February 14, 1776

There was a Valentine in the Pennsylvania Gazette on February 14, 1776: Valentine Boyer, a butcher seeking the return of his horse. Advertisements for the return of animals that had strayed from someone’s property were a common feature of newspapers at this time. Boyer gave as many details as possible to distinguish his eight-year-old black mare from another, including her height, abilities, and even a speck in one of her eyes. Boyer’s advertisement was followed on the page by an offer of $16 reward for another eight-year-old horse, a sorrel mare, similarly described with all of her markings, that was “STRAYED or STOLEN” out of a pasture in Chester County in August 1775.

Valentine was a popular name in the eighteenth century, especially among Pennsylvania Germans. Although the name is most often associated with the martyr for whom St. Valentine’s Day is named, its Latin derivation means strong, healthy, or brave.

The Pennsylvania Gazette
Printed by Hall and Sellers

Philadelphia, January 28, 1776.
TWENTY SHILLINGS REWARD.

STRAYED away from the subscriber, a black roan Mare, about 14 hands high, about 8 years old, paces and trots, the hair worn off both her sides with the girth, shod all round, a speck in one of her eyes. Whoever takes up said Mare, and brings her to the subscriber, shall have the above reward, and reasonable charges, paid by Valentine Boyer, Butcher.