More ancient ads!

[amadoj0nes.livejournal.com]

This is what the "lost and found" section of your local paper looked like 259 years ago, almost to the day. This is from the Pennsylvania Gazette, dated February 27, 1749. Printed by Ben Franklin, oddly enough. What you'll be reading, he probably read! Or even typeset!


Ad copy:

TOP:

There came to the plantation of Joseph Steer, of Lampeter township, Lancaster county, in July last, two stray horses, viz. a bay horse, with a star in his forehead, branded on the near buttock with O, about ten years old; the other a grey horse, branded on the near shoulder C, and on the near buttock with R, about six years old, they are small trotting horses. The owners proving their right to them, and paying reasonable charges, may have them again. Joseph Steer. (+)


BOTTOM:

Lately absented from his master's service, and is lurking about this city, a Negroe man named Jack, but calls himself John Powell; he is by trade a
cooper, of a yellow complexion, and a sour dogged look; he is generally known amongst the Coopers, having worked with several of them; but they are hereby forewarned employing him without agreeing with the subscriber; and all persons from entertaining or dealing with him, as they may be sure to answer it at their peril; any person that will secure him, or carry him to the city work-house, shall recieve Ten Shillings of William Whitehead, the keeper of the said house, and if taken 20 miles from the city Twenty Shillings, and reasonable charges, paid by Mordecai Moore.






(A "cooper" is a person who makes barrels, btw. I dunno about you, but I hope Jack made it! F*#? you, Mordecai!) :)

Comments

[sunflower-pixie.livejournal.com]

i'm thinking it's "sour dogged look" - contextually makes better sense. these are fascinating!

[amadoj0nes.livejournal.com]

Oops! Missed one of those tricky f=s translations. I'll fix it.


I was gonna say... what does a four-dogged guy look like? :)

[kip-w.livejournal.com]

He looks a little worse than somebody who just had a three-dog night.

[baron-waste.livejournal.com]

Joseph Steer was probably illiterate, and the ad was composed for him - that's his mark, next to his name.

[baron-waste.livejournal.com]

No - looking at the next post in this community, I see I'm wrong. I have no idea what that symbol means.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm thinking it's either some sort of guild/freemason thing, or what part of the city he's located in. If you look closely, there may be a dot indicating which quadrant of the city he resides in.

Colonial cities tended not to be drawn in the grid pattern of modern cities -- They followed the old Roman standard... Radial layouts.. Which is why it's a complete pain in the ass to make your way around in and out of places like Boston. :)