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 Enslavement
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  A young enslaved Black woman working on a colonial Pennsylvania farm. Text logo for the Enslavement Section of Afrolumens Project

A series of pages exploring
various aspects of enslavement in Pennsylvania

Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Slave Holders G-J

Slaveholders listed on this page

  1. Galbreath, James (Slaves listed: Joseph)
  2. Gallaugher, Elizabeth (Slaves listed: Cuff, Benebo, Sambo)
  3. Gelchrist, John "The Younger" (Slaves listed: Andrew, Margaret, Leah)
  4. Getz, Martin (Slaves listed: un-named girl)
  5. Gilchrist, John (Slaves listed: Rachel, Tobb)
  6. Gilchrist, Robert (Slaves listed: Dick)
  7. Goodman, Simon (Slaves listed: Elmer George)
  8. Graydon, Alexander  (Slaves listed: one unnamed person)
  9. Green, Timothy (Slaves listed: Jam, two unnamed "negro wenches," an unnamed negro male child)
  10. Grim, David (Slaves listed: Nedd)
  11. Grubb, Curtis (Slaves listed: Jenny, Abe, Fanny, Sarah)
  12. Grubb, Curtis, Sr. (Slaves listed: Isaac)
  13. Grubb, Jacob (Slaves listed: Jacob, Rachel)
  14. Hall, Henry  (Slaves listed:  one unnamed person)
  15. Hamilton, J. E. (Slaves listed: Lancaster)
  16. Hanna, John A. (Slaves listed: Sarah, Rose)
  17. Harbinson, Adam (Slaves listed: Elijah, Dinah)
  18. Harris, John, Jr. (Slaves listed: Jack, Isaac, Franck)
  19. Harris, John Sr. (Slaves listed: Hercules, Toni, Cherida)
  20. Harris, Robert (Slaves listed: Luce)
  21. Hay, William (Slaves listed: Dembigh, Phillis, unnamed male child, unnamed female infant, Phillis(2))
  22. Hayes, Patrick (Slaves listed: Tob, John Martin, Sam, unnamed male)
  23. Hayes, Robert (Slaves listed: Nell)
  24. Hays, David (Slaves listed: Bet)
  25. Hays, Nancy (McAllister) (Slaves listed: Poll)
  26. Hays, Pat (Slaves listed: Thomas Martin, Peter, Robert Martin)
  27. Hays, Robert (Slaves listed: Rose)
  28. Hiester, Daniel (Slaves listed: Henry, Grace)
  29. Hollenback, John (Slaves listed: Bess)
  30. Hughes, Leroy (Slaves listed: Middleton Garret)
  31. Hunt, Benjamin (Slaves listed: Katy)
  32. Hunt, Elizabeth (Slaves listed: Joseph)
  33. Ireland, David (Slaves listed: one unnamed slave)
  34. Irvine, William M. (Slaves listed: Ann, Harriet)
  35. Irwin, John  (Slaves listed:  one unnamed person)
  36. Job, Mary (Slaves listed: Nel)
  37. Johnson, Alexander (Slaves listed: Jack)
  38. Jordan, B. (Slaves listed: William Jones)

Enslavement Data

  • Owner's Name: Galbreath, james
    Owner's Township: Derry
    Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of advertisement)
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:

    1. Slave Name: Joseph
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): Age not given, but described as a man.
      Slave Description: "Negroe man"
      Date of Registry or Record: 3 July 1755
      Slave Memo: Status: Captured Suspected Runaway slave. Galbreath placed the following ad to locate the owner: "THERE is in the custody of James Galbreath, of Derry Township, Lancaster county, a runaway Negroe man, nam'd Joseph, mark'd with the small-pox. Any person, proving his property to said Negroe man, may have him again, paying charges. JAMES GALBREATH."
      Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 3 July 1755

  • Owner's Surname: Gallaugher
    Owner's First Name: Elizabeth
    Owner's Township: Paxtang
    Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:

