COLBERT COUNTY, ALABAMA
AFRICAN AMERICAN

RUNAWAY SLAVE NOTICES
FROM COLBERT COUNTY, AL
NEWSPAPERS

Compiled by Pat M. Mahan
and Lee Freeman
 

This is a work in progress, so be sure to check
occasionally to see if additions have been made.

NOTE: The North Alabamian was a newspaper published
weekly, on Fridays, in Tuscumbia, Colbert County, AL.
It was established about 1832, and at that time,
Tuscumbia was located in Franklin County, AL.
The owner and publisher was Asa Messenger.


The North Alabamian
Friday, 9 Dec 1836
TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS REWARD.
          Ranaway from one of my Managers, at Manchester, Madison County, (Ala.) in August last, a Negro Man by the name of MOSES--about 25 or 26 tears of age, 6 feet 2 1/2 inches high, stout and athletic, of a dark complexion, free open countenance, and of pleasant expression when spoken to, but of few words generally. He has a complete and beautiful set of teeth, which show very plainly when he smiles.
          He carried off with him his usual every-day clothes, together with a fine blue broadcloth suit, somewhat worn. His mother lives at La Grange, in Franklin county, Alabama, and he has a sister and other relations living near Jackson college, Maury county, Tenn.
          He is a valuable boy on a farm, and is one of my best sawyers. I procured him from Col. Sanford's estate. I will give the above reward to any person who will deliver hi to me, or secure him so that I get him again.
W. H. GLASCOCK,
Manchester, Madison co., Alabama.
November 11, 1836.

The North Alabamian
Friday, 9 Dec 1836
FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD.
         Ranaway from the subscriber, about the first of August last, a Negro Man by the name of JACOB.---the said Boy is about 5 feet 10 inches high, between thirty and forty years of age, and of black complexion. He may be identified by examining his feet--his big toes are thrown back, and rest on his second toes. The above reward will be paid for the apprehension and securing of said slave, so that I get him again.
A. B. WASHINGTON
Lagrange, Ala., Oct. 28, 1836.
          The Athens Register, Florence Gazette, Huntsville Democrat, and Nashville Banner, will each insert the above three times, and forward their accounts to this Office for collection.

The North Alabamian
Friday, 13 Jan 1837
COMMITTED TO THE JAIL
Of Marion County, Alabama, on the 20th ultimo, a Negro Boy, who says his name is JANUARY, and that he belongs to a Major Alford, of Vicksburg, Miss. Said boy is about 21 years of age, 5 feet f inches high; complexion mot very dark; has a small scar over the left eye, which he says was occasioned by a kick from a horse; has a considerable impediment in his speech.
          The owner is requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges, and take him away, or else he will be dealt with as the law directs.
LEONARD SWITZER,
Pikeville, Marion Co., Ala. }   Jailor.
    January 6, 1836.            }    3t26

-------------------------------------------------

NOTICE
TAKEN UP, by me, on the 9th day of December last, TOM, a runaway slave, about six feet high, stout built, dark complexion, supposed to be about 27 years old. The owner of said slave is requested to come forward, prove property, and take him away.
JAMES G. BANKHEAD.
Marion Co. Al., Jan. 6, 1837.--3t26

The North Alabamian
Friday, 10 Feb 1837, p. 4
150 DOLLARS REWARD.
STOLEN from the Subscriber, living on town Creek, Lawrence County, Alabama, about three miles southwest of Brahan's Mills, on the night of the 11th inst., a bright Mulatto BOY, by the name of NATHAN, about 4our year of age. He was stolen between midnight and day, and had on, I think, when carried off, a linsey coat. He is backward when spoken to, and had a fresh burn on the side of his neck, which happened the day before he was taken.
          The above reward will be given to any person or persons who will secure the Boy and thief so that I can get them, or one hundred dollars for the detection of the thief, or fifty dollars for the Boy alone.
          Any person writing to the Subscriber on the subject of this notice, will please direct their letters to Tuscumbia, Ala.
A. G. BOOTH.
January 27, 1837.---3t29

The North Alabamian
Friday, 16 Jun 1837, p. 3
COMMITTED
TO the jail of Marion County, ala. on the 21s of May 1837, a negro man who calls his name BRYANT, and says he belongs to Allen Carr, twelve miles from Columbus, Mis. Bryant is about 24 years of age, of dark complexion, 5 feet 7 inches high.
ALSO,
STERLING, committed on the 22d who likewise says he belongs to said Carr. Sterling is about 5 feet 6 1/2 inches high, light complexion, between twenty-eight and thirty years of age.
ONE OTHER
Committed on the 3d day of June, who calls his name DICK, and says he belongs to John W. Barber, of Montgomery county Tennessee.----Said negro is about 55 years of age, a black-smith by trade, 5 feet 8 1/2 inches high, very dark. He states that he ranaway from Wm. Davis of Hinds county Mis., to whom he had been hired as a smith. The owners of said negros are requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take them away, or they will be dealt with as the law directs.
L. SWITZER, Jailor.
Pikeville, Marion Co., June 5, 1837.  48--3t

The North Alabamian
14 Jul 1837, p. 3
$75 REWARD
RANAWAY
from the subscriber's Plantation in Holmes county, Mi. 3 negroes---viz: JOHN 23 or 24 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 10 inches high; marked with scars of the whip on his back, talks slow and coarse, long fact, projecting cheek bones. He had a Kentucky jeans coat, a brown cloth coat with a velvet collar and white fur hat. Was purchased by me a short time since of the estate of Hardy Weems Dec'd
          BEN, 28 or 30 years of age, stout built, bow legged, and limps a little; speaks quick, down look, mark of ball or shot in one of his legs and about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches in height. He had a linen frock coat, a green merino frock coat, saddle bags and umbrella and black fur hat, partly worn.
          BRYANT, about 22 or 23 years of age, 5 feet 5 or 6 inches in height, the entire side of his face marked with a scar of a burn, the other smooth and unmarked; eyes inclined to be red. He had a black pea coat of kersey cloth, Black cloth coat and black fur hat, half worn.
          Ben and Bryant were purchased by me in Nov 1836 of Darrell & Barnes, A. B & W. T. Hawkins Lauderdale County, Alabama.--- When they left they designed making for Ohio, and said they should have the assistance of some white man on the Natchez race. They have perhaps obtained a pass or other paper. They will probably attempt to pas through North Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. If they should deny their owner's name they may perhaps be detected by questioning from this advertisement. I will give the above reward of $75 if taken and secured out of this State, or 50 dollars if taken and secured within it.
JOHN M. BROWN.
Lexington, Holmes Cty, Mi June 17, 1837.

The North Alabamian
Friday, 4 Aug 1837, p. 3
RUNAWAY SLAVE.
TAKEN UP
and committed to the jail of Franklin county, Ala., a Negro Man, about twenty-five years of age, five feet and eight inches high, tolerable black; who says that his name is JOE, and that he belongs to Robert L. Moore of Yazoo county Mississippi. The owner is requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges, and take him away.
M. W. GUY, Sheriff.
August 4, 1837. 3--3t

The North Alabamian
Friday, 12 Jan 1838, p. 4
$25 REWARD
RANAWAY from the subscriber living in Tuscumbia, about the last November, a negro boy named JESSE, seventeen years old, spare built and little knock-kneed, five feet 11 inches high, of light complexion and fine appearance for a boy of his age. The above reward will be given for the apprehension and delivery of said boy in any safe jail so that I can get him, or delivered to me in Tuscumbia, if taken out of the State; if taken in the State half the sum. All reasonable expenses will be paid in addition to the reward. When seen last, he had on a blue cloth, dress coat and a black fur hat. It is likely that Jesse will attempt to get to
Madison County in this State, as he was raised there and brought away about 3 years ago.
                                                                                                  J. W. HODGES
Tuscumbia, Jan. 4.                                                        Admr. Of D. S. Morton.
The Memphis Enquirer and Huntsville Democrat, will give the above three insertions, and forward their accounts to this office for payment.

The North Alabamian, Saturday, 26 May 1838, p. 3
$25 REWARD.

RANAWAY
from the subscriber, living near the Buzzard Roost, on 23rd April last, a negro man named MANUEL, about 25 years old, near six feet high, very dark complexion, and well formed. The above reward will be given for the apprehension or delivery of said negro in any safe jail so that I can get him or delivered to me at Tuscumbia, if taken out of the state; if taken in the state, half the sum. It is thought he may attempt to get to a free state.
                                                                             A. M. KELLER, Admr.
                                                                             of the estate of D. Keller,
     Tuscumbia,
May 26 1838.   45-tf
[NOTE: There was no explanation, but the day of publication for the North Alabamian was changed to Saturday on this date.]

The North Alabamian, Friday, August 9, 1844, p. 3.
Committed
    
To the jail of Marion County, Alabama, on the 13th July last, a NEGRO MAN, who says his name is William, and that he belongs to a negro trader from Virginia, by the name of James Bennett, whom he ranaway [sic] from at Memphis, Tenn., some time about the 1st of July. The said man is about 22 or 23 years of age, dark complexion, about 5 feet 4 or 5 inches high.
     The owner of said slave is requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take him away, or he will be disposed of as the law directs in such cases.
A. B. HUNDLEY, Sheriff.
Pikesville, Marion co., Aug. 3, 1844. 5 4t $3.

The Tuscumbia Enquirer, Wednesday, October 27, 1852, p. 3.
COMMITTED
     To the jail of Franklin county, on the 27th day of October, 1852, a negro man, about 30 years old, 5 feet 31/2 inches high, weighs 125 pounds, low receding forehead, several marks on his breast as though he had been burned, but which he says are natural. Said negro calls his name RYAN, and says that he belongs to the estate of John Simmons, of Madison County. The owner is hereby notified to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take him away, or he will be dealt with according to law.
A C MATTHEWS, Sheriff
November 3rd, '52 (45 3t) Pr's fee $2.

The Tuscumbia Enquirer, Wednesday, January 10, 1855, p. 3.
$100 Reward
WILL
be paid for the delivery to the subscriber, at Sharon, Madisoncounty [sic], Mississippi, of my negro boy COLLIER, who ran off on the 26th of September last; or I will pay fifty dollars for his apprehension and detention out of this State, so I can get him, or have him delivered to Mr. W. S. Rainey, at Columbia, Tennessee, or twenty-five dollars, if confined in any jail inthis [sic] State. He is 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high---of dark copper color (by some called black,) short round face, 22 years old, weighs 160 pounds or upwards. He has one tooth entirely inside the main row of the upper teeth, (of the shape of the eye-tooth) by which he can be easily identifiedby [sic] opening his mouth. He formerly belonged to R. A. McDonald, of Fayettsville, Tenn., and was sold to me by Dobbs and Porter, at Nashville, agents for the owner, at which time he ran off from me and was put in Jail at Lewisburg, Marshallcounty [sic], Tenn., from whence he was brought to myplace [sic] in Madison county, Miss., last July. He will probably deny me as his owner.
N. G. LOUSSEAU
Sharon, Madison co., Miss.
Jan. 3, 1855.
1dt
Jackson Mississippian.

The Tuscumbia Enquirer, Wednesday, January 10, 1855, p. 3.
$10 REWARD!!
RANAWAY
[sic] from the subscriber, living near Guntersville, in Marshall County, Ala., a negro man named JERRY; about twenty-two years of age, of black color, rather undersize, with one EYE OUT. He is a sprightly active man; quick in action and in speech. Said negro has a wife at Mrs. Sarah Hogun's, near Tuscumbia, and may be in the neighborhood.
     I will give the above reward of Ten Dollars for his apprehension and delivery to me, or my Agent, Wm. R. Julian, in Tuscumbia.
L. G. GARRETT.
November 1, 1854.

The Tuscumbia Enquirer, Wednesday, February 11, 1855, p. 2.
Committed
TO
the Jail of Franklin County, Ala. as a runaway, a negro man who call [sic] his name Henry,---says he belongs to Monroe Philips, living near Homeville, Pike county, Miss. Said Negro is black, about 25 years of age, five feet 8 or 10 inches high, and weighs about 170 or 180 pounds.
A C MATTHEWS, Sheriff.
Oct 18, 1854.

The Tuscumbia Enquirer, Wednesday, October 17, 1855, p. 3.
$50 REWARD.
RANAWAY
[sic] from the Subscriber at Gate[s]ville on the night of the 2nd inst*., a dark copper colored man by the name of George, 27 or 28 years old, about 6 feet 1 in[ches] high, spare made---he is a black smith [by] trade, and can read and write very well---plays [a] little on the fiddle. I think he will try to get to a Free State. I will give the above reward if [ta]ken out of the State for his delivery to me or by confinement in jail, so that I can get him, or twenty-five dollars if taken within the State.
A. C. BARTON.
Sept. 12th, 1855

* Inst. - Of the current month.
 


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