Cudgo was an African American man residing in New Hanover County, North Carolina who was enslaved by William Campbell. Cudgo's name was likely an English version of the Akan name Kojo, which was given to boys born on Mondays. Cudgo's name indicates he might have been have been born in Africa, or born to African-born parents. Sometime prior to October 4, 1768 Cudgo self-emancipated or ran away from Campbell and Campbell had Cudgo outlawed, meaning that Cudgo was wanted dead or alive. Consequently, perhaps when slave catchers were closing in on him, Cudgo chose to jump off a bridge into the Cape Fear River rather than be captured, and he subsequently drowned. Campbell was later compensated for Cudgo's death.