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The Year of Jubilee (1863)

September 1820: Aaron leaves Frederick County, Maryland and is hiding in Pennsylvania

Fifty Dollars Reward
Will be paid for the apprehension of my negro man Aaron. Who ran away from my farm on Saturday week last, the 23d of September. He is about 5 feet, 3 or 4 inches high, chunky and strong built, is about 26 or 27 years old, black, has small eyes, indented at the insertion of the nose into the forehead, thick lips, and small yellowish teeth.

At the time he absconded, his clothing consisted of a fulled linsey doublet, much worn, a pair of good Osnaburg trowsers, and old cotton shirt, with an old fur hat. His dress, however, has been changed since he got into Pennsylvania, into a blue roundabout and blue overhalls, not fitting, with buttons on the side at the bottom.

He was traced from the Maryland line to near Millerstown, where he successfully resisted one or two attempts to apprehend him; from that neighborhood, he passed into the settlement of the Friends, on Opossum creek and Conewago.--Finding no refuge there he expressed his intention of going on to York; near to which place he has been ascertained to have passed.

He is believed to have assumed the name of "Peter," and to have a forged pass signed "John Doyne," or some such name, purporting that he is allowed to search for work until Christmas. He affects to be confident and indifferent, is somewhat plausible, and although disposed to surliness and impudence, is easily overawed, and if committed to jail, will readily make confession.

I think he may be found lurking about York, Columbia, or Lancaster. If secured in any jail, so that I get him again, I will give this above reward,--and if, besides, he is brought home, all reasonable additional charges will be paid.

Grafton Duvall.
Near Newtown, Trap, Frederick County, Maryland,
October 13.

Source: Lancaster Journal, 13 October 1820.

Covering the history of African Americans in central Pennsylvania from the colonial era through the Civil War.

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