TEST Map of New England with Cicero’s Stops

Recovering Cicero’s Story

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, such as an enlistment bounty, wages paid, and/or military equipment. 

1775, Nov. 1 Cicero left Jonathan Bowman and traveled south from Pownalborough 

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

1775, Nov. 6 Jonathan Bowman published a Runaway/Deserter Advertisement in several local newspapers. 

1775, November – December Cicero leaves Follet’s Company and enlists with Captain Caleb Low of the 3rd Company, 8th Essex Milita Regiment in Newburyport, Massachusetts. When Reuben Colburn apprehended Cicero, he “paid Mr. Caleb Low for Sisrow Expenses Down from Newbury 5:5:0” presumably to Cambridge. 

At some point, Cicero transferred to another militia company under the command of Captain Moses Nowell once at Cambridge. Colburn “paid for Sisrow to Cap Nowel at Cambridge 1:15:8”  

1775, Dec 25 Reuben Colburn left Gardinerstown, Maine (now Gardiner) to apprehend Cicero 

1775, Dec 30 Colburn arrived in Cambridge and lodged at Deacon Jonses’ home. Colburn may have apprehended Ciscero the same day, it is possible Cicero was already in custody when Colburn arrived. “Pd for 2 Boles of Tody At the taiking of Sisrow 0:10:0” 

1776, Jan. 10 Cicero was likely returned to Jonathan Bowman by Colburn. Colburn was paid a reward of 22:10:0. 

Cicero’s documentary trail ends with Colburn’s bill to Bowman, with no additional details identified in Bowman family papers, Pownalborough Courthouse records, or military service records. The rest of his story remains unknown – at least, for now.   

Background image: Mitchell, John, Thomas Kitchin, and Andrew Millar. A map of the British and French dominions in North America, with the roads, distances, limits, and extent of the settlements, humbly inscribed to the Right Honourable the Earl of Halifax, and the other Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners for Trade & Plantations. [London; Sold by And: Millar i.e. 1757, 1757] Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/74693175/.