Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Joseph Coats, Jr., Reward Announcement must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Joseph Coats, Jr., Reward Announcement, Ms2013-031, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The collection was purchased by Special Collections in April 2013.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Joseph Coats, Jr., Reward Announcement was completed in July 2013.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of a handwritten announcement regarding an enslaved person that ran away from the Cuckooville neighborhood of Louisa County, Virginia. Dated August 3, 1840, this letter describes in detail -- including physical characteristics and temperament -- the escaped 18-year-old named Sam. The author of this document, Joseph Coats Jr., presumably Sam's enslaver, offers a ten dollar reward to "any persons who will deliver him to me at my house, or secure him in such a manner that I get him again."

It is unclear how this written announcement was meant to circulate, whether as a handbill or possibly a submission to the local newspaper.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Louisa County (Va.)
• Sam (enslaved person)
• Slavery -- United States