1808-04-11 Freedom Seeking: Jim
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01192
- Source
-
Runaway ad for Jim, by Christopher Beekman
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Runaway ad for Jim, by Christopher Beekman, "Thirty Dollars Reward," Trenton Federalist, May 2, 1808, p. 4.
- Event Description
-
On April 11, 1808, a 22-year-old Black man named Jim ran away from his enslaver Christopher Beekman. Beekman's house was near the Six Mile Run church at the border of South Brunswick Township, Middlesex County, and Franklin Township, Somerset County. Evidently, Jim was known for his defiance, and he resisted Beekman's control long before he ran away. At the time of his escape, Jim had fresh marks on his back from the violent punishment that he had experienced at the hands of his enslaver.
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Transcript of the source document:
"Thirty Dollars Reward.
RANAWAY from the subscriber on Monday the 11th inst., a Negro Man named JIM, about 5 feet 11 inches high, 22 years old, tolerable black, a down sneaking look, knock kneed — had on a lightish grey linsey sailor jacket, under jacket and trousers, all of the same pieces one knee of the trousers patched with stuff of different kind and colour; also a linsey shirt. He is an old offender and probably now carries marks upon his back and has committed thefts since he ranaway. The above reward will be given for returning him to the subscriber, or confining him to any jail so that he may be got again.
CHRISTOPHER BEEKMAN
Middlesex county, near Six Mile Meeting-house, April 12, 1808." - Event Type
- Freedom Seeking
- Date
- April 11, 1808
- Location of Event
- Six Mile Run, Franklin
- Primary Participants
-
Jim (b. 1786)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02776
Role: Runaway
Age: 22
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Christopher Beekman
Verbatim description from source:
"Negro Man named JIM, about 5 feet 11 inches high, 22 years old, tolerable black, a down sneaking look, knock kneed; He is an old offender and probably now carries marks upon his back and has committed thefts since he ranaway" - Additional Participants
-
Christopher Beekman
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02733
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker