A Runaway Irish Servant

Many Irish came to the colonies as indentured servants. Often, we do not know their names unless, for some reason, they are mentioned in the newspapers. Sometimes, I suppose, this is because of what they accomplished later in life.Most of the time, it is because they had run away from their master, who advertised the fact in one the newpapers.

Thomas Ustick placed an advertisement in the June 19, 1735 issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette seeking the return of his runaway Irish servant, Owen Ward. Ward was described as about 23 years of age, "a slender, grown man; with a large scar on the left side of his face under his eye and the forefinger of one of his hands has lost its first joint; professes to be a husbandman and miner." He had run away from Ustick, described as "of Second River," on June 18. A forty schillings reward was offered for his return.

This Thomas Ustick was the husband of Elizabeth Shackerly, and father of the Steven Ustick who was born in New York, but was baptized at the Second River Dutch Reformed Church in May of 1729. Thomas's second son, William, was born in New Jersey in 1731. Thomas himself was born in St. Justin, Cornwall, England, son of Stephen Ustick. and settled in New York. He was a copper miner who operated mines near Schooley's Mountain.

Perhaps more research will uncover information about Owen Ward and his life after he ran away. Was he captured and returned? Did he succeed in his flight and sire a family? We may never know. But his existence is evidence of the fact of Irish servants in eighteenth-century Belleville.