    1. Counter: 72
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Cuff
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 25
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
      Slave Memo: Status: "Slave during life."  Registered as a "Negroe Man" at Lancaster.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
    2. Counter: 73
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Benebo or Benibo
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): 36
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
      Slave Memo: Status: "Slave during life."  Registered as a "Negroe Woman" at Lancaster.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
    3. Counter: 74
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Sambo
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 08
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
      Slave Memo: Status: "Slave during life."  Registered as a "Negroe Boy" at Lancaster.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
  • Owner's Surname: Gelchrist
    Owner's First Name: John "the younger"
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 178
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Andrew
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    2. Counter: 179
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Margaret
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    3. Counter: 177
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Leah
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Getz
    Owner's First Name: Martin
    Owner's City: Halifax
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name:
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): 14
      Date of Registry or Record: June 18, 1816
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: 50
       
  • Owner's Surname: Gilchrist
    Owner's First Name: John
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Location: "Paxtang Township" in original 1780 Registrations; Lower Paxton in 1800 list.
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's Occupation: Farmer
    Owner--Memo: In the July 1800 list of slaves in Lower Paxton Township, Gilchrist's surname is misspelled "Gilgrist."
    1. Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Rachel
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): "about 21 or thereabouts"
      Slave Date of Birth: 1759 (calculated)
      Date of Registry or Record: October 05, 1780
      Slave Status: "Slave during life"
      Slave Memo: Described in 1780 Slave Registration as "Negro Wench."
      Source: Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780
       
    2. Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Tobb
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 36
      Slave Date of Birth: 1764 (calculated)
      Date of Registry or Record: July 1800
      Slave Status: Slave for life
      Slave Memo: Tobb was not registered by Gilchrist in 1780, indicating that he bought or acquired the slave sometime after that year.
      Source: Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807
       
  • Owner's Surname: Gilchrist
    Owner's First Name: Robert
    Owner's Township: Paxton
    Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation: Farmer
    Owner--Memo: Gilchrist apparently traveled to Lancaster along with two other local men to register slaves.  The county clerk recorded their slaves as follows:  "John Wiggins, Robert Gilchrist, farmers, and Richard McGuire, blacksmith, of Paxton T, enters as owners" Nance, Negroe Wench, about nine years of age, slave during life; Dick, Negroe Boy, about seven years of age, slave for life; Tob, Negroe Man, eighteen years of age, slave during life, and Peet, Negroe Boy, ten years of age, slave during life.

    The clerk did not indicate who owned which slaves, but it was customary to list slaves by descending age, males first, followed by females in descending age order.  Using that custom as an indicator, it was possible to make a guess as to who held which slaves.

    1. Counter: 61
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Dick
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 07
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Described at registration as "Negroe Boy."  Registered at Lancaster.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
  • Owner's Surname: Goodman
    Owner's First Name: Simon
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County: Cumberland
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo: "Former resident of Harrisburg."
    1. Counter: 339
      Slave Surname, if known: George
      Slave Given Name: Elmer
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Graydon
    Owner's First Name: Alexander
    Owner's City:  Harrisburg
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County:  Dauphin
    Owner's State:  Pennsylvania
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:   This was Captain Alexander Graydon, veteran of the Revolutionary War. He was captured at Fort Washington, New York in 1776, was paroled and did not rejoin the army.  He moved to Harrisburg after the war.  Uncle of Alexander Graydon, the abolitionist, of Harrisburg, PA and later Indianapolis, IN.
    1. Slave Surname, if known:  Not known
      Slave Given Name: Not known
      Slave Sex: Not known
      Slave Age (Years):  Not known, but between 12 and 50, in 1798.
      Date of Registry or Record:  1798
      Slave Memo: Enumerated in the 1798 U.S. Direct Tax, "General List of Slaves Owned, or superintended, on the first day of October, 1798, within the third assessment fourth division, State of Pennsylvania."
      Source: 1798 U.S. Direct Tax
     
  • Owner's Surname: Green
    Owner's First Name: Timothy
    Owner's Township: Hanover
    Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:  Green also registered the slaves of Robert Sturgeon, a miller in Paxton Township, acting as his attorney.
    1. Counter: 84
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Jam
      Slave Gender: Male
      Slave Age (Years): about 35 years old at registration
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/23/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Man," about 35 years of age, a "slave during life."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
    2. Counter: 85
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Not recorded
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): about 33 years old at registration
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/23/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Wench," about 33 years of age, a "slave during life."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
       
