1761-08-20 Freedom Seeking: Quaco
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01930
- Source
-
Runaway ad for Quaco, by Joseph Carver
-
Runaway ad for Quaco, by Joseph Carver, Pennsylvania Journal, August 20, 1761, p. 3.
- Event Description
-
A black man named Quaco ran away from his enslaver, Joseph Carver, in August 1761. The escape took place in the vicinity of Daniel Cooper's Ferry on the Delaware River. The ferry was located across from Philadelphia; today, this would be the area at the foot of Federal Street on the waterfront in Camden City, Camden County. (At the time of this event, before the creation of Camden County, the Cooper's Ferry area was part of Newton Township in Gloucester County.)
Joseph Carver published a runaway ad offering a reward of 40 shillings (i.e., 2 pounds) for Quaco's return and asking those with information about Quaco to send a message to Joseph Carver at Daniel Cooper's Ferry. The ad noted that Quaco was shackled in iron chains around his neck and wrists when he made his escape. Joseph Carver believed that Quaco was trying to get back to Philadelphia from where he had recently been taken and brought to New Jersey.
The advertisement did not specify where Joseph Carver was taking Quaco and whether Carver was a resident of New Jersey.
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Transcript of the source document:
"Run-away from the Subscriber a Negro Man named Quaco about five feet eight inches high, marked in the Face with sundry short strokes; Had on when he went away an old Light coloured Coat, old torn shirt, a white Pair of Trowsers, a pair of new shoes, with a Pair of brass Buckles in it, and a Pair of light coloured yarn Stockings: The said Negro had an iron Collar with two Hooks to it, round his neck, a pair of Hand-cuffs with a chain to them, six Feet long. Whosoever takes up said Negro and confines him to any Gaol, or conveys him to his Master shall have Forty Shillings Reward and all Necessary charges paid by me
Joseph Carver.
N.B. It is supposed that he will make for Philadelphia, for he was taken from thence the 11th Instant. The Negro talks broken English. He is of a black complexion, and a lusty fellow. All persons are forbid harbouring said Negro, if they do, they must expect penalty of the Law.
Please to enquire for the Owner at Daniel Cooper's Ferry." - Event Type
- Freedom Seeking
- Date
- August 20, 1761
- Date Certainty
- Approximate
- Location of Event
- Federal Street Ferry, Camden (Daniel Cooper's Ferry)
- Related Place
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Preceding Event
- 1761-08-11 Transportation: Quaco
- Primary Participants
-
Quaco
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05235
Role: Runaway
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Joseph Carver
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro Man named Quaco about five feet eight inches high, marked in the Face with sundry short strokes / The Negro talks broken English. He is of a black complexion, and a lusty fellow" - Additional Participants
-
Joseph Carver
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05234
Role: Enslaver, AdvertiserDaniel Cooper (ca. 1719-1776)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04396
Role: Mentioned Person
Comment: owner of the ferry - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker