Songs in Flight

Text Authorship:

• from Volkslieder (Folksongs)

Go to the general single-text view

Text Authorship:

• by Tsitsi Ella Jaji , copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view

The following advertisement from the Freedom on the Move database inspired this text:

RUNAWAY.
On the 7th inst., PHEBE, a black girl, about 23
years old, of rather over middling height, long
hair, put up with Combs, a sear on one cheek,
a genteel looking servant, and usually dressed
neatly. Phebe formerly belonged to the estate of
Mrs. Bonnetheau, deceased. She is harboured
somewhere in the city. A reasonable reward will
be paid for her apprehension. Apply at this office.
Oct 17

Text Authorship:

• by Crystal Simone Smith , copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view

The following advertisement from the Freedom on the Move database inspired this text:

The City Gazette St. George’s Dorchester
Charleston, SC
June 7, 1797

TAKEN up, and brought to the Work-House, a
NEGRO BOY, who says his name is ASKO, or
GLASGOW; that he belongs to Mr. FULLER,
living about 7 miles from town ; Guinea born,
has a scar on his forehead apparently done with a
knife, very much marked on his back with a whip,
speaks bad English, about 10 years of age, 4 feet 2
inches high.
A. SEIXAS, Master. 
June 7

Text Authorship:

• by Crystal Simone Smith , copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view

The following advertisement from the Freedom on the Move database inspired this text:

ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD.
RUNAWAY or was STOLEN on 6th July last. A
YELLOW BOY by the name of PETER about
fifteen or sixteen years old, heavy made with
clumsy feet, otherwise he is hard to detect, being
very white with blue or yellowish eyes, straight
fair hair, very intelligent when spoken to; took
with him a new pair of white janes pantaloons
and a short coat, a pair of neat high quartered pin
bottomed shoes, new with buckskin strings in
them, a new hat, and other articles of clothes to
tedious to mention.

Text Authorship:

• by Tsitsi Ella Jaji , copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view

The following advertisement from the Freedom on the Move database inspired this text:

Herald of Freedom
Edenton, NC
March 27, 1799

RAN away from the Subscriber, AARON, a
stout, likely, black fellow, about 5 feet ten inches
high, and 26 years old. He has been branded,
by a former master, on one side of his face and
commonly ties a small handkerchief under his
chin, to cover the brand. He formerly worked
in the Lebanon Swamp, and has a wife in
Nixonton. If he is not lurking thereabouts, he has
probably got a free pass, and found employment
as a shingle weaver, on the Virginia side of the
Dismal; a Mr. Williams, Mr. Carpron and Mr.
Doughty, are particularly requested to have him
apprehended, if he should apply to them for
work. I will give TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS to
any person who will deliver him to me.

THOMAS FITT
Lazy-Hill, February 20, 1799

Text Authorship:

• by Crystal Simone Smith , copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view

The following advertisement from the Freedom on the Move database inspired this text:

ESCAPED by breaking the Jail of the Parish of
Jefferson, on the night of Tuesday 11th inst, an
American Negro named Jack, aged about 45
years; who has lost his toes. Also, a French negro
named Paul, aged about 27 years, with large eyes
and prominent features. He says that he belongs
to madam Bourgeois.

GEORGE DE PASSAU, Sheriff,
Parish of Jefferson, March 14 1828.

Text Authorship:

• by Crystal Simone Smith , copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view

The following advertisement from the Freedom on the Move database inspired this text:

The New-Jersey Gazette
LEFT the Plantation of the Subscriber in
Wilkinson County, the 5th of March last, my
negro woman Mariah Frances, about 18 years
old of light complexion. Having purchased said
negro from Mrs. M. E. Blount of Milledgeville,
GA, it may be that she is lurking about that place,
or her Plantation in Washington County. I will
pay Twenty-Five dollars for the delivery of the
girl to me, or in any jail so that I can get her. If said
negro is harbored by any white person, I will pay
One Hundred Dollars for evidence to convict.
T.C. WHITEHURSET,
Gordon, Ga. May 20, 1839.

Text Authorship:

• by Tsitsi Ella Jaji , copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view

The following advertisement from the Freedom on the Move database inspired this text:

$40 Reward. RANAWAY from the subscriber, six
miles west of Greensborough, on the 23d of June
last, a bright mulatto fellow named TOM, 23
years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, stout made, no
flesh marks recollected, has a stern countenance
when spoken to. Also a black woman, the wife
of said fellow, by the name of MATILDA, about
20 years old, 5 feet 4 inches high, has a glum
down look when spoken to; has holes in her
ears for rings, and has rather bumby face -- their
clothes cannot be described, as they took away
all they had, and none particularly recollected.
It is supposed that they will endeavour to get to
Mobile or Pensacola, either by land or water.
It is rather presumed they will try to impose
themselves as free negroes, to some barge, as
the fellow can read print, & I have good grounds
to believe he can write. The above reward will
be paid if taken and secured in some jail so I get
them out of the county, or $30 if taken within this
county.

Benjamin Brown. Green County, (Ala.) 
July 4. 63c

Mobile Commercial Register
September 18, 1823

Text Authorship:

• by Tsitsi Ella Jaji , copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view

The following advertisement from the Freedom on the Move database inspired this text:

$25 REWARD. RANAWAY from the subscriber,
living near White's Store, Anson county, on the
3rd of May last, a bright mulatto boy named BOB.
Bob is about 5 feet high, will weigh 130 pounds,
is about 22 years old, and has some beard on his
upper lip. His left leg is somewhat shorter than
his right, causing him to hobble in his walk ; has
a very broad face, and will show color like a white
man. It is probable he has gone off with some
wagoner or trader, or he may have free papers
and be passing as a free man. He has straight
hair. I will give a reward of TWENTY-FIVE
DOLLARS for the apprehension and delivery to
me of said boy, or for his confinement in any jail
so that I get him again.

CLARA LOCKHART, BN 
ADAM LOCKHART.

June 30, 1852. 698:5.

Text Authorship:

• by Tsitsi Ella Jaji , copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view

The following advertisement from the Freedom on the Move database inspired this text:

100 DOLLARS REWARD RANAWAY from the
subscriber about the 25th of December last, a
negro man by the name of Edom, weighing about
one hundred and eighty pounds, copper color,
wore off a large pair of whiskers, a white fur hat
and decent clothing for a negro. Said boy is about
thirty-five or six years old, and was once owned
by R. R. Hardy, of Lowndes county, Alabama.
Any person apprehending said boy and
delivering him to me ten miles west of
Monticello, Geo, shall have the above reward,
or fifty dollars if confined in any safe Jail so I
can get him, with the proper information of his
apprehension and confinement.

SHADRACK McMICHAEL
Jan 26

Text Authorship:

• by Tsitsi Ella Jaji , copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view

The following advertisements from the Freedom on the Move database inspired this text:

RUNAWAY. -- Was committed
to the jail of Ebenadoah calling
himself ISAAC MARTIN, about
5 feet 8 3-4 inches high--slender
made--very dark complexion-about
23 years old-when spoken to, speaks
very quick-bus a long narrow scar
across the breast--says he belongs to
John Ryan, but does not know the
country or State where he resides.
He further states that Mr Frank
Carter, Mr James Corter, Mr Brown
and Mr Wm. Lee are neighbours
and that South Boston is the nearest
town. It is four weeks since be left
home. The owner of said slave is
requested to come and prove his
property, pay the charges, and take
him away, or he will be dealt with
according to law.
CHRISTIAN MILLER, jailer
Oct. 5 1838

TWENTY DOLLARS' REWARD
RANAWAY, from the undersigned,
in July last, a negro man by the name
of Martin. He is of a dark yellow
complexion, five feet 9 or 10 inches
high, about nineteen or twenty years
of age. Any person apprehending
said negro and confining him in any
safe jail in this State, shall receive
the above reward, or twenty-five
dollars for the delivery of said negro
to the subscriber, two miles from
Pope's Ferry in Monroe county.
It is believed that he is in the
neighbourhood of Milledgeville, as
he was raised near that place, and his
mother is in town.
ANDERSON REDDING.
Dec 20-24

$50 Reward.
RUNAWAY on the 8th inst. a little
yellow fellow, called HARRY, 23
years of age, very low and well built;
weighing from 115 to 130 lbs. left
handed, very flat feet, his hair lately
cut short, inclined to be straight; he
is very polite, artful and cunning,
being raised a house servant, though
for the last two years worked in the
crop. His clothes are such as field
hands work in, probably a grey
round Jacket of coarse cloth, one of
white yarn, and one of yellow cotton,
though he may have exchanged
them for finer clothes; he took off
a new three point blanket. He will
no doubt endeavour to pass as a free
man, & in travelling keep the most
public road, as he did about two
years ago on a trip to Wilmington,
when he called himself Martin Fog. I
will give the above reward to any one
that will deliver him to John Kiteral,
who lives on my plantation 7 miles
south of this place, provided he is
taken without the limits of this state;
and $20 if taken, secured &c. within
its limits.
JOSEPH HAWKINS. Raleigh, N.C.
Oct. 10th 1825. 198
The Fayetteville Observer and
Hillsboro' Recorder will insert the
above three times and forward their
accounts to this office, for payment.

$500 REWARD.
RANAWAY from the subscriber
early in March, a negro man named
PETER, (known as Peter Croom,)
formerly belonging to Wm. Croom,
of Long Creek. Said negro is aged
about 24, color dark mustee, height
5 feet, 6 to 8 inches, weight about 140
lbs, eyes small and close together.
He has been lurking in the Long
Creek neighborhood until lately;
it is supposed he is seeking work at
some of the salt works on the Sound.
I will give the above reward for his
delivery to me or the Jailer of New
Hanover county.
S. B. ZIMMERMAN. Wilmington,
May 14th 210-5t

Text Authorship:

• by Tyehimba Jess (b. 1965), copyright ©

Go to the general single-text view