    3. Counter: 86
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: not recorded
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): about 8 years old at registration
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/23/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Wench," about 8 years of age, a "slave during life."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
       
    4. Counter: 87
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name:  not recorded
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): about 3 years old at registration
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/23/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe male child," about 3 years of age, a "slave during life."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
       
  • Owner's Surname: Grim
    Owner's First Name: David
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Londonderry
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 235
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Nedd
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Grubb
    Owner's First Name: Curtis
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation: Iron Master
    Owner--Memo: Registered by John W. Kittara for Curtis Grubb. Some listings are for Curtis Grubb, deceased. This is probably the same person as Curtis Grubb, Sr. See also the listings for the Grubb family in Lancaster County and Lebanon County. In his will, dated March 18, 1788 and proved February 19, 1789, Curtis Grubb leaves a "negro wench" to his wife Ann.
    1. Counter: 207
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Jenny
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years):
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    2. Counter: 208
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Abe
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. Registered by John W. Kitarra for Curtis Grubb.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    3. Counter: 251
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Fanny
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): .5
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. Actual age at registration
      "about seven months." Registered by J.W.Kittera for Curtis Grubb, deceased.
      Date of Registry or Record: 5/17/1790
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    4. Counter: 252
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Sarah
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): .5
      Date of Registry or Record: 5/18/1790
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. Registered by J.W.Kittera for Curtis Grubb, deceased.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Grubb
    Owner's First Name: Curtis, Sr.
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County:
    Owner's State:
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:  See also, "Grubb, Curtis"
    1. Counter: 303
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Isaac
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. Registered by R. Kelker, Jr., for Curtis Grubb, Sr., deceased.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Grubb
    Owner's First Name: Jacob
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Lebanon
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo: Registered by Samuel Sinclair for Jacob Grubb in Lebanon Township, then part of Dauphin County. These listings are duplicated on the Lebanon County page.
    1. Counter: 175
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Jacob
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. Registered by Samuel Sinclair for Jacob Grubb in Lebanon Township, then part of Dauphin County.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    2. Counter: 176
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Rachel
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. Registered by Samuel Sinclair for Jacob Grubb in Lebanon Township, then part of Dauphin County.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Hall
    Owner's First Name: Henry
    Owner's City:  Harrisburg
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County:  Dauphin
    Owner's State:  Pennsylvania
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:   
    1. Slave Surname, if known:  Not known
      Slave Given Name: Not known
      Slave Sex: Not known
      Slave Age (Years):  Not known, but between 12 and 50, in 1798.
      Date of Registry or Record:  1798
      Slave Memo: Enumerated in the 1798 U.S. Direct Tax, "General List of Slaves Owned, or superintended, on the first day of October, 1798, within the third assessment fourth division, State of Pennsylvania."
      Source: 1798 U.S. Direct Tax
     
  • Owner's Surname: Hamilton
    Owner's First Name: J.E.
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Londonderry
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 290
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Lancaster
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves  
  • Owner's Surname: Hanna
    Owner's First Name: John A.
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Paxton
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo: 1762-1805. Husband of Mary Hanna (daughter of John Harris, Jr.); Revolutionary War general; delegate to the convention that ratified the Constitution; Pennsylvania state legislator; U.S. Congressman. (Source 41)  The 1798 U.S. Direct Tax shows one slave "above the age of 12 and under the age of 50" for John A. Hanna, then living in Harrisburg. (Source 42)
    1. Counter: 173
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Sarah
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    2. Counter: 248
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Rose
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Harbinson
    Owner's First Name: Adam
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: West Hanover
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 242
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Elijah
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    2. Counter: 243
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Dinah
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Harris
    Owner's First Name: John (Sr.)
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Paxton
    Owner's County: Dauphin (modern designation)
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo: Pioneer from, Yorkshire, England, who established Harris' Ferry at modern day Harrisburg. Father of John Harris Jr., founder of Harrisburg.  
    1. Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Hercules
      Slave Gender: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of  Record:  1746 (will of John Harris)
      Slave Memo: Hercules is perhaps the best known, and to some people the only known, slave from Dauphin County.  He figures prominently in the story of the attempted burning of John Harris by hostile Native Americans. According to the story, John Harris refused to sell rum to a passing party of Native Americans returning from the south on a raiding expedition because they were already intoxicated. Angered, the raiders seized Harris and tied him to a nearby mulberry tree on the riverbank, intending to burn him. His Negro slave Hercules, seeing what was happening, went to a friendly neighboring tribe and brought back help. The friendly Native Americans freed Harris from the unruly raiders, and Harris, grateful to Hercules, immediately manumitted him.
      The story of the attempted burning, and the role played by Hercules, may be apocryphal. No first person account by Harris of the event exists. Several local historians have documented changes in the story over the decades, including the addition of Hercules to the story about the middle of the 19th century. Hercules was a real person, however, and a slave to John Harris.  Harris stipulated in his will, dated November 22, 1746, that Hercules was to be set free and was to be allowed to live on some of the land near the river that he willed to his son William Harris.

