Anonymous Advertisements
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 Franklin County newspapers.
FOR SALE
THE time of a Negro Woman, aged 25 years, who has 6 years to serve, with her son 18 months old. Apply to the Printer hereof.
Chambersburg, Oct. 27.
Notes: This ad ran through January 5, 1803.
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 24 November 1802, page 4.
The time of a
MULATTO WOMAN,
To be sold.
She is about 30 years of age and has nine years to serve -- she has a fine boy about one year old. She understands cooking and all kinds of kitchen and House work, Spinning, &c. Time will be given for the Price, if wished for. Enquire of the Printer.
August 16.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 31 August 1803, page 4.
For Sale,
THE time of a healthy NEGRO WOMAN, who has seven years to serve, and is well acquainted with all kinds of work, indoors and out. Inquire of the printer hereof.
Chambersburg, Jan. 28, 1805.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 05 March 1805.
- For Sale,
An active Negro Wench, a Slave, well acquainted with every part of house business.
ALSO,
The time of three Negro Children -- one Boy and two Girls. The eldest (a boy) about 5 or 6 years old. Inquire of the Printer.
January 7, 1806.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg), 14 January 1806.
For Sale,
A Negro Wench (a slave) well acquainted with every kind of house business, with a female child.
Inquire of the Printer.
Jan. 7, 1806.
Notes: The woman in this ad was born prior to March 1, 1780, making her a "slave for life" per Pennsylvania law. Her female child, born afer that date, was to be enslaved up unitl her 28th birthday.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg, PA), 06 May 1806, page 3.
FOR SALE,
A Healthy Young Negro Wench.
well aquainted with all kind of house work, about 25 or 26 years of age, a slave for life.
Inquire of the
PRINTER.
July 1st, 1806.
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 15 July 1806, page 4.
FOR SALE,
A HEALTHY
Negro Boy,
about 9 years old. For information inquire of
The PRINTER.
August 4, 1806.
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 26 August 1806, page 4.
- FOR SALE.
A stout healthy NEGRO MAN, who has about three years to serve. He is well acquainted with all kinds of farming, and is an excellent waggoner -- he will be sold low. Inquire of the PRINTER.
Aug. 13, 1807.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg), 15 September 1807.
- A PLACE WANTED,
For a Negro Girl, between 16 and 17 years of age, who is well acquainted with all kinds of house work. For further information inquire at the office of the F. Repository.
Chamb'g, Nov. 23, 1807.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg), 24 November 1807.
- FOR SALE,
The time of a Negro Man,
who has 2 years and 10 months to serve.
Feb. 22. Enquire of the Printer.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg), 08 March 1814.
- FOR SALE,
The time of a NEGRO LAD, who has better than 3 years to serve. He is well acquainted with taking car of horses, is a good coachman, and well acquainted with the duties of a house servant. Enquire of the Printer hereof.
May 31, 1814.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg), 07 June 1814.
For Sale,
THE time of a NEGRO BOY, who is about 13 years of age and has better than 6 years to serve. He is healthy, strong an active for his age, -- is accustomed to working on a farm, and has no fault that the owner knows of, but he wishes to part with him merely because he has no employ for him.
Enquire of the Printer.
November 9, 1814.
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 22 November 1814, page 4.
- FOR SALE,
A NEGRO GIRL, between 15 and 16 years old -- a servant until 28 -- healthy and active. Enquire at this office.
August 7, 1815.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg), 08 August 1815.
For Sale,
THE time of a NEGRO GIRL, who has nearly eight years to serve. Healthy, active and well acquainted with house-work.
Enquire of the Printer.
October 2d, 1815
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 03 October 1815, page 3.
FOR SALE,
THE time of a NEGRO BOY, who has between 4 & 5 years to serve.
Inquire of the Printer. March 25.
Source: Franklin Repository (Chambersburg, PA), 01 April 1817, page 4.
- For Sale,
THE Time of a Mulatto Boy, who has about five years and an half to serve. -- He is stout and healthy -- For terms enquire of the PRINTER.
March 11, 1817.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg), 01 April 1817.
- For Sale,
The unexpired time of a
NEGRO GIRL,
WHO has about four Years to serve.
Enquire of the PRINTER.
March 11.
Source: The Franklin Repository Weekly (Chambersburg), 01 April 1817.
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