1772-01-13 Freedom Seeking: Silas
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01077
- Source
-
Runaway ad for Silas (listed as Sy), escaped January 1772 with an iron collar around his neck, by Isaac Coats
-
Runaway ad for Silas (listed as Sy), escaped January 1772 with an iron collar around his neck, by Isaac Coats, "Run away, on the 13th Instant," Pennsylvania Journal, January 23, 1772, p. 3.
- Event Description
-
On January 13, 1772, a young Black man named Silas (or Sy) ran away from his enslaver Isaac Coats, a brickmaker 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. Silas was forced to start wearing this iron shackle in 1771 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.
Whether Silas attempted to go to New Jersey this time is unknown. This is the last of seven runaway ads related to Silas found in the Philadelphia Journal newspaper. His fate after this event is uncertain.
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Transcript of the source document:
"Run away, on the 13th Instant.
A Negro LAD, about 17 years of age, named SY, about 5 feet high, of a yellow cast, well-set, this country born, a smooth tongued chap; he used to follow chimney sweeping, and I hear he has taken to that employ again: He had on when he went away, an old ozenbrigs shirt; a new light coloured broadcloth jacket, lined with red baize, with one pocket; a pair of brown woolen trowsers; good stockings and shoes, with an iron collar about his neck, which he endeavours to hide by something rapped around it, and covered with an old light coloured great-coat. Whosoever takes up the above described Negro, shall have TWO DOLLARS reward, and all reasonable charges, paid by me
ISAAC COATS, Brick-maker, in Philadelphia.
N.B. All persons are hereby forewarned not to barbour him at their peril.
January 23." - Event Type
- Freedom Seeking
- Date
- January 13, 1772
- Location of Event
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Preceding Event
- 1771-07 Capture: Silas
- Primary Participants
-
Silas (b. 1752) {Sy}
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02502
Role: Runaway
Age: 17
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Isaac Coats
Verbatim description from source:
"A Negro LAD, about 17 years of age, named SY, about 5 feet high, of a yellow cast, well-set, this country born, a smooth tongued chap; he used to follow chimney sweeping, and I hear he has taken to that employ again; iron collar about his neck, which he endeavours to hide by something rapped around it" - Additional Participants
-
Isaac Coats
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02501
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker