-
unknown, Aaron [13]
On the second of November, 36-yr-old Aaron set his sights on freedom. He left Clark Co. enslaver, Richard Hickman, atop a bay horse. Hickman was prepared to give a liberal reward for the man and the horse together or seperately.
-
unknown, David [14]
In October, 1809, constable Samuel Niblack of Lick Township, Oh, captured freedom seeker David, at the Scioto Co Saltworks. David named Obediah Dooley of Clark County as his enslaver. David was described as about 5'4" tall and between 20-25.
-
unknown, Rebecca [10]
Rebecca, a 24-yr-old freedom seeker, escaped Winchester enslaver Samuel McClure on March 11, 1816. She is described as about 5 ft. tall and was carrying a piece of coating fabric for a handkerchief. McClure offerd that anyone who would return Rebecca would be "handsomely rewarded."
-
unknown, Frank [12]
Early in April, 1817, enslaver Joseph Carrell of Clark County, discovered 41-yr-old Frank was missing. Frank was described as about 6" tall and had repaired the heel of one of his shoes with a horseshoe nail. A reward of up to $10 plus expenses was offered for Frank's return.
-
unknown, Mary [92]
In mid-July, 1842, Boonesborough-area enslaver Jeremiah Bush offered a $200 reward for the return of two freedom seekers who had escaped astride a white horse. They wre described as: Humphrey, AKA Bob, about 35-yrs-old, about 5'8" tall and Mary, 14 yrs old who was a small girl with light skin and eyes. The horse was light with a blemish in one eye.
-
unknown, Humphrey [2]
In mid-July, 1842, Boonesborough-area enslaver Jeremiah Bush offered a $200 reward for the return of two freedom seekers who had escaped astride a white horse. They wre described as: Humphrey, AKA Bob, about 35-yrs-old, about 5'8" tall and Mary, 14 yrs old who was a small girl with light skin and eyes. The horse was light with a blemish in one eye.
-
unknown, Britain
In March, 1796, a 17-yr-old freedom seeker known as either Britain or Ned fled from Clark County enslaver Robert Clark. He was detained in Ohio but escaped again as he was being transported back to Clark Co. He was described as having a slender build and "remarkably large feet," which helped carry him to freedom. A reward of u to $20 plus expenses was offered for his return.
-
unknown, Bob [12]
On Mar 27th, 1815, three freedom seekers escaped from Clark Co. enslaver John Brinager, who lived near Curtright's station. All three were recently purchased inn Baltimore, MD. 30-yr-old Charles was thin and stood at about six feet tall; Dick was 5' 9", heavy set and had a "sour look," he was about 25-yrs-old; Bob, who was about 20-yrs-old, had pierced ears with rings in them and a "yellow complexion." A reward of up to $45 was offered for them collectively.
-
unknown, Dick [15]
On Mar 27th, 1815, three freedom seekers escaped from Clark Co. enslaver John Brinager, who lived near Curtright's station. All three were recently purchased in Baltimore, MD. 30-yr-old Charles was thin and stood at about six feet tall; Dick was 5' 9", heavy set and had a "sour look," he was about 25-yrs-old; Bob, who was about 20-yrs-old, had pierced ears with rings in them and a "yellow complexion." A reward of up to $45 was offered for them collectively.
-
unknown, Charles [25]
On Mar 27th, 1815, three freedom seekers escaped from Clark Co. enslaver John Brinager, who lived near Curtright's station. All three were recently purchased inn Baltimore, MD. 30-yr-old Charles was thin and stood at about six feet tall; Dick was 5' 9", heavy set and had a "sour look," he was about 25-yrs-old; Bob, who was about 20-yrs-old, had pierced ears with rings in them and a "yellow complexion." A reward of up to $45 was offered for them collectively.
-
unknown, Martin [3]
Twenty-yr-old Martin slipped away from Clark Co., enslaver, Robert Cunningham, on Aug 6th, 1815. He was described as about six feet tall and slender, with a scar on his cheek. Martin was likely to be headed to Ohio. A reward of up to $50 was offered for his return.
-
unknown, Jim [22]
Freedom Seeker Jim escaped from Winchester-area enslaver John Owen on 20 Sept., 1814. No age was given for Jim, but he was described as about 5'8" tall, with a scar above one eye. Up to $30 was offered for his return.
-
Clay, Green
The census index shows Green Clay living in Madison County (Ky.) as early as 1789, though officially Kentucky was still part of Virginia at that time.
