In February 1772, Christopher Bubier paid for two advertisements in area newspapers seeking the capture of his "run away" person, Prince. The first advertisement in February 18, 1772's Essex Gazette read: "RUN away from Christopher Bubier, last Monday, a Negro Man named Prince; had on a white cotton shirt; gray Stockings; striped homespun Jacket lined with Baize, and Breeches of the same; light-coloured great Jacket, lined with Baize, much wore, and mill Cap. Whoever may take up said Negro, and deliver him to Mr. Brown, D. Sheriff, in Salem, shall have Two Dollars Reward, and all necessary Charges paid by CHRISTOPHER BUBIER. Marblehead, Feb. 3, 1772." A week later, Bubier posted another ad in The Boston-Gazette, And Country Journal: "Ran-away from the Subscriber living in Marblehead, a Negro Man about 34 Years old, about 5 Feet and half high; Had on when he went away last Monday Se'nnight, a mill'd Cap, an old Ratteen Jacket, and an Homespun under Jacket, both lin'd with red Baize, Homespun Breeches and Cotton Shirt, and grey Yarn Stockings. Whoever will take up and secure said Negro, and send me Word, so that I can have him again, shall have FIVE DOLLARS, and all Charges paid, by CHRISTOPHER BUBIER. All Persons are forbid entertaining, and Masters of Vessels carrying off said Negro at their Peril. Marblehead, Feb. 8, 1772."

After Bubier's first advertisement failed to bring Prince home, it appears he gathered more descriptive information, and a larger reward, and caast his net farther afield to the city of Boston. In Samuel Roads, Jr.'s History and Traditions of Marblehead (1897 edition), he recounts a story related to Prince's attempt at freedom: "Prince, the servant of Christoper Bubier, was complained of by his master for running away. For this he was sentenced to the House of Correction at Salem to be kept on bread and water, at hard labor until released. This his kind-hearted master did not want him too severely punished is evidenct from the entry in the record that he was "not to receive the discipline of the House, his master having paid the cost." What Roads describes as benevolence on the part of Bubier could just as well been an attempt, once Prince was recaptured, to keep his labor close at hand. Also, we have yet to find corroborating evidence for Roads' claims.

Bibliography:

The Boston-Gazette, And Country Journal, February 24, 1772, Page 4.

Essex Gazette, February 18, 1772. Volume IV, Issue 186, Page 120.

Samuel Roads, Jr., The History and Traditions of Marblehead, Marblehead: N.A. Lindsay, 1897.

Boston Gazette, February 24, 1772

Essex Gazette, February 18, 1772