$250 Reward Poster — 1848 Fugitive Slave Broadside (Georgetown, D.C.)

A Stark Document of American Slavery

This archival reproduction of an 1848 reward broadside is one of the most visceral primary-source artifacts of the antebellum era. Issued by C. A. Burnett of Georgetown, D.C. on March 15, 1848, the poster offers $250 for the return of three enslaved sisters — Maria Johnson (age ~25), Susan Johnson (age ~20), and Harriet (age ~13) — who had escaped bondage and were seeking their freedom.

The document records their physical descriptions in cold, dehumanizing detail, a chilling reminder of how enslaved people were treated as property under American law. Displayed in a home, office, classroom, or gallery, this piece demands reflection and conversation about the history of slavery, resistance, and the long road to freedom.

Why This Poster Matters

• Authentic reproduction of a documented 1848 broadside
• Named individuals — Maria, Susan, and Harriet — humanizing the history
• A powerful educational and commemorative artifact
• Ideal for Black history displays, classrooms, museums, and home galleries
• Printed on archival-quality paper with a gallery-ready black frame

"All are sisters, and, at the time they ran off, were serving as house-servants." — C. A. Burnett, 1848

This is history that should not be forgotten.