Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

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Gustavus Shaw (b. circa 1830 - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-10418
Fled from slavery, Prince George's County, Maryland, 1854

Biography:

Gustavus Shaw, a 5'6" tall, twenty-four year old slave with a "dark copper" complexion, ran away on Monday May 8, 1854.  On May 23, 1854, Z.B. Beall of Upper Marlboro, Prince George's County, Maryland, ran an advertisement to reclaim Shaw.  Beall noted that Shaw's grandmother, Ann Shaw, lived in Washington D. C. Gustavus Shaw may have been hiding in the neighborhoods of Prince George's County because Shaw had relatives belonging to Mr. Allen P. Bowie, Gov. Samuel Sprigg and Miss Sarah Talbert.  Z.B. Beall offered to reward of one hundred dollars if Shaw was found anywhere in Maryland or the District of Columbia, and two hundred dollars if caught out of  Maryland.

Return to Gustavus Shaw's Introductory Page


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