| Event Record | Information about a single event that led to the recording of data about participants in the historical slave trade (as captured in an historical document or secondary source) |
| Event ID | Unique identifier for a specific event |
| Primary Account | The person who is the runaway or offender in an event |
| Runaway Account | Whether or not there is a runaway account associated with this event |
| Date | Whether or not there is a runaway account associated with this event |
| Location | Where the event took place |
| Event Type | The category that best fits the event’s purpose/impact |
| Document Type | The category that best fits the event’s purpose/impact |
| Enslaver Name | The name of the enslaver/”master” involved in the event |
| Number of Escaped People | The number of people (including unnamed) listed in a court case who attempted to escape at the same time |
| Occupation | Skills and trades of the main person in the event |
| Method of Transportation | The mode of transportation that the person used while attempting to escape as listed in the source |
| Convicted (Yes or No) | Whether or not the main person involved in the event was convicted |
| Time escaped | The amount of time before the escaped person was returned to the custody of their enslaver |
| Time escaped Controlled (weeks) | The amount of time (in weeks) before the escaped person was returned to the custody of their enslaver |
| Attempts | The number of attempts listed in the court records, including “greater than one” |
| Policing Involved | Whether or not a sheriff, constable, incarceration, or price paid to return was mentioned |
| Cost of pursuit | The cost (in pounds of tobacco) listed in the record of pursuing the escaped person |
| Punishment | The punishment given to the person who attempted to escape |
| Time Added | The amount of time added to an indenture or contract as punishment for a crime or attempted escape |
| Fine | The amount (in pounds of tobacco) of the fine(s) recorded for the event |
| Notes | Any clarifying information beyond the transcript provided by the researcher |
| Court Member | The names of persons recorded as members of the court. |
| Citation | The county, court book name and years, court book page. Microfilm reel or editor and edition of transcript if applicable. |
| Text | A full transcript of the court record (testimony, order, etc.) discussing the escape event. |
