Dehumanizing details of fugitive slave ads reveal abuses, depravity

From the earliest print archives of the Weekly Advertiser in 1849 to those of the Montgomery Advertiser just before slavery’s end, legal ads exposed Black people who sought freedom from slavery — either as escapees who had been captured, or others who remained at large.

The vast majority of the dehumanizing ads listed the runaways and captured only by a first name, with a printed description of them since no photos were available for print in that day. They featured racist iconography, degrading descriptions, and past injuries — evidence of abuse and physical torture — used simply as identifying characteristics.

What follows is a list of ads — a fraction of what was routinely printed — that targeted enslaved people who had escaped, and Black men, women and children who were jailed or otherwise picked up because authorities believed they were wanted slaves. Some dates for print issues were missing. Ads often ran in several issues, so the dates below reflect just one of the days the ad appeared in print.

Oct. 31, 1849: Lethic, between 30 and 35, was captured in St. Clair County. He was said to belong to John Brown, a trader in North Carolina, and left Brown near Wetumpka, Alabama.

Oct. 31, 1849: Francis Oliver, 40, was jailed in Dallas County as a runaway slave, despite claims that he was actually a free man. He told the sheriff that he once belonged to James Mason of Louisiana.

Oct. 31, 1849: Sam, 26, was jailed in Montgomery County. He told the jailor that he belonged to Jesse Rice, a slave trader from Virginia. Sam had 30 days to be claimed, or he would be sold to pay for jail expenses.

Nov. 14, 1849: Jack and Phillip were runaways from John Crawford. They were captured and held in Jefferson County jail.

Jan. 23, 1850: Hannah, arrested in Pickens County, was a 75-year-old woman who was said to belong to John Smith of Lowndes County, Mississippi.

Jan. 23, 1850: William, who was about 30, was taken into custody in DeKalb County, Alabama. He was said to belong to Churchwell Gipson of Macon County, Alabama.

April 24, 1850: Abner, 50, was arrested in Coffee County. Abner belonged to George Reeves of Autauga County, and was described as “chunky built, with six toes on one foot.”

June 12, 1850: George, age 15 or 16, was an at-large runaway. James M. Coleman from Macon County had bought him from F.M. Gilmer Jr. of Montgomery, who had purchased George from someone in Columbus, Mississippi. It was believed George was making his way back to Mississippi, where his mother still lived. Coleman put up a $10 reward for George, and a $100 reward for any white man who may have helped George escape.

June 26, 1850: Isaac, age 22, was jailed in Bibb County, Alabama, and was missing his right fore-finger at the second joint. He belonged to George Summers of Sumter County, Alabama. Unless he was claimed, Isaac was to be sold at the courthouse door in Centreville on Oct. 15, 1850.

Aug. 28, 1850: Dick, age 50, was jailed in Marion County, Alabama. He belonged to a man named Moore in Wetumpka. Dick was to be sold in Pikeville in February 1851 if he wasn’t claimed.

Oct. 9, 1850: Frank, whose age was described only as a boy, was an at-large runaway with a $15 reward for his capture.

Feb. 19, 1851: Peter, whose age was between 35 and 40, was put in jail in Morgan County, Alabama. He belonged to J.S. Ingraham of Richmond County, North Carolina. Peter had scars on his right eye and forehead.

May 28, 1851: Joe, about 20, was a runaway reported by W.L. Yancey. Joe had a dark mark on one cheek made by a lash. He had a mother in Prattville. Yancy offered a “liberal reward” for Joe’s return to Montgomery.

Aug. 27, 1851: Moses, who was between 35 and 40, was jailed in Autauga County. He belonged to James McDamon of Virginia. While being sent with a trader to be sold, Moses ran away in Montgomery before being captured. If Moses wasn’t claimed, he was to be sold on Jan. 1, 1852.

Sept. 3, 1851: Adam, 24, was reported as a runaway by George Herd of Talladega County. Adam was described as very stout with broad shoulders, and as being “pretty slick on the tongue and polite.” Adam used to drive a wagon hauling marble in Alabama. Herd offered a $50 reward for Adam’s capture and return.

Oct. 21, 1851: Peter C. Holley, 30, was a runaway from Jesse M. Pearson in Macon County, Alabama. Peter was described as a “tolerable house carpenter and good miller to grind or saw,” and was believed to be making his way to Ohio or Indiana. Pearson offered a $50 reward if Peter was captured outside of Alabama, or $25 if he was captured in state.

Nov. 11, 1851: Stephen, age between 25 and 30, was reported as a runaway by Levi Parks of Dallas County, Alabama. Stephen was a carpenter, and had been purchased the previous winter in Montgomery, and was originally from Maryland or Virginia.

Dec. 30, 1851: Ephraim, 41 or 42, was described as a “mulatto” by owner John M. Graves of Hinds County, Mississippi. Ephraim was purchased in Montgomery. It was believed Ephraim was making his way to North Carolina, likely disguised as a free man with “free papers furnished by some scoundrel.” He had a $25 reward, and there was a $150 reward was offered for any white man who had assisted Epheram.

Dec. 30, 1851: Randall, no age given, was jailed in Limestone County, Alabama. Randall had a extensive history of running away, getting caught, being sold, and running again. On his last one, he left from Pontotoe, Mississippi, and was on his way to Virginia when captured.

Jan. 27, 1852: Jack, 33, was a runaway who had escaped with a large mule from owner W.M. Graham near Montgomery. It was believed Jack was headed to Troup County, Georgia. Jack had a $25 reward for his return.

March 30, 1852: An unnamed runaway slave had a $50 reward for his return to owner James A. Jordan, about 20 miles from Wetumpka. The runaway was 23, with scars on his cheek and left leg.

April 20, 1852: Lucinda, 20, was jailed in Mobile County, Alabama. She belonged to Mrs. Elizabeth Hinsley of Sumter County, Alabama. Lucinda had multiple scars on her right arm.

April 27, 1852: Isham, 21, and Nat, no age given, escaped from owner Stephen F. Pool in Perry County, Alabama. Isham was believed to be heading back to Montgomery, where he’d worked before. There was a $20 reward for each of their capture, if out of state, and $10 each if caught in Alabama.

May 26, 1852: John, 23, ran away from Levi Williams, and had a $25 reward offered for John’s return.

July 7, 1852: Jack, 38-40, was jailed in Greene County, Alabama. He was owned by Wade Hampton of Columbus, South Carolina.

July 7, 1852: Tom, 35, and William, 30, ran away from Levi Conolly in Mobile. Tom was bald and missing the tip of a finger, while William was bushy with bad teeth. They had a $25 reward for capture.

July 7, 1852: Bob, 45, escaped from Daniel Seay in Columbia County, Georgia. “He was a very good farmer for a negro.” Bob was believed to have been furnished with free papers. Seay offered a $25 reward for Bob, and $100 for conviction of a white person harboring him.

July 7, 1852: Jeremiah, 35, was jailed in Tallapoosa County, and was said to belong to Gillam Nickinson.

Aug. 18, 1852: George, between 18 and 20, escaped from Perry County. It was believed he was going to Montgomery and then to Chambers County where he was raised. A $15 reward issued for his capture.

Sept. 1, 1852: John Walding, 27, escaped on a horse from M.J. Kenan in Dallas County. He was missing a front tooth and had a scar on the back of his left hand. A $25 reward was issued for John and the horse.

Sept. 22, 1852: Nicholas Bell, 28 or 30, escaped from Francis Gordon in Benton, Alabama. He was described as having crooked feet and a lump on one hand the size of a partridge egg. Known as Bell, he ran away previously in 1849, passing himself as a free man. A $50 reward was issued if captured outside of Alabama, $25 if in state.

Oct. 27, 1852: George, 20, was captured in Mobile County. He had escaped from owner James Edward Wilson in Memphis, Tennessee.

Oct. 27, 1852: John Peter, 50, was captured in Mobile County. He had escaped from owner John Prater of Kemper County, Alabama, near West Point. John Peter’s right leg was broken, and his front teeth were knocked out.

Oct. 27, 1852: Crawford George, was captured in Mobile County. He had escaped from owner Thomas Woodhall of Nashville, Tennessee. Crawford was working on a railroad when an overseer named Dillard brought him and two others to Mobile and left them there.

Dec. 15, 1852: Joseph, 35, and Adaline, 35, escaped from H.M. Waters in Coffee County, Alabama. They had $25 rewards issued.

Dec. 15, 1852: Abram, between 25 and 30, escaped from Jas A. Fountain of Dallas County, Alabama. He had been purchased in Charleston the year before. A $20 reward was issued.

Feb. 9, 1853: Sarah, 22, escaped from E.D. Ledyard, location unknown.

April 27, 1853: A plantation in Wilcox County, Alabama, offered a $500 reward in the escape of 13 slaves: Griffin, 35; Jackson, between 28 and 30; George Peyton, 34 or 35; Jonathan, 38, Jim Peyton, 22 or 23; Henry Peyton, 25 or 26; Bill Nickens, 24; Jim Floold, 45; Ralph, 24, Ruther, 18 or 20; Beverly, 20; William Henry, between 30 and 35; and Battail, 20. All had been purchased by T.B. Bethea the year before in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

April 27, 1853: George, 26 or 27, was jailed in Petersburg, Virginia, and has one of the longest, most detailed runaway slave ads ever published in the Advertiser. In it, he lists many, many escapes. As a teenager, George escaped from owner James Furlough so often that Furlough sold George to his brother-in-law. He was there for a year, and then ran away again. Several sales later, he ended up in Montgomery and worked as a cook in 1851 at Montgomery Hall.

April 27, 1853: Charles, 21, escaped from W.M. Cunningham in Conecuh County, Alabama. Charles had been purchased just a few days earlier from Greek Brawley of Coffee County, Tennessee.

May 18, 1853: Chaney, 40, and daughter Julia, 14, escaped from J.W. Lindsey of Montgomery. A $40 reward was offered.

May 18, 1853: An unnamed male escaped from John N. Cole of Bainbridge, Georgia.

July 6, 1853: John, no age, Tobe, 24 or 25, and Jesse, 24, escaped from M.J. Saffold of Hanyeville.

Feb 15. 1854:  Jim, between 14 and 17, escaped from Stephen Graves of Holmes County, Mississippi, and was believed to be around a former residence in Pike County, Alabama. A $100 reward was offered for Jim.

March 15, 1854: Prince, between 18 and 20, escaped from Rebecca Howe of Prattville. It was suspected that “suspicious” white people had taken Prince, and a $100 reward was issued for them. The reward for Prince was $25.

April 5, 1854: Willis, 22, escaped from Park Gray of Pike County, Alabama. Willis was believed to be traveling toward Montgomery or Wetumpka, where he’d been purchased. A $50 reward was issued for his capture and delivery.

Nov. 15, 1854: Moses and Stephen escaped from John H. Lee in Montgomery County, near Pine Level.

Dec. 13, 1854: Tom, 19, escaped from James Reynolds of Montgomery County, Alabama, and was taken in by James Clark in Barbour County.

Feb. 28, 1855: Burrell, 40, was put in jail in Montgomery County. He escaped from owner James McDougal of Sumter County.

Feb. 28, 1855: Isaac, age unknown, was put in jail in Montgomery County. He escaped from owner Thomas Walker of Dallas County, Alabama.

April 11, 1855: Andy, 25, escaped from W.L. Yancey in Montgomery. Andy was a willow-basket maker who had been bought from North Carolina a year earlier. A $10 reward was offered.

May 23, 1855: Jinny, 40, was jailed in Montgomery County. She had escaped from Mr. Cass of Montgomery County.

May 23, 1855: Anderson, 38, ­was jailed in Montgomery County. He had escaped from John Charles of South Carolina.

June 13, 1855: Henry, 27, was jailed in Montgomery County. He had escaped from John Lowe of Macon County, Alabama.

June 13, 1855: Sidney, 25, was jailed in Montgomery County. He had escaped from John Brann of Arkansas.

June 13, 1855: Branson, 19, was jailed in Montgomery County. He had escaped from John Little of Lowndes County, Alabama.

June 13, 1855: London, 16, was jailed in Montgomery County. He had escaped from Dr. Saxon of Wetumpka.

June 20, 1855: Cyrus, 35, and his wife, Patsey, escaped from Choctaw County, Alabama. They were believed to be making their way to Mary Cunningham in South Carolina.

Oct. 10, 1855: Tom, 33, escaped from B.E. Cobb in Dallas County. A $30 reward was issued.

Oct. 10, 1855: George Washington, 26, escaped from James G. Cook of Montgomery County. George’s left hand’s forefinger was missing at the first joint. He’d been trained as a blacksmith in Montgomery under James Fountain.

Nov. 28, 1855: Steve, 35, escaped from G.W. Nelson of Pike County, and was believed to be traveling to Chambers County, Alabama. A $15 reward was issued.

Jan. 9, 1856: Port, 55, escaped from W.L. Yancey. He was formerly owned by Uriah G. Mitchell of Dallas County, Alabama.

March 5, 1856: Collin, 30, escaped from a plantation in Montgomery County. Collin had a gin saw cut on one hand, and a crooked finger. A $20 reward was issued by Charles D. Coleman.

April 2, 1856: Isaac, 27, escaped from near Marion, and was believed to be traveling to South Carolina or Florida. A $25 reward was issued by John C. Charles.

April 23, 1856: Jack, 25, escaped from Kemper County, Mississippi. Isaac was raised in North Carolina. A $20 reward was issued by S.C. and W.B. Preston.

Oct. 29, 1856: Henry, 21, escaped from a plantation in Marengo County, Alabama. He had a large scar on his cheek. Charles A. Poelintz issued a $100 reward for Henry’s return, and $300 for conviction of any who took him.

Oct. 29, 1856: Virgil, 30, and John, age unknown, escaped from Moscow in Marengo County, Alabama. They’d been brought in from North Carolina two weeks earlier, and were believed to be on their way to Cahaba and Montgomery. A $100 reward was issued.

Feb. 4, 1857: KD, between 18 and 20, escaped from the plantation of R. Sturdivant in Summerfield, Alabama. KD had recently been brought in from North Carolina.

March 18, 1857: Joe, 26, escaped from Camden. He’d been purchased from Anson County, North Carolina.

May 6, 1857: Ann, 35, escaped from a plantation near Montgomery. Matthew T. James issued a $25 reward for her return.

Oct. 14, 1857: Milton, between 25 and 30, and Green, 20, escaped from Wilcox County, Alabama. Green had lash marks from a whip. $20 rewards were offered for each of them by W. R. Eddins, and $200 for whoever helped them leave.

 Jan. 13, 1858: Emanuel, 21, escaped from Montgomery, after spending a year boring artesian wells. He was brought to Montgomery from Aberdeen, Mississippi. E.Y. Turner issued a $10 reward.

Jan. 20, 1858: Abram, 30, ran away from James Crow in Montgomery. He had scars under his lip, forehead and under an ear.

Oct. 27, 1858: Charles, 35, escaped from Montgomery. He was originally from Pike County, Georgia. A $10 reward was issued.

April 27, 1859: Fed, 21, ran away from the residence of Madison Shackelford, near Pintlala.

July 20, 1859: George, 35, escaped from Montgomery and was thought to have gone to the plantation in Autauga County, where his wife was held. He took a mule with him.

Sept. 21, 1859: Mason, no age given, was arrested after breaking out of jail in Hamilton, Georgia, with Joshua Blackman. They took a mare and crossed the Chattahoochee River, four miles above Columbus, and then took two mules. Mason had escaped from owner James J. Irby of Harris County, Georgia.

Oct. 31, 1860: Lot, 36, ran away from the Pickens County, Alabama, plantation of J.G. Carraway. Lot had been purchased a year before from South Carolina. He was last seen in Tuscaloosa.

Nov. 7, 1860: Henry, 32, and Jackson, 20 or 21, escaped from Chambers County, Alabama, where Henry was a plantation blacksmith.

Nov. 21, 1860: Norfleet, 33, escaped from Panola County, Mississippi. Charles Losa, aka O. Allen, was a German gardener who was accused of assisting Norfleet.

Feb. 19, 1861: Peter Potutock, 21 or 22, escaped from a turpentine establishment on Fish River in Baldwin County. Peter was from Richmond, Virginia, and had the lost the ends of his forefingers on his right hand. Henry Crawford, 23 or 24, and Andrew, 26 or 27, also escaped at separate times.

March 19, 1861: Madison, between 30 and 40, escaped from the plantation of H. Young Jr. in Marengo County.

May 22, 1861: William, 20, was jailed in Conecuh County, Alabama, after escaping from a Mr. Rayner.

June 12, 1861: Jackson, age unknown, escaped from C. Robinson in Lowndes County, Alabama. Jackson was believed to be around Montgomery. There was a $20 reward for Jackson, and $100 for whoever was harboring him.

June 19, 1861: Frank, 20, was jailed in Conecuh County, Alabama, after escaping from Tho Stickney of Mobile.

Aug. 7, 1861: Andrew, 18 to 20, escaped from a plantation in Duncanville, Georgia.

Jan. 5, 1862: Dick, 39, escaped. The previous summer, he’d been taken from Alabama to Richmond, Virginia and sold.

Jan. 30, 1862: George, 44, escaped from Greenville, Alabama. John Ardis offered a $20 reward for George, and $100 for conviction of whoever helped him escape.

April 15, 1862: Jim, 40, ran from Lowndes County. Elizabeth S. Stewart offered a $25 reward for Jim’s capture.

April 17, 1862: Washington, 25 to 30, was jailed in Lowndes County, Alabama. He had escaped from Oliver Woodward from near Glendale in Barbour County, Alabama.

July 9, 1862: Six slaves escaped from a railroad camp in Jefferson County, Alabama: Daniel, 25, Ben Harding, Charles Sparrow, Ned Coleman and Joe Wiswell, ages unknown. They were hired in Mobile, and escaped from the Cherokee County, Alabama, jail.

Sept. 8, 1862: Alfred, 30, escaped from Martin Clark in Columbus, Georgia, and was believed to be traveling to Perry County, where he was raised. A $25 reward was offered for Alfred.

Dec. 10, 1862: Monroe, 25, ran away from a railroad camp. His owner was Peter Cooper of Autauga County.

Feb. 4, 1863: Ellis, 45, who also went by Henry, escaped from Central Salt Works in Clarke County.

May 13, 1863: Lewis, 30, escaped from Pike County, Alabama. All the fingers on Lewis’ left hand were cut off at the middle joint. A $20 reward was offered.

May 20, 1863: Perry, 35, and John, 24, escaped from S.L. Williams in Montgomery County.

May 27, 1863: Charter, 28, escaped from Coosa County, Alabama, Robert Davisson offered a $200 reward.

Sept. 2, 1863: Cato, 25, was jailed in Meriwether County, Georgia, after escaping from a public brick yard in Macon, Georgia. He was owned by Miss Frankie Divin of Decatur, Alabama.

Sept. 16, 1863: Daniel, age unknown, was jailed in Lowndes County. He was the property of Tim or Blake Nicholson. Daniel escaped while they were passing through Montgomery.

Oct. 7, 1863: Ben, 26, was jailed in Conecuh County, Alabama. He belonged to A.S. Barrett, near Pine Level in Montgomery County.

Oct. 7, 1863: Joe, 25, was jailed in Lowndes County, Alabama. He was owned by Phillip Allston of Manola. While Allston was a refugee in Columbus, Georgia, Joe made his escape.

Oct. 7, 1863: Hartless, 26, escaped from a plantation near Montgomery. It was believed Hartless would try to make his way to Yankees by way of Pensacola.

Dec. 9, 1863: Toney, age unknown, was jailed in Lowndes County. He was owned by Barlow Treadwell of Vernon, Mississippi.

Feb. 24, 1864: Frank, 40, was jailed in Montgomery. He was owned by George Bates of Barbour County, Alabama.

Feb. 24, 1864: Mike 41, was jailed. He was said to be the property of Robert Baker of Dallas County, Alabama.

