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A series of pages exploring
various aspects of slavery in Pennsylvania

Although the subject of this website is African-American slavery in south central Pennsylvania, we frequently find information which pertains to other areas. Here, then, are a few scraps of information which friends and interested parties have brought to our attention.

Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
Slave participation in the Whiskey Rebellion

Two items from John Giacoletti: You might refer your acquaintance doing the slavery research in central Pennsylvania to a reference I just came across while looking up information on the Whiskey Rebellion.

He can find the data on the Bradford Homepage, Whiskey Insurrection. General John Neville was an Allegheny County tax collector.

The next morning (July 16, 1794), thirty men approached Neville's home demanding an interview. Neville turned and shot and killed Oliver Miller, the son of William Miller, and then blew a horn upon which his slaves opened fire from their quarters at the back of the crowd.

Grave of "Black Tom"

God No
A. S. Colord Man
Did by Rev. J. Cowart 8-23-56

According to the J.H. Beers & Co. 1914 book, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Anthony Schaeffer

came to Armstrong County before the opening of the nineteenth century, and brought with him a slave he owned, "Black Tom," who continued to live with the family until he died of old age; he is buried in the Schaeffer Church grave-yard at Brick Church in Burrell township.

In 1780 Pennsylvania voted to gradually abolish slavery, but it may have been tolerated until much later. Did Tom then live with the Schaeffer family of his own free will? We think that grave #40 is Tom's final resting place. The inscription most probably means:
God Knows Anthony Schaeffer's (A.S.) Colored Man.

John Giacoletti

Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Slaves in the 1821 Septennial Census

Columbia County, Derry Township--1821 Septennial Census:

• George Green owned one male slave, age 19. Date of census: 07 November, 1821.

Source: Septennial Census Returns, 1779-1863; Roll No. 1, Adams County, 1800-Cumberland County, 1800. Reel No. 0242. Microfilm in the Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg PA.

Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania
Slaves in the 1800 Septennial Census

Shirley Township: 1 slave
Hopewell: 5 slaves
Dublin: 1 slave
Frankstown: 10 slaves
Springfield: 4 slaves
West: 1 slave.

Source: Septennial Census Returns, 1779-1863; Roll No. 3, Franklin County, 1828-Lancaster County, 1800. Reel No. 0244. Microfilm in the Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg PA.

New Jersey
Cumberland County, New Jersey

Runaway advertisements from the Pennsylvania Gazette and Pennsylvania Packet

September 22, 1763
The Pennsylvania Gazette

Cumberland County, New Jersey, September 2, 1763
LAST Week was committed to the Goal of this County, a Negroe Man, about 50 Years of Age, of middle Stature, and well set; he says he was born in Virginia, and belongs to Joshua Fisher, in Philadelphia. Said Negroe speaks good English, and says he is a Blacksmith by Trade, His Master, whoever he may be, is hereby desired to take him away, paying Cost.

HOWELL POWELL, Sheriff.

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May 31, 1764
The Pennsylvania Gazette

Cumberland County, West New Jersey, May 28, 1764.
LAST Week was committed to the Goal of this County, two Negroe Men; the one by the Name of Amos, about 30 Years old, 5 Feet 5 Inches high, who says he was born in Guiney, and is now the Property of Colonel Hopper, of Queen Ann County, in Maryland; the other calls himself Daniel Rogers, says he is a free Negroe, and that he came from Cambridge, in Dorses County; but as he hath no proper Credentials, and his Companion declares him to be a Slave, these are to desire their Masters to fetch them away, and pay Cost.
HOWELL POWELL, Sheriff.

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December 19, 1765
The Pennsylvania Gazette

WENT away from Joseph Sharp, of Salem County, West Jersey, the 10th Day of November last, a Negroe Man, named Sambo, under Pretence to get a Master; he is a thick short Fellow, limps with his Right Knee, and one of his Buttocks, bigger than the other, about 40 Years of Age, talks much, and cannot count above 15, if you ask him how much 10 and 5 is he can't tell such Question; he has had many Masters, and lived at Mount Holly, when the Furnace went, with Mr. Baid; it is thought he will endeavour to get to Philadelphia, or is gone to New York.
Whoever takes up the said Negroe, and secures him in any Goal, so that his Master may have him again, shall have Three Pounds Reward; if taken in the County of Cumberland , Forty Shillings, paid by JOSEPH SHARP.

