"They are all noted villains": Maryland Runaways, 1782-1788

This is the fifth volume compiled by Mr. Boyle containing 18th-century Maryland runaway servant ads posted in local newspapers. While most of these ads concern runaway servants, apprentices and slaves, quite a few name lawbreakers, both men and women. Most of the crimes beyond running away pertained to thefts of clothing or money. In addition to an individual's age and whereabouts, many ads also describe the character and physical appearance of runaways. In preparing this latest volume, Mr. Boyle consulted more than twenty late 18th-century newspapers from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, as well as from Maryland. The roughly 1,000 ads found here name close to 4,000 persons.