He seems to know these places, but …

by Lisa Y. Henderson

Notice. Was committed to jail of this county, on Thursday the 14th inst. a negro man who says his name is John Wilson, and that he is free man; that he has a wife and family in Baltimore, Md.; that he has lived in Baltimore and Philadelphia; that a man by the name of John Wilson carried him to the state of Tennessee as a waiting-man, and there sold him to a man by the name Wilson, from whom he shortly afterwards ran-away. On being examined the fellow seems to have knowledge of those places but is thought to be a slave.  He appears to be about 30 years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, light complexion. The owner, if any may, or any other person, if he is free a requested to come forward and release him from confinement according to law.  GEO SWEARENGEN, Jailor. Randolph County, Oct 31 1816.

Star, Raleigh, 15 November 1816.