Indentured Servant Freedom Seekers

Ad in newspaper for an Indentured Servant seeking their freedom.
One of several ads for Indentured Servant Francis Barrett, also known as Francis Carpenture. He attempted to seek his freedom multiple times. Maryland Gazette, June 29, 1775.

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Francis Barrett

Francis Barrett was described in an ad about him seeking his freedom as being "6 feet 1 inch high, round visage, fair complexion, light brown or sandy hair which curls, hazel eyes, has a scar on his nose and a mole on the right side of his chin, is slim made and a little knock-knee’d, a carpenter and sawyer by trade, though no workman at either…had also an iron collar on." Barrett (Carpenture) had attempted to seek his freedom four times! On one attempt, he took a boat to make his way down the Gunpowder River to temporary freedom and in this ad “it is suspected he has taken a boat” which is described in almost as much detail as Francis himself. The collar was apparently put on by a local law official when he was caught previously and left on to make it easier to return him to the furnace site. There was a reward here for both Barrett and the boat.

John Dehoddy

John Dehoddy was an Irishman that attempted to seek his freedom numerous times. He was described in an ad about him seeking his freedom as being “19 years old, five foot four high, long visage, fair complexion, pitted with small pox, light colored hair, a well set feller, he can read & right.” Between April 1774 and July 1776, Dehoddy had attempted to seek his freedom at least seven times! He came back on his own several times after a night or two. By 1775, as his absences became longer, furnace officials sent out in full force to apprehend him and they did.

 

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Last updated: April 12, 2024

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