Cumberland County Enslavement

Cumberland County Miscellaneous Enslavement Data

The items and data on this page do not list a specific slaveholder, yet contain valuable data about individual enslaved persons, slave culture or life.

Enslavement Items

• Name: Suckey ("Negroe Suckey")
  Date of item: May 1780, May 1781
  Location: Carlisle
  Item: Court Order--punishment for arson
  Details/Text: "Cumberland County --May 1780
  Republica vs Negroe Suckey -- Arson
  Judgement that Negroe Suckey be hanged by the Neck till she be dead."
  "Cumberland County --May 1781
  Republica vs Negroe Suckey -- Convicted of Arson
  Sentenced to death."
  Notes:
  Source: Records of the (Pennsylvania) Supreme Court, pages 67, 108.
• Date of item: 30 November 1785
  Location: Carlisle
  Item: Newspaper advertisement
  Details/Text: To be Sold,
  A Healthy young NEGRO WENCH, with a child at her breast, who can be well recommended for her honesty and sobriety. Enquire of the printers.
  Notes: This female is most likely a slave for life, but the infant would be a term slave for 28 years, per the Gradual Abolition Act of 1780.
  Source: The Carlisle Gazette, 30 November 1785
• Date of item: 08 October 1788
  Location: Carlisle
  Item: Newspaper advertisement
  Details/Text: To be Sold.
  A LIKELY Mulatto BOY, about 19 years of age, duly registered -- He understands taking care of horses, is an active waiter, and a tolerable good cook. -- Enquire of the Printers.
  Notes: With an estimated birth year of 1769, this person is most likely a slave for life. The duties described indicate his role was probably a house servant to a wealthy family, working as a groom, a waiter and a cook.
  Source: The Carlisle Gazette, 08 October 1788
• Name: Cuffee
  Details: Negro Cuffee, a slave, was pardoned on August 13, 1792, after being convicted in Cumberland County for stealing two cows and two steers.  The pardon was listed in the published Pennsylvania Archives, Ninth Series, 1792.
  Source: Pennsylvania Archives--Ninth Series--1792," at http://mhrising.com/Pardons/1792.htm, accessed 16 October 2006.

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