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1826 - Metcalf Co., The escape of well-read Ned
On June 5th, 1826, a 35-yr-old freedom seeker named Ned escaped from Metcalf Co. enslaver John F. Bowles. New was about 6' tall, 180 lbs and was missing one or two front teeth. He was able to read, but it was unclear if he could write. He had formerly been held by Maj. Cowherd of Green Co. and Hugh Marsahall of Montoe County. a reward of up to $50 was offered for his return.
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1821 - Mercer Co., A preacher on horseback
On the night of Oct. 9th, 1821, an enslaved preacher named Manuel (also known as Dick) mounted a sorrel mare andd escaped from the farm of Mercer County enslaver Thomas Wilson. Manuel was described as about 45yrs. Old and 5'9". A $40 reward was offered for the return of Manuel and the horse.
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1824 - Mercer Co., The disappearance of Jack
On May 3rd, 1824, Mercer Co. enslaver Abram Maury discovered 45-yr-old Jack was missing. Jack had formerly been enslaved by James Beil, also of Mercer county. He was described as "very stout" and over 6 feet tall with a penchant for chewing tobacco. A reward of $20 was offered for his return.
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1814 - Mercer Co., The capture of Bachus
In early May, 1814, 50-yr-old freedom seeker Bachus was captured and jailed in Jefferson County. He was described as about five feet tall and had a stutter. Bachus named Dr. Lettimore near Harrodsburg as his enslaver.
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1790 - Mercer Co., A price on his head
Freedom seeker Phil escaped from Mercer County enslaver John Meaux in November, 1790. Phil was described as 25-yrs-old, 5'6" tall. Meaux offered a reward of five pounds for the safe return of Phil or ten pounds for his head "severed from his body." The reward was to be paid in cattle at cash price.
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1824 - Mercer Co., Escape from the Deep South
On October 31, 1824, a 26-yr-old freedom seeker named Isaac fled enslavement in Lauderdale County, Alabama. Isaac was first enslaved by John Glover, of Mercer Co. then sold in 1818 to Guthrage Masterson who then sold him to Edward Chambers in Alabama. Isaac was suspected to have been headed to Kentucky with another freedom seeker. A reward of $25 plus expenses was offered.
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1806 - Mercer Co., Escape of James
On November 1st, 1806, 28-yr-old James escaped Danville area enslaver Stephen Fisher. When he left, he had a "very sore leg" and both heels had been affected by frotsbite. Fisher offered a reward of $50 for his return.
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1830 - Central Region, Impersonating George
A freedom seeker named George, about 37 years old, was lodged in the Mason County jail in 1830. He was suspected of impersonating a man named George freed by Leonard Young of Fayette County in 1823. He admitted the other George had died in Indiana. He was described as about 5'7" tall, with one leg shorter than the other and as "very smart." It was suspected that he escaped from Clark, Woodford or Fayette County.
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1799 - Central Region, Captured in Western Territory
In September, 1799 two Freedom seekers were captured near Fort Wayne, Indiana Territory. John, about 25 yrs old, named his enslaver as Donn Lee and Bill, who was about 23 yrs old, gave the name of Mrs. Mosby as his enslaver. They claimed to have fled from an area between Lexington and Georgetown, KY. The ad was placed by W. Wells.
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1818 - Lincoln Co., Polite George Blackstone
On November 8, 1818, freedom seeker George Blackstone escaped from enslaver William Owsley of Lincoln County. Blackstone was described as about 35-40 years old, 6 feet tall and 180 lbs. His face was thin but he had large whiskers. Blackstone was also know to be "very polite in company." A reward of up to $100 was offered for his return.
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1797 - Lincoln Co., Escape of Caesar
On about January 22, Caesar, a 25-yr-old freedom seeker held by Lincoln Co. enslaver William Patton, made his escape to freedom. Caesar was about 5'8" tall and was fond of dressing well. He had previously been held by enslaver Nicholas Lewis of Lexington. Patton offered a reward of $5 plus expenses for his return.
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1795 - Lincoln Co., Handsome reward for Gully's return
On Sept. 27, 1795, a 20-yr-old freedom seeker named Gully escaped from Lincoln Co. enslaver Frederick Burditt. Gully was described as about 5'6" tall and was without shoes when he escaped. Burditt offered a "handsome reward" for his return.
