Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original SourcesAshton, John
History
Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original Sources
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century
It is needless to say that the negro slaves were always running away,
and being advertised for; but, as the rewards given were not high, it
is probable that recapture was almost certain. One or two instances
will suffice: 'A Slender middle sized India Black, in a dark grey
Livery with Brass Buttons, went from Mrs Thwaits, in Stepney, the 4th
of June, and is suppos'd to be gone on board some Ship in the Downs;
whosoever secures and gives notice of him to Mrs. Thwaits or Mr.
Tresham, two doors within Aldgate, shall have 10_s._ reward and
reasonable Charges.' 'Went away from his Master's House in Drury Lane,
upon Monday the 6th Instant, and has since been seen at Hampstead,
Highgate and Tottenham Court, an Indian Black Boy, with long Hair,
about 15 Years of Age, speaks very good English; he went away in a
brown Fustian Frock, a blew Wastecoate, and scarlet Shag Breeches, and
is called by the name of Morat; Whoever brings him to, or gives Notice
of him, so as he may be brought to Mr. Pain's House in Prince's Court,
Westminster, shall have a Guinea Reward, and the Boy shall be kindly
received.' Judging by his 'long Hair,' this boy was not a
negro--indeed it would seem that it only needed a dark skin to
constitute a slave; for 'an East India young man, named Cæsar,' ran
away. 'A Negro Maid, aged about 16 Years, much pitted with the Small
Pox, speaks English well, having a piece of her left Ear bit off by a
Dog; She hath on a strip'd Stuff Wastcoat and Petticoat ... they shall
have a Guinea Reward and reasonable Charges.' Sometimes (indeed it was
rather fashionable) the poor wretches had collars round their necks.
'A Tall Negro young fellow commonly known as Jack Chelsea, having a
Collar about his Neck (unless it be lately filed off), with these
Words; Mr. Moses Goodyeare of Chelsea his Negro, ran away from his
Master last Tuesday evening.' This habit of wearing collars is noticed
by Steele,[104] who inserts a letter from 'a blackamoor boy--Pompey.'
'Besides this, the shock dog has a collar that cost almost as much as
mine.' Sometimes these collars were of silver. 'Run away from his
Master about a Fortnight since, a lusty Negroe Boy about 18 years of
Age, full of pock holes, had a Silver Collar about his Neck engrav'd
Capt. Tho. Mitchel's Negroe, living in Griffith Street in Shadwel.'
[Footnote 104: _Tatler_, No. 245.]
They were rarely advertised to be sold--indeed, I have only found one
instance in all the newspapers of the twelve years of Anne's reign,
and that is very simple. 'A Negro boy about 12 years of age, that
speaks English, is to be sold. Enquire of Mr. Step Rayner, a
Watchmaker, at the sign of the Dial, without Bishopsgate.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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