April 3, 1776

This advertisement describes an upcoming sale of enslaved laborers in York County, Pennsylvania. The sale was to take place on April 25, 1776, at the iron works “formerly called Bennett’s Works.” In 1765, William Bennett had established this furnace along the Codorus Creek, one mile from where the creek flows into the Susquehanna River. Some Pennsylvania ironmasters were enslavers as well, and that seems to have been the case at the Codorus furnace which, at one point, was owned by James Smith, one of Pennsylvania’s signers of the Declaration of Independence.

This advertisement describes three men in bondage who were skilled laborers: “one a hammerman, one a refiner, and one a stack taker or attender.” But, in case there was not another ironmaster who might be interested in their labor, the advertisement also notes that they were “fit for any plantation work.” The enslaved individuals are lumped together with some of the animals and equipment ironmasters relied on, such as horses and wagons. The ruins of the furnace where these people labored survive.

The Pennsylvania Gazette
Printed by Hall and Sellers

To be SOLD by public VENDUE, on Thursday, the 25th of April, 1776, at the iron Works (formerly called Bennett’s Works) 9 miles from York-town, and 1 mile from Sasquehanna river, on Codorus creek,

SUNDRY NEGROES, viz. One a hammerman, one a refiner, and one a stack taker or attender; they are fit for any plantation work: Also horses, waggons, gears, &c. breeding mares, colts, cows, sheep, all the utensils belonging to a smith’s shop, with several other articles, too tedious to mention; where attendance will be given, and nine months credit, giving bond and security, if required, by the subscriber at said works.

ROBERT McCORLEY.