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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

This week!!! If you are in the Madison area, please join us for this free public symposium in honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Join us in Madison, April 23 for a free public symposium exploring the work of the Freedom Seekers project! Help us commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States by honoring the stories of people who fled slavery during the revolutionary era. Reserve your free tickets at: go.wisc.edu/j7q5g9

Event poster for the upcoming freedom seekers symposium.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Free Poll took advantage of the possibilities offered during the American Revolution to declare her own freedom, live with her husband, find paying work, and fashion a life in a growing community of Black Philadelphians. Read Billy Smith’s telling of her story: freedom-seekers.org/story/free-p...

Background image is a colorized illustration of Philadelphia in 1799 showing a crowd of Black and White people milling about the city streets. In the foreground is a clipping of a runaway advertisement for Free Poll.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

When enslaved women ran away, freedom was surely a hope, but often the goal was simply survival. This was Letitia’s predicament when she escaped her Boston enslaver in 1739. Read Gloria Whiting’s moving recovery of Letitia’s life: freedom-seekers.org/story/letitia/

A color illustration of the Boston harbor, originally engraved by Paul Revere in 1768. In front of the harbor illustration is a black and white newspaper advertisement for a runaway named Letitia.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

By July 4th 1776 Achilles had already freed himself. He had eloped in April, not long after arriving in Jamaica from West Africa. Read Simon Newman’s account of Achilles’ escape from Belvidere Plantation: freedom-seekers.org/story/achill...

A parchment with a map displaying the outline of several plantations around Belvidere, Jamaica. In the foreground is a newspaper advertisement seeking return of an enslaved runaway.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

In the fall of 1794, Crispin escaped his enslaver in search of freedom. Wearing his own revolutionary cockade, Crispin made his way to the French island of Saint Domingue (now Haiti 🇭🇹). Read Billy Smith’s telling of the story of “Citizen Crispin”: freedom-seekers.org/story/crispin/

Illustrated portrait of a battle during the Haitian revolution behind an 18th century newspaper advertisement.

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Frances Bell @franrbell.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Briefly returning from my social media hiatus to share that my article for the Journal of the Early Republic, on Philadelphian freedom-seeking in the Haitian Revolutionary diaspora, is now live (thank you to @chelseastieber.bsky.social for alerting me!). muse.jhu.edu/pub/12/artic...

muse.jhu.edu

Project MUSE -- Verification required!

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

James Teernon escaped from his enslaver in November 1760 and joined the crew of the Dragon. But the Dragon was a slave ship. The runaway was finding freedom for himself aboard a ship bound for Africa. Read Simon Newman’s incredible recovery of James’ story: freedom-seekers.org/story/james-...

Runaway advertisement from and eighteenth century newspaper. Background image is a painting of the River Thames in London along the docks, filled with large sailing ships.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Prince Greene was 24 when he escaped his enslaver. A year later, Prince enlisted in the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. After surviving battles, disease, and even winter in Valley Forge, he left the war as a free man. Read Simon Newman’s telling of Prince’s epic story: freedom-seekers.org/story/prince...

18th century newspaper advertisement in front of an oil canvas depicting soldiers marching through a snowy field.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

On Tuesday 2/24, our own Gloria Whiting will be discussing her first book, Belonging, as part of @americanancestors.bsky.social American Inspiration author series. Register to view the live broadcast here: www.americanancestors.org/events/belon...

americanancestors.org

Gloria McCahon Whiting on "Belonging" | American Ancestors

This multi award-winning work of history explores how Black New Englanders maintained a sense of belonging among their kin in the face of slavery.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Also make sure to check out Nadege Forde-Vidal’s incredible work with the Sankofa London Schools Project: sankofalondonschools.co.uk

sankofalondonschools.co.uk

Sankofa London Schools Project

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Sisters Jane and Maria Gray escaped their enslaver’s residence in the Shadwell area of London in 1758. They were both born in Antigua, yet managed to stay together as they made new lives in Britain. Learn more about their story, as told by Nadege Forde-Vidal: freedom-seekers.org/story/jane-a...

Runaway newspaper advertisement. Background image is of an old church surrounded by tombstones, circa 1810.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

The ad Robert Wickes placed was unusual. The man he sought, 31 year-old Newport, had been free for several years and was “infused with some Notions of Religion.” Find out more about Newport in one of Simon Newman’s most intriguing stories: freedom-seekers.org/story/newpor...

Background Image: First Congregational Church, Providence, Rhode Island. Rhode Island Historical Society

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Before he was known as Colonel Tye, the legendary loyalist raider, his enslavers called him Titus. Read the story of Titus and his pursuit of freedom as recounted by our undergraduate intern Rhea Yenubari. Story link here and in our bio: freedom-seekers.org/story/titus-...

18th century newspaper clip showing a runway advertisement for a freedom seeker named Titus. Background is picture of rural Monmouth County, New Jersey.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Even his enslavers had to admit, Thomas Boman was an extraordinary man. When he escaped his enslavers in March 1752 he disappeared into the landscape of the Carolinas. Read Thomas’ story as told by our undergraduate intern Haleigh Smith: freedom-seekers.org/story/thomas...

A black and white runaway newspaper advertisement in front of a picture of the Roanoke River in North Carolina.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Robert Thomas was a proud and capable man. According to his enslaver he spoke “deliberately” and was “more correct in conversation than person of his color usually are.” In the summer of 1808, he seized his freedom. Read his story as told by our intern Mia Pyle: freedom-seekers.org/story/robert...

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

By the time Joe escaped his enslaver, he had seen much of the revolutionary Atlantic world. Born in Guadeloupe he traveled to New York and S. Carolina before landing in Philadelphia. Read the surprising story of Joe’s escape as told by our intern Molly Laughlin: freedom-seekers.org/story/joe-au...

An 18th century runaway advertisement for an enslaved freedom seeker named Joe. The advertisement is in front of an picture of the Guadeloupe coastline, and shows the edges of a beach and a thick forest of trees.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

“Runaway advertisements often seethe with anger, but few expose the emotional unraveling of an enslaver as vividly as James Hutchings’ notice for a freedom seeker named Sarah.” So writes our intern Anika Feinsilver in her unflinching telling of Sarah’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/sarah-...

Runaway newspaper advertisement in front of a painting of a river with a wooden ferry holding a carriage and several people.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Virginians like Jefferson and Washington are often mentioned in histories of the American Rev. But revolutionary Virginia also offered opportunities for enslaved people like Will to pursue freedom. Read Will’s story as told by our undergrad intern Gabe Corro: freedom-seekers.org/story/will-a...

Newspaper advertisement for a freedom seeker in front of an oil canvas depicting a church and gathered parishioners in revolutionary-era Virginia.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

In the aftermath of the American Rev. Southern planters rebuilt their plantation economy by importing thousands of enslaved Africans like Venture. But Venture refused to remain in bondage. Read Venture’s story as told by our undergrad intern, Clarissa Brown: freedom-seekers.org/story/ventur...

Runaway newspaper advertisement in front of a scene from the South Carolina Lowcountry country, showing dense and lush foliage surrounding a dirt road.

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Penn Press @pennpress.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

If you're attending #AHA26, stop by our booth in the book exhibit tomorrow, Sunday January 11, where we'll be giving away our display copies to graduate students and contingent scholars between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. (limit one book per person)!

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

This past fall seven UW undergraduates worked as interns with our project team to compose freedom seeker stories of their own. Over the next few weeks we will be sharing their brilliant work. And in the meantime, meet all our amazing undergraduate interns: freedom-seekers.org/undergraduat...

freedom-seekers.org

Undergraduate Interns

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Today is the deadline for submissions for our graduate writing prize, the Anansi Prize! If you’ve been working on a story for Freedom Seekers you can submit your work here: freedom-seekers.org/anansi_prize/

freedom-seekers.org

Anansi Prize

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

In November 1771, Jack and Venus made their way to the Great Dismal Swamp. After laboring there 2 years under John Washington (brother of George) they hoped this site of their enslavement would now offer refuge. Read Tony Bly’s brilliant telling of their story: freedom-seekers.org/story/jack-a...

Black and white newspaper clipping of a runaway advertisement in front of an image of Virginia’s Great Dismal Swamp. The image shows green murky water and a lush forest landscape.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Born and raised in Africa, Solomon had been in North America only a couple of years when his relentless drive to be free began. Read @simonatmadison.bsky.social ’s latest work, exploring the many escapes of Solomon during the American Revolution: freedom-seekers.org/story/solomo...

Newspaper advertisement for a freedom seeker named Solomon. Behind the clip is an illustrated depiction of the port of Baltimore.

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Cory James Young @coryjamesyoung.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

I have examined hundreds of advertisements for refugees from slavery--many of which sheepishly acknowledge Black surnames--but I have never seen one before that explicitly states it was Black people who insisted on using them. From the 15 July 1807 Virginia Argus. fotm.link/a/3e54788f-6...

A screenshot of a yellowing excerpt from a runaway slave advertisement in the July 15, 1807 issue of the Virginia Argus, a Richmond paper:

Ten Dollars Reward.
RUN AWAY from the Subscriber, on the 28th of April, a Negro Man JOE, and Woman named FANNY, but called by the black people FANNY KENNY, which eloped on the 11th of June. The man is a bright mulatto, about 28 years of age, straight and well built, and has a very brisk walk, and is a very handy, sensible ...

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Revolutionary War 250 @revwar250.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

3 DECEMBER 1775, MOUNT VERNON, VIRGINIA: Lund Washington, George Washington’s steward (and relative), writes to George about his fears of how Mt. Vernon’s enslaved population will react to Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation, which promises freedom for slaves who escape rebel enslavers:

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

On December 2, 1773 an advertisement appeared in the Virginia Gazette for a freedom seeker named Abel. The 40 year-old man had learned to read and write and play the violin. He had traveled to England and back. But what he sought most was freedom. Read Abel’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/abel/

Newspaper advertisement for a freedom seeker named Abel

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

We are still accepting submissions for our Anansi Prize! For more information, visit our website: freedom-seekers.org/anansi_prize/

freedom-seekers.org

Anansi Prize

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

What connected people in early America? We can only imagine what ties existed between Pero, Jack, and Isaac — freedom seekers who fled slavery in Rhode Island in November, 1765. What ultimately drew them together was a shared ambition to be free. Read their story: freedom-seekers.org/story/pero-j...

Runaway newspaper advertisement, featuring a woodcut image of a Black person with a walking stick. Background is the coastal area around Tiverton, Rhode Island.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

How might we today visualize the appearance of people who fled enslavement? We asked a modern artist, Adrienne Mayor, to imagine and sketch Jack, who took flight from slavery in Virginia in 1730. Read Billy Smith’s telling of Jack’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/jack/

Color illustration of a man of African Descent named Jack. He is wearing typical 18th century clothing, including breeches, a striped waistcoat, and a tan jacket. In front of Jack is a copy of a newspaper advertisement noting his escape.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

In November 1767, an enslaved man “addicted to be funny in his Talking” and “particular in shaving true his Forehead” escaped slavery in Rhode Island. His story offers a powerful alternative vision of liberty during the era of the American Rev. Read this story: freedom-seekers.org/story/name-u...

Newspaper advertisement for an unnamed enslaved runaway in an 18th century newspaper.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

250 years ago today Virginia governor Lord Dunmore declared martial law and promised freedom to the enslaved who would join his ranks. For enslavers like Mark Bird this was a nightmare. But for Cuff Dix this was an opportunity for freedom. Read Cuff’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/cuff-d...

Runaway newspaper advertisement from an 18th century newspaper

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

In February 1766, Hercules escaped slavery in Charleston, South Carolina, fleeing by sea, across the Atlantic, to London. Read Simon Newman’s telling of Hercules’ incredible story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/hercul...

Runaway advertisement in front of a painting of 18th century London.

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

In the fall of 1773 an Indigenous man named Buck escaped enslavement, running away from Warwick, Rhode Island. Read @simonatmadison.bsky.social’s telling of Buck’s story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/buck-o...

Newspaper advertisement from 18th century publication seeking the return of a freedom seeker named Buck

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

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Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev. @freedomseekers.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Norton Minors fled slavery in St. Croix and traveled nearly 1,800 miles to his birthplace in northern Massachusetts. This unbelievable story was recovered by John Balz and was final 2024 Anansi Prize winner. Read Norton’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/norton...

Newspaper advertisement for freedom seeker Norton Minors.

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