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December 17, 1778
The Pennsylvania Packet

SIXTEEN DOLLARS REWARD.

RAN AWAY the 6th inst. (December) from the subscriber, living in Hopewell, Cumberland county, New Jersey, a likely country born negro lad named FRANK, about sixteen years of age, and slim made; had on when he went away, a light coloured cloth vest with cuffs to the sleeves, and the under parts of the sleeves darker than the rest; a dark coloured flannel under vest, mixed coloured cloth breeches, new blue stockings, and a white flannel shirt; Also took with him, a striped camblet vest, a pair of old cloth breeches, one white flannel and one linen shirt, one pair of black and white and one pair of blue yarn stockings. Whoever takes up and secures the aforesaid Negro so that the subscriber may have him again, shall receive the above reward.
SARAH RAMSAY.

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August 22, 1781
The Pennsylvania Gazette

LAST evening was committed to my custody, the following NEGROES, viz. One who calls himself SIP, and says that he came from York in a Refugee boat, and was taken by the militia up Potowmack river, and that he has since lived with James Bright in Rockhall hundred, opposite Annapolis: He is 5 feet 8 inches high, straight built, and talks broken: Had on, a straw hat, a sort of a coverlid coat, old dirty cloth coloured vest, old striped ditto, old tow linen shirt under them, and a good ditto over them, tow linen trowsers and leather breeches under them, a pair of old woollen leggins and neats leather shoes, with thongs.

The other calls himself TOM, and says that his master's name is Mr. William Smith, who, he says, keeps the ferry across Potowmack river, from Rockhall hundred over to Annapolis: He is 5 feet 4 inches high, well set, talks tolerable good English, and appears to be a cunning arch fellow: Had on when taken, a good castor maccaroni hat, a red coat, with pewter buttons, old red and white silk and cotton vest, a fine linen shirt under, and a coarse tow linen ditto over them, tow linen sailortrowsers, white breeches and neats leather shoes; besides the cloaths above described, they have a bundle in which is some shirts, vests, handkerchiefs, &c. Their masters (if they have any) are requested to come within four weeks from the date hereof, pay their charges, and take them away, otherwise they will be sold for the same.
NATHAN JOHNSON, Goaler.

Bridgetown, Cumberland county, State of New Jersey,
August 6, 1781.

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September 4, 1782
The Pennsylvania Gazette

Bridgetown, Cumberland county, New Jersey, Aug. 26, 1782.
THIS day was committed to my custody the following NEGROES, viz. one who calls himself William Brown, and says that he belonged to the General Monk, which was taken some months past by the ship Hyder Ally, in Delaware, and that he has since lived with one Whitehead Jones, at Hog point, which place he says he left about two weeks since: He is 5 feet 3 inches high, thick set, and says he is a great fidler; had on an old wool hat, blue sailorvest, with flash sleeves, tow linen shirt and trowsers, and he talks tolerable good English. The other says his name is Isaac Ball (and they both say that they have been comrades, from the time that they were taken until now) he is 5 feet 7 inches high, slim built, he also talks tolerable good English, and is considerably marked with the smallpox; had on when taken, an old wool hat, old blue sailorjacket, tow linen shirt and trowsers, and neats leather shoes, with thongs; besides the clothes above described, they have some in a bundle. Their masters (if any they have) are requested to come within four weeks from the date hereof, pay their charges, and take them away, otherwise they will be sold for the same.
NATHAN JOHNSON, Goaler.

And as a way of explaining the significance of the "General Monk" (April 10, 1782):

The Pennsylvania Gazette
PHILADELPHIA, April 10.

Last night came up to this city the sloop of war General Monk, of 18 guns, late belonging to the British King, taken on Monday off Cape May by the ship Hyder Ally, Captain Barney, belonging to this State. We hear the latter had 3 men killed and 11 wounded, and the former 20 killed and 33 wounded in the action.

