The Geography of Slavery

Virginia Gazette or American Advertiser (Hayes),
Richmond, December 3, 1785.

Five Pounds Reward. REUBEN PURCELL, who acted some part of this year in quality of my Overseer, went off in the night of the 5th inst. and, I have many reasons to believe, carried with him a Negro of mine named JAMES, about 24 years of age 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, speaks quick and and brustering [sic], has been inoculated.--Purcell is about 5 feet 11 inches high, fair complexion, very light hair, which he wears short, walks very lazily, stoops pretty much has a scar over his left eye--his father lives in Richmond County.------I will give the above reward on the delivery of the Negro, or 10 l. if Purcell, or any other person can be convicted of stealing him. BENJAMIN ROBINSON. King & Queen, Nov. 13, 1785.

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