Discovering Black History in Southeast Ohio

  Marietta Intelligencer , June 19, 1845.  On Wednesday the 11th inst., the Steamboat "Allegheny Mail" passed this place bound for Pittsburgh. She grounded on Carpenter's bar, five miles above this place, and in the course of the night a servant boy of John O. Price of Maryland, aged 15 years, made his escape from the boat to parts unknown. The account Mr. P. gives of the matter is this. He had been to Cincinnati and while there this boy was permitted to go where he pleased. He made no attempt to escape, and was apparently anxious to return home to Maryland with Mr. Price, who thinks the boy would never have left him had he not been over-persuaded by professed friends, as his mother and other relations are in Mr. P's hands. When he was missed on the morning of the 12th inst., it was feared that he had fallen overboard. But some of the hands on the boat say that in the course of the night, they overheard a man in the garb of a Quaker, who is from the western part o...

Western Spectator [Marietta, Ohio], December 21, 1811.  RANAWAY, on the 9th inst. from the Subscriber, of Washington's Bottom, Wood County, Virginia, a Negro Girl named Phillis, about twenty four years old, five feet five inches high, a dark yellow complexion; on the back of her right wrist, she has a long fresh scar, when walking bends her head forward, a downcast look and naturally very active. She had on and took with her, a blue cotton and a white cambric gown, a linen, a calico and a humhum petticoat, a dimity and a red calico jacket, a large leno and a large dark colored shawl, an old linsey habit and a pair of calf-skin shoes, with sundry other articles too numerous to mention. She has lived at Parkersburgh two years in a tavern, with Dean and Baily, and will probably be known to many. Any person who will bring the girl to me, or secure her so that I can get her, will be entitled to the above reward. If she is brought home, all expences will be paid exclusive of the reward. ...

  American Friend  [Marietta, Ohio], May 12, 1820.  Ran away from the subscriber, in Wood County, Virginia, on the 28th day of April, 1820, the following negroes, viz: JACK, ROSE & JOHN. JACK is a very handsome negro, about 5 feet 10 inches high, of a black complexion, erect in his appearance, and about 26 years of age - had on, when he absconded, a deep blue bearskin coat, &c. ROSE, the wife of Jack, is a likely woman of her age, about 5 feet 6 inches high, black complexion, hair tolerably long and tied at top, has holes in her ears but seldom wears rings, and about 36 years of age - had on, when she absconded, a blue cloth riding dress with white glass buttons. JOHN is about 5 feet 7 inches high, very black complexion, thick and well set - had on linen pantaloons, &c. The above reward will be given to any person who will apprehend and deliver said slaves to me, at Parkersburgh, or two hundred dollars will be given if they are secured in jail so that I can ge...