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April 26, 1799: George and Randel escaped last December from Somerset County, were caught, but escaped again
One Hundred Dollars Reward.
RAN away from the subscribers, living in Somerset county, state of Maryland, on the 26th of December last, two Negro Men; George and Randel -- George is about six feet high, twenty-two years of age, and of a yellow complexion -- had on when he want away a dark cloth coat, kersey breeches and white yarn stockings; he is a pretty good player on the fiddle. -- Randel is about five feet two inches high, twenty years of age, and of a yellow complexion, has a loud hoarse voice, and is a good deal bow-legged; he pretends to be something of a cobbler; -- had on when he went away, a fustian coat, home-made kersey breeches and white yarn stockings. There is no doubt, but they will change their clothes as well as their names -- they having been taken up on the 29th of December last at Duck-creek, in the state of Delaware, and committed by John Cole, Esq. (by the names of Stephen and Charles) to the care of John M'Wherts and Thomas Kerker, from whom they made their escape. -- Whoever apprehends the above negroes, and has them secured in jail, so that the subscribers may get them again, shall receive the above reward, or fifty dollars for either.
John Nelson.
William Bowns.
Salibury, Somerset county
Maryland, February 15, 1799
Notes: Duck Creek, where George and Randel were initially captured three days after escaping from Salisbury, is modern day Smyrna, Delaware, more than 70 miles away. This is an impressive distance to cover in only three days. They seem to have been headed directly north for Wilmington or Philadelphia.
Sources: Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia), 26 April 1799, page 1;
Covering the history of African Americans in central Pennsylvania from the colonial
era through the Civil War.
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