Mach 9, 1864: Bill, 28 to 30, and Harry, age unknown, ran away from John P. Streety’s plantation near Hayneville. Bill was raised in South Carolina, and Harry was from North Carolina. A $400 reward was offered for them.

March 9, 1864: Sam, was jailed in Montgomery. He was the property of Achison Finley of Chambers County, Alabama.

March 9, 1864: Jeff, 28, was jailed in Montgomery. He was the property of F. Menafee of Chambers County, Alabama.

March 30, 1864: Calvin, 26, was jailed in Montgomery. He was the property of John Robinson of Madison County, Mississippi.

March 30, 1864: Adam, 35, was jailed in Montgomery. He was the property of William Burney of Tallapoosa County, Alabama.

March 30, 1864: Davy, 24, was jailed in Montgomery. He was the property of Ed Sheperd of Columbus, Georgia.

March 30, 1864: Foster, 24, was jailed in Montgomery. He belonged to (first name illegible) Robinson of Madison County, Mississippi.

April 13, 1864: Bob, 18, was jailed in Montgomery. He belonged to (first name illegible) Meadows of Coosa County, Alabama.

April 13, 1864: Henry, 13 or 14, was jailed in Montgomery. He was from South Carolina.

April 13, 1864: Ben, 43, was jailed in Montgomery. He was a shoemaker whose owner was from Tennessee.

April 13, 1864: George, 50, his wife Polly, 45, and their son Peter, 18, were jailed in Montgomery County. They were the property of Wm. Giggle of Lowndes County.

April 27, 1864: Oliver, 20, was jailed in Montgomery. It was the property of (first name illegible) Lewis of Barbour County, Alabama.

April 27, 1864: Elick, 22, was jailed in Montgomery. He was the property of Dr. Henry Hunter of Barbour County, Alabama.

May 4, 1864: Henry, 45, was jailed in Montgomery. He was the property of Isaac Baker of Macon County, Alabama.

May 4, 1864. Floyd, 30, was jailed in Montgomery. He was the property of Dr. John Sterns of Butler County, Alabama.

May 11, 1864: Frank, 35, was jailed in Montgomery. He was owned by (first name illegible) Singleton of Madison County, Mississippi.

May 12, 1864: Reuman, 20, escaped from Lowndes County. A $50 reward was offered if Reuman could be delivered to F.F. Bufort.

May 28, 1864: Jim was jailed in Montgomery after escaping from Mobile.

June 1, 1864: Israel, 21, was jailed in Montgomery after escaping from Walter Knight in Coosa County, Alabama.

June 1, 1864: Henry, 18, was jailed in Montgomery County after escaping from Russell County, Alabama.

June 20, 1864: Boling, 25, was jailed in Montgomery after escaping from Lowndes County, Alabama.

June 20, 1864: Jeff, 18, escaped from a plantation in Montgomery County. A $50 reward was offered.

June 20, 1864: Sarah, 42, was jailed in Montgomery. She was owned by Titus Johnson of Mississippi, and hired to Joseph Smith of Autauga County, Alabama.

June 22, 1864: Jack, 35, was jailed in Montgomery after escaping from Macon County, Alabama.

Aug. 10, 1864: William, 22, escaped from Montgomery, and a $500 reward was issued by J.B. Larue.

Sept. 21, 1864: Littleton, 24, and Jessey, 16, escaped from Henry T. Fountain in Montgomery.

Sept. 21, 1864: George, 27, escaped from A.W. Moseley.

March 3, 1865: Tobe, 21, was jailed in Montgomery after escaping from William Moore of Perry County, Alabama.

March 12, 1865: Polly, age not given, had a $500 reward offered by Geo. W. Harris for her delivery to the Montgomery Jail, or $250 for information that led to her recovery.

April 19, 1865: William, 28, escaped in Montgomery. He was a harness maker. Mrs. S.T. Gue offered a $500 reward.

April 22, 1865: Jane, 35-40, escaped from N.G. Scott, who offered a $100 reward for her return. She had a husband about 7 miles above Wetumpka who belonged to Mr. Townsend.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel can be contacted at sheupel@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Dehumanizing details of fugitive slave ads in Montgomery reveal abuses