Sign up to receive email notices of recent acquisitions.

Treat, Gideon.

[Maunscript runaway slave advertisement.]

New Milford, Conn., 14 September 1772. Autograph manuscript in ink on laid paper, 8” x 6”, with old linen backing. CONDITION: Very good, old folds, 1.75” separation along one fold.

A striking eighteenth-century runaway slave advertisement in manuscript seeking the recovery of a young enslaved man, composed by one Gideon Treat of New Milford, Connecticut.

Treat’s text reads in full: 

Advertisement Septr. 14. 1772. Run away from Gideon Treat of New Milford in Litchfield County a Negroman Named James of a Light Complexion for one of that Nation being Six foot high if not more about Twenty three years of age & speaks good English had on when he went away a light coloured brown upper Jacket & an under Jacket without sleves of the same Colour checkd linen shirt Tow trowsers, a small old Bever or felt Hat thinnish Shoes & white mettle or pewter buckles. Whosoever shall take up said Negro-man and secure him in any of his Majesties Goals & information forthwith make to me the subscriber or deliver him to me shall have Ten dollars for his or their Reward and all necessary Charges paid by me – Gideon Treat / New Milford Septr. 

The language used in such broadsides, referring to the slaveowner as “the subscriber,” is indicative of the intent, at least, that the advertisement be printed in a newspaper. However, the same language appears on many runaway slave broadsides, suggesting that slaveowners frequently paid to have their advertisements printed in the pages of local newspapers and as broadsides—which would have been posted in public places—to maximize publicity. While printed runaway slave broadsides come to market with some regularity, manuscripts such as the present one, particularly those of the eighteenth century, are far less frequently encountered.

According to Samuel Orcutt’s History of the Towns of New Milford and Bridgewater, (Litchfield Co.) Connecticut, 1703-1882, Gideon Treat (1747–1811), “was a very resolute, courageous, working, influential citizen, and successful as a farmer, having one of the best farms in that region of the country. He took an earnest part in establishing the Bridgewater Society, and in building the first meeting-house, and also in supporting the society until his death in 1811.” 

A rare eighteenth-century Connecticut runaway slave manuscript.

REFERENCES: Orcutt, Samuel. History of the Towns of New Milford and Bridgewater, (Litchfield Co.) Connecticut, 1703-1882 online.

Item #10059

On Hold

Price: $5,000.00

Add to Wish List