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1816 - Jessamine Co., Tom's flight to freedom
On Saturday, April 14, 1816, 29-yr-old Tom fled the Jessamine County farm of enslaver Jesse Haydon. He was described as about 5' 10" with a dark complexion. Haydon offered a reward of up to 50 plus expenses for his return.
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1820 - Jessamine Co., Reward for Charles
Charles, a 25-yr-old freedom seeker, escaped from Jessamine County enslaver John Hawkins on Jan. 3, 1820. Hawkins offered a reward of $10 for his return.
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1812 - Jessamine Co., Two names, two wives
In the spring of 1812, a freedom seeker named Will, also known as Manuel, fled Jessamine County enslaver Joseph Higbee. Will was between 30-40 years old and stood about six feet tall. It was thought he would head for Fleming County, where his wife lived or to Mr. Huston's in Woodford County, where his other wife lived. A $10 was offered for his return
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1810 - Jessamine Co., A fiddle and freedom
In October, 1810, Harry (A.K.A. Henry or David Lawson) escaped from Jessamine County enslaver Thomas B. Scott. Harry is described as about 30 years old but appearing older, walks with a limp and stands at about 5'7" tall. Harry took with hiim a fiddle which he played well.
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1811 - Jessamine Co., Family of five steals away
In August, 1811, Jack, Letty and their three children, aged 18 months to about six years old fled Jessamine County enslaver Joseph Hughes. A reward of $10 was offered for their return.
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1806 - Jessamine Co., A brisk escape
Peter, a 43-yr-old freedom seeker, escaped the lands of Jessamine County enslaver James Coger. Peter was describeds as about 5'5" tall and slender, with an "uncommon brisk, lively walk." A reward of up to $20 plus expenses was offered for his return.
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1805 - Jessamine Co., Sold South! Charles the escape artist
Sometime before the fall of 1803, an enslaved man named Charles was sold South by Thomas B. and Robert Scott of Jessamine Co., to Thomas Green of Mississippi. His first escape occurredin in Sept or Oct, 1803, but he was caught in Robertson Co. TN, where he remained in jail until March 1805. He was placed on a boat and taken to Mississippi, but again escaped. A reward of $100 was offered.
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1830 - Jessamine Co., Daniel flees cruel treatment
On August 28, 1830. 22-year-old Daniel was whipped for stealing. The next day, Jessamine County enslaver James E. Ferguson realized Daniel had escaped. He was described as about 5'8" tall and intelligent. He had a scar on his leg that ran from his ankle up his shin. A reward of up to $40 was offered for his return
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1820 - Jessemine Co., Lewis takes his leave
Around the 21st of June, 1820, a 23-yr-old freedom seeker named Lewis escaped enslaver George Rowland, who lived near Shaker Ferry in Jessamine County. A $50 reward was offered for his return
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1819 - Jessamine Co., A Christmas escape
Jacob, a forty-year-old freedom seeker trained as a shoemaker escaped enslavement in Jessamine County in 1819. He was held by the heirs to the estate of Capt. Robert Edwards. He escaped at Christmas and a reward for fifty dollars was offered for his return.
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1828 - Jessamine Co., Artful, tall Peter
Jessamine County enslaver George Rowland offered a reward of up to $60 for the return of Peter, who had escaped him on May 10, 1828. Peter was described as "about 6 feet four inches high, rather bold countenance, quickspoken, artful, discourses well, reads tolerably."
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1828 - Jessamine Co., Ben and Weden slip away
On Sept. 7, 1828, Jessamine County enslavers David Trabue and James Gillespie offered a reward of $100 for the return of 35-year-old Ben and 17-year-old Weden if captured together, or $50 apiece if separate. Ben was of a dark complexion and about 5'7" tall, with a scar on his shin; Weden was about 5'9" tall and often replied with a smile when spoken to.
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1811 - Jessamine Co., Artful Forde
on about the 24th of September, 25 year old Forde escaped Jessamine County enslaver Manoah Singleton. He was described has about 5' 7" tall with recently shorn hair. Singleton offered a reward of up to $30 for his return and a word of caution that Forde was "artful and cunning."