The Geography of Slavery

Virginia Gazette and General Advertiser (Davis),
Richmond, March 20, 1793.

RAN AWAY from the subscriber in Goochland, on the 27th day of February, 1793, two Negro fellows, one of them the property of the subscriber, named JAMES, a short well made black fellow, very handsome, apt to smile when spoken to, if in good humor; he has a thick bushy head of hair and small eyes, he carried with him a Dutch blanket, a short blue coat no other cloathing that I recollect, except what plantation negroes are usually clad in. PETER, the property of Mr. William Meriwether, a short well made fellow; near the size of James, a bright Mulatto, about 20 years of age, he has large bulging eyes, and a little inclined to be bow-legged; I do not know what cloathing he carried with him. These fellows carried with them two of my nags, both about twelve years old, one of them a bay mare, 4 feet 9 or 10 inches high, one hind foot white, she has a gold head and neck, and shews the whites of her eyes very plain; the other a small sorrel Horse about 4 feet 5 or 6 inches high, very stout made, no white about him, and his tail lately been bob'd very short; I have not heard any thing of the above mentioned slaves and horses, since their elopement, I am apt to think they have gone low down the country where they were both raised. Whoever will apprehend the said Negroes, and secure them so that I get them again, shall receive a generous reward, besides what the law allows. SMITH PAYNE. March 13, 1793.

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