[Ads-l] Major Antedating of "Pass" (To Be Accepted or Represent Oneself as a White Person)

[Shapiro, Fred]

pass, v. (OED, IX.43.d., 1929)

1803 Alexandria Advertiser and Commercial Intelligencer 30 July 3/3 (Newspapers.com)  RANAWAY from the Subscriber ... a bright Mulatto servant, named GEORGE ... He is an artful fellow, and may attempt to pass himself as a white man.

1804 Alexandria Gazette 17 July 4/3 (Newspapers.com)  Andrew absconded on the night of the 7th instant ... he ... will attempt to pass for a free white man.

1809 Alexandrea Gazette 28 Apr. 4/2 (Newspapers.com)  RAN AWAY, from the subscribers, two Slaves, named BILLY and NELLY ... it is very probable Billy will attempt to pass as a white man.

Fred Shapiro



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