1771-06-24 Freedom Seeking: Silas
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01069
- Source
-
Runaway ad for Silas (name not listed), escaped in June 1771 with an iron collar around his neck, by Isaac Coats
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Runaway ad for Silas (name not listed), escaped in June 1771 with an iron collar around his neck, by Isaac Coats, "TWO DOLLARS REWARD," Pennsylvania Journal, June 27, 1771, p. 3.
- Event Description
-
On Monday morning, June 24, 1771, Silas (a young Black man aged about 16 years) ran away from his enslaver, Isaac Coats (a brickmaker who lived on Vine Street in Philadelphia).
At the time of his escape, Silas was wearing an iron collar around his neck. This shackle marked him as a slave and a fugitive, and he attempted to hide it under a jacket with a high collar. This iron collar was placed on Silas after he had made several escape attempts. (During his prior escapes, Silas had lived in New Jersey and passed as a free man before he was apprehended and brought back to Philadelphia in shackles.)
The enslaver Isaac Coats posted a runaway ad offering a reward of $2 on June 27, 1771, but the ad did not actually list the name of the runaway. However, we are able to connect this ad to Silas (also called Sy for short) because the description matches six other runaway ads where Isaac Coats provided more details about him.
Whether Silas attempted to go to New Jersey this time is unknown. He was eventually apprehended again.
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Transcript of the source document:
"TWO DOLLARS REWARD.
RUN AWAY last Monday morning, from ISAAC COATS, a Negro Slave, of a yellow or copper-coloured complexion, 16 years old, 5 feet high, well set, this country born, chews tobacco, and loves strong liquor; had on when he went away an iron collar, which he endeavors to hide with a striped lincey jacket, tow shirt and trowsers; He has been seen lurking about town. Whoever secures the said negro, so that his master may have him again, shall have the above reward, and all reasonable charges. ISAAC COATS, Brick-maker, in Vine-Street, Philadelphia.
N.B. All persons are forbid to harbour him, and masters of vessels and others are forewarned not to carry him off at their peril. § June 27." - Event Type
- Freedom Seeking
- Date
- June 24, 1771
- Date Certainty
- Inferred
- Location of Event
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Preceding Event
- 1771-04 Capture: Silas
- Following Event
- 1771-07 Capture: Silas
- Primary Participants
-
Silas (b. 1752) {Sy}
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02502
Role: Runaway
Age: 16
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Isaac Coats
Verbatim description from source:
"a Negro Slave, of a yellow or copper-coloured complexion, 16 years old, 5 feet high, well set, this country born, chews tobacco, and loves strong liquor; had on when he went away an iron collar, which he endeavors to hide with a striped lincey jacket, tow shirt and trowsers" - Additional Participants
-
Isaac Coats
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02501
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker