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1821 - Jessamine Co., Celia flees to her family
Around Mar. 15, 1821, thrity-year-old freedom seeker Celia escaped from Jessamine County enslaver, William L. McQuie. It was thought she would be found either in Frankfort, where several of her children were or Gallatin County, where her husband worked in the steam mill. A reward of $50 was offered for her return.
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1863 - Jessamine Co., Merrit jailed
In August, 1863, a freedom seeker named Merrit was captured in Kenton County and jailed as a "fugitive." He named his enslaver as Dr. Thomas Foster of Jessamine County. Merrit was about 23 years old, six feet tall and 160 lbs. with a bad left knee. By October, Foster had not yet claimed Merrit, who would be auctioned per the law of Kentucky if he was not claimed.
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1821 - Hart Co., Patsey's capture
In September, 1821, 18-yr-old freedom seeker Patsey was captured in Hart Co. She named a man named "Mr. Cooper," who was a slave-trader, as her enslaver. The jailer of Hart County was still running an ad for her claimant in March, 1822.
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1840 - Hardin Co., Opportunity knocked and James answered
In May, 1840, enslaver Milton Young was relocating his household from Nelson Co. to Union Co., While en route in the wagon train, 25-yr-old James, and enslaved man held by Young, took the opportunity to slip away in Hardin County. Young offered a reward of up to $100 for James' return.
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1840 - Hardin Co., Searching for Sam
In May of 1840, Mary Fletcher of West Point, Hardin Co., offered a reward of up to $100 for the return of a freedom seeker named Sam. Sam was described as about 28 years old and nearly six feet tall with a large scar from a burn on the side of his face.
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1812 - Green Co., A fight over Daniel
In January, 1812, an enslaved man named Daniel was in the middle of a custody battle between enslavers. Enslaver John Emerson, of Green County, accused Hezekiah Challis, of Estill County of "stealing" Daniel from him. He offered a reward of $50. Milley Challis, mother of Hezekiah, responded with an ad of her own, stating that her underage sons had "fallen in" with Emerson and sold Daniel without her permission. Her ad claims Emerson is a "liar" and should come after Daniel himself.
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1793 - Green Co., Johnny Battee heads for freedom
In October, 1793, a reward of ten pounds was offered by Green County enslaver John Thurman for the return of Jack, also known as "Johnny Battee." Jack was described as about 24 years old and 5' 8" tall with a broken front tooth. He had formerly been held by Mr. Fulkerson at the mouth of Shawnee Run (Mercer Co.)
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1814 - Green Co., Escape of Rev. Frank
In April, 1814, a young freedom seeker named Frank escaped Green County enslaver, Anndrew Barnett. Frank was about 21 yrs. old, 5' 9" tall and among the items he took with him were a hymnal and Bible. Frank was a preacher and literate and had been spotted near Louisville. Barnett offered a reward plus "reasonable charges" for Frank's return.
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1823 - Green Co., Charles and Patsey escape hot work
Freedom seekers Charles, about 25 yrs. old and Patsey, about 23 yrs. old, escaped from enslavers Jacob Holderman and Charles Wilkins, who jointly owned a furnace and forge in Green County. Charles was formerly enslaved by Walter Willliams "of Kentucky" and Patsey had been brought from Virginia by former enslaver, Dr. Rose. A reward of $100 was offered for the return of both or $50 indiviually.
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1819 - Green Co., Moses crosses the Ohio River
In September, 1819, a young freedom seeker named Moses escaped from Greensburg enslaver Creed Haskins. Moses was described as about 22 years old, "homely" but with a "fine voice." It was expected that he would aim to cross the Ohio River. Haskins offered a "Handsome reward" for his return.
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Utz, Benjamin
Benjamin Utz and his family moved to Kentucky sometime between 1820 and 1830.
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1796 - Green Co., Tom's disappearance
On the 25th of June, 1796, 18-yr-old Tom escaped from Green County enslaver Thomas Richeson. Tom was described as "rather tall" and was wearing a brown linen shirt and overalls when he left. It was suspected that he would head towards Lexington or "Bourbontown."
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1828 - Green Co., George absconds
On Sunday, Nov. 16, 1828, 23-yr-old George escaped from Greensburg- area enslaver Samuel Embry. George Was described as having a round face and scarring on his chest and side from a aburn received as a baby. A rewardup to $40 was ofered for his return.
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1801 - Garrard Co., Artful Ben Weldon
In April, 1801, a 35-yr-old freedom seeker named Ben, aka Ben Weldon, escaped from Lancaster enslaver Henry Pawling. Ben was describeds as "artful and given to running away." He had also lost all of his toes from frostbite. Ben had been formerly held by Lee Bird of Woodford County and it was presumed he may be found in the area of Bird's farm. A $10 reward was offered for his return.
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1823 - Garrard Co., Sharper and friend paddle to freedom
Sharper, a 35-yr-old freedom seeker, escaped from Lancaster, in Garrard County, in October, 1823. His enslaver, Hackley Jameson, passed away in the spring, prior to the escape. Sharper was with another man who had been enslaved by "Mr. Palmer" also of Lancaster. The two men left by canoe on the Kentucky River and it was thought they made their way to Indiana and beyond. A reward of $30 was offered for Sharper's return.
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1798 - Garrard Co., A likely young fellow
In October, 1798, an unnamed young freedom seeker escaped from Garrard County enslaver Samuel Renshaw, who lived near the mouth of Hickman Creek. The many was about 21 years old, 5'9" tall and was wearing a red jacket and new shoes when he escaped; he was described as a "likely young fellow." A reward of $15 was offered for his return
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1814 - Garrard Co., The escape of Jack Batty
Lancaster-area enslaver james Aldridge offered a $50 reward for the return of Jack, aka "Jack Batty" after his escape in June, 1814. Aldridge described Jack as about 26 years old, 5'10" tall, heavy and missing a front tooth. He cautioned that Jack was a "villian" who had robbed and attempted murder.
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1813 - Garrard Co., Jacob and Polly, bound for freedom
On July 29th, 1813, 30-yr-old Jacob and his 25-yr-old wife, Polly, fled for freedom from Garrard County enslaver Azariah Doty. It was expected that "a white man will conduct them away" and that they may have a pass. A reward of up to $50 was offered for their return.
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1799 - Bullitt Co., A pair of blacksmiths
In the summer of 1799, Nicholas and Ben escaped from Bullitt County enslaver Richard Bibb. Nicholas was described as 22-yrs-old, and large in stature and had skills in blacksmithing, carpentry and salt-making. Ben was described as 20-yrs-old, and had rheumatism in both ankles which caused swelling. He was skilled in blacksmithing. A reward of $20 was offered for both men or $10 aoiece for either.;
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1798 - Bullitt Co., Harry hurries away
In mid-December 1798, Harry, a 22-yr-old freedom seeker, held by Bullitt County enslaver James Yewell, left slavery behind. Harry, who used the alias "Sam Butler" was about 5'10" trall and had a large, vertical scar on his forehead. He was a fiddle playere and may have known some blacksmithing skills. A $25 reward was offered for his return.
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1816 - Bullitt Co., Senecar slips away
Around mid-May, 1816, Senecar, a tall, large-framed freedom seeker escaped from Shepherdsville enslaver Richard Simmons. A reward of $25 was offered for his return
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1793 - Mercer Co., Ten pounds for Peter's return
in 1793, ten pounds reward was offered by Danville enslaver John Dougherey for the return of 30-yr-old freedom seeker, Peter, who had escaped around Sept 20th. Peter was about 5'10" tall with a "yellow" complexion and several missing front teeth.
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1808 - Mercer Co., Tom's flight to freedom
Around October 20th, 1808, a freedom seeker named Tom escaped from Danville-area enslaver James G. Birney , Sr., father of famous abolitionist James G. Birney Jr. Tom was a rope maker and was describeds as about 5'7" tall, with a "yellow" complexion. He had previously been enslaved by Mr. January of Lexington, where Tom's wife also lived. A reward of $10 plus expenses was offfered for his return.
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1798 - Mercer Co., Educated John slips away
John Dick, a 26-yr-old freedom seeker, took his exit from Danville-area enslaver Edward Hughes on March 1, 1798. He was previously held by Hail Tolbert of Madison County and was able to read and was "fond of shewing (sic)" this skill. A five dollar reward was offered for his return.
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1815 - Mercer Co., Joe's disappearance
On Dec 1, 1815, Danville-area enslaver Joseph Hertick placed an ad offereing a $20 reward for the retrun of Joe, who was likely to be headed for Ohio.