1753-04-12 Freedom Seeking: Nell

Identifier
NJS-EVE-00683
Source
Runaway ad for Nell, by Isaac Kingsland

Runaway ad for Nell, by Isaac Kingsland, New-York Gazette, or, the Weekly Post-Boy, April 23, 1753.
Event Description
On April 12, 1753, a Black woman named Nell ran away from enslaver Isaac Kingsland of Saddle River, in Bergen County, New Jersey. She took with her many articles of clothing when she left. Kingsland published a runaway ad offering a reward of forty shillings for Nell's capture and return. The ad mentioned that Nell was previously enslaved by "Robert J. Livingston," a merchant in New York. It also noted that Nell had "three Diamonds in her face, one on each side and the other on her Forehead," likely referring to facial markings representing Nell's cultural heritage.

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Transcript of the source document:

"Run away the 12th Instant April, from ISAAC KINGSLAND of Saddle River, in Bergen County, East New Jersey, a Negro Wench named Nell, who formerly belonged to Robert J. Livingston, Merchant in New York: she is a tall slim Wench, has three Diamonds in her face, one on each side and the other on her Forehead: had on and taken with her when she went away, three Petticoats, one is an old quilted one, and the other two homespun, one striped and the other mixed a blue and white striped short gown, a bluish homespun Waistcoat, and an Ozenbrigs shirt, with Homespun sleeves, a short blue cloke, a new pair of Blue Stockings, a pair of old crooked shoes, and several other Things too tedious to mention. These are therefore to Forewarn all Masters of Vessels and others, of carrying off, concealing or harbouring said Wench, as they will answer it at their peril with the utmost Rigour of the Law· Whoever takes up the foremention'd Negroe, and secures her in any Goal, so that her master can have her again, shall have Forty Shillings reward, and all reasonable charges paid by ISAAC KINGSLAND."
Event Type
Freedom Seeking
Date
April 12, 1753
Location of Event
Saddle River
Primary Participants

Nell
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01833
Role: Runaway
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Isaac Kingsland
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro Wench named Nell, who formerly belonged to Robert J. Livingston, Merchant in New York: she is a tall slim Wench, has three Diamonds in her face, one on each side and the other on her Forehead"
Additional Participants

Robert J. Livingston
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01834
Role: Former Enslaver Mentioned

Isaac Kingsland
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01822
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event