Name/Title
Newspaper Ads about Richard Jerrard July 1. 1742 (copy)Entry/Object ID
001942Tags
Richard JerrardScope and Content
The advertisement was placed by Richard Jerrard, a wheelwright from Spring-Garden (near Philadelphia). He is seeking the return of an Irish servant man who fled on Sunday night, June 27, 1742.
Identifying Details
To help the public identify and apprehend the man, Jerrard provides a specific description:
Name: Patrick Allen.
Trade: House-joiner (carpenter).
Physical Appearance: About 30 years old, middle height, no hair (bald/shaved), and a "brownish" complexion.
Distinguishing Marks: He walks with a "very stiff" gait due to a medical condition (a fistula).
Language: Speaks English with "great difficulty" but speaks Irish fluently.
Religion: Noted specifically as a Roman Catholic.
Clothing Description
The ad meticulously describes his outfit, which was a common way to track runaways in the 18th century:
An old "pissburnt" (faded yellow/discolored) wig or a cap.
A homespun shirt with a blue cloth coat and jacket.
Black plush breeches that had been modified with extra pieces on the outside of the thighs to make them wider.
Blue yarn stockings and old shoes.
Reward
Richard Jerrard offered a reward of Twenty Shillings plus "all reasonable charges" to whoever secured Patrick Allen so that he could be returned to his master.