Phebe

Born: about 1798
Died: unknown
Family relationship: wife of George
Role: unknown

Phebe and her husband George ran away from Highland the night of Monday July 3, 1826. It is likely that Phebe or George had previously spent some time at Monroe’s Oak Hill property in Loudoun County, Virginia since the ad presumes “they are supposed to be making for the county of Loudon [sic].” The couple’s fate is unknown.


Advertisement from (Charlottesville) Central Gazette, July 8, 1826
Runaway slave advertisement for Phebe and her husband George

Courtesy of University of Virginia Special Collections

Ten Dollars Reward
Runaway from the farm of James Monroe, Esq., in Albemarle county, on Monday night last, a negro man named George and his wife Phebe. GEORGE is about 30 years of age, straight made, six feet high, tolerably dark complexion, had on domestic cotton clothes; but he will no doubt change them. PHEBE is about 28 years of age, common size, dark complexion, and when she went away was clad in domestic clothes. The above negroes are supposed to be making for the county of Loudon, or probably have obtained free papers, and are endeavoring to get to a free state. If taken in this county I will a reward of Ten Dollars or Fifteen Dollars and taken out of the county and secured in any jail so that I get them again.

WM Moon,
For Col. James Monroe.”
July 8, 1826″