1805-05-26 Freedom Seeking: Neptune

Identifier
NJS-EVE-01160
Source
Runaway ad for Neptune, by James Kearney

Runaway ad for Neptune, by James Kearney, "Twenty Dollars Reward," Trenton Federalist, June 10, 1805, p. 3.
Event Description
On May 26, 1805, a 20-year-old Black man named Neptune ran away from his enslaver James Kearney, who resided in Middletown Point (now Matawan), Monmouth County, New Jersey. After his escape, he was seen on the road to Trenton together with a Black man named Philip; Philip was reportedly enslaved by the family of the late General David Forman.

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Transcript of the source document:

"Twenty Dollars Reward.

RANAWAY on the 26th May, inst. a Negro Man named Neptune, aged about 20 years, about five feet 8 inches high, very black, flat big nose with very large nostrils, the white of his eyes shew a great deal, when he walks rolls very much, flat feet, which at times appear cramped, speaks English imperfectly, is acquainted with, and speaks the creole French, is an expert house servant, understands dressing hair, and has a slight knowledge of the farming business — Took with him one blue nankeen coatee, trousers of the same, a new Ticklenburgh shirt, tow trousers, striped muslin vest, a glazed hat, bootees and about 12 dollars. Whoever apprehends the said Negro, and lodges him in gaol, and gives information to the subscriber, shall be entitled to the above reward or will deliver him to me shall receive the above together with his reasonable expenses.

JAMES KEARNEY, Monmouth county, Middletown township, near Middletown Point.

N.B. He was seen on the road leading to Trenton, in company with a negro named Philip, who belongs to the estate of the late General Forman.
May 30, 1805. 28 3w"
Event Type
Freedom Seeking
Date
May 26, 1805
Location of Event
Matawan (formerly Middletown Point)
Trenton
Primary Participants

Neptune (b. 1785)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02665
Role: Runaway
Age: 20
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- James Kearney
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro Man named Neptune, aged about 20 years, about five feet 8 inches high, very black, flat big nose with very large nostrils, the white of his eyes shew a great deal, when he walks rolls very much, flat feet, which at times appear cramped, speaks English imperfectly, is acquainted with, and speaks the creole French, is an expert house servant, understands dressing hair, and has a slight knowledge of the farming business"

Philip
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02692
Role: Mentioned Person
Age category: Adult
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- David Forman (1745-1797)
Verbatim description from source:
"a negro named Philip, who belongs to the estate of the late General Forman"
Additional Participants

James Kearney
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02666
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser
Comment: enslaver of Neptune

David Forman (1745-1797)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02572
Role: Enslaver, Former Enslaver Mentioned
Comment: deceased former enslaver of Philip
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event