The Geography of Slavery

Virginia Gazette or American Advertiser (Hayes),
Richmond, July 9, 1785.

TEN POUNDS REWARD. RUN away from the Subscriber, living in Lunenburg County, on Saturday night last, JEN, a likely mulatto Slave, near six feet high; has little or no beard, has worked for some years past at the Blacksmith's trade; is a sensible artful fellow, and in all probability, will endeavour to pass for a free man, as he is very white for a slave; carried away with him, a blue broadcloth coat, turned up with red, a mixed Virginia cloth coat, callico jacket, white dimity do. blue Virginia cloth do. Also JOHN, a brother to the above, rather of a darker complexion, and smaller size; carried away a brown sheeting shirt, and a blue jacket without sleeves, a pair of dark coloured Virginia cloth breeches, patched on the knees, with a pair of Virginia cloth do, filled with yarn, and a pair of white stockings. I will give the above reward to any person who will deliver me the above Slaves, if taken up forty miles from home, if a lesser distance, in proportion. THOMAS JONES. June 14, 1785.

Notes