1724-09 Freedom Seeking: Tom
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01093
- Source
-
Runaway ad for Tom, by Cornelius Van Horne
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Runaway ad for Tom, by Cornelius Van Horne, American Weekly Mercury, September 24, 1724, p. 2.
- Event Description
-
A Black man named Tom ran away from Cornelius Van Horne's plantation around September 1724. Van Horne's plantation was located on the Raritan River in the southeastern portion of present-day Bridgewater Township, just north of where the Millstone River flows into the Raritan (the surrounding area is known today as Finderne, but was commonly called Raritan in the 18th century).
Cornelius Van Horne published a runaway ad for Tom in the Philadelphia-based newspaper American Weekly Mercury. Van Horne wanted Tom to be jailed at the Amboy jail (in Perth Amboy) or brought to New York City where Van Horne had business and family connections.
The word "Maligasco" used to describe Tom in the ad is presumed to mean Madagascar.
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Transcript of the source document:
"RUN away from the Plantation of Cornelius Van Horne, on Rariton River a Maligasco Negroe Man, named Tom, he is a black likely fellow, pretty Tall, a grave Look, has on a Homesput brown Jacket, and lined with the same, has brass Buttons. Whosoever takes up the said Negroe and Delivers him to his said Master Cornelius Van Horne, in New-York, or in Amboy Goal, shall have Three Pounds as a Reward and reasonable Charges." - Event Type
- Freedom Seeking
- Date
- September 1724
- Date Certainty
- Approximate
- Location of Event
- Finderne, Bridgewater (formerly Raritan)
- Primary Participants
-
Tom
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02565
Role: Runaway
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Cornelius Van Horne (1693-1770)
Verbatim description from source:
"a Maligasco Negroe Man, named Tom, he is a black likely fellow, pretty Tall, a grave Look" - Additional Participants
-
Cornelius Van Horne (1693-1770)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-00352
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker