Mass Escape

Jonas Crisler wrote to his family- “there has been at least 30 ran of this faul (sic) 14 at and abut Burlington and the rest about Petersburg Abraham Piatts Thomas Graves and Wm Whittaker all the most valuable I have no doubt if things continue negroes slaves (sic) will be scarce neare the O. River particularly if old Mat Bots and his clan continues thare privilege thay have had I believe thay have been thare pilots and is yet.” Crisler was referring to the other escape of 14 enslaved the week before. Crisler Family Papers; Library Special Collections and Archives, Kentucky Historical Society, Frankfort.