1811-01-25 Freedom Seeking: Lewis
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01247
- Source
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Runaway ad for Lewis, by Joseph W. Hegeman
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Runaway ad for Lewis, by Joseph W. Hegeman (updated)
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Runaway ad for Lewis, by Joseph W. Hegeman, "10 DOLLARS REWARD," Trenton Federalist, January 28, 1811, p. 3.
Runaway ad for Lewis, by Joseph W. Hegeman (updated), "10 DOLLARS REWARD," Trenton Federalist, February 11, 1811, p. 4. - Event Description
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On January 25, 1811, a Black man named Lewis, aged 20, ran away from his enslaver Joseph W. Hegeman of Princeton, New Jersey. The enslaver immediately issued a runaway ad offering a reward of 10 dollars for Lewis's capture. Two weeks later, Joseph W. Hegeman issued an updated runaway ad for Lewis, noting that Lewis had been seen in Trenton after his escape. The enslaver supposed that Lewis would probably try to go to Philadelphia or Baltimore.
Transcript of the original ad from the Trenton Federalist, January 28, 1811, p. 3:
"10 DOLLARS REWARD.
RANAWAY from the subscriber on the 25th inst., a NEGRO MAN named Lewis, about 20 years old; had on when he went away, a brown short coat, white tow trousers and glazed hat — he took with him a wool hat and black broad cloth coat. Whoever will secure him in any gaol in the state or deliver him to the subscriber shall receive the reward.
JOSEPH W. HEGEMAN
Princeton, Jan. 25, 1811."
Transcript of the updated ad from the Trenton Federalist, February 11, 1811, p. 4:
"10 DOLLARS REWARD.
RANAWAY from the subscriber on the 25th of inst. a NEGRO MAN named Lewis, about 20 years old; had on when he went away, a mixed homespun round about, and jacket of the same, white tow trousers and glazed hat-he took with him a wool hat, black broad broad cloth coat, and a pair of old velvet pantaloons patched with black cloth. He is rather inactive and not much inclined to work. He has been in Trenton, and will probably go to Philadelphia, or Baltimore.
Whoever will secure him in any gaol in the state or deliver him to the subscriber, shall receive the reward.
JOSEPH W. HEGEMAN
Princeton Jan. 25, 1811. 22-tf." - Event Type
- Freedom Seeking
- Date
- January 25, 1811
- Primary Participants
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Lewis (b. 1791)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02908
Role: Runaway
Age: 20
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Joseph W. Hageman
Verbatim description from source:
"NEGRO MAN named Lewis, about 20 years old" - Additional Participants
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Joseph W. Hageman
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00065
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker