On January 23, 1820, a young indentured servant named Samuel Maxfield fled from the household of Thomas Miller of Peru, New York. Described as about twelve years old, Samuel had black eyes and brown hair and was last seen wearing dark grey clothing and a red flannel shirt.
In response, Miller placed a notice in the Plattsburgh Republican, published on March 17, 1820, seeking Samuel’s return. The advertisement warned the public not to harbor or trust the boy and offered a reward of six cents for his capture, explicitly stating that no additional expenses would be covered.
Such notices were a common feature of early 19th-century newspapers, reflecting the legal structure of indentured servitude in New York at the time. Young individuals like Samuel were bound to labor under contracts that limited their freedom, and escape was met with public notices and monetary incentives for their return.
No further advertisements or records have been found to indicate whether Samuel Maxfield was recaptured. His brief appearance in the historical record offers a rare glimpse into the experiences of bound youth and the systems of control that shaped their lives in early Clinton County.