Black History
1802 Maryland “RANAWAY SLAVE” BROADSIDE For The Capture of "Negro HARRY” & “Negro LEN”
October 23, 1802-Dated, “Ranaway” Slave Broadside. Frederick-Town (MD). "Forty Dollars Reward.” for the Capture 2/28/2013 of "Negro HARRY” and “Negro LEN.” With Added Manuscript Statement of Authorization, “...to apprehend and imprison or bring home, or cause or procure to be apprehended, imprisoned so brought home...,” Choice Fine.
This is a truly extraordinary and exceptional, exceedingly rare original 1802 Printed Maryland Slavery Broadside, on period laid paper, measuring 9” x 7.5” with an Added Manuscript Power of Attorney, Signed by Baker Johnson (Len’s Master) on the otherwise normally blank reverse. The deep black and boldly printed face side of this historic Maryland “Ranaway Slave” Broadside reads, in full: Boldly Headed -

“Forty Dollars Reward.

Ranaway from the Subscribers, near Frederick-Town, on the 18th inst. the two negro men herein after described,

Negro HARRY,

a short, well set, little fellow, of a yellowish complexion, wears his wool combed and has a large scar in his forehead; he is a cooper by trade and plays on the fiddle; he is sensible and talkative, and has waited (when young) in the house, he is now nearly thirty years old, he is the property of James Johnson who cannot describe his cloths.

Negro LEN,

About twenty-five years of age, a tall straight, black fellow, remarkably well made, pretty large eyes and mouth, and when spoke to answers quick, he has been used to work in the Catoctin Furnace, his cloths cannot be described, but he as well as Harry is generally well dressed, they have both procured passes from free negroes. Whoever secures the above negroes in any jail so that their respective masters get them again, shall receive the above reward, or twenty dollars for either and reasonable charges if brought home. -

JAMES JOHNSON

BAKER JOHNSON

October 23rd, 1802. --

Frederick-Town — Printed by John P. Thomson.”

In addition, there is an additional manuscript statement on the otherwise blank reverse, which causes some show-through to the face side, which is transcribed as follows:

“Fred’k County State of Maryland. -

I do hereby authoriz(e) and impower Mr. Wm. Halsey to apprehend and imprison or bring home, or cause or procure to be apprehended, imprisoned so brought home the within described Runaway Negro ( ) Slave named Len, he being the property of the subscriber given under my hand this 16th day of Nov. 1802 - B. Johnson.” --

“Power of Att’y” and the signatures of two Constables are located below that statement.

This superb Maryland Runaway Slave Broadside has nice eye appeal with only a few small minor centerfold wear and ink erosion holes. The period paper has some expected light tone thus adding to its originality. The printed text and manuscript portions are bold and dark. One tan stain spot is located at left of the large printed text “Negro LEN,” and it has some expected folds from actual use by the Runaway Slave chasers.

This is a truly unique Black History Slavery Document, being a major historic rarity. Its significance and importance for American Black History study, students and collectors alike of Maryland and Slavery can hardly be surpassed. Overall, this Broadside is of “museum” quality, graphically impressive for display. This is simply the very Finest fully authentic Ranaway Slave Broadside we have offered, containing the most important and historic period content.