Colburn’s Bill

Cicero’s life is partially reconstructed through account books, letters, and bills for labor – documents written and received by his enslavers. The most revealing source comes from Reuben Colburn, who billed Jonathan Bowman for travel and expenses associated with retrieving Cicero after his bid for freedom.

1775, November 1
Cicero left Jonathan Bowman and traveled south from Pownalborough (Dresden), Maine.  

1775, November 5
“Cicero Negro” appeared on the muster list for Captain Robert Follet’s artillery company garrisoned near Kittery, Maine. 

1775, November 6
Jonathan Bowman published a runaway advertisement in several local newspapers. 

1775, November — December
Perhaps alerted to the November 6 runaway ad, Cicero left Follett’s company and moved further south to Newbury, Massachusetts, to join Captain Caleb Low’s 3rd Company, 8th Essex Milita Regiment. Eventually, Cicero was transferred to a militia company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, under the command of Captain Moses Nowell. 

1775, December 25
Reuben Colburn left Gardinerstown (Gardiner), Maine, to apprehend Cicero. 

1775, December 30
Colburn followed Cicero’s trail to Cambridge. He arrived there on December 30 and apprehended
Cicero the very same day. In his bill to Bowman, Colburn recorded: “Pd for 2 Boles of Tody At the taiking of Sisrow 0:10:0,” noting the drinks he bought himself and Cicero before setting off on their return to Maine.
Colburn later compensated Captain Low and Captain Nowell for expenses related to Cicero, including enlistment fees, wages paid, and military equipment. 

 “paid Mr. Caleb Low for Sisrow Expenses Down from Newbury 5:5:0” 

 “paid for Sisrow to Cap Nowel at Cambridge 1:15:8”  

1776, January 10
By January 10, 1776, Cicero was back at Bowman House. Bowman paid Colburn a reward of over 22 pounds.