Written by Miriam Morton, Historical Interpreter
It is common to find only single runaway ads, sometimes a second one with no telling of if the individual was able to evade capture or what the outcome was. Women’s stories often have even less information included, as well as less repetition of ads than the records of men’s attempts to run away. While it can be challenging to find more details and expand on these stories with so little information given in runaway ads, Rachel’s story is all the more remarkable that there is such a clear record of at least three attempts to free herself.
As runaway ads offer small glimpses into the stories of those who attempt to gain their freedom, Rachel and Bob’s story stood out for its unusual amount of detail. Rachel, also known as Sarah, along with her six-year-old son, Bob, had been enslaved in Maryland and passed through Trenton Ferry as they ran away. Rachel, who was in the later months of her second pregnancy at the time, had to navigate not only attempting her escape, but also that of her child, hoping to prevent being recognized from numerous runaway advertisements.
There are records of multiple attempts to run away over a six year period, as well as information on what happened after the ads were placed. We first see her running away in December of 1772, another attempt in 1776 with the Maryland Regiment, and again in 1778 with her six year old son. While we do not have information as of yet on her escape in 1776, we do know that she was with the Maryland Regiment for two years and we hope to uncover more details and develop a deeper understanding regarding her story with continued research.
We have found a record of who we believe is Sarah, running away from her enslaver in Frederick County, Maryland in December of 1772.
Pennsylvania Journal or Weekly Advertiser, December 2, 1772.
From the above advertisement, we can infer that Sarah could be the same person as in the later ads. It is possible that she may have been sold during this six year period to Mordecai Gist, who owned land in both Frederick and Baltimore Counties in Maryland. Sarah is described as being in the later months of pregnancy, which would match Bob’s age since this is six years prior. The clothing she took with her seems to be the only set she has, implying that she took her chance to run away quickly with only what she had on. These factors would have made her more recognizable to those looking for her as a result of this ad. It is notable that she ran away with a man named Giles Laurance, and that they might have passed for husband and wife. It raises the questions; It is listed he has been discharged, was it from service in the army or from an indenture? The ad states that he kept her as his wife; What was their relationship like before? Did she run away prior to this? Although we don’t know much about this particular attempt beyond the ad, nor do we know much of the next 6 years of her life, we can see her resilience and determination to escape from bondage as she repeatedly tries to run away.
In October of 1778, she is described as having been recaptured, and had run away again, this time at Trenton Ferry.
Pennsylvania Packet or Weekly Advertiser, October 15, 1778
Rachel is described in this ad to have been in the later months of a second pregnancy, leaving with her son, Bob, and taking a large amount of clothing with her. Her choices in clothing items would have allowed her the ability to change her dress easily; however the white cloak would have been distinctive, since cloaks were more red in the 18th century. This ad gives a glimpse into the types of clothing Bob wore, as well as a slightly different description in which he appears sickly. Managing not only the escape while trying to remain inconspicuous, but also taking care of a potentially sick child, would have been difficult; giving more reason as to why she would employ different strategies, such as, pretending to be free to gain their freedom by any means necessary. As shown in the ad, Rachel is described to have been “stolen” by a soldier and living in camp prior to these ads for two years. This suggests another runaway attempt and recapture, but that moving with the army may have helped her blend in for a longer period of time.
From October to December of 1778, this advertisement, with a higher reward, was placed. More individuals were listed to report to about someone matching her description, which would have only increased the chances of her recapture.
Pennsylvania Packet or General Advertiser, December 1, 1778
This ad was listed multiple times from October 24th to December 1, 1778 across different newspapers such as the Pennsylvania Packet and the New Jersey Gazette. Both this and the first ad list her name as Sarah, but in this one, it’s listed as her going by an alias, likely her preferred name of Rachel. Although Bob was described as “appearing to be a white person” in the previous ad, here he is further described as having flaxen, or blonde, hair. This ad further expands that not only does she pretend to be free, but that she also pretends to have a husband in the first Maryland Regiment, and attempts to pass for a free woman. The phrasing “pretends to have a husband” could refer to her and the soldier having a relationship but being unable to marry, or that she is attempting to blend in as a camp follower. The ad being posted so many times shows how desperate they were to recapture and re-enslave Rachel and Bob.
It is rare to find more information after this type of ad, if captured and returned there is usually no further advertisements placed. Though this is usually where research can be limiting in the ability to find further information, Rachel and Bob’s story differs, as another ad matching their description has been found. Unfortunately, they were captured as the following advertisement was placed the day after the previous one.
New Jersey Gazette, December 2, 1778
Although there are no names posted, the ad matches the previous descriptions of Rachel and Bob. Through the short descriptions in all of these ads, we can see how Rachel had to be resourceful at all times to evade capture; however, there was little she could do, as they would have been easily recognized from their descriptions. They were unfortunately captured and brought to Somerset Gaol (jail) the next day after the previous advertisement. As it currently stands, we do not yet know what happened to them after this advertisement was placed.
We learn a lot from these glimpses of her story, but they also raise questions, such as: Did she run away previously? Did she run away not only for the chance of freedom but for her child’s health as well? What was her relationship with the soldier? Is it the same soldier throughout the ads? How did they meet? What was her life like in the encampment? Did she continue her attempts to run away after these ads?
Her story shows the courage and resilience it took to escape enslavement and the struggle she went through while trying to make a better life for both herself and her children. Rachel’s story is one of many we are uncovering and including in our programming for 2026 and beyond.