedom seeker named Ephraim escaped from enslavement in Woodford County. The enslaver, John Jackson, placed a ad offering a reward of $20 for his return. Ephraim was described as about 5'8" tall, had a black spot on his nose and when he left, was wearing a blue cloth coat and overalls.
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1800 - Woodford Co., A clever distiller
In early September, 1800, 26-yr-old Moses escaped the clutches of Woodford County enslaver John Finnie. Moses was trained as a distiller and was described as a "sensible fellow" who was likely to escape unless "sufficiently ironed" when captured.
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1816 - Woodford Co., Jacob's desperate escape
Sometime before Aug. 7th, 1816, 42-yr-old Jacob, held by Woodford County enslaver, Reuben Twyman, was accused of stealing whiskey. Likely fearing punishment, he escaped. In an add placed by the enslaver, Jacob was described as about 5'10" tall with large whiskers. He had suffered a burn to his left hand that "deprived him of nearly all his fingers and part of his thumb." Twyman offered a reward of up to $200 for his return.
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1816 - Woodford Co., Departure of a distiller
Jeffrey, a 37-yr-old freedom seeker held by Woodford County enslaver, James Coleman, escaped on horseback in April, 1816. Jeffry was trained as a distiller and also had some carpentry skills. $100 was offered as reward for his return.
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1818 - Woodford Co., Daniel's proud walk to freedom
On about September 2, 1818, 26-yr-old freedom seeker, Daniel, escaped from Woodford County enslaver Laban Scearce. Daniel was about 5'11" tall and "manifests a great deal of pride when walking." Scearce offered a reward of $100 for his return.
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1826 - Woodford Co., Harry's exit
Around November, 1826, 35-yr-old Harry escaped from Woodford County enslaver William Rice. He was described as about 5'5" tall with some scarring on his ankles from cuts made by an axe. He was a shoemaker and a "good post and railer." A reward of up to $50 was offered for his return.
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1810 - Woodford Co., Jeffrey steals away
In August, 1810, a freedom seeker named Jeffrey escaped from Woodford County enslaver William Buford. Jeffrey was described as wearing his hair in plats, standing about 5'8" tall and 25 or 26 years old, though he appeared younger. A reward of $20 was offered for his return.
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1816 - Woodford Co., Daily's departure
Woodford Co. enslaver Thomas Winn offered a reward in May, 1816 for the return of Daily, who had escaped him. Daily, also known as "Capt. Cooke's Daily," was described as about 22-yrs-old, and 5'10" tall. The reward offered for Daily's capture and return was up to $50 .
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1829 - Woodford Co., Anaca's sensible choice
On September 18, 1829, 35-yr-old Anaca escaped Woodford County enslaver, Nicholas Lafon. She was described as 'sensible and remarkably subtle" with a capacity for learning "anything." Anaca, who had a scar on her chest from a whip lash, had escaped previously and used the alias "Daphney." It was suspected that she would be found in Frankfort or on the Elkhorn in the company of free African Americans. A reward of $20 was offered for her return.
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1828 - Woodford Co., Gabriel and Maria elope to freedom
On Dec 10th, 1828, freedom seekers Gabriel and Maria escaped from the lands of William Shouse in Woodford Co., Shouse offered a $50 reward for their return to him or to Joseph Roper, of Hickman Co. It appears that Shouse may have been leasing the couple from enslaver Roper.
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1824 - Woodford Co., The second escape of Elias
Elias, who had escaped from Woodford County enslaver, Elijah Pepper, in 1821, made a second attempt at freedom in 1824. Pepper again offered a reward of $50 for Elias' return.
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1824 - Woodford Co., 100 silver dollars for Charity
Versailles-area enslaver Elizabeth Cotton offered a reward of $100 in silver for the return of 20-yr-old Charity in Feb. 1824. Charity was a good seamstress who was described as both sensible and cunning. Cotton though she may have gone to Harrodsburg, Danville or Owen Co.
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1822 - Woodford Co., Active and lively Levi
Woodford County enslaver Simeon Buford discovered the escape of 19-yr-old freedom seeker, Levi, on Jan. 15, 1822. Levi was described as having a "bright yellow" complexion and was about 5'6" tall. He was "active and lively" and was wearing black and white striped pants when he left. A reward of up to $100 was offered for his return.
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1821 - Woodford Co., The self-emancipation of Elias
Elias, a 20-yr-old freedom seeker held by Woodford County enslaver Elijah Pepper, self-emancipated on Jan. 20, 1821. He was described as about 5'10" tall with a hoof-shaped scar near his hairline caused by the kick of a horse. Pepper offered a reward of up to $50 for his return.
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1820 - Woodford Co., Fan takes her leave
On Jan. 15th, 1820, a freedom seeker named Fan escaped the lands of Woodford County enslaver, Joseph Darnall. She was described as being between 40-50 yrs. old, and above "ordinary size." Darnall offered a "reasonable reward" for her return.
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1819 - Woodford Co., Escape near the ferry
Woodford Co. enslaver William McBride, who lived near Buckley's Ferry in Woodford County, offered a reward of $10 for the return of 30-yr-old Dick, who had escaped in June, 1819. Dick was described as "middle size" with a "pleasant and lively countenance."
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1819 - Woodford Co., Harry escapes with two horses
On the 16th of Feb, 1819, 22-yr-old Harry escaped the property of enslaver Mildred Gregory, taking two bob-tail horses and a good saddle and bridle with him. Harry was described as about 5'10" tall with a scar on his forehead. A reward of $200 was offered for the return of Harry and the horses, or $50 for just the horses.
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1831 - Woodford Co., Daniel jumps "ship"
On Mar. 21, 1831, a freedom seeker named Daniel escaped from the steam boat "Versailles" in Cincinnati. Daniel was working aboard the boat, but was held by Woodford County enslaver J.N. Cotton. Daniel was proprietors of the boat offered at reward of $10 and indicated the enslaver would also reward anyon who captured and returned Daniel.
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1805 - Woodford Co., Escape of eight freedom seekers
In mid August, a large group of freedom seekers escaped from Woodford County enslavers John McQuady and Samuel Berry. The group consisted of a woman, Selah, a boy, Bill and six men: John, Peter, Jacob, Charles, Jack and Curus. a reward of $100 plus expenses was offered for their return.