-
1823--Jim Captured
On July 24, 1823, Jim, a freedom seeker from Muhlenburg County, KY, is captured and held by the Boone County Jailer Benjamin Willis. The slaveholder named in the advertisement is James Milligan. Milligan's 1820 census record shows seven enslaved people, one of whom is an adult male.
-
1813--Mood Escape
On September 15, 1813, "Mood" (about 25-30 years old), takes his freedom from slaveholder Elijah Kirtley, of Boone County. In Kirtley's advertisement for his return, a $20 reward is offered, along with a lengthy description. According to Kirtley, Mood is a gambler who is clever and boastful, especially concerning his strength, and "bent on mischief". Mood's scars are numerous, including a brand on his hand, made by a metal ring, applied after a previous escape attempt.
-
1837--Geofery and Esther
A reward is offered for Geofery and Esther, who had been enslaved in Boone County by Corneilus Hughes, and presumably sold south. They escaped in January, and were still being sought in June. Would they have tried to contact family in Boone County on their way north?
-
1823--Jim J Captured and Jailed
On December 18, 1823 a man named Jim J, a freedom seeker from South Carolina, is caught in Boone County and held by Jailer Benjamin Willis Justice of the Peace. Absalom Graves, of Burlington, KY was to be contacted by the owner to retrieve him. He had been in jail for several months when the ad was placed in April of 1824.
-
1844--Sale and Escape of George Washington
George Washington escaped from bondage in the Deep South. He was taken for sale by Mr. Gaines, a slave trader from Boone County, where George Washington was raised.
-
1800--Nackey Escape
On March 13, 1800, 18 year old Nackey escaped from Jacob Fowler, of Campbell and Boone Counties. If caught, she was to be returned to Isaac Anderson, of Cincinnati who has agreed with Fowler for the "remainder of her servitude."
-
1811--Sarah Escapes with Isom
On May 13, 1811 Sarah, a 21 or 22 yrs old enslaved woman of the estate of Jeremiah Early of Lynchburg, VA, has escaped in the company of Isom Arthur, described as a man of dark skin, but it is unclear if he is also enslaved. Both were on horseback . Jeremiah Early's son, Abner Early, a cousin of Boone County slaveholder Whitfield, Early, placed an advertisement offering a $50 reward for their return.
-
1805--Juno Escape
In August 1805, Juno (a girl of 15 years) ran from Richard Dicken of Boone County. She was described as having a "yellow complexion, and smiling countenance" and the report was that she had been seen in Cincinnati and Columbia. Eight dollars was offered for her return.
-
1799--Frank, Ginne, and Phillis Escape
On October 14, 1799, a 26 year old man by the name of Frank, ran from the farm of Benjamin Craig, on the Ohio River, taking with him a three year old girl named Ginne (presumably his daughter). Frank is described as "about 5'6", very pleasant countenance, very talkative, pretends to be a Baptist preacher." Three days later, Phillis, 23 or 24 yrs old, escaped from the farm of Elijah Hogan in Tanner's Station (Petersburg). Phillis is Frank's wife (possibly Ginne's mother) and is described as 5'11" tall, with a yellow complexion. A reward of $25 is offered for their return.
-
1802--Bristow Escape
In January 1802, Bristow, a man of about 5'8" height, stout, and about 21 yrs old, escaped from Archelaus Alloway, who lived near Tanner's Station (Petersburg). A reward of $10 was offered for his return, plus "reasonable expenses."
-
1829--Escape Of Silvey
Silvey, an enslaved member of the Bullittsburg Baptist Church, is excluded from membership for "absconding from" her slaveholder, Benjamin Watts .
-
1843--Unnamed Enslaved Escapes the Marshalls
An enslaved person (not named) escaped from the Marshall farm in Florence, Kentucky in 1843. There is mention that the slaves will be divided among the Marshall heirs, except the "one that eloped from me" the prior year (the will was written 1844).
-
1808--Reward for Willis
Benjamin Craig of Boone County, Kentucky acted as an agent for the slaveholder Francis Sibert, of Shenandoah County, Virginia, who was seeking the return of an enslaved man named Willis, who had escaped on 6 June 1808 with the help of a Methodist preacher. Craig suspected that he was in the area and offered a $30 reward to anyone to detain him and "lodge him" in the Cincinnati jail.
-
1828--Escape of Tombolen
A member of Sand Run Baptist church, on March 22, 1828, Tombolen, a bondsman of Cave Johnson, "absconded and remained absent."
-
1835--Reward for Tom and Hiram
A reward is offered for Tom and Hiram, two men who escaped from slave-trader, O. W. Gaines. The freedom Seekers were named in handbills distributed in Rising Sun, Indiana post offices. Gaines, related to the Gaines family in Boone County, Kentucky, had also borrowed $50,000 from the Indiana state bank for purchase of Kentucky slaves to sell in the Louisiana market. Many of the enslaved in Boone County, Kentucky were sold south, possibly with this group.
-
1824--Escape Attempt of Sarah
In October 1824 Sarah, belonging to Mrs. Nobles, is accused by John Ryle of taking a horse from Willis and riding it in the night to Robert Kirtley's. It is unclear if she was caught. This sounds like an escape attempt. Perhaps Sarah had a family member on the Kirtley farm.
-
1825--Samuel Redd
A $50 reward is offered by Samuel Redd, of Lexington, Kentucky, for Nicholas, last seen on the "Dry Ridge near Gaines Tavern" in the company of two men who asked directions to Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
-
1833--Escape of Merrit
At a May 1833 meeting at Bullittsburg Baptist Church a complaint was made against Merrit a "Black member of this church belonging to Bro. George Ganes for having absconded and left this church and this Master without leave, the matter is taken up and considered and he is found guilty of Sin & Excluded."
-
1834--Escape of Manuel
Manuel, a freedom seeker from Boone County, Kentucky, was caught in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Jailer advertised for his slave holder, John Shavor, to come and claim his slave. He was possibly sold south and escaped, or did he travel with his slaveholder on the river and run away?
-
1829--Escape of Kezia
Kezia, an enslaved member of the Bullittsburg Baptist Church, is excluded from membership for "absconding from" her slaveholder, George Gaines, sometime prior to the 1829 meeting.
-
1820--Escape of Julia
On March 18, 1820 Mr. Graves’ Julia “absconded from her master,” was absent for a considerable time and there was “no certainty when she would be with us again.” She was found guilty of sin and excluded.
-
1819--Escape of Jesse
On October 2, 1819 Jesse, an enslaved member of Bullittsburg Baptist Church, had "absconded" from slaveholder Ben Johnson some time prior to the meeting and the church had not been made aware he was gone. He also was accused of "purloining," and excluded from membership.
-
1829--Escape and Incarceration of Isaac
Isaac was a runaway who was captured and kept in the Boone County Jail in 1829 while an advertisement was run for his slaveholder. After five months, the court ordered he be "hired out" to cover the expenses of his time in jail. If a slaveholder did not appear, he would be auctioned.
-
1838--Escape of Frederick
In November 1838 a complaint is made against against Fredrick, a "black member belonging to Br. R. Kirtley for absconding from his master and leaving the church in a disorderly manner." Frederick does not return, and is excluded.
-
1807--Escape of Elimas
In January 1807 Elimas, who had attempted to escape in 1803, but was caught, was accepted back into Bullittsburg Baptist Church as a member in August, 1806. Within just a few months, he had "absconded" again from John Hall, his slaveholder. This time, it appears he did not get caught. Hall's tax list shows the loss of one enslaved adult. No further mention is made of Elimas in church records.