      The account books of John Harris, Jr. show the following entries relating to Hercules, all of which seem to support the contention that Hercules was a free person by the time of these entries:

      "July 13th, 1754.  Black Hercules Dr. to sundrys, 28, 18s, 5d.
      Settled and clear.
      Mem'd'm.  That Hercules worked for me abt. one year, w'ch is in Part of my Acco't, the old Book tells the time.
      Sept'r 8th, 1761, 1 lb Powder & 2 lb Shott for Hercules, 4:8.  6 Kerby Hooks, for Hercules, 1:6.
      Sept'r 25, 1773.  Cash p'd Hercules, at twice, 2:6.
      " (William Henry Egle, "The Rescuer of John Harris," Notes and Queries VIII, Annual Volume 1900, page 38.)
      Hercules died sometime after 1766, which was the last documented mention that he was alive.  He was buried in an African American burial ground at Mulberry Street but his remains and those of others buried there were moved when construction of a school house at that site uncovered the graves.
      Other Sources:
      1. George P. Donehoo, Harrisburg, The City Beautiful, Romantic and Historic, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1927, Pages 44-46.
      2. Watson's Annals of Philadelphia And Pennsylvania, Volume 2, "Harrisburg," 1857. Note: Watson's does not mention Hercules by name, but refers to Harris' " faithful old black man."
      3. "Copy of Will of John Harris Decd, 1873."  Official copy of the will, dated November 22, 1746, from Lancaster County Will Book B, p. 542.  The official copy is in the archives of the Historical Society of Dauphin County, Harrisburg.

       
    2. Slave Given Name: Toni
      Slave Gender: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ? (described as "Negro boy")
      Date of  Record:  1746 (will of John Harris)
      Slave Memo:  Bequeathed by John Harris to his son William.  The line in the will of John Harris reads;  "I give and devise unto my said son William the tract of land which I purchased of James Allcorn,...& also the negro Boy called Toni."
      Source:  "Copy of Will of John Harris Decd, 1873."  Official copy of the will, dated November 22, 1746, from Lancaster County Will Book B, p. 542.  The official copy is in the archives of the Historical Society of Dauphin County, Harrisburg.
       
    3. Slave Given Name: Cherida
      Slave Gender: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ? (described as "Negro girl")
      Date of  Record:  1746 (will of John Harris)
      Slave Memo:  Bequeathed by John Harris to his daughter Elizabeth Finley.  The line in the will of John Harris reads;  "...unto my daughter Elizabeth Finley,...& I leave [??] the negro girl called Cherida."
      Source:  "Copy of Will of John Harris Decd, 1873."  Official copy of the will, dated November 22, 1746, from Lancaster County Will Book B, p. 542.  The official copy is in the archives of the Historical Society of Dauphin County, Harrisburg.
       
    4. Slave Given Name: Not named
      Slave Gender: Not known
      Slave Age (Years):  Not yet born (see notes)
      Date of  Record:  1746 (will of John Harris)
      Slave Memo:  The yet to be born child of his pregnant female slave was bequeathed by John Harris to his daughter Esther.  The line in the will of John Harris reads;  "...unto my daughter Esther,...I leave her the child whereof the negro Woman is now pregnant."  
      Source:  "Copy of Will of John Harris Decd, 1873."  Official copy of the will, dated November 22, 1746, from Lancaster County Will Book B, p. 542.  The official copy is in the archives of the Historical Society of Dauphin County, Harrisburg.

