THREE POUNDS REWARD [runaway ad for Cato]

1794-07-03-anj-federalist-cato-p4.jpg

Title

THREE POUNDS REWARD [runaway ad for Cato]

Description

A black man named Cato, aged 33, ran away from slaveholder William M'Kissick near Pluckemin, Somerset County. William M'Kissick offers a reward of 3 pounds for Cato's capture and mentions that Cato formerly belonged to Col. Philip Van Horne near Middle Brook.

This ad appeared in the newspaper on July 3, 1794, but it probably ran in the paper for several months prior to July. Unlike other runaway ads published in this time period, the ad did not list the date when William M'Kissick first issued his notice. This makes it difficult to ascertain when exactly Cato escaped. The ad mentions that Cato ran away on "Friday the 18th ult." meaning the 18th of the last month. The most recent "Friday the 18th" was in April of 1794, and M'Kissick may have first published his ad in May of that year.

Date

1794-07-03

Language

English

Source

Original newspaper issue preserved by Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries. Loose Newspaper Collection (Ac. 3193). Box 27, Folder 4.

Text (Transcript)

THREE POUNDS REWARD.

RAN-AWAY, on Friday the 18th ult. from the subscriber living near Pluckemin, Somerset county, New-Jersey, a NEGRO MAN named CATO, 33 years of age, about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high, squints much and is very near sighted; had on a light coloured coatee, waistcoat and overalls of the same, but he may change his dress, having taken with him a variety of cloathing. He formerly belonged to the late Col. Philip Van-Horne, near Middle-Brook. Whoever secures said Negro, that his master may have him again, shall receive the above reward and all reasonable charges paid, by

WILLIAM M'KISSICK. 28tf

Place of publication

Page

4

Geolocation

Citation

M'Kissick, William, “THREE POUNDS REWARD [runaway ad for Cato],” Scarlet and Black Digital Archive, Rutgers University, accessed March 29, 2024, https://scarletandblack.rutgers.edu/archive/items/show/478.