NC Runaways in Newspapers - 1794 to 1814
from NCGSJ Volume XI No 2 May 1985
  Black Craftsmen in NC by Gale Farrow

JAMES, an axmaster and blacksmith, ran away from Aaron LAMBERT of Jones County in 1794.  James was twenty-four.
(New Bern NORTH CAROLINA GAZETTE, ll Jan 1794)

JACOB, a blacksmith, ran away from Lawrence MOORE of Anson County in 1799.  Jacob had been purchased in Beaufort County and was expected to return there.
(Halifax NORTH CAROLINA JOURNAL, 18 Feb 1799)

EALY, a carpenter and shoemaker, took his mulatto wife when he ran away from Edgecombe County in 1800.  His master, Reddick PINDER, described the slave as about forty years old and mentioned that he stole a horse when he left.
(Norfolk HERALD, 12 Aug 1800)

DICK, a slave blacksmith, ran away from Henry HATCH'S plantation in Jones County in 1811.  He was twenty-two years old.
(New Bern TRUE REPUBLICAN, 7 Aug 1811)

JIM, a blacksmith, ran away from James DOUGLAS of Wadesboro in 1814.  Before he left, Jim had "the chief management of the shop: and although a blacksmith by trade, "was expert at any business, particularly at the saw".  The master expected Jim to change his name and pass for free.  Resistance to capture was expected since DOUGLAS said that "a reward of five dollars will be given to any person killing him in the attempt to take him."
(Raleigh THE STAR, 8 July 1814)

Contributed by: "Diane Y. Smith Royer" dysmithroyer@dtgnet.com