What is not said in the source?

From Carolina Watchman, January 7, 1837

$20 reward

RANAWAY from the subscriber on 19th of November, a negro man, named TIMThe author doesn't tell us much about Tim, aside from his age, skin tone, height, speech issues, and claims of Baptist faith. We know where he was purchased and that the author thinks he is still in the Stokes Ferry area, but we don't know what kind of work Tim did, whether or not he had a family, what his relationship to Gorman may have been, how he was treated by Gorman, or what prompted him to run away. 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, deceasedWe don't know the conditions of the sale, and we don't know whether these enslaved people were owned by Mr. McCraw or Mr. Matthew Davis. We also don't know the financial circumstances of the deceased or why the court ordered this sale. We don't know whether any efforts were made to arrange private sales before the court ordered a public sale. We don't know if the twelve slaves had any relationship to one another or whether they were to be sold as a block or individually. One might wonder whether the adults were the parents of any or all of these children and how old the children and adults were. We also don't know whether any of these enslaved people had any special skills or how they were treated by the men who had owned them previously. In short, all we know is that there were two women, one man, and nine children who were to be sold in an open public sale.

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 WilmingtonWe do not know, from these comments, whether John was also purchased from Mr. Brasley, nor do we know how long ago Moore purchased either of them. We do not know what sort of skills these men have, how they were treated by Mr. Moore, or what family members they may have either living with Moore or living in Wilmington. We do not know whether there was some particular incident that precipitated their escape or what their reasons for escape may have been., 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 countryWe don't know, from this comment, whether Moore lived in the western part of the state or whether he was traveling on business, to visit friends of family, or to relocate. In the 1830s, American Indians were being removed from the southeast due to the Indian Removal Act and it is possible that Moore was hoping to establish himself in lands formerly occupied by American Indians., 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 Glen does not specify how much he will pay for enslaved people, nor does he specify what will happen to the people who are sold to him..

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 cashWe do not know why the court ordered this sale, whether Mr. Stackton had been in debt, or whether any efforts were made to sell Nathan to a friend or family member of Mr. Stackton's before offering him for public sale..

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 compensatedWe do not know much about Peter beyond his physical description. What skills did he have? How long had Hugh Cunningham owned him, and how long was he owned by James Cunningham previously? Does he have any special skills? Does he have any family? What were the circumstances of his escape? How was he treated by Hugh Cunningham? Mr. Cunningham also fails to mention any specific dollar amount in his promise that anyone capturing Peter and putting him in jail or returning him to Cunningham will be "reasonably compensated.".

HUGH CUNNINGHAM.

Liberty Hill, Iredell co. N. C.

June 11th, 1836 -- __47