Enslavement in Pennsylvania
Dauphin County

Owner's Surname: Scott
Owner's First Name: Alexander
Owner's City: Lancaster
Owner's Township:
Owner's County: Lancaster
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: "John B. Cox, Harrisburg; (registering for) widow of Alex. Scott, late of Lancaster, Laura."

Counter: 343
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Laura
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Scott
Owner's First Name: James
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Derry
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 164
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Lucy
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Child. Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record: 10/30/1788
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Name: Semple, James
Owner's Township: Derry/ modern Londonderry
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: Farmer, Innkeeper
Owner--Memo: Stage stop "Sign of the Plough" (1760s)

Slave Name: Names not given in advertisement
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): adults, described as "men"
Slave Status: Unclear--probably slaves for life, out for hire by their owner
Slave Notes: Two enslaved men from James Semple's estate, possibly owned by William Miller, who advertised to lease the Londonderry farm for two years and hire out the two enslaved men who had worked there before Semple's death:
To be LETT for the Term of 2 Years, from the first of March, THAT valuable and noted Plantation, situate in Derry Township, Lancaster County, on the great Road from Lancaster to Harris's Ferry, whereon James Semple, deceased, lately dwelt, and known by the Sign of the Plough, being a very good Stage; there is a great Quantity of Meadow, and good Water, three bearing Orchards, a large Quantity of Upland cleared, and other Conveniences; also two good labouring Negro Men, to be hired by the Year. For further Particulars and Terms, enquire of the Subscriber, in Carlisle,
WILLIAM MILLER.
Date of Registry or Record: 19 February 1767
Source: Pennsylvania Gazette, 19 February 1767

Owner's Surname: Shields
Owner's First Name: Peter
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Paxton
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Mingo
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age (Years): 22a
Slave Memo: Status: Captured Runaway. Text of ad: "Easton, in Northampton County, March 13, 1779. COMMITTED to my custody on the 9th inst. a certain Negroe man, who calls himself Mingo, and says he belongs to Peter Shields, of Paxton, in Lancaster county; he is about 5 feet 6 inches high, and about 22 years of age: He is supposed to be the same Negroe that was advertised by one James Byers, of said place, on the 27th of February last. His master is requested to come or send for him, pay charges, and take him away, within three weeks from the date hereof.
PETER EALER, Goaler."
Note that the location "Paxton, in Lancaster county" refers to a region in present day Dauphin County.
Date of Registry or Record: March 17, 1779
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 17, 1779

Owner's Surname: Simpson
Owner's First Name: Nathaniel
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Lower Paxton
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 280
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Peter
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Charles
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): No age given; described as a "man."
Slave Memo: Status: Runaway slave. Text of runaway ad:
Six Dollars Reward
Ran away, the first of this month, from the subscriber, living near Harrisburg, Dauphin conty, a certain Negro Man, lawfully recorded, named Charles; a thick chunkey fellow, about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, has a down look, stoops forward and walks aukward, as if he was lame; he is a little yellowish, is fond of playing on the fiddle, and professes to be a distiller of liquor; he talks like the Jersey dialect. He had on, when he went away, a short green sailor's jacket, a white lapell'd under jacket, white overalls, half worn, and an old hat.
All owners and captains of vessels are desired not to ship or carry said Negro. Whoever takes up the above described Negro, and secures him in any gaol, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges if brought home.
May 23. co. Nath. Simpson
Date of Registry or Record: Date of runaway ad: 23 May 1792
Source: Claypoole's Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia), 9 July 1792

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

Counter: 82
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Sussanah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): about 22 years old at registration
Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. The text of Smith's registration for Sussanah was printed in Egle's Notes and Queries, Third Series, Volume II, LXXXIX, page 41. It reads:
"PAXTANG, October the 14th, 1780.
In pursuance of the act of the Assembly for the gradual Abolition of Slavery, Mary Smith, Gloverist, of Paxtang Township, in Lancaster County, Do hereby Enter with the Clark of the Sessions of said County the following Person, a Sleave during her life, viz: Shusanah, a Negro Wench about twenty-two years of age and owned by me.
MARY SMITH.
To John Hubley, Esq'r. Clark of the Sessions of Lancaster County."
Date of Registry or Record: 10/14/1780
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780" | Egle, William Henry, M.D., Notes and Queries--LXXXIX, page 41.

Owner's Surname: Snowden
Owner's First Name: Henry
Owner's City: Elkridge
Owner's Township:
Owner's County:
Owner's State: MD
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: Supposedly died circa 1789 in Philadelphia.

Counter: 368
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Harry
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Possibly a free African American later sold back into slavery in Dauphin County. Text of jailer's advertisement:
"Whereas a certain negro man who calls himself Harry, was committed to the jail of Dauphin county, in Pennsylvania, on the 30th of April last, on suspicion of being a runaway slave; he is about 5 feet, 10 or 11 inches high, his face very remarkable on account of having a very large wart on his right cheek, near the ear, and one on his neck near the throat. His face much contracted by the small pox, especially about the nose. He says he formerly belonged to one Henry Snowden, of Elkridge in Maryland, who died about 7 years ago in Philadelphia. The proper owner of said negro, if any, are desired to come, pay costs, and take him away, otherwise he will be sold to pay costs.
John M'Chesney, Jailor. May 7, 1796."
Date of Registry or Record: 5/9/1796
Source: The Oracle of Dauphin, and Harrisburgh Advertiser, May 9, 1796

Owner's Surname: Stephenson
Owner's First Name: Stephen
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Paxton
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 198
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: John
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Stewart
Owner's First Name: Samuel
Owner's Township: West Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of 1780 registration)
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 287
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Frederick
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Counter: 130
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Pompy
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): 10
Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Mulattoe Slave."
Date of Registry or Record: 10/28/1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
Counter: 131
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Peggy
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): 06
Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Registered at Lancaster as a "Mulattoe Slave."
Date of Registry or Record: 10/28/1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"

Owner's Surname: Stoner
Owner's First Name: Samuel
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Lower Paxton
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 335
Slave Surname, if known: Hall
Slave Given Name: Mary
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Stuart
Owner's First Name: Francis
Owner's City:
Owner's Township:
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: Died, 1790.

Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Joe
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): Not known
Slave Memo: Status: Not determined. In his will, dated September 9, 1790 and proved December 01, 1790, Francis Stuart left "negro Joe" to his son George.
Date of Record: December 01, 1790
Source: "Slaves and Indentured Servants in Dauphin County Wills"

Owner's Surname: Sturgeon
Owner's First Name: Jeremiah
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: West Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: Buried in Newside Cemetery, Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

Counter: 297
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Dinah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Sturgeon
Owner's First Name: Margaret
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 319
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Henry
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Sturgeon
Owner's First Name: Robert
Owner's Township: Paxtang
Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: Miller
Owner--Memo: Sturgeon did not travel to Lancaster to register his slaves. This was done for him by Timothy Green, Esquire, of Hanover Township, acting as his attorney.

Counter: 88
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Cate
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): 22
Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Woman," about 22 years of age, a "slave for life."
Date of Registry or Record: 10/23/1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
Counter: 89
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Nance
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): Sixteen months old at registration
Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Female Child," sixteen months of age, a "slave during life."
Date of Registry or Record: 10/23/1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"

Owner's Surname: Sturgeon
Owner's First Name: Samuel
Owner's Township: West Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: Sturgeon's slave Poll was registered at Lancaster in 1780 by Robert Boal, acting on his behalf as his attorney.

Counter: 285
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Solomon
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Counter: 121
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Poll
Slave Gender: Undetermined
Slave Age (Years): about 5 years old at registration
Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Girl," age about 5 years, "a slave during life."
Date of Registry or Record: 10/25/1780
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"

Owner's Surname: Sullivan
Owner's First Name: James
Owner's Township: Londonderry
Owner's County: Dauphin (then Lancaster)
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: Sullivan 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.

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 James Sullivan of Londonderry Township
Source: Luther Reily Kelker, History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Vol. I (New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907) p. 388.

Owner's Surname: Wallace
Owner's First Name: Benjamin
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: West Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 275
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Mira
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Counter: 311
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Harry
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Abraham
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age (Years): 28 or 30a
Slave Memo: Status: Ranaway in February, 1764. Text of runaway ad: "THREE POUNDS Reward. Run away from the Subscriber, living in Hanover Township, Lancaster County, and Province of Pennsylvania, on the 16th of last Month, A Negroe Man, about 28 or 30 Years of Age, a little pitted with the Smallpox, named Abraham, a well set Fellow, about 5 Feet 7 or 8 Inches high: Had on when he went away, an old Beaver Hat, Flannel Cap, light coloured strait Coat, with red Serge laid on the Cape, and bound round the Cuffs with red Serge, white Flannel Jacket, Leather Breeches, blue Yarn Stockings, and had in one Shoe a Brass Buckle, and in the other a carved Pewter Ditto. He is this Country born, and talks good English; it is supposed he will make towards Philadelphia, or the Forks of Delaware, as he was bred near Bethlehem.
Whoever takes up and secures said Fellow in any Goal of this or the neighbouring Provinces, and gives Information thereof, so as his Master may have him again, or sends him to his Master, shall receive the above Reward, from BENJAMIN WALLACE."
Date of Registry or Record: March 08, 1764
Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 08, 1764

Owner's Surname: Wallace
Owner's First Name: Elizabeth
Owner's City:
Owner's Location: Lower Paxton Township
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Ruth
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): 50
Slave Date of Birth: 1750 (calculated from July 1800 slave list)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Memo: Enumerated in a July 1800 list of slaves in Lower Paxton Township.
Date of Registry or Record: (Registration) 10/12/1780; (Slave list) July 1800
Source: Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807

Owner's Surname: Wallace
Owner's First Name: William
Owner's City:
Owner's Location: "Hanover Township"
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's Occupation: Farmer
Owner--Memo: Registered along with William Allen, Jr., of Hanover Township. I believe these slaves belonged to Wallace.

Counter: 54
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Poll
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): 32
Slave Memo: Gender is presumed, if "Poll" is short for "Polly." Status: Slave for life.
Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780
Counter: 55
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Pet
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): 20
Slave Memo: Gender is specified in registry for this person. Status: Slave for life.
Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780

Owner's Surname: Waugh
Owner's First Name: Alex. M.
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: West Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 262
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Carter
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Counter: 306
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Molly
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Weidman
Owner's First Name: John
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: East Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 309
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Dinah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: White
Owner's First Name: William
Owner's City: Harrisburg
Owner's Township:
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: Tax returns for 1780 report two slaves owned by William White of Derry Township. These would not be the children of slaves, registered after 1788 and recorded below, but older slaves, generally held for life. There is a good chance that Abby and Charles, registered below, were children of one or both of these other slaves.

Counter: 244
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Abby
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Counter: 245
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Charles
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Whitehill
Owner's First Name: George
Owner's City: Harrisburg
Owner's Township:
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: Merchant
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 341
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Frances
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Wiggins
Owner's First Name: Elizabeth
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Lower Paxton
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 326
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Tilly
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Wiggins
Owner's First Name: James
Owner's Location: Lower Paxton Township
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Hactor
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): 28
Slave Date of Birth: 1772 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Memo:
Date of Registry or Record: July 1800
Source: Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Nance
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): 25
Slave Date of Birth: 1775 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life
Slave Memo: There is a good chance that this is the same Nance registered by John Wiggins in October, 1780 at Lancaster. There is an age difference of several years, but tax and census listings of slave ages tended to be less exact than the Registration records.
Date of Registry or Record: July 1800
Source: Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807

Owner's Surname: Wiggins
Owner's First Name: John
Owner's Township: Paxton
Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
Owner's Occupation: Farmer
Owner--Memo: Wiggins 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.

