PA County Index

PA Enslavement FAQs

A series of pages exploring
various aspects of enslavement in Pennsylvania

Enslavement in Pennsylvania

Luzerne County Miscellaneous Items

Enslavement Data

1778 Battle of Wyoming, Quocko, Enslaved Man of William Martin

"At Jenkins fort, about a mile above Wintermoot fort, were gathered the families of John Jenkins, Capt. Stephen Harding, the Hadsalls, John Gardiner, and others. On the morning of June 30, and before Capt. Hewitt's return, Benjamin Harding, Stukely Harding, Stephen Harding, Jr., John Gardiner, and a lad named Rogers, aged eleven, James Hadsall and his sons James and John, and his sons-in-law Ebenezer Reynolds and Daniel Carr, together with Daniel Wallen and a negro named Quocko, a servant of William Martin twelve in all, went up the river to Exeter to their farm labors. It is only known that Benjamin and Stukely Harding took their guns with them, though some of the others may have had theirs. The Hardings, with Gardiner and the boy Rogers, worked in the cornfield of Stephen Harding, Jr.; the Hadsells and the others, part in Hadsall's cornfield on the island, part in his tanyard, close at hand, on the mainland.

"Late in the afternoon two suspected tories approached these men at work and offered to stand guard for them. This aroused suspicions, and Stephen Harding at once went for the horses, and when he returned his companions had quit work and started homeward, and he followed. On the way down was a deep, narrow ravine. This spot is near the Baptist church, between that and the river. As they passed this spot they were fired on; Benjamin and Stukely Harding were wounded. The Indians now rushed upon them, and the men fought for their lives, but fell. Here John Gardiner, having no arms, was taken prisoner. The dead Hardings had left all about their mutilated bodies the abundant evidences of their unconquerable bravery. In the meantime another party of Indians had captured James Hadsall, his son-in- law Carr, and the negro, at the tannery. Those on the island came off in canoes, and as they ascended the bank were ambushed and fired upon, killing James Hadsell and wounding Reynolds, who fled with Wallen. The boy, John Hadsell, had remained at the canoe, and, on hearing the firing, fled to the woods. He was the first to arrive at the fort and give the awful news. The elder Hadsell, Gardiner, Carr and the negro were taken up the creek two miles to the Bailey farm, where Hadsall and the negro were put to death, horribly tortured to give an evening's entertainment."
Source: Bradsby, H.C. History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.S.B. Nelson & Co., 1893. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/luzerne/1893hist/ch4.htm, accessed November 13, 2005.

1778 Battle of Wyoming, Gershom Prince Killed in Battle

"Gershom Prince, though but a humble negro here when this was more intensely slave territory than was ever Virginia, is well entitled to take his place among the immortals whose lives were a noble sacrifice to the liberty of mankind. Prince went out in the line and, bravely fighting, fell, and was with the silent heroes whose bones were left so long to bleach on the spot thus consecrated by the blood of heroes. It is supposed Prince was born in New England about 1733, and became a soldier in Capt. Israel Putnam's company, where he came to know Capt. [p.371] Durkee (a lieutenant then), and came with him to Wyoming. He was a soldier in the English army in 1762 in the war against Spain, and when the Revolution broke out he joined Col. Christopher Green's colored regiment, of Rhode Island. He was in the engagement at Red Bank in 1777, and soon after this came here with Durkee, it is supposed somewhat as a servant. He came post haste with Durkee, and at once went into the battle, and by his side died. On his body was found his powder horn, and his hand had carved carefully the following: 'Prince negro his hornm.' In another place, 'Garshom Prince his hornm made at Crown Point Sept. ye 3rd day 1761.' A caution is carved in a third place, 'Steal not this hornm.' He has, besides, given a view of six buildings on his horn, one of which hangs out the swinging sign. He has endeavored also to represent a water craft, but fearing it would not be recognized as such, has carved over it the word 'vesel.' "
Source: Bradsby, H.C. History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. S.B. Nelson & Co., 1893. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/luzerne/1893hist/ch12.htm, accessed November 13, 2005.

Wilkes Barre, Enslaved Man of James Campbell, 1798

"UNHAPPY ACCIDENT - On Tuesday last as a black man in the service of Mr. James Campbell, was dressing flax in a small out house accompanied by an only son of Mr. Campbell, about six years of age, in which he had a fire. By some means the fire communicated with the flax, which lay near the door, the negro working on the opposite side of the house and not perceiving the fire until it had taken such a hold that it was not in his power to extinguish it, sprang through the flames and made out at the door, thinking it possible to get the child out at the back side of the house! All his attempts proved ineffectual, the fire spread so rapidly that, before he was able to effect it, the building was in one entire flame, and shocking to relate, the child expired in the burning ruins! -- yet its tortures were but momentary."
Source: Wilkes Barre Gazette and Luzerne Advertiser, 30 January 1798.

Escaped Slaves, 1799

"$2 Reward - Ran away from the subscriber on the 5th inst., a Negro man named Paul, and a Negro wench named Point Dujour - any person who will take up said Paul and deliver him to Bartholomew Laport, of Asylum - and said Point Dujour unto James Wheeler of Blackwalnut Bottom, will be entitled to two dollars reward and all reasonable charges paid. Any person who shall be found guilty of having assisted the above Negroes in making their escape from his family or harbouring them in their house, may depend upon being prosecuted as the law directs. Buzard"
Source: Wilkes Barre Gazette & Luzerne Advertiser, 29 November 1799. Transcribed by Wyoming County (Pennsylvania) Historical Society, http://www.rootsweb.com/~pawyomin/WBG1799.html, accessed November 13, 2005.

Britt, Escaped from Nathaniel Salmon

See the story of Britt, an escaped slave from New Jersey, on the Northumberland County Miscellaneous items page.