Coats, Joseph, Jr. Reward Announcement Joseph Coats, Jr., Reward Announcement, 1840 Ms.2013.031

Joseph Coats, Jr., Reward Announcement, 1840 Ms.2013.031


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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

Alexandra Dowrey, Graduate Assistant, and Kira A. Dietz, Archivist

Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Identification
Ms.2013.031
Title
Joseph Coats, Jr., Reward Announcement, 1840
Quantity
0.1 Cubic Feet, 1 folder
Creator
Coats, Joseph, Jr. (Louisa County, Virginia)
Language
English .
Abstract
The collection consists of a handwritten announcement regarding an enslaved person that ran away from the Cuckooville neighborhood of Louisa County, Virginia. Dated August 3, 1840, this letter describes in detail -- including physical characteristics and temperament -- the escaped 18-year-old named Sam. The author of this document, Joseph Coats Jr., presumably Sam's enslaver, offers a ten dollar reward for his capture.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Joseph Coats, Jr., Reward Announcement must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Joseph Coats, Jr., Reward Announcement, Ms2013-031, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The collection was purchased by Special Collections in April 2013.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Joseph Coats, Jr., Reward Announcement was completed in July 2013.


Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of a handwritten announcement regarding an enslaved person that ran away from the Cuckooville neighborhood of Louisa County, Virginia. Dated August 3, 1840, this letter describes in detail -- including physical characteristics and temperament -- the escaped 18-year-old named Sam. The author of this document, Joseph Coats Jr., presumably Sam's enslaver, offers a ten dollar reward to "any persons who will deliver him to me at my house, or secure him in such a manner that I get him again."

It is unclear how this written announcement was meant to circulate, whether as a handbill or possibly a submission to the local newspaper.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
  • Louisa County (Va.)
  • Sam (enslaved person)
  • Slavery -- United States

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Coats, Joseph, Jr. (Louisa County, Virginia)
  • Sam (enslaved person)

Container List

folder 1
Announcement,
1840