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October 16, 1782
The Pennsylvania Gazette

EIGHT DOLLARS Reward.
RUN away from the subscriber, living in Roadtown, Cumberland county, West New Jersey, a Negroe MAN, about 27 years of age, about 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, rather on the yellow than black colour, sometimes calls himself Mark, and at other times Martin; he is a raw bones fellow, stout, active, and affects a great deal of bashfulness, with a down look, is fond of strong drink, and is very talkative when in liquor; he was born near Swedesborough, Raccoon creek, and was mostly bred to housework, washing, cooking, &c. and may probably apply for service in Philadelphia, or to go cook on some vessel, as he has been a voyage with Captain Souder to Havanna last year. In his common walking he seems to move with restraint, his ancles and toes inclining much in; had no cloaths with him but what he had on, which were a homespun linen sailorjacket and trowsers, check shirt, tolerable beaver hat looped, new shoes, thread stockings, and a black silk handkerchief round his neck. As he formerly lived with Elijah Tomlinson, at Jenkintown, on the old York road, it is probable he is sculking in that neighbourhood, or at Milestown, where Mr. Tomlinson now lives. Whoever takes up and secures him in any goal, so that the subscriber may have him again, shall have the above reward, if taken in this State, and Sixteen Dollars if in any other, with reasonable charges, paid by Mr. JOSEPH CLUNN, in Second street, Philadelphia, or the subscriber, at Roadstown.CHARLES CLUNN.

N.B. All masters of vessels are forbid to carry him off at their peril. October 11, 1782.

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July 23, 1783
The Pennsylvania Gazette

WAS committed to the Goal of Cumberland county, New Jersey, the 10th instant, two negroe fellows, one named DICK, 26 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, left home three weeks ago; had on when committed, a white jacket, homespun shirt, corded breeches, old stockings, no shoes; and says he belongs to Robert Right, near Church Hill, Queen Ann County, in the State of Maryland. The other named TOM, 23 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high; had on when committed, a homespun linnen coat, cotton breeches, cotton stockings, good shoes, wool hat; and says he belongs to Matthew Tilghman, Esq; and run away from his overseer, William Lard, in Queen Ann County, near the head of Chester, in the State of Maryland. This is to acquaint their masters, that if they do not come in Two Months from the date hereof, they will be sold to pay the charges.
July 26, 1783.THOMAS ELLIT ALLEN, Goaler.

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October 8, 1783
The Pennsylvania Gazette

Cumberland county, West New Jersey, Sept. 27.
WAS committed to the goal of this county, on the 14th day of July last, A certain Negroe Man, who calls himself JAMES, and says he is a freeman, but formerly belonged to Isaac Wilson, in Burlington county; he is about five feet seven inches high, a thick, well set man. Had on, when taken up, a thick cloth coat, a good jacket and shirt, good trowsers, hat and shoes: These are therefore to request his master, if any he has, to come, pay charges, and take him away in two weeks, otherwise he will be sold to discharge the same,
by THOMAS E. ALLEN, Goaler.

Miscellaneous New Jersey

Nancy writes:

Well, there goes my conviction that my ancestors at least were not cruel enough (or had enough money) to keep slaves. Here's something.
In my g'mother's genealogy research done in 1937, she has:

Black slave children of (my ancestors) Peter and Judith Sutphen STOOTHOFF
Caty born 1-16-1809
Hanna born 7-2-1812
Harry born 1-24-1814
Phillis born 12-23-1816
William born 10-24-1818

The Stoothoffs were Dutch and lived in NJ. Contact me if you need any more info on the Stoothoffs (who also had one white son), I wish I had more on the slave children. I must have some cousins out there.

Here's what I have on the Stoothoffs and I will check back later if there is more that turns up.
Peter Stoothoff is the child of William and Sarah maiden name unknown Stoothoff, Peter was born April 11, 1746 at Franklin Park, NJ. He belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church, was a deacon and an elder there (and still kept slaves.) There seems to have been a place in Franklin Park called Six Mile Run and Peter owned 225 acres there. He was a farmer. The Brooklyn Stoothoffs and the Franklin Park Stoothoffs are of the same stock.
That's from my grandmother's research, I'll let you know if I find more.

Vermont

Slave participation in the American Revolution

My best thoughts,
Sunny2345(at)aol.com