State of North Carolina, Craven County, ss. By RICHARD ELLIS and ALEXANDER GASTON, Esqrs. two of the Justices for the said County. WHEREAs Complaint hath been made to us, by Richard Blackledge, that a Negro Man named Dublin, about thirty years of age, is a New-Negro, an speaks broken English, he is about five feet six Inches High, of a Yellowish Colour, and has sharp filled Teeth, also a Negro Lad named Burr, about sixteen Years old, is Black, rather Nock Knee'd, and well grown of his age, belonging to the Estate of Timothy Clear, deceased, which were hired by said Blackledge, of the Adminstrators of said Estate, on or about the 12th Day of February 1777, for one Year, both of which Negroes immediately ran away again, both which Negroes are supposed to be lurking about committing many Acts of Felony. These are therefore to command the said Slaves, forthwith to surrender themselves, and return home to their said master. And we do also require the Sheriff of the said County of Craven to make dilligent Search and Pursuit after the said Slaves, and them having found, to apprehend and secure, so that they may be conveyed to their said master, or otherwise discharged as the Law directs. And the said Sheriff is hereby impowered to raise and take with him such Power of his County as he shall think fit, for apprehending the said Slaves. And we do hereby, by Virture of an Act of Assembly of this Province concerning Servants and Slaves, intimate and declare, if the said Slaves doth not surrender themselves, and return home, immediately after the Publication of these Presents, that then any Person may kill or destroy the said Slaves, by such Means as he or they may think fit, without Accusation or Impeachment of any Crime or Offence for so doing, or without incurring any Penalty or Forfeiture thereby. GIVEN under out Hands and Seals, this 26th Day of June, 1777, and in the first year of our Independence. RICHARD ELLIS. ALEX. GASTON. N.B. Whoever apprehends the said Negroes, and carries them to the Salt Works, at Core Sound, or secures them in Newbern goal, shall have for each of them four Dollars, and all reasonable charges paid. RICHARD BLACKLEDGE.
The below geolocation information is currently not linked to an individual in our dataset. Please refer to the above transcript for additional information related to people and their assumed locations.
| Name | Role in document |
|---|---|
| Timothy Clear | Former slaveholder |
| Richard Ellis | Placing Ad |
| Alex. Gaston | Placing Ad |
| Burr | Slave |
| Dublin | Slave |
| Richard Blackledge | Slaveholder |
