February 28, 1765
The Pennsylvania Gazette
RUN away from John Pierse, on Sunday the 24th Instant, about Three o'Clock in the Morning, an Irish Servant Lad, named Archibald Kelly, between 16 and 17 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 6 Inches high, of a fair complexion, long Visage, down Look, has dark brown hair, but it is likely he may have it cut off;
had on, when he went away, a blue Surtout Coat, with gilt
Buttons, a blue Cloth Coat, with Brass Buttons, a scarlet
Cloth Jacket, without Sleeves, both Coat and Jacket have been turned, blue Cloth Breeches, with washed Buttons, Worsted Stockings, Check Linen Shirt, and Pinchbeck Shoe Buckles.
He is very much given to lying, and will persist in a Lie a long Time. [1] It is supposed he intended going off in one of the first Vessels to Ireland, or else is gone in the Stage to New York.
Whoever takes up said Servant, and brings him to his Master, shall have Forty Shillings Reward, and reasonable Charges, paid by JOHN PIERSE.
N.B. All Masters of Vessels are forbid to carry him off.
Notes
1. In most ads it seems that it was unusual for an escaped servant to lie, with many admitting that they were fugitives and even who they had run from. Beginning in the 1750s, according to the samples this reader has examined, charges that servants will lie, have forged documents, and will use disguises and adopt assumed names seem to have increased markedly.
So Her Master May Have Her Again
A History of Runaway White Slaves in Plantation America: Part Two
