Last updated: August 29, 2025
Article
The Self Emancipation of Peg - July 7, 1779
Courtesy of Genealogy Bank.
Title: The Self-Emancipation of Peg - July 7, 1779
Location: Thornbury, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Object Information: Newspaper advertisement
Repository: Pennsylvania Gazette. “Run away…” Wednesday, July 7, 1779. Philadelphia: Printed by Hall & Sellers at New Printing Office, near Market. GenealogyBank.com.
Description:
In July 1779, Persifor Frazer placed a second advertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette to recapture Peg, an enslaved or indentured servant, nineteen months after she self-emancipated. Peg began her journey in the spring of 1778, when she and another young woman, Rachel, left the Chester County household of Major Persifor and Mary Torrell Taylor Frazer in search of freedom. At the same time, Frazer escaped British captivity in Philadelphia and returned to George Washington’s winter camp at Valley Forge. Nine months later, Frazer published his first advertisement in the Pennsylvania Packet, claiming people had seen Peg and Rachel among British soldiers in Philadelphia. By 1779, Rachel no longer appeared in the notices, likely having blended into free Black communities, and soon after, Peg disappeared from the record as well.
Location: Thornbury, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Object Information: Newspaper advertisement
Repository: Pennsylvania Gazette. “Run away…” Wednesday, July 7, 1779. Philadelphia: Printed by Hall & Sellers at New Printing Office, near Market. GenealogyBank.com.
Description:
In July 1779, Persifor Frazer placed a second advertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette to recapture Peg, an enslaved or indentured servant, nineteen months after she self-emancipated. Peg began her journey in the spring of 1778, when she and another young woman, Rachel, left the Chester County household of Major Persifor and Mary Torrell Taylor Frazer in search of freedom. At the same time, Frazer escaped British captivity in Philadelphia and returned to George Washington’s winter camp at Valley Forge. Nine months later, Frazer published his first advertisement in the Pennsylvania Packet, claiming people had seen Peg and Rachel among British soldiers in Philadelphia. By 1779, Rachel no longer appeared in the notices, likely having blended into free Black communities, and soon after, Peg disappeared from the record as well.
TRANSCRIPT
RUN away about 14 months ago, and went into Philadelphia, whilst the British troops were there, a young Negroe Wench, named PEG, about 20 years old, very lusty of her age, was born in Chester county, there is great reason to believe she is in, or at no great distance from, Philadelphia, possibly in the Jerseys, as she was seen last winter in the market. Whoever takes up and secures said Wench, so that I may have her again, shall have One Hundred Dollars Reward, and all reasonable charges paid, on applying to Colonel WILLIAM HENRY, in Philadelphia, or the subscriber, in Thornbury, Chester county.
RUN away about 14 months ago, and went into Philadelphia, whilst the British troops were there, a young Negroe Wench, named PEG, about 20 years old, very lusty of her age, was born in Chester county, there is great reason to believe she is in, or at no great distance from, Philadelphia, possibly in the Jerseys, as she was seen last winter in the market. Whoever takes up and secures said Wench, so that I may have her again, shall have One Hundred Dollars Reward, and all reasonable charges paid, on applying to Colonel WILLIAM HENRY, in Philadelphia, or the subscriber, in Thornbury, Chester county.
PERSIFOR FRAZER.
*** Any person who harbours or conceals her may depend upon the severest prosecution.