Allegheny County Anonymous Private Slave Sales

Inhabitants of the rural counties of Pennsylvania that wished to purchase an enslaved Black person in the 18th century typically had to either visit Philadelphia or Baltimore to patronize an established dealer in slaves, or find someone, either in the city or locally, willing to sell. Newspapers of the day published advertisements from persons selling their enslaved people. Such ads typically included a brief description of the person enslaved, selling points, and after 1780, their state of servitude, whether a "slave for life" or for a term of years.

Newspaper advertisements of the 18th century usually included the name of the person offering an enslaved person for sale. But after the 1780 Gradual Abolition Act, and as the 19th century dawned, more and more of these ads kept the seller's name private, instructing interested parties to "Enquire of the printer." While advertisements for other things occasionally used the same device to hide a seller's identity, instructions to contact the printer, an agent or another intermediary became the norm in ads for enslaved persons after 1800, likely reflecting a growing stigma on slaveholding.

The selection of anonymous slave advertisements below are all examples collected from Allegheny County newspapers.

• "FOR SALE.
  A LIKELY Negro Woman -- can cook, wash and do all kind of house work expertly. -- Although a slave for life, she will be sold for nine or ten years only. The price (to prevent trouble) is 200 dollars cash -- she is 26 or 27 years old. Enquire at the Printing Office of the Pittsburgh Gazette.
  March 6, 1801.
  
  Source: Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 27 March 1801, page 4.

 

• FOR SALE,
  The unexpired time of a
  BLACK GIRL,
  WHO has four years and six months to serve; she is young, stout, healthy, sober and honest; she is well calculated to take care of children, and will be sold on account of not being acquainted with country work. For further particulars enquire at the office of the Pittsburgh Gazette. November 25, 1813.
  
  Source: Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 26 November 1813, page 3.

 

 

• Negro Girl for Sale.
  A NEGRO GIRL who has between 9 and 10 years to serve, and who is well acquainted with all kinds of house work, strong and healthy, will be sold a great bargain to any person living a considerable distance from Pittsburgh, and who will obligate themselves not to let her return to it during her servitude. Enquire at the Office of the Pittsuburgh Gazette.
  June 2, 1814.
  
  Source: Pittsburgh Gazette, 01 July 1814, page 1.

 



• A Negro Girl,
  FOR SALE,
  WHO has about 6 years to serve; is active and healthy. For further information apply at the Office of this Gazette.
  November 14, 1814.
  
  Source: Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 15 November 1814, page 2.

 



• FOR SALE,
  A Black Woman, who has six years and an half to serve, with two female children, from 4 ot 6 years of age, to serve till 28. The woman is healthy, honest, industrious, and an excellent Cook. The owner having no further occasion for their services, will dispose of them on moderate terms. Enquire at the Gazette Office.
  October 25, 1816.
  
  Source: Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 29 October 1816, page 1.

 

• For Sale,
  A Negro Girl,
  12 Years of age, who has to serve until 28, for terms enquire at this Office.
  May 4.
  
  Source: Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 03 August 1819, page 1.

 

• For Sale,
  THE unexpired time (about 8 years) of a
  Negro Girl,
  She is a good house-keeper, sober and honest.
  For further particulars enquire at the Gazette Office.
  March 16.
  
  Source: Pittsburgh Gazette, 01 May 1820, page 1.