RICHMOND, DECEMBER 27, 1782. COMMITTED to Henrico prison the 28th ultimo, GILBERT, a negro man about twenty four or twenty five years of age, about five feet five inches high, well made, and has a wide mouth; nothing else remarkable about him, but that he is blacker that negroes in common are, and stammers a little when questioned as to his owner. He is a shrewd artful fellow. He was committed by the name of Gilbert, belonging to Colonel William M'Clanahan of Augusta, but when I had procured a waggon returning to Staunton to take him away, he denied his former assertion, and protested he belonged to Mr. Thomas Maupin of Albemarle, and since has been heard to say, his real master is a Mr. Jesse Maupin living on the same plantation. One of those Gentlemen has been written to by a relation of their's in Williamsburg, who happened to be then in this city, but not having heard from either of them since, am induced to believe the negro has not yet declared the truth. He sometimes says his name is Tom, Jesse, &c. and has been outlying more that two years. He is very ragged, and if I may judge, from his associates and the place of his late rendezvous, I am of opinion that that part of his relation may be depended on. His owner is desired to apply for him, pay charges, and take him away. WILLIAM ROSE, K.H.P.
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