Lot 269
1862 Broadside Reward Poster For A 12-Year-Old White Girl. Reward Poster for a runaway twelve-year-old white, indentured girl, 11¾ x 9¼ in., printed on pale green paper and signed in print by William Rodgers, Galena, Kent County, Md., August 25, 1862. In part: "RANAWAY from the residence of the subscriber…a WHITE GIRL, named MARY GRIFFIN, an indentured apprentice from the House of Refuge. Her age is about twelve years, stoutly, sandy complexion, hair bordering on the red…All persons are forbid harboring or trusting her, under penalty of the law. The above reward will be paid on the return of the girl, or on receipt of information so that I…can get her…."
The House of Refuge was an orphanage in Baltimore and the young Mary Griffin was probably indentured to help the orphanage pay for her keep. Why was Rodgers so anxious to "get" Mary Griffin? He doesn't accuse her of stealing anything, which would have been an understandable reason to pursue her, so why not just get another indentured apprentice from the orphanage? And why offer a $10 reward, which was a lot of money at the time? It makes one wonder….
We have seen ads from colonial newspapers advertising for runaway indentured servants, but we have never seen a broadside, and especially one during the Civil War, offering a reward for a white servant. This reward broadside is most unusual and certainly rare, possibly one of a kind. Some overall age-wear and toning, else very good. In 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment ended involuntary servitude, along with slavery, but the practice continued for many years.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
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| Realized $1,652 |
