Runaway Slaves in Jamaica (II): Nineteenth Century Edited by Douglas B. Chambers University of Southern Mississippi (February, 2013)1 Part 1: Paid Advertisements (1812-1817)2 1812 12 November 1812 Cornwall Chronicle Spring Garden, St. James Absconded, about the 24th of August last from Mr. John Dow’s settlement, Don side, near York Estate, in the parish of Trelawny, a mulatto slave named TOM, alias TOM DAWSON, by trade a carpenter, about 6 ft. high, 20 years of age, slim made, is very plausible, and will no doubt pass as free. He is well known in the county of Cornwall, having been the Subscriber’s waiting boy a number of years, as also in the parish of St. Ann and Spanish Town, having waiting on G. F. COWARD, Esq., some considerable time. He was accompanied by a Negro boy belonging to Mr. DOW, about 5 ft. high, named STERNE, alias JOHN, well known in the vicinity of St. Ann Bay. Ten Pounds reward will be given on the apprehension of Tom, and one Doubloon on that of Sterne, and lodging them in any gaol or workhouse, or lodging them to Mr. Dow, Don side, near York Estate, in the parish of Trelawny, or to the Subscribers as above. DAVID KERR. 1813 4 January 1813 Cornwall Chronicle Westmoreland Workhouse Absconded, from the above workhouse on Saturday evening about the 2nd inst., a sambo man, named JOHN. He is about 5 ft. 6 or 7 in. high, is very plausible, speaks good English, and says he belongs to Mr. JOHN BANKS at the Caymanas or Bay Honduras. He was sent in as a runaway, but being very sick in a dropsical state, he was ordered by the Doctor to be taken out of chains till he was better. A Pistole reward will be given for lodging him in any gaol or workhouse or bringing him to the Subscriber. JACOB PESSOA. 1 Research was funded in part by an Aubrey Keith Lucas and Ella Ginn Lucas Endowment for Faculty Excellence Award, University of Southern Mississippi. 2 Newspaper abbreviations: Cornwall Chronicle [CC]; Jamaica Mercury [JM]; Royal Gazette [RG]; Weekly Jamaica Courant [WJC]. 2 19 January 1813 Cornwall Chronicle Black River Workhouse Made his escape, from the above workhouse on the 12th inst. by breaking a link of the chain, a Negro man named JAMES, a creole, 5 ft. 4 in. high, marked E L on his right shoulder, and belongs to Mr. DREW STRETCH. A Pistole reward will be paid for lodging him in any gaol or workhouse by applying to the Subscriber. F. SANDCROFT. 15 February 1813 Cornwall Chronicle Gazeebo, Westmoreland Run away, from the Subscriber on the 14th of December last, a Negro man named DICK, of the Chamba country, about 5 ft. 8 in. high. Has yellow eyes and complexion, with his country marks in both temples, and a few smallpox pits in his face. Has been marked twice on both his shoulders, but one is obscured. He is one of a gang bought of a Mr. ISAAC BARROW, who brought them from Kingston, and it is said he belonged formerly to Woodsall’s estate in St. Ann. Whoever will apprehend said Negro, and lodge him in gaol, or deliver him to me at the above place, shall receive a Pistole reward from DANIEL HILTON. 3 March 1813 Cornwall Chronicle St. Ann. Workhouse Ran away, from the driver this day, a creole Negro named BUDGET, alias HENRY, 5 ft. 11 in. high, stout made, no mark, formerly belonged to JOHN BLAGROVE, Esq., Cardiff-Hall Estate (where it is supposed he is gone) [sic], but sentenced to this workhouse for life. Whoever returns the said Negro, or lodges him in any workhouse, and give information to the Subscriber, shall receive two Pistoles reward. JOHN KENDRICK. 10 March 1813 Cornwall Chronicle Porto Bello Ran away, from the Subscriber, a Negro man named POMPEY, of a very dark complexion, about 5 ft. high, marked on the left shoulder M L, ◊ on top. Whoever will bring him to the Subscriber, or give any information respecting him, will be thankfully rewarded. G. LAWSON. 14 April 1813 Cornwall Chronicle St. George Workhouse COVENTRY, a Papa [Popo], 5 ft. 6 in. high, marked E D on right shoulder, to Golden Grove 3 Estate; was sent in from that property for punishment on the 22nd December 1811, made his escape on the 12th June 1812, and has since been apprehended on Belfield Estate, in St. Mary, and sent in as a runaway. 22 April 1813 Cornwall Chronicle Montego Bay Half-a-Joe reward. Ran away, from the Subscriber, a Negro named MANCHESTER, belonging to Mrs. CATHERINE BINNS. He was seen lurking about the Bogue Estate. It is probable he is about Mount Pleasant or Childermas Estate. The above reward will be paid on his being lodged in any workhouse or gaol, or being return to ASA W. WILDER. 