Freedom Seeking Ad for Bet - October 29, 1776

This is the seventh of at least twelve advertisements printed after Bet, enslaved domestic servant to Thomas Stone, signer of the Declaration of Independence, sought her freedom in October of 1776 while in Philadelphia. Most of the text in the ad is dedicated to the revisions Stone made from his earlier ads of describing Bet’s appearance and the clothes she was wearing or carried away with her.

Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser. "TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD." Tuesday, October 29, 1776. Vol. VI, issue 262, p. supplement 1. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, printer.

Title: Freedom Seeking Ad for Bet - October 29, 1776
Date: 1776
Object Information: Newspaper

Description:
This was the seventh advertisement published in the Tuesday, October 29, 1776 edition of Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser for Bet, an enslaved domestic servant to Thomas Stone, signer of the Declaration of Independence. After Bet sought her freedom on October 3, 1776, in this advertisement Stone updated the description of the clothing she was wearing and that she had in her possession. Instead of the previous belief that she was “concealed in this city” he now included that a woman fitting her description was seen in Brunswick, New Jersey with soldiers. This illuminated the measures that Stone, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, would take to reclaim what he deemed his property in 1776. It also revealed one pathway to freedom a young Black woman could take to acquire and maintain her independence during this chaotic era of war and liberation.

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TRANSCRIPT
Philadelphia, Oct. 16, 1776
TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD.
RAN AWAY on Friday the 3d instant, a young Negro woman named BET, of middling stature, thick, fat and likely, her ears bored for rings. Had on a black alamode bonnet with lace, an old blue shalloon jacket and petticoat, white linen shift, handkerchief and apron, pale blue worsted stockings with red clocks, high heeled black leather shoes and silver buckles. Took with her an half worn scarlet cloak, new purple and yellow check stuff jacket and petticoat, white linen ditto, blue and white stamped linen ditto, cambrick apron, red and white calico short gown, and black bombazeen quilted petticoat. I have been informed that a Negro woman answering her description, was seen at Brunswick, in Jersey, with some soldiers, but to this I do not give intire credit. Any person delivering the said Negro woman to Mr. MICHAEL CLARKE, in Chestnut-street, Philadelphia to any of the Maryland officers at camp, or to the subscriber in Charles County, Maryland, shall have the above Reward and reasonable charges.
+ THOMAS STONE.