August 24, 1776

A twenty-year-old enslaved woman named Sophia self-emancipated from Chesterfield Township, New Jersey, in June 1776 and, according to this advertisement, presented herself as a free woman in Philadelphia. Her enslaver, Isaac Rickless, offered five dollars as a reward if she was returned to him or delivered “to the keeper of the work-house” in Philadelphia. Rickless lived “Rickless town,” a village named for his family, also spelled Recklesstown.

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

Philadelphia, August 24, 1776.

RAN away from the subscriber, in the township of Chesterfield and county of Burlington, in June last, a Mulatto girl named SOPHIA, about twenty years of age, a smart likely girl, and expert in all kind of business. She took with her a number of clothes, so that her apparel is uncertain. She has been seen in and about Philadelphia, and at Cooper’s ferry, imposing herself upon the public as a free girl. Any person or persons harbouring the said wench may expect to be dealt with as the law directs. Whoever takes up the said girl, and delivers her to the keeper of the workhouse in this city, or to the subscriber in Rickless town, shall have FINE DOLLARS reward and reasonable charges.

ISAAC RICKLESS.