     
  • Owner's Surname: Harris
    Owner's First Name: John (Jr.)
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Paxtang
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation: Yoeman
    Owner--Memo: Son of John Harris, Sr., proprietor of Harris' Ferry, for whom the city of Harrisburg is named. Born and died in Harrisburg, 1726-1791. Founder of the city of Harrisburg. In 1766 he built the stone house which stands today as the Harris-Cameron Mansion, on South Front Street in Harrisburg.

    1. Counter: 46
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Jack
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 48
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/9/1780
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life.  Born circa 1732.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
       
    2. Counter: 47
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Isaac
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 16
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/9/1780
      Slave Memo: "Aged 16 years last August." Status: Slave for life.  Born August 1764.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
       
    3. Counter: 48
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Franck
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 14
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/9/1780
      Slave Memo: "Aged 14 years last May." Status: Slave for life.  Born May 1766.  Frank died 04 November 1839 in the Dauphin County Poorhouse.  His obituary appeared in The Liberator, which attributed the Reporter as its source.  The obituary says Frank "was manumitted by the late Mr. Adam Orth, of Lebanon (then Dauphin) County."  This seems to indicate the Frank was sold or otherwise transferred to Orth sometime after the death of John Harris in 1791.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780The Liberator, 22 November 1839.
       
  • Owner's Surname: Harris
    Owner's First Name: Robert
    Owner's City: Harrisburg
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo: Grandson of John Harris, Sr. Born and died in Harrisburg, 1768-1851. Brother to Mary Hanna, wife of General John A. Hanna.
    1. Counter: 355
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Luce
      Slave Gender: Undetermined
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Hay
    Owner's First Name: William
    Owner's Township: Londonderry
    Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation: Farmer
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 126
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Dembigh
      Slave Gender: Female
      Slave Age (Years): 26
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/27/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Woman," 26 years old, a "slave for life."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
    2. Counter: 128
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Phillis
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): 14
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/27/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Girl," 14 years old, a "slave for life."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
    3. Counter: 129
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Not recorded
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 03
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/27/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as "A mulatto boy aged 3 years, name unknown, a servant untill 31 years, bought of James Crouch." Status: Slave to age 31.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
    4. Slave Given Name: Not recorded
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): 18 months old at registration
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/27/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as "A girl aged 18 months, a servant till 31 years, lately bought of James Crouch."  Status: Slave to age 31.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
    5. Counter: 127
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Phillis
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): 18
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/27/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Woman," 18 years old, a "slave for life."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
  • Owner's Surname: Hayes
    Owner's First Name: Robert
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Londonderry
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo: Surname also spelled Hays. Died 1809.  Egle's Notes and Queries reports "Hays, Robert, an old and respectable resident of Derry Township, died on Tuesday, June 6, 1809, aged 76 years." (Source:  William Henry Egle, "Dauphin County Burials IV" in Notes and Queries XXI, page 123.)
    1. Counter: 254
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Nell
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. In his will, dated May 26, 1809 and proved May 16, 1809, Robert Hays leaves his "negro wench Nell" to his wife Margaret, and then to his daughter Margaret. ("Slaves and Indentured Servants in Dauphin County Wills")
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Hays
    Owner's First Name: David
    Owner's Township: Londonderry
    Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo: Co-registered with James Campbell
    1. Counter: 139
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Bet
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): 12
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Girl," 12 years old, "a slave."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"

