1805-03-12 Freedom Seeking: Charles Johnson
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01229
- Source
-
Runaway ad for Charles, by Mahlon Ford
-
Runaway ad for Charles, by Mahlon Ford, "TWENTY DOL'S REWARD," Centinel of Freedom, April 9, 1805, p. 3.
- Event Description
-
On March 12, 1805, a 22-year-old Black man named Charles Johnson ran away from his enslaver Mahlon Ford, who lived in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey. Charles left together with another Black man named David Solomons. David Solomons's freedom status is uncertain, but he was probably a free man of color who acted as an accomplice to Charles's escape. The runaway ad that described the two men did not mention any enslaver for David Solomons and did not offer a reward for his capture.
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Transcript of the source document:
"TWENTY DOL'S REWARD.
RAN-away from the subscriber on the night of the 12th inst. a negro Man named CHARLES, (sometimes calls himself Charles Johnson.) He had on when he went away a blue superfine broadcloth coat, with a red cape, and white buttons; it is said he has ripped off the buttons; a white cattimere vest with yellow buttons, on each pocket flap; a dark mixed cloth overalls, and sailor jacket of the same; a flannel check shirt, and some linen ones; round fur hat old; a pair of white twilled, linen overalls, a white muslinet vest. He is very black, rather a down look; his eyes the whites of them very yellow, about 22 years old, about 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high, walks bad. He went in company with a yellow negro man named David Solomons, who wears a red sailor jacket and reddish brown pantaloons, a striped swansdown jacket. Whoever will secure the said Charles, so that I can get him again shall receive the above reward and all reasonable charges paid by me
MAHLON FORD.
Morris-Town, March 1805.
45-6w." - Event Type
- Freedom Seeking
- Date
- March 12, 1805
- Location of Event
- Morristown
- Primary Participants
-
Charles Johnson (b. 1783)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02875
Role: Runaway
Age: 22
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Mahlon Ford
Verbatim description from source:
"negro Man named CHARLES, (sometimes calls himself Charles Johnson); He is very black, rather a down look; his eyes the whites of them very yellow, about 22 years old, about 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high, walks bad."David Solomons
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02876
Role: Runaway
Age category: Adult
Status: Unknown
Verbatim description from source:
"yellow negro man named David Solomons" - Additional Participants
-
Mahlon Ford
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02838
Role: Enslaver, Advertiser - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker