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March 20, 1800: Peter Simpson, Nanny and their daughter Arianna escape from John Quimby in Queen Anne's County, MD
Eighty Dollars Reward.
RAN-AWAY from the subscriber, at Newtown, Chester Ferry, Queen Anne's county, state of Maryland, the following negroes, viz a woman named Nanny, went away on the 23d January, 1799, and took with her a Mulatto female child, about two years old, named Arianna. Nanny is a dark yellow negro, about five feet four or five inches high, remarkably handsome for a negro. Her cloathing unknown as she took a variety of good cloaths with her--
she went off with a negro fellow, named Peter, and calls himself Peter Simpson, he is the property of a certain William Bowers of Talbot county, state as above, who has advertised one hundred dollars reward for him. Peter is a stout well made yellow fellow, about 6 feet one inch high, is a tolerable good Carpenter. Nanny passes for his wife, but her real husband is named Bob, who belongs to her master.
It is probable they are in the neighbourhood of Salem in the Jersies, as they were there in October last, and by information, Peter had built himself an house to live in, between Rum Bridge and Gold Town; it is likely they may have changed their names and may have passes, as Peter can write a middling hand; it is probable Nanny has another child, as it was thought she was in a pregnant state when she went away.
The noted Ferry man Charles, who calls himself Charles Rodney; he went off on the 18th of February last, he is a dark mulatto, about five feet eight or nine inches high, about forty years old, stoops in his shoulders when he walks, a scar on his head very perceivable -- he took with him a small bay mare about 4 or 5 years old, her man trimmed and bob tail'd; his cloathing unknown, as he carried off a variety of cloaths; it is probable he has changed his name, as he is a very artful, sensible fellow, he can read tolerably well it is likely he may hire himself to drive a waggon, being well acquainted with that business, driving for the army during the war; he also perhaps may have a pass.
The above reward will be given for the aforesaid two negroes, viz. Nanny and Charles, if taken out of the state, or twenty dollars for Nanny and child, if taken in this state, & 20 do. Charles if taken in this state and secured in jail, so as I may get them again. If brought home all reasonable charges shall be paid by me.
JOHN QUIMBY.
March 3.
Notes: "Gold Town" possibly refers to the old historical African American settlement of Gouldtown in Cumberland County, New Jersey. More research is needed. Could not locate a historical location in the same area known as Rum Bridge for reference.
Sources: Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia), 20 March 1800, page 4;
Covering the history of African Americans in central Pennsylvania from the colonial
era through the Civil War.
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