     
  • Owner's Surname: Hays or Hayes
    Owner's First Name: Patrick, also registered as Pat
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Londonderry
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation: Farmer
    Owner--Memo: Husband of Nancy (McAllister), who was the daughter of Richard McAllister of Hanover, York County, and sister to Archibald McAllister. In August 1795, Nancy's father Richard died, bequeathing to her the "negro girl" Poll. No additional information is known about Poll.
    1. Counter: 266
      Slave Surname, if known: Martin
      Slave Given Name: Thomas
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    2. Counter: 299
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Peter
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    3. Counter: 310
      Slave Surname, if known: Martin
      Slave Given Name: Robert
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    4. Counter: 340
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Ande Harriet
      Slave Gender: Undetermined
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    5. Counter: 152
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Grace
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): about 30 years old at registration
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Wench," age about 30 years, a "slave for life."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
    6. Counter: 153
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Violet
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years):  about 3 years old at registration
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
      Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Child," age about 3 years, a "slave for life."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780  "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
    7. Counter: 154
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Toby
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): "age about 4 months old"
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
      Slave Memo:  Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Child," age about 4 months, a "slave for life."
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
    8. Counter: 232
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Tob
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    9. Counter: 288
      Slave Surname, if known: Martin
      Slave Given Name: John
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. Owner's surname was spelled Hayes.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    10. Counter: 291
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Sam
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. Owner's surname was spelled Hayes.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
    11. Counter: 391
      Slave Surname, if known: ?
      Slave Given Name: ?
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 19
      Date of Registry or Record: 1/23/1799
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. Offered for sale on January 9, 1799. Owner's surname was spelled Hayes. Text of advertisement:
      For Sale, A STOUT, healthy NEGRO MAN, aged 19 years, and has 9 years to serve; he is well acquainted with all kinds of Farming Work, and possesses a very obliging disposition. He has had the small-pox, measles and whooping-cough--and is sold for no other reason than the want of employment. For terms apply to the subscriber in Londonderry township, Dauphin county.
      PATRICK HAYES. January 9, 1799.
      Source: The Oracle of Dauphin, and Harrisburgh Advertiser, January 23, 1799
       
  • Owner's Surname: Hays
    Owner's First Name: Robert
    Owner's Township: Londonderry
    Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 155
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Rose
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): 13
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Wench," 13 years of age.
      Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
       
  • Owner's Surname: Hiester
    Owner's First Name: Daniel
    Owner's City: Reading
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County: Berks
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 256
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Henry
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age: Four months old at Registration.
      Date of Registry or Record: 5/7/1791
      Slave Memo: Original source text: "Harrisburg, May 7, 1791--Sir:
      Please to register on records according to law, a male negro child named Henry, born on or about the 8th day of January last, born in the county of Dauphin at the house of John Maye: the mother's name is Grace (Father Unknown). The mother owned by me.
      Daniel Hiester of Reading, Berks county." Status: Slave to age 28.
       
    2. Counter: 257
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Grace
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record: 5/7/1791
      Slave Memo: The mother of Henry, registered by same owner (see record #234). Henry was born in Dauphin County. Mother's status is unknown.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Hollenback
    Owner's First Name: John
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Paxton
    Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation: Unknown
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 112
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Bess
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): about 17 years of age at registration
      Date of Registry or Record: 10/25/1780
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life.  Registered at Lancaster as a "Negro Woman," aged about 17 years.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"

     
  • Owner's Surname: Hughes
    Owner's First Name: Leroy
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County: Frederick
    Owner's State: MA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo: A Maryland slaveholder advertising for a runaway slave in the Harrisburg newspapers.
    1. Counter: 364
      Slave Surname, if known: Garret
      Slave Given Name: Middleton
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 32
      Date of Registry or Record: 4/24/1800
      Slave Memo: Text of ad: "Fifty Dollars Reward. Runaway Slave from Frederick Co. Md.----near Frederick Town on night of Tuesday 22nd inst. Negro man 32 yrs named 'Mid' but calls himself Middleton Garret. It is supposed some free person has Taken him off. Leroy Hughes, Fred. County, Md., April 24, 1800."
      Source: The Farmer's Instructor, and Harrisburgh Courant, May 28, 1800
       
  • Owner's Surname: Hunt
    Owner's First Name: Benjamin
    Owner's City: Harrisburg
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation: Physician
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 226
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Katy
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

     
  • Owner's Surname: Hunt
    Owner's First Name: Elizabeth
    Owner's City: Harrisburg
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:  The 1798 U.S. Direct Tax shows one slave "above the age of 12 and under the age of 50" for Elizabeth Hunt, then living in Harrisburg. (Source 42)

    1. Counter: 282
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Joseph
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Ireland
    Owner's First Name: David
    Owner's Township: Upper Paxton
    Owner's County: Dauphin (then Lancaster)
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo: Ireland did not register any slaves in Lancaster County in 1780. If he was assessed for one slave in 1780, he may have moved or sold the slave prior to the deadline for registration.

