Desperate Attempt to Flee from Slavery, 1755
“PLANTATION NEWS. New-York, Nov. 18. Yesterday arrived here Capt. Leacraft, in eight Days from Bermudas, and says, that, just before he sailed, the Schooner Ruby, John Seymour, late Master, arrived there from this Port; the People whereof reported, that soon after they left the Hook,* bound to that Island, on the 8th Instant, a Spanish Negro they had on board, and shipp’d from this Place, suddenly took the Advantage of and murdered Capt. Seymour, his Mate, and a Negro Man; and almost dispatched a Passenger on board; that the Spaniard thereby became Master of the Vessel, and kept her in Possession for three Days, when being overcome with Sleep, and appearing drowsy, a Negro Man on board knock’d him on the Head with a Handspike, and retook the Schooner.”
The London Evening-Post, February 15, 1755.
*Sandy Hook, New Jersey, the entry point to New York Bay.
Posted in New York City, black sailors, crime, slavery |
