Enslavement
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A series of pages exploring
various aspects of enslavement in Pennsylvania

Enslavement in Berks County, Pennsylvania

Jailer Notices and Items Concerning Enslaved and Free African Americans

Published jailer notices provide information on local, state and out of state African Americans arrested and committed to the county jail as suspected escaped slaves. Enslavers of such persons, seeing the notices in regional newspapers, were expected to come to the jail, provide proof of ownership, and pay the costs associated with keeping, feeding, advertising, and filling out paperwork on the captured esapee.

Jailer Notices

  • Names: Daniel
    Date of item: 12 October 1764
    Location: Reading borough
    Item: Jailed as suspected escaped slave.
    Details/Text: "NOW in Reading Goal in Pennsylvania, a Negroe Man, who says his Name is Daniel, and belongs to Richard Goffny, of King and Queen County, in Virginia: These are therefore to desire said Goffny (if any such Person there be) to come or send for him, within three Months from this Date, otherwise he will be sold to pay Charges, by
    October 12, 1764. ISAAC WICKERSHAM.
    N.B. This Fellow says, there were two Negroe Men and a Woman came with him from the same Place, and that he parted with them in Lancaster County, about 40 or 50 Miles from this Place."
    Notes: Jailer Wickersham allowed three months for any possible enslaver of his prisoner Daniel to claim him or he would be sold. .That date would be January 12, 1765.
    Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette, 22 November 1764.

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