1770-08 Freedom Seeking: Silas
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01074
- Source
-
Runaway ad for Silas (listed as Sy), in August 1770, by Isaac Coats
-
Runaway ad for Silas (listed as Sy), in August 1770, by Isaac Coats, Pennsylvania Journal, August 23, 1770, p. 3.
- Event Description
-
Around August 1770, Silas (called Sy for short) ran away from his enslaver, Isaac Coats, a brickmaker in Philadelphia. On August 23, 1770, Isaac Coats posted a runaway ad for Silas, offering a reward for his capture and noting that Silas was skilled as a chimney sweep.
This was one of many escape attempts that Silas made from Isaac Coats. Where he went in August 1770 is uncertain, but he may have gone to New Jersey because, during his other escape attempts, he was seen multiple times in Burlington, where he worked as a chimney sweep and had a group of friends who were in that trade.
Following the publication of this runaway ad, Silas was apprehended, and he would go on to run away again in January of the next year.
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Transcript of the source document:
"RUN AWAY from the subscriber, living in Vine street, a Negro boy, named SY, of a yellow cast, about 5 feet high, well set and active, chews tobacco, and loves strong drink; Had on when he went away, a tow shirt and trowsers, and a blue woollen cap; he has been a chimney sweep, and it's very likely he may take up that trade again. Whoever takes up and secures said Negro, so that his master may have him again, shall have TWO DOLLARS reward, and reasonable charges, paid by ISAAC COATS brickmaker, in Vine-street.
August 23." - Event Type
- Freedom Seeking
- Date
- August 1770
- Date Certainty
- Approximate
- Location of Event
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Preceding Event
- 1770-05 Capture: Silas
- Following Event
- 1770-09 Capture: Silas
- Primary Participants
-
Silas (b. 1752) {Sy}
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02502
Role: Runaway
Age category: Young Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Isaac Coats
Verbatim description from source:
"a Negro boy, named SY, of a yellow cast, about 5 feet high, well set and active, chews tobacco, and loves strong drink; he has been a chimney sweep, and it's very likely he may take up that trade again" - Additional Participants
-
Isaac Coats
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02501
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker