What do I believe and disbelieve from this source?

From Carolina Watchman, January 7, 1837

$20 reward

RANAWAY from the subscriber on 19th of November, a negro man, named TIM about 45 years of age, black complexion, about five feet four or five inches high, has a stoppage in his speech. He professes to be a very devout Baptist. Having purchased him in Montgomery county, not far from Stokes' Ferry, my opinion is, that he is in that neighborhood. I will give the above reward for his apprehension and delivery to me.Since Gorman placed this ad hoping to secure the return of Tim, it would have been in his best interest to provide accurate details that would assist other people in identifying Tim. As a result, there's no reason to believe that there is anything untruthful in this account, although Gorman may be mistaken in his suspicions about Tim's whereabouts.

HENRY S. GORMAN.

Concord, Dec 17, 1836 -- 4w22


State of North Carolina, Surry County

Court of Please and Quarter Sessions, Novem-
ber Term, 1836

William Davis, Adm'r & Ex'r Expartae
Pursuant to an order of Court, the subscriber will expose to public sale, at Mount Airy, Surry Co. on the 6th day of January next, on a credit of six months,
TWELVE LIKELY
Negroes,
Consisting of a likely fellow,
two women, and nine well
grown children
The purchasers will be required to give bond with approved security
This advertisement is a notice of court-ordered public sale. There is nothing here that seems likely to be incorrect or biased, although it's possible that the descriptions of the slaves being sold as "likely" and "well grown" could possibly have been exaggerated to create interest in the sale..

WM. DAVIS Admir of James McCraw, dec's, and Ex'tor of Matthew Davis, deceased

December 17 -- 3w 22


$50 reward

RANAWAY from the subscriber two negro slaves, viz TONEY and JOHN. Toney is about 35 years of age, fife feet nine or ten inches high, dark complexion, square and stout build and had on when he left, a bright drab Petersham overcoat. He was purchased by me of Mr. Richard Brasley (sp?) of Wilmington, and calls himself Toney Montague. John is about twenty years of age, of rather lighter complexion than Toney, about five feet 10 inches high, and is quite stout b____ -- he has a full round face, and has lost two front teeth above and below which is his most distinguishing mark. He had on when he left, a light grey woolen round Jacket and pantaloons.

The above slaves left the camp of the subscriber while on his way to the Western country, eight miles above Lincolnton, on 28t of last month, and will no doubt endeavor to make their way back to Wilmington. The above reward will be given for their apprehension, so that I get them againSince Moore placed this ad in hopes of having Toney and John returned to him, his interests are best served by providing accurate details about the escaped men. There's no reason to disbelieve any of these descriptions, although, of course, Moore may be wrong about where the escaped slaves were headed..

JAMES MOORE.

Dec 10, 1836 -- __21


Cash for negroes

THE Subscriber will purchase any number of likely young NEGROES during the next six months, for which liberal prices in cash will be given.

I wish all letters on business, addressed to me at Germanton, Stokes CountyThere does not seem to be any exaggeration or deception in this advertisement, although we don't know whether the prices offered were as liberal as Glen's ad suggests. We also don't know what would happen to the people who were sold to Glen -- Glen doesn't specify, although other historical evidence shows us that he was a slave trader -- and it's possible that some people who might consider selling a slave to another local farmer would not sell one of their slaves to a slave trader who would sell them to the deep south. So Glen's omission of his intentions to resell these slaves may warrant some scrutiny..

TYRE GLEN.

July 18, 1836 -- __52


Notice.

IN pursuance of an order of the Cabarrus County Court, made at October Sessions 1836, I will sell at the Courthouse door in Concord, on the 3d Monday in February next a Negro Boy named NATHAN, the property of W.P. Stackton, dec'd, for cashThis advertisement is simply an announcement of a court-ordered sale. There is no reason to disbelieve the source..

W.H. ARCHIBALD, Shff. Of Cabarrus County N.C.

Dec 3 1836 -- tf20


Stop the Runaway.

RANAWAY from the subscriber living near Liberty Hill, in Iredell county, N.C., a negro man named PETER,Since Cunningham had a strong interest in providing accurate information, chances are that these descriptions can be taken at face value..

Formerly owned by James Cunningham. He is between forty and fifty years old; of a yellowish complexion -- round face and small eyes. He is marked with a scar in one of his ears, which has not grown together; also with a scar on the underside of his heel; which has not _______; he has also a small scar on one of his cheeks and is about five feet, five or six inches in height.

Any one taking up this negro and lodging him in jail or delivering him to me, shall be reasonably compensatedSince Cunningham had a strong interest in providing accurate information, chances are that these descriptions can be taken at face value..

HUGH CUNNINGHAM.

Liberty Hill, Iredell co. N. C.
June 11th, 1836 -- __47