“RAN AWAY FROM ME THE SUBSCRIBER”: PERIOD EXAMPLES OF 18TH CENTURY MEN’S CLOTHING IN MASSACHUSETTS

            The following dozen examples of runaway advertisements has been compiled in order to illustrate the common materials, patterns and fabrics of 18^th century men’s clothing    available on the eve of the American Revolution.  Examples include, but are not limited to, descriptions of hats and caps, jackets, trousers, shoes and breeches.     

1.       “Ran away from me the Subscriber, on the 4th instant, an apprentice Lad named Uriah Stone, about 18 years of Age; he is Short in Stature, and of a dark Complexion. He had on when he went away a Flannel Jacket without Sleeves, a striped Tow Shirt, a Pair of Short Wide Trowsers, and an Old Felt Hat. Whoever Apprehends said Lad and brings him to his Master Sall be resonably rewarded for their Trouble. NATHANIEL BROWN Rehoboth, August 13, 1767.”  Providence Gazette, August 15, 1767.

2.      “Ran-away from the Subscriber, living in Gorham, which joins Falmouth, Cumberland County in the Massachusetts Province, short Negro Man named Prince, about 26 Years of Age, 5 Feet some Inches high, talks broken English, has remarkable small Ears, and a Jewel Hole in one of them. Had on almost new Felt Hat, a reddish grey home-made Cloth Coat Jacket and Breeches, with silk knee Garters, a dark Callicoe under Jacket, a white Linnen Shirt, red Collar and Cuffs, to his Coat with Metal Buttons, white Cotton Stockings, Cald-Skin Pumps,. It may be he has a Pass. Said Negro plays tolerable well on a Violin. Whosever will take up said Negro or bring him to his Master shall have Sixteen Dollars Reward, and all Charges paid by WILLIAM M'LEENEN.”  Boston Gazette, June 6, 1774.

3.      “Ran-away from his Master Edward Bardin, a Negro Man named Cuffe, about 22 years of Age, a tall Fellow his Legs crooked the small of them bending out, talks good English : Had on when he went away a white cloth Jacket, short skirts, a red Waistcoat under it, white Shirt, his Hat with a Gold wash’d Loop and Button, he formerly lived with Issac Winslow, Esq; of Roxbury, Whoever apprehends said Negro, and will bring him to his said Master living at the King’s Arms on Boston Neck, shall have a Dollar Reward , and all necessary Charges paid. All Masters of Vessels and other are heredy cautioned against harbouring, concealing or carrying off said Servant as they would avoid the Penalty of the Law. Edward Bardin.”  Boston News Letter, December 28, 1769.

4.    “RUN away from the Subscriber, of Norton, in the County of Bristol, on the 2d Day of December last, an Apprentice lad, named William Haradon, in the 18th Year of his Age, about 5 Feet 10 Inches high; had on when he went away a Felt Hat, a light coloured Surtout, a dark brown homespun Coat, a striped Waistcoat, Leather Breeches, and striped Trowsers. He is of a light Complexion, and has dark brown Hair. If the above Apprentice will return to his Master, his past Misbehaviour will be overlooked. WILLIAM CODINGTON.  N.B. All Masters of Vessels and others are cautioned against harbouring, trading with, or carring off said Apprentice, as they would avoid the Penalty of the Law.  Norton, March 2, 1773.”  Providence Gazette, March 6, 1773.

5.      “Ten Dollar Reward.  RAN AWAY from the Subscriber, Joseph Moors, of Groton, in the County of Middlesex, and Province of Massachusetts-Bay, a Malatto Man Servant, names TITUS, sbout 20 Years of Age, of a middling Statue, wears, short curl'd Hair, has one of his Fore Teeth broke out, took with his a blue Surdan, a Snuff coulor'd Coat, and a Pair, of white wash'd Leather Breeches, a Pair of new Cow-hide Pumps, and a Fur'd Hat with large Brims, and sundry other Articles of Wearing Apparel.---Whoever will take of said Servant and confine him in any of his Majesty's Goals ………Joseph Moors.”  Boston Gazette, July 25, 1774.

6.      “FOUR DOLLARS REWARD.  Ran-away from the Subscriber on the 22d of September, at Night a Negro Man Servant, by the Name of CATO, about Five Feet and Eight Inches high, very thick Lips, speaks broken, and Walks as if he was lame in his Heels. Had on when he went away, a Cloth colour'd Coat, with Pewter Buttons, old Leather Breeches, a Tow Shirt, old Shoes with Silver plate Buckles, wore a Cap, and ?hoves round his Neck, and very high on his Forehead: Carried away with him a Callico Banyan, fine Linen Shirt, Check Linen Trowsers, grey Wigg, also carries or Wears a Felt Hatt with a Silver Lace on it, had a Violin and carries it in a green Bays Bag. Whosoever will return the Runaway to his Master in Winchenden, shall have the above Reward and all necessary Charges, paid by LEVI NICHOL, Winchenden, Sept. 23, 1774.”  Boston Gazette, Monday, October 10, 1774.

7.      “Joseph Peirce HAS IMPORTED by Captain SYMMES,(who is just arrived from LONDON) and is now opening at his Shop in Kings Street, nearly opposite the North Door of the Town- House, BOSTON . . .Mens white Beaver Hats.”  Boston Gazette, May 2, 1774.

8.      “Ran away from me the Subscriber, on the 4th instant, an apprentice Lad named Uriah Stone, about 18 years of Age; he is Short in Stature, and of a dark Complexion. He had on when he went away a Flannel Jacket without Sleeves, a striped Tow Shirt, a Pair of Short Wide Trowsers, and an Old Felt Hat. Whoever Apprehends said Lad and brings him to his Master Shall be resonably rewarded for their Trouble. NATHANIEL BROWN Rehoboth, August 13, 1767.”  Providence Gazette, August 15, 1767.

9.      “Run away from the Subscriber, at Attleborough, on the 25th of July, a Lad about 17 years old, named Issac Allen, a thick chunky Fellow, about five Feet six Inches high, of a pale swarthy Complexion, has dark brown Hair, which he sometimes wears ty'd: Had on and took with him, when he went away, two Tow Shirts, one Check Linnen Ditto, a Pair of short wide Trowsers, a striped Flannel Jacket, a black Ditto, a yellow doubled and twisted Coat, two Hats, a Black Barcelona handkerchief, a Pair of Check Linen Trowsers, two Pair of Stockings, and one Pair of new Shoes. Whoever takes up said Runaway, and brings him to his Master, shall have Two Dollars Reward, and all necessary Charges, paid by me.  JOHN FISHER.”  Providence Gazette, Aug. 3, 1771.

10.      “Run away from the Subscriber, the Night of the 5th of April last, an Apprentice Lad, named Danile Bowen, about 20 years of Age, about 5 feet and a Half high, has brown Hair, grey eyes, is something round Shouldered, and understands making Buckles; Had on when he went away a new Felt Hat, a blue double breasted Jacket, with flowered Pewter Buttons, striped underflannel Jacket, Striped Flannel Shirt, Leather Breeches, and Yarn Stockings. Whoever takes up said Runaway, and brings him to his Master, Shall have Two Dollars Reward, and all necessary Charges, paid by BENJAMIN KINGSLEY.  Rehoboth, April 25, 1772.”  Providence Gazette, April 25, 1772.

11.      “Ran-away from the Subscriber, living in Gorham, which joins Falmouth, Cumberland County in the Massachusetts Province, short Negro Man named Prince, about 26 Years of Age, 5 Feet some Inches high, talks broken English, has remarkable small Ears, and a Jewel Hole in one of them. Had on almost new Felt Hat, a reddish grey home-made Cloth Coat Jacket and Breeches, with silk knee Garters, a dark Callicoe under Jacket, a white Linnen Shirt, red Collar and Cuffs, to his Coat with Metal Buttons, white Cotton Stockings, Cald-Skin Pumps,. It may be he has a Pass. Said Negro plays tolerable well on a Violin. Whosever will take up said Negro or bring him to his Master shall have Sixteen Dollars Reward, and all Charges paid by WILLIAM M'LEENEN.”  Boston Gazette, June 6, 1774.

12.      “Stop Thief and Runaway Man Servant.  Whereas William Hayward, Baker, absconded himself from my Service 16^th March, 1774, and took with him to the Value of eight pounds , L. M. and be being taken and convicted, voluntarily Bound himself, to serve me Six Months, to Pay Damages & Cost: and he last Night absconded himself again; had on an old Felt Hat, an old cloth colour'd Coat and Waistcoat, check'd Woolen Shirt, a Pair of new cloth colour'd Breeches, a Pair of old pale blue Stockings, and a Pair of singleSole Shoes.--Said Hayward is about Thirty-three Years of Age, Five Feet Five Inches high, darkish, short Hair, and down look like a Rogue and Thief.----Whossoever will take up said Servant and Notify me the Subscriber so that I may have him again, shall have FIVE DOLLARS reward. Paid by me, ISAAC SHERMAN,  Marlboro April 9, 1774.  All Bakers are hereby cautioned against Employing said Servant.”  Boston Gazette, May 9, 1774.