In the July 6, 1822 issue of the Plattsburgh Republican, an advertisement was placed by Charles Parsons of Beekmantown seeking the return of Peter Ephraim, a fourteen-year-old indentured Black boy who had run away. The notice described Peter’s clothing—tow trousers and a straw hat—and offered a reward of just one cent for his capture. Though brief, the ad provides a stark glimpse into the conditions of indentured servitude and the limited value placed on the freedom of Black youth in early 19th-century New York. Peter Ephraim’s story stands as a reminder of the struggles faced by those bound in labor systems that persisted even after the gradual end of slavery in the state.
Jaqcal's Info
The working-class New Yorkans of the 18th – 20th century have impacted various cultures and their cultural contributions were both powerful and noteworthy. Therefore, it is our priority here at Jaqcal’s Info to provide in-depth stories that accurately portray the lives of various people of color who were among the working class in New York.