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January 1791: Preacher Caesar escapes from Hugh Rowan in Bound Brook, New Jersey
A NEGRO MAN ELOPED.
RAN away from his owner about the 25th jan. last, CAESAR, a negro man, country born, noted as a preacher among the blacks, 30 years of age, about 5 feet 7 inches high -- thick, well set; had on a brown cloth coat, light cloth jacket, leather breeches, and course wilton stockings. --He also had a tow linen frock wtih him; and wore a small round hat. He is supposed to be gone to Virginia, as his father lives on Dr. Vandeveer's plantation, in that State. Whoever will take up said negro, and secure him in the gaol of Philadelphia, or of Trenton, and give notice thereof to the subscriber living in Bound-Brook, New-Jersey, shall receive Twelve Dollars reward, and all necessary charges.
HUGH ROWAN.
Notes: Dr. Vandeveer could refer to Dr. Lawrence Van Derveer (1740-1815), a prominent revolutionary era physician in Somerset County, New Jersey. Dr. Van Derveer moved to Shepherdstown, Virginia (now West Virginia) for a brief period, then moved back to New Jersey. He was a slaveholder.
Source: Gazette of the United States (New York), 16 March 1791, page 4.
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