Much of the research on runaway slaves has focused predominately on the male fugitive, with little attention given to the hundreds of female slaves that absconded throughout slavery. Historians have agreed that the runaway slave women faced significantly more obstacles than her male counterpart in executing a successful escape. -- Abstract.

This collection of runaway slave notices from Virginia highlights the plight of African Americans fleeing bondage in early nineteenth century Virginia. Presented in modern type, the advertisements appear exactly as published. The preface situates these advertisements historically, and indicates the significance of the collection for studies of African American history, the history of slavery, and resistance to slavery in early American culture. The advertisements are presented chronologically and index by slave and master. This collection of historical documentation will be valuable to scholars interested in the history of slavery and resistance in America.