What is surprising or interesting 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 BaptistIt's interesting that Gorman mentions Tim's religious faith. When reading an advertisement, one presumes that the person placing the ad thought carefully about which details would be most helpful in securing the desired outcome -- in this case, the return of the slave. I wonder why Gorman thought it would be helpful for readers to know that Tim professed to be a 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
It is interesting that, of the twelve people being sold, nine are "well grown" children. This leads me to wonder whether these twelve slaves were all of the slaves owned by the deceased, or if he owned others. If he did own other slaves, was the sale designed to either, on the one hand, sell off enslaved people who were not likely to be the best and most valuable workers or, on the other hand, sell the young slaves who were most likely assumed to be good workers and therefore to fetch the highest price?

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

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 belowIt is interesting that John, only twenty years old, had lost two front teeth. Since he was a young man when this ad was placed, it seems unlikely that they would have been lost to decay. I wonder whether he lost his teeth in some sort of altercation or accident. which is his most distinguishing mark. He had on when he left, a light grey woolen round Jacket and pantaloonsIt is interesting that Moore knew what the men were wearing when they left. He must have seen them shortly before they disappeared or known that they only had a limited number of articles of clothing with them. It's also possible that other people at the camp informed him of what they were wearing..

The above slaves left the camp of the subscriber while on his way to the Western countryIt is interesting that Moore was on his way to the western country -- I wonder if he was heading west in anticipation of claiming lands formerly occupied by American Indians? It's also interesting that Toney and John chose to make their escape while at a camp site. This seems like a good escape strategy: Moore may not have known the area well, so he may not have been able to count on assistance from local people in finding them immediately if he was far from his own home en route to the western part of the state., eight miles above Lincolnton, on 28t of last month, and will no doubt endeavor to make their way back to WilmingtonGiven how far Wilmington is from Lincolnton, it's interesting that Moore seems so certain that these two men will make their way toward Wilmington. Did Moore knows something about family connections the men had in the Wilmington area? Or is this just a wild and possibly inaccurate guess?. 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 cash.

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 cheeksThis man seems to have been injured a number of times. Were these scars related to physical abuse at the hands of Mr. Cunningham or Peter's previous owner? Were they the result of work-related accidents with farm machinery or the tools of some trade? 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 It is interesting that Mr. Cunningham is still advertising the escape of Peter six months after his disappearance.