1818-01-27 Freedom Seeking: Turner Coxe
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01134
- Source
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Runaway ad for Turner Coxe (original), by Samuel L. Howell
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Runaway ad for Turner Coxe (updated), by Samuel L. Howell
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Runaway ad for Turner Coxe (original), by Samuel L. Howell, "Twenty Dollars Reward," Relf's Philadelphia Gazette, and Daily Advertiser, February 2, 1818, p. 1.
Runaway ad for Turner Coxe (updated), by Samuel L. Howell, "20 Dollars Reward," Trenton Federalist, March 2, 1818, p. 2. - Event Description
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On January 27, 1818, a 21-year-old Black man named Turner Coxe ran away from his enslaver Samuel L. Howell in Gloucester County, New Jersey. Turner Coxe ran away from Howell's farm, known as the Marlborough Farm, which was located in the vicinity of Woodbury in Deptford Township. Turner Coxe headed north and got to Shrewsbury, where he found some assistance in the weeks following his escape. Upon receiving information from Shrewsbury, Howell believed that Coxe was planning to make his way to New York.
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The following is a transcript of the original runaway ad that Samuel L. Howell submitted to Relf's Philadelphia Gazette, and Daily Advertiser, on January 30, 1818:
"Twenty Dollars Reward.
RAN AWAY from the subscriber on Tuesday afternoon, 27th inst, a negro servant named TURNER COXE, aged 21 years, about six feet high, short bodied but stout, is very round shouldered, and has a slow lounging gait. His face is round, slightly marked with the small pox, and exhibits a recent scar over the left eyebrow; his countenance when in good humour, is remarkably pleasant; when spoken to, he is generally a little abashed and he assumes an insignificant smile, showing his teeth very much, and exhibiting his embarrassment by a variety of awkward gestures — Said servant once belonged to Mrs. Hughes at Cape May.
His dress when he left the Subscriber, was a round jacket, waistcoat, and loose trousers of coarse grey cloth, a common wool hat, about half worn, with a broad ribbon round it and a pair of thick laced boots. It is probable however, that he will vary his dress, as it is believed he wore under his cloths a white waistcoat, and a pair of grey over-all pantaloons, which button on the seams as far as the knee.
He took with him also, a watch which belonged to another servant of the Subscriber.
Whoever will apprehend the said Run-away and secure him, that the subscriber may again get possession of him, shall receive the above reward.
All persons are forbid harboring said Runaway, or taking him off at their peril.
N.B. In case of his arrest, information may be sent either to Mr. Thomas Clayton, No. 126 South Front street, Philadelphia, or to the subscriber residing near Gloucester Point, New-Jersey."
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The following is a transcript of the updated ad that Samuel L. Howell submitted three weeks later to the Trenton Federalist:
"20 Dollars Reward.
RANAWAY from the subscriber on the 27th ultimo, a negro servant named TURNER COXE, aged 21 years, about six feet high, long limbed, round shouldered, and tolerably muscular. He is round faced, of about the middle grade of blackness, somewhat marked with small pox, exhibits a slight scar on his left eye brow from a recent wound, and when spoken to evinces embarrassment, usually assuming an unmeaning sort of smile, and showing a fine white set of teeth.
His dress when he left the subscriber, was a round jacket waistcoat, and loose trousers of common grey cloth, a pair of thick laced boots, and a half worn wool hat with a broad light colored ribbon round it. But he may probably vary his appearance in this respect, as it is believed he wore under this dress a white waistcoat and a pair of grey overall pantaloons, which button up the seams as far as the knees.
It is believed that the said run-away is shaping his course to New-York, as he has been traced within a few days past as far as Shrewsbury, in which neighborhood he seems to have found friends and to manifest a disposition to tarry a little until his funds are recruited.
Whoever will apprehend the said servant and safely lodge him in any jail in this state, shall receive the whole reward and all reasonable charges, on apprising the subscriber of having so done.
SAMUEL L. HOWELL
Marlborough Farm, Gloucester county, N.J. Feb, 18, 1818. 92-3t" - Event Type
- Freedom Seeking
- Date
- January 27, 1818 – February 18, 1818
- Primary Participants
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Turner Coxe (b. 1797)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02657
Role: Runaway
Age: 21
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Samuel Ladd Howell (1787-1835)
Verbatim description from source:
"negro servant named TURNER COXE, aged 21 years, about six feet high, short bodied but stout, is very round shouldered, and has a slow lounging gait. His face is round, slightly marked with the small pox, and exhibits a recent scar over the left eyebrow, his countenance when in good humour, is remarkably pleasant, when spoken to, he is generally a little abashed and he assumes an insignificant smile, showing his teeth very much, and exhibiting his embarrassment by a variety of awkward gestures." - Additional Participants
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Samuel Ladd Howell (1787-1835)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02650
Role: Enslaver, AdvertiserMrs. Hughes
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02693
Role: Former Enslaver Mentioned - Record Contributor
- Kate Jackson