What do I not understand about the source?

From Carolina Watchman, January 7, 1837

$20 reward

RANAWAY from the subscriber on 19th of November, a negro man, named TIM about 45 years of age, black complexion, about five feet four or five inches high, has a stoppage in his speech. He professes to be a very devout Baptist. Having purchased him in Montgomery county, not far from Stokes' Ferry, my opinion is, that he is in that neighborhood. I will give the above reward for his apprehension and delivery to me.

HENRY S. GORMAN.

Concord, Dec 17, 1836 -- 4w22


State of North Carolina, Surry County

Court of Please and Quarter Sessions, Novem- ber Term, 1836 William Davis, Adm'r & Ex'r Expartae Pursuant to an order of Court, the subscriber will expose to public sale, at Mount Airy, Surry Co. on the 6th day of January next, on a credit of six months, TWELVE LIKELY
Negroes,
Consisting of a likely fellow,
two women, and nine well
grown children

The purchasers will be required to give bond with approved security.

 

WM. DAVIS Admir of James
McCraw, dec's, and Ex'tor of
Matthew Davis, deceased
It is unclear, from this document alone, how the property (including slaves) of the deceased was handled by the courts.Were these kinds of sales common? We might assume so, given that this single issue of the newspaper contains two ads for court-ordered sales of slaves that were owned by someone who had recently died. Did the deceased have wills? Were their family members going to benefit financially from these sales or were the proceeds going to be used to pay debts? Further research in court records, wills, and other public documents might shed more light on this source.

December 17 -- 3w 22


$50 reward

RANAWAY from the subscriber two negro slaves, viz TONEY and JOHN. Toney is about 35 years of age, fife feet nine or ten inches high, dark complexion, square and stout build and had on when he left, a bright drab Petersham overcoat. He was purchased by me of Mr. Richard Brasley (sp?) of Wilmington, and calls himself Toney Montague. John is about twenty years of age, of rather lighter complexion than Toney, about five feet 10 inches high, and is quite stout b____ -- he has a full round face, and has lost two front teeth above and below which is his most distinguishing mark. He had on when he left, a light grey woolen round Jacket and pantaloons.

The above slaves left the camp of the subscriber while on his way to the Western country, eight miles above Lincolnton, on 28t of last month, and will no doubt endeavor to make their way back to Wilmington. The above reward will be given for their apprehension, so that I get them again.

JAMES MOORE.

Dec 10, 1836 -- __21


Cash for negroes

THE Subscriber will purchase any number of likely young NEGROES during the next six months, for which liberal prices in cash will be given.

I wish all letters on business, addressed to me at Germanton, Stokes County.

TYRE GLEN.

July 18, 1836 -- __52


Notice.

IN pursuance of an order of the Cabarrus County Court, made at October Sessions 1836, I will sell at the Courthouse door in Concord, on the 3d Monday in February next a Negro Boy named NATHAN, the property of W.P. Stackton, dec'd, for cashAs with the previous ad related to a court-ordered public sale, this advertisement raises questions about whether these types of sales were customary, what the financial status of the deceased was, and whether this sale was designed to create cash assets for heirs or to pay debts..

W.H. ARCHIBALD, Shff.

Of Cabarrus County N.C.

Dec 3 1836 -- tf20


Stop the Runaway.

RANAWAY from the subscriber living near Liberty Hill, in Iredell county, N.C., a negro man named

PETER,

Formerly owned by James Cunningham. He is between forty and fifty years old; of a yellowish complexion -- round face and small eyes. He is marked with a scar in one of his ears, which has not grown together; also with a scar on the underside of his heel; which has not _______; he has also a small scar on one of his cheeks and is about five feet, five or six inches in height.

Any one taking up this negro and lodging him in jail or delivering him to me, shall be reasonably compensated.

HUGH CUNNINGHAM.

Liberty Hill, Iredell co. N. C.

June 11th, 1836 -- __47