Title

1776, Harry, Capture

Identifier

NJS-EVE-00769

Event Description

An archival document from 1782 notes that a Black man named Harry, who was enslaved by Jacob Van Dike, had been "carried off by the followers of the British army" in 1776. The circumstances of this event are uncertain, and it is unclear whether Harry was taken by the Loyalists against his will or left with them willingly to escape from his enslaver. It appears that Harry was then with the British troops for several years before he was captured and returned to his enslaver.

The exact location of this event is uncertain, but it was likely in the area of Middlesex County or Somerset County as this is the area associated with Jacob Van Dike's family in the Revolutionary Era.

This information comes from a receipt issued in 1782 when Harry was returned to his enslaver Jacob Van Dike. Harry was an adult, but his exact age was not mentioned in the document.

Event Type

Violence: Capture

Action Status

Completed

Date

1776

Location

Middlesex County, NJ

Somerset County, NJ

Following Event

1782, Harry, Capture

Primary Participant

Harry

Primary Participant Description (verbatim)

negro man Harry

Sex

Male

Age

Adult

Freedom Status

Enslaved

Enslaver of Primary Event Participant

Jacob Van Dike (1723-1809)

Source

Receipt issued to Jacob Van Dike related to Harry, a Black man carried away by followers of the British army

Receipt issued to Jacob Van Dike related to Harry, a Black man carried away by followers of the British army, June 17, 1782. Van Dike Family Papers, 1711–1838 (MC 505). Box 1, Folder 3: Jacob Van Dike Papers, 1766-1819: Deeds, Bonds, etc., Papers relating to his estate 1809-1819. Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries.

Record Contributor

Daniel Dias

Jesse Bayker