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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
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Names: Joe
Date of item: 18 June 1788
Location: Greensburg
Item: Jailed as suspected escaped slave.
Details/Text: "WAS committed to the gaol of Westmoreland county, a negro Man, who calls himself JOE, about 5 feet 10 inches high, slim made, about 45 years of age. Notice is hereby given to the owner of said negro, if he does not apply in three months from the second Tuesday in July next, he will be sold for his fees.
WILLIAM PERRY, Sheriff.
Greensburgh, June 18, 1788."
Notes:
Source: Pittsburgh Gazette, 28 June 1788.
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Names: Abraham and Richard
Date of item: 26 December 1793
Location: Greensburg
Item: Jailed as suspected escaped slaves from Ohio County in Virginia and from Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
Details/Text: "Was committed to the Jail of Westmoreland county, a Negro MAN who callsl himself ABRAHAM, says he ran away from a James Caldwell, of Ohio county. He appears to be upwards of 40 years old, and was once in this jail before, at which time he said he had ran away from near Baltimore.
Also, a young Negro Man who calls himself RICHARD, and says he belongs to Thomas Clare, of Fayette county. The owners are desired to come, pay charges, and take them away.
TIMOTHY BUELL, Jailor.
Greensburgh, Dec. 26, 1793."
Notes: Abraham claimed he was from Ohio County in Virginia (modern day West Virginia).
Source: Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette, 18 January 1794.
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