Two Runaways

One of several runaway ads for indentured servant Francis Barrett, also known as Francis Carpenture, Maryland Gazette, June 29, 1775.

NPS

Francis Barrett

Francis Barrett was described in a runaway ad as ‘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 run away four times, on one escape stealing 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 the man and the boat.

John Dehoddy

John was an Irishman and committed runaway. Described in a runaway ad as “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 ran away at least seven times, though 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 did.