runaway slave

He will attempt to pass for a free man.

The Star and North Carolina State Gazette 5 4 1833

The Star and North Carolina State Gazette, 4 May 1833

$25 Reward.

Eloped from my plantation on Tosnot, Edgecomb county, on the 19th instant, a negro man named BRYANT, 22 or 23 years old, five feet 9 or 10 inches high, stout built, quite yellow for the appearance of his hair, which is as knotty as the negroes usually is, long lips, large feet and long toes, has a down look when spoken to; had on when he went off dark clothes and a black forward hat. It is probable that he will procure papers and attempt to pass for a free man, as he has done the like before, and will probably skulk about Doct. Hall’s plantation near Tarborough until he is prepared to make his escape, as his father and mother live there. I will give the above reward to ay person who will confine him in jail so that I get him again, or deliver him to me at Stantonsburg.  WILLIE BROWNRIGG.

Stantonsburg, April 22, 1833

His father is a free negro.

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North-Carolina Free Press (Tarboro), 24 January 1832.

$25 REWARD.

RAN AWAY from the Subscriber, in May Court week last, a bright mulatto boy named JOHN, about 19 or 20 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, thick set and well built – he has a scar under his jaw, (I think the left jaw,) and thick ankles.  He is a shrewd fellow, and will perhaps alter his name and attempt to pass as a free man.  His father is a free negro, named Hardy Lassiter, living on Toisnot.  The above reward will be given for John’s apprehension, if delivered to me in Edgecombe county, or secured in any jail so that I can get him again.  All persons are hereby forbid harboring, employing, carrying off said boy, under the penalty of law.  SAMUEL FARMER.  Nov. 28, 1831.

 

He intends to leave this state with a free negro.

$20 REWARD. – RAN AWAY from the subscriber on the 6th instant, a negro man by the name of CAGE. Said negro is about twenty-seven years old, about five feet ten inches high, quick spoken and rather black – weighs some hundred and seventy pounds. It is my opinion that he intends to leave this State, with a free negro by the name of Nicholas Williams. The above reward will be given to any person, who will confine said negro in any jail or deliver him to me at my house about three miles above Toisnot Depot, Edgecombe County, N.C. – Josiah Jordan.

Tarboro Press, 13 March 1847.

Deliver him to Toisnot Depot.

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Eastern Carolina Republican (New Bern NC), 3 July 1850.

And then a shorter version, with different emphasis:

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Eastern Carolina Republican (New Bern NC), 20 November 1850.

$125 REWARD

will be paid for the delivery of the said HARRY to me at Tossnott Depot, Edgecombe county, or for his confinement in any Jail in the State so that I can get home, or One Hundred and Fifty Dollars will be given for his head.

He was lately heard from in New-Bern where he called himself Henry Barnes (or Burns), and will likely continue the same name, or assume that of Copage or Farmer. He has a free mulatto woman for a wife, by the name of Sally Bozeman, who has lately removed to Wilmington, and lives in that part of the town called Texas, where he will likely be lurking.

Master of vessels are particularly cautioned against harboring, employing, or concealing the said negro on board their vessels, as the full penalty of the law will be rigorously enforced. GUILFORD HORN.   June 29th, 1850

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Toisnot Depot, a stop on the Wilmington & Raleigh Railroad, was incorporated as the town of Wilson. In 1850, it was still a part of Edgecombe County.

Amason Hopping Bob ran away.

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Tarboro Press, 22 February 1840.

$25 REWARD.  RAN AWAY from the subscriber in February last, my Negro man BOB, commonly called Amason hopping Bob, well known in the neighborhood of Stantonsburg.  He has a free woman for his wife, one of old Stephen Mitchell‘s daughters.

She and old Mitchell live in the neighborhood of Theophilus Eason, in the edge of Greene county, where it is supposed Bob is lurking about.  All persons are forewarned employing, harboring or giving him aid, or countenancing him in any way, under penalty of the law.  I will give the above reward of $25, and all reasonable expenses paid, to have him confined in any jail so that I can get him again — or delivered to Mr. William Barnes, on White Oak, in Edgecombe County.  JOSEPH J.M. BARNES.

Tarboro Press, 1 Feb. 1840.

——

Wilson County was formed in 1855 from parts of Edgecombe, Johnston, Nash and Wayne Counties. At the time this ad was published, White Oak branch and the town of Stantonsburg were in southern Edgecombe County, very close to Wayne.

He has a free wife living near Stantonsburg.

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Newbern Sentinel, 4 September 1824.

N.B.: Wilson County was formed in 1855 from parts of Edgecombe, Johnston, Nash and Wayne Counties. At the time this ad was published, the town of Stantonsburg was in extreme southern Edgecombe County, very close to Wayne.