-
1817 - Madison Co., Fast-talking Harry
Just after the New Year, 1817, 22-yr-old Harry took his leave from Madison County slaveholder John Duncan. He was described as 5'9" tall and stout, with round features. Harry was a very fast talker as well. Up to $50 was offered for his return.
-
1809 - Madison Co., The "Theft" of Lorry
18-yr-old freedom seeker Lorry disappeared from Madison County slaveholder Hiram Biggerstaff just after Christmas, 1809. There was an assumption that she was "stolen" and may be disguised as a man. She was described as tall and slim, with pierced ears and "very neat made." She was well dressed and "thinks herself much of a lady." $50 reward was offered for her return.
-
1826 - Madison Co., Despite Injury, Freedom Seeker Takes Flight
An unnamed 21-yr-old man, held by slaveholder Green Clay of Madison Co., escaped on Dec 15, 1826. He had an injured ankle that was "put out of place" causing him to limp. The man was also skilled in making "coarse shoes." A reward of up to $50 was offered for his return.
-
1816 - Madison Co., Escape of Pompey
Pompey, described as about 24-yrs-old, six feet tall with dark, smooth skin, escaped Madison Co. slaveholder Thomas Grubbs on the 20th of April, 1816. a reward of up to $50 was offered for his return
-
1819 - Madison Co., Skilled Freedom Seeker
Felp, a freedom seeker who was about 30-35 yrs old, escaped Madison Co slaveholder James Collins on July 14, 1819. He was described as a "first rate workman" who was a skilled currier and tanner. Felp, who was able to read and write, was brought to Kentucky from Madison County, VA in 1817. A reward of $200 was offered for his return.
-
1827 - Madison Co., Three Men, Two Women and Two Infants Flee Bondage
On October 27, 1827 a group of freedom seekers escaped from four Madison County slaveholders. The group consisted of George and his wife Milly and their three-month-old twins; Ben and his wife Hannah, who was pregnant and another man named George. $250 was offered for the group or $50 a piece for the adults individually.
-
1827 - Madison Co., Brief Freedom for Squire
Freedom seeker Squire escaped from Madison County slaveholder Green Clay on Sept 22, 1827. Green Clay was the cousin of Henry Clay and father of emancipationist Cassius Clay. Squire was about 30 yrs old when he escaped and Clay offered a $50 reward for his return. He was described as about six feet tall, with a scar that ran from his mouth back towards his ear. He also was missing a part of his ear, lost in a fight. It appears that he was recaptured, as Squire was listed in Clay's will (Sept 8, 1828) along with several other enslaved people. All were to be sold out of the state, never to return. Since Clay appeared to have some emancipationist leanings himself, this may be an indication that the sale of Squire and others was retribution for running away.
-
1808 - Madison Co., The Disappearance of Jerry
In late January, 1808, Madison County slaveholder Humphrey Jones realized that 23-yr-old Jerry had escaped him. He placed an ad offering a $50 reward for Jerry's return. Jerry was described as about 5'10" tall with a scar on the back of one thigh. He was wearing leather breaches and an yellow hunting shirt when he escaped.
-
1826 - Madison Co., Escape of Well-Read William
On December 10, 1826, Madison County slaveholder William Barnett discovered that 22-yr-old William had escaped from his property near Silver Creek. In an ad placed three days later, William is described as "stout made; nearly 6 feet high" and it is revealed that William can also read and write and would likely head for Ohio. A reward of $50 was offered for his return.
-
1795 - Madison Co., A Pair of Freedom Seekers
In March 1795, Lewis and Harry escaped from Madison County slaveholder William Robinson. 21-yr-old Lewis was described as of a "yellow complexion," about 5'6" tall with a large scar on the inside of his right finger and a scar on his thigh from a burn. 19-yr-old Harry was described as about 5'5" tall and having a "rather dark complexion. Fifty dollars reward was offered for both Lewis and Harry or $25 for either alone.
-
1798 - Madison Co., Nat and Ephraim Steal Away
Freedom seekers Ephraim and Nat escaped together from Madison County slaveholder William Walker on September 12, 1798. Ephraim, about 22, was approximately 5'9", with a "yellow" complexion. He had lost about half of one foot and several toes from the other as a result of frostbite. Nat had a dark complexion, was about 22 yrs old, and was somewhat smaller than Ephraim. A reward of $10 was offered for their return.
-
1797 - Madison Co., What Happened to Wat?
Wat, a 20-year-old freedom seeker, escaped Madison County slaveholder Samuel Gilbert some time in mid-March, 1797. Wat was described as abut 5'7" tall, smart and active, with "long nappy hair," wearing buckskin breeches and hemp linen. A twenty dollar reward was offered for his return.