Counter: 60
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Nance
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): 09
Slave Date of Birth: 1771 (calculated)
Slave Status: "Slave during life"
Slave Memo: This may be the same Nance listed in a July 1800 list of slaves in Lower Paxton Township to slaveholder James Wiggins, although the age differs by several years. She was registered in 1780 at Lancaster as a "Negroe Wench," about nine years of age.
Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
Sources: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"

Owner's Surname: Willson or Wilson
Owner's First Name: James
Owner's Township: Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin (Lancaster, at time of registration)
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: Farmer
Owner--Memo: Wilson traveled with Richard Dearmond on October 12, 1780 to Lancaster to register their slaves. The clerk recorded "Dearmond, Richard & James Wilson of Hanover township, farmers, enter as owners" Tom, Negroe Man, about 20 years of age, slave during life; Dina, Negroe Wench, about 20 years of age, slave during life; Samuel, Negroe Boy, about one year old, slave during life; London, Negroe Man, about 23 years of age, slave during life; Sip, Negroe Wench, about 22 years of age, slave during life and Hege, Negroe Girl, about four years old, slave for life.

Counter: 67
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: London
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): 23
Slave Memo: Status: "Slave during life." Described as "Negroe Man," registered at Lancaster.
Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
Counter: 68
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Sip
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age (Years): about 22 years old at registration
Slave Memo: Status: "Slave during life." Described as "Negroe Wench," registered at Lancaster.
Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
Counter: 69
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Hege
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age (Years): about 4 years old at registration
Slave Memo: Status: "Slave for life." Described as "Negroe Girl," registered at Lancaster.
Date of Registry or Record: 10/12/1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"
Counter: 141
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Jack
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): 18
Slave Memo: Registered at Lancaster as a "Negroe Boy," aged about 18 years, a "slave during life."
Date of Registry or Record: 10/31/1780
Source: Register of Negro and Mulatto Slaves and Servants, 1780 | "Slaves in Lancaster County in 1780"

Owner's Surname: Wilson
Owner's First Name: James
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Derry
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 267
Slave Surname, if known: Lemons
Slave Given Name: Dinah
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Wilson or Willson
Owner's First Name: John
Owner's City:
Owner's Location: Swatara Township
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: John Wilson's will, dated March 04, 1799, names two adult slaves, Nance and Cuff. Published notices in 1801 and 1805 of estate sales of John Wilson, deceased, of Swatara township list several unnamed slaves.