    1. Slave Given Name: Not recorded
      Slave Sex: Not recorded
      Slave Age (Years): ?  (taxable slaves were usually considered those between 12 and 60 years of age)
      Date of Registry or Record: 1780
      Slave Memo:  Tax return for 1780 report one slave owned by David Ireland of the Lower District of Upper Paxtang Township.
      Source: Luther Reily Kelker, History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Vol. I (New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907) p. 437.
     
  • Owner's Surname: Irvine
    Owner's First Name: William M.
    Owner's City: Harrisburg
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation: Attorney-at-Law
    Owner--Memo:

    1. Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Ann
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): Of childbearing age in 1818.
      Date of Registry or Record: 16 June 1819 (calculated from registration text, below)
      Slave Memo: Listed as "Negro Servant" to William N. Irvine, in his registration for the birth of her daughter, Harriet.
      Source: Text of slave registration provided by William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Slave Records, 1788-1825, Finding Aid: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/c/clementsmss/umich-wcl-M-230dau?byte=5697307;focusrgn=scopecontent;subview=standard;view=reslist
    2. Counter: 353
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Harriet
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): Age 5 months and 29 days at registration in Harrisburg.
      Date of Registry or Record: 16 June 1819 (calculated from registration text, below)
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28; born 7 November 1818. Mother's name is Ann, slave of William M. Irvine. Text of slave registration:
      Be it remembered that on the Seventeenth day of April A.D. 1819 William N. Irvine, Esq. Attorney at Law...maketh return on Oath that a female Mullatto child was born by his Negro Servant Ann, on the seventeenth day of November 1818 and that the said female child is called Harriet, is now living and has been supported by the said William and is of the age of 5 months and twenty-nine days.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves ; Text of slave registration provided by William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Slave Records, 1788-1825, Finding Aid: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/c/clementsmss/umich-wcl-M-230dau?byte=5697307;focusrgn=scopecontent;subview=standard;view=reslist

  • Owner's Surname: Irwin
    Owner's First Name: John
    Owner's City:  Harrisburg
    Owner's Township:
    Owner's County:  Dauphin
    Owner's State:  Pennsylvania
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:   
    1. Slave Surname, if known:  Not known
      Slave Given Name: Not known
      Slave Sex: Not known
      Slave Age (Years):  Not known, but between 12 and 50, in 1798.
      Date of Registry or Record:  1798
      Slave Memo: Enumerated in the 1798 U.S. Direct Tax, "General List of Slaves Owned, or superintended, on the first day of October, 1798, within the third assessment fourth division, State of Pennsylvania."
      Source: 1798 U.S. Direct Tax

  • Owner's Surname: Job
    Owner's First Name: Mary
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Paxton
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 241
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Nel
      Slave Sex: Female
      Slave Age (Years): ?
      Date of Registry or Record:
      Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
      Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
       
  • Owner's Surname: Johnson
    Owner's First Name: Alexander
    Owner's Township: Paxtang Township
    Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
    Owner's State: PA
    Owner's Occupation: Farmer
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Counter: 59
      Slave Surname, if known:
      Slave Given Name: Jack
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 12
      Date of Registry or Record: October 10, 1780
      Slave Memo: Status: "Slave during life." Described at registrations as "Negro Boy."  Registered at Lancaster.
      Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"

     
  • Owner's Surname: Jordan
    Owner's First Name: B.
    Owner's City:
    Owner's Township: Swatara
    Owner's County: Dauphin
    Owner's Occupation:
    Owner--Memo:
    1. Slave Surname, if known: Jones
      Slave Given Name: William
      Slave Sex: Male
      Slave Age (Years): 17a
      Slave Date of Birth: 1803 (calculated)
      Date of Registry or Record: April 14, 1820
      Slave Memo: Ran away in 1820. Text of runaway ad:
      "One Cent Reward.
      Ran away from the subscriber, living in Swatara township, Dauphin county, a black indented servant boy, named WILLIAM JONES,
      About seventeen years of age, stout made, has no particular mark. The above reward, but no expenses, will be given to any person who may return said boy to
      B. Jordan.
      April 14, 1820."
      Source: Harrisburg Republican, April 28, 1820.

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