10 December 1813 Cornwall Chronicle Westmoreland Ran away, a mulatto woman named MARY, or MARY FITZGERALD. A reward of two Pistoles will be paid for taking her up, and delivering her to the Subscriber, or lodging her in a workhouse. DAVID FINLAYSON. 1814 18 July 1814 Cornwall Chronicle Came here, in very great distress, about three weeks ago, a Negro man with a large ulcerated leg and bleeding much, and almost without cloaths; he says his name is BILLY, and belonged to a Mr. FRASER, who is gone off the island. Any person proving him their property, may have him by paying for this advertisement, and other expenses. JAMES HEDLEY. Catadupa. 1815 7 July 1815 Cornwall Chronicle Montego Bay Ran away, about ten days ago, a Negro man named WILL, about 5 ft. 9 in. high, of a dark complexion, and slim made. It is supposed that he will endeavour to get off the island the fleet; all masters of vessels are cautioned from carrying said Negro off. A liberal reward will be paid to any person giving information where he is to be found, or lodge him in any gaol or workhouse, upon application to the Subscriber. RAYNES WAITE. 4 23 July 1815 Cornwall Chronicle Latium Two Doubloons reward. Ran away, from the Subscriber, a Negro man named BEN, a carpenter by trade, marked R O on both shoulders. He formerly belonged to RICHARD OTTO, afterwards to COLIN GRANT, and by him sold to JOHN McCLELLAND a carpenter, Montego Bay. He is about 5 ft. 4 in. high, dark complexion, is very artful, and is supposed to have procured a false ticket, by which means he may endeavour to pass as free. He is well known in Westmoreland and Hanover, where has been repeatedly taken up for the same offense. The above reward will be paid to any one apprehending and lodging him in any gaol or workhouse in the island, and a further reward of twenty Pounds on proving to conviction by whom harboured, will be paid on application to Mr. Joseph Dawes, merchant, Montego Bay, or here to WILLIAM CLARKE. 8 September 1815 Cornwall Chronicle Windsor Lodge, St. James Absconded, from Grange Hill in Westmoreland on or about the 12th of June, a Negro man named WILL, of the Congo country, and having his country marks on the face. He is marked HKPC on his shoulder, on his cheeks, and on his breasts, though they may be somewhat obliterated. He is about 5 ft. 3 or 4 in. high, is stoutish made, and has an impediment in his speech, and is very artful. He is a carpenter by trade, and is well known in the parish of Hanover and Westmoreland, having worked with Mr. J. Falconer upwards of six years. He has a wife on Cariwina Estate, in the latter parish, where it is supposed he may be skulking. A reward of one Doubloon will be given, upon lodging him in any workhouse by C. McNish, Savanna la Mar, J. Fray, Montego Bay, or the Subscriber. JOSEPH CAREY. 26 December 1815 Cornwall Chronicle Trelawny Workhouse A Pistole Reward. Absconded, on Thursday 21st inst., JAMES, a creole Negro man, for some years past has been a driver here; he is a likely plausible fellow, of yellow complexion, 5 ft. 5- 1/2 in. high, marked on his left shoulder R R, ◊ on top. He was seen at Berrydale Estate, and is supposed to be gone to Alex. McIntosh, Esq.’s, settlement, where he has a wife and child. The above reward will be paid on lodging him in any Workhouse, by JAMES HUNTER, sup. 1816 5 January 1816 Cornwall Chronicle Montego Bay 5 Ran away, on the 1st January, the following Negroes, namely SIMON, GEORGE, JEM, CHESTER, and ADAM. Any person taking up the same, and bringing them to the Subscriber, or giving information where they may be found, will be liberally rewarded. JOHN FICHETT.3 30 January 1816 Cornwall Chronicle Lucea Ran away, from the Subscriber on the 27th inst., a [mulatto] brown man named JAMES CROOKS, by trade a saddler, and is well known in the parishes of Hanover and St. James. Any person apprehending him shall receive, on application to the Subscriber, a suitable reward. All captains of ships are hereby cautioned not to take the above person off the Island, as the law will be strictly enforced against them. GEORGE HOPKINS. 31 January 1816 Cornwall Chronicle Lucea Ran away, on the 10th instant, a Negro woman named FLORA, a creole, of a yellow complexion, about 21 years of age, marked on her right shoulder A M C, and carried away her child named AMELIA, thirteen months old.