Counter: 389
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: ?
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ? ("man")
Slave Status: Slave to age 28
Slave Memo: One of two slaves offered for public auction in 1805. Partial text of ad: "TO BE SOLD, By way of Public Vendue, On Friday, the 27th day of December inst. at the late dwelling house of John Wilson, deceased, in Swatara township, the following personal property, viz:--..."--ALSO-- The time of servitude of A Mulatto Man & Negro Girl;...David Ritchey, Thomas Smith, Admr's. December 20, 1805."
Date of Registry or Record: 12/21/1805
Source: Dauphin Guardian, December 21, 1805
Counter: 390
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: ?
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ? ("Girl")
Slave Status: Slave to age 28
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28. One of two slaves offered for public auction in 1805. See the advertisement under the listing above.
Date of Registry or Record: 12/21/1805
Source: Dauphin Guardian, December 21, 1805
Counter: 365
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: ?
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave for life. Being sold as part of the estate of John Wilson, decd. Her age must have been at least 21 yrs. This is possibly the slave Nance. Text of advertisement: "FOR SALE, A YOUNG, HEALTHY, NEGRO WENCH, a slave for life, she is well acquainted with FARM and HOUSE work----late the property of JOHN WILSON deceased, and will be sold, by ALEX. WILSON AND CASPER SMITH, EX'RS."
Date of Registry or Record: 2/25/1801
Source: The Farmer's Instructor, and Harrisburgh Courant, February 25, 1801
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Nance
Slave Sex: Female
Slave Age (Years): 19 (The age is calculated from a July 1800 slave list for Lower Paxton Township which shows her as 20 years old in that year. She is described in the will of John Willson, dated 1799, only as a "Neagro Woman.")
Slave Date of Birth: 1780 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life. The July 1800 slave list mentioned above listed only life slaves, as opposed to term slaves, for Lower Paxton Township.
Slave Memo: Willed to John Wilson's wife, Sarah Wilson (surname also spelled Willson) upon his death:
"I do give and bequeath to my beloved wife my Neagro Woman named Nance and the whole of my household and kitchen furniture and six hundred pounds to be paid her out of my Estate to take with her if she should marry or to bequeath to home she pleaseth to them their heirs and assigns for ever."
Will dated March 04, 1799 and proved November 1800. The will also mentions a male Negro slave named Cuff.
Nance was possible sold in 1801 or 1805. She does not appear in the slave listing for 1807 in either Lower Paxton or Swatara Townships.
Date of Record: (Will) March 04, 1799; (Slave list) July 1800
Sources: Will of John Willson of Lower Paxton Township | Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Cuff
Slave Gender: Male
Slave Age (Years): 43 (The age is calculated from a July 1800 slave list for Lower Paxton Township which shows him as 44 years old in that year. He is described in the will of John Willson, dated 1799, only as a "man.")
Slave Date of Birth: 1756 (calculated)
Slave Status: Slave for life (possible manumitted in 1805.
Slave Memo: Mentioned in the will of John Willson, dated March 04, 1799. According to the will, Cuff is to be freed, on condition of good behavior, by 1805: "I do order that my Negro man Cuff be free at the end of five years if he behaves himself well."
Cuff does not appear in the slave listing for 1807 in either Lower Paxton or Swatara Townships.
Date of Record: (Will) March 04, 1799; (Slave list) July 1800
Sources: Will of John Willson of Lower Paxton Township | Tax Lists, Inhabitants and Slaves, 1800, 1807

Owner's Surname: Wilson
Owner's First Name: Sarah
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Lower Paxton
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo: The 1800 Census of Dauphin County shows Sarah Wilson of Lower Paxton township as residing with two slaves in her household.

Counter: 324
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Vandanna
Slave Gender: Undetermined
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Nance
Slave Gender: Female
Slave Age (Years): Age not determined. Described in the will of John Willson (1799) as a "Neagro Woman."
Slave Memo: Status: Undetermined. Willed to Sarah Wilson (surname also spelled Willson) by her husband John, upon his death. Will dated March 04, 1799. The will also mentions a male Negro slave named Cuff.
Date of Registry or Record: March 04, 1799
Source: Will of John Willson of Lower Paxton Township

Owner's Surname: Wood
Owner's First Name: William
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: Bethel
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation: Physician; Justice of the Peace
Owner--Memo:

Counter: 217
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: George
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
Counter: 225
Slave Surname, if known:
Slave Given Name: Thomas-Peter
Slave Sex: Male
Slave Age (Years): ?
Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
Date of Registry or Record:
Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

Owner's Surname: Young
Owner's First Name: John
Owner's City:
Owner's Township: East Hanover
Owner's County: Dauphin
Owner's State: PA
Owner's Occupation:
Owner--Memo:
1. Counter: 210
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Flora
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
2. Counter: 233
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Phillis
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves
3. Counter: 234
  Slave Surname, if known:
  Slave Given Name: Nan
  Slave Sex: Female
  Slave Age (Years): ?
  Slave Memo: Status: Slave to age 28.
  Date of Registry or Record:
  Source: Children of Previously Registered Slaves

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Enslavement in Pennsylvania
Dauphin County