Moses
Enslaved by Thomas Coffield
Moses worked at the Susquehanna Lower Ferry on the ferry boat and at the tavern as an ostler, caring for people's horses. Here, he met Samuel and Milly Moore in 1809. They were enslaved and traveling to Philadelphia to seek freedom. To avoid being captured, they pretended to be free. Moses chose to seek freedom with Samuel and Milly. Thomas Coffield placed an advertisement for Moses's capture in a Philadelphia newspaper. It describes Moses as about 20 years old, five feet two or three inches tall, thick-set, and well-made. He wore a light-colored cloth coat, corduroy pantaloons (close-fitting pants tied at the foot or below the knee), and a fur hat.
The ad ran for over 18 months, from 1809-1811. To date, it is unknown if Moses remained free
Associated Keepers
Biographical Information
Born:
circa 1789, place unknown
Parents:
Unknown
Spouse:
Marital status unknown
Children:
Unknown
Lived:
Susquehanna Lower Ferry, Cecil County, MD
Died:
Death date and place unknown
Additional Information
Source Information
Primary Sources
July 6, 1809
Thomas Coffield places an ad in a Philadelphia newspaper seeking Moses' capture and return to slavery.
Aurora General Advertiser, pg. 3, July 6, 1809 accessed via Newspapers.com
