1817-01-12 Freedom Seeking: Stephen, Curtis, Henny
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-00820
- Source
-
Runaway ad for Stephen, Curtis, and Henny, by John Tennent Woodhull
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Runaway ad for Stephen, Curtis, and Henny, by John Tennent Woodhull, "150 Dollars Reward," Trenton Federalist, January 27, 1817.
- Event Description
-
On January 12, 1817, three Black people ran away together from the area of Freehold, Monmouth County: Stephen (age 23 or 24), Curtis (age 8), and Curtis's mother Henny (age 29 or 30). A notice of their escape was issued by John Tennent Woodhull, who was the enslaver of Stephen and Curtis, and the former enslaver of Henny. Woodhull had sold Henny two months prior for some perceived misconduct (which probably included acts of resistance against enslavement), and the runaway ad did not specify who was her new enslaver or where she currently resided, although it mentioned that she now lived about 5 or 6 miles away from Woodhull's household where her 8-year-old son remained. The boy Curtis was given permission to go see his mother, and he never returned to Woodhull's house. Stephen went missing at the same time. Woodhull believed that Henny was the mastermind behind the escape and offered a reward of $150 for the return of all three fugitives.
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Transcript of the source document:
"150 Dollars Reward.
RANAWAY from the Subscriber, on the morning of the 12th instant, a NEGRO MAN, named Stephen, 23 or 24 years old, about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, of nearly a black complexion, pleasant countenance and manners, and handsome large eyes. Had on a homespun roundabout coat and jacket, and pantaloons of dark grey cloth, also a surtout coat of nearly a black colour, much worn, with a cape buttoned under the collar and easily taken off.
Also, on the 2d of January, a BOY named, Curtis, about 8 years old, yellow complexion, a handsome make, has a large scar on one of his arms, between the elbow and shoulder, occasioned by a burn. Had on an old homespun roundabout coat and waistcoat, new trousers of dark olive, and a new wool hat. Said boy had permission to go see his Mother the distance of five or six miles, and was seduced away by her, they having both eloped together.
Said WOMAN, named Henny, is 29 or 30 years old, of a dark yellow complexion, good looking, and very large and fleshy — was sold about two months since by the subscriber for improper conduct, and it is believed she has also seduced the man Stephen -- he having left a wife and children behind. She has a great variety of clothing. There is little or no doubt of their being altogether. Whoever will take up said runways, and lodge them in any jail of the United States, so that the subscriber can get them, shall be entitled to 150 dollars. If taken separately 75 dollars will be given for the Man, 37 1-2 for the Boy, and 37 1-2 for the Woman.
JOHN T. WOODHULL
Freehold, Monmouth co. N.J.
January 14th, 1817. 34-3w" - Event Type
- Freedom Seeking
- Date
- January 12, 1817
- Location of Event
- Freehold (Monmouth Court House)
- Preceding Event
- 1816-11 Sale: Henny
- Primary Participants
-
Stephen (b. 1793)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01989
Role: Runaway
Age: 24
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- John Tennent Woodhull (1786-1869)
Verbatim description from source:
"a NEGRO MAN, named Stephen, 23 or 24 years old, about 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high, of nearly a black complexion, pleasant countenance and manners, and handsome large eyes; left a wife and children behind"Curtis (b. 1809) {son of Henny}
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01990
Role: Runaway
Age: 8
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- John Tennent Woodhull (1786-1869)
Verbatim description from source:
"BOY named, Curtis, about 8 years old, yellow complexion, a handsome make, has a large scar on one of his arms, between the elbow and shoulder, occasioned by a burn"Henny (b. 1787)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01991
Role: Runaway
Age: 30
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- John Tennent Woodhull (1786-1869)
Verbatim description from source:
"Henny, is 29 or 30 years old, of a dark yellow complexion, good looking, and very large and fleshy" - Additional Participants
-
John Tennent Woodhull (1786-1869)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-01986
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser
Comment: enslaver of Stephen and Curtis, and former enslaver of Henny - Record Contributor
- Kate Jackson