On October 10, 1820, Alexander Scott of Chazy placed a notice in the Plattsburgh Republican seeking the return of an indentured servant boy named Jeremiah Cooper. According to the advertisement, Jeremiah had run away “on the first instant,” though no physical description or details of his clothing were provided—an omission that leaves much about his identity unknown.
Scott’s notice warned the public against harboring or trusting Jeremiah and offered a reward of six cents for his return, notably stating that no additional expenses associated with his capture would be covered. The advertisement was repeatedly published in the Plattsburgh Republican throughout November (11th–25th) and December (2nd–23rd) of 1820, underscoring Scott’s efforts to reclaim the young servant.
While the outcome remains unclear, as no further notices appear in available records, the ad reflects the realities of indentured servitude in early 19th-century New York. Such notices illustrate the limited autonomy of bound individuals and the legal and social systems that supported their control, even in regions often associated with freedom in later decades.