Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

West, Benjamin, 1738-1820 [Certificate of emancipation for Priscilla a negro woman]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03434.04 Author/Creator: West, Benjamin, 1738-1820 Place Written: Urbanna, Virginia Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 20 February 1810 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 15 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Certificate stating that Benjamin West, a free negro, has bought the freedom of Priscilla, who will be his wife. "Benjamin West a free negro having purchased a negrowoman named Priscilla...Do hereby liberate and emancipate the said negrowoman Priscilla...On condition the said negrowoman Priscilla is allowed to live with me as a wife during my life and not to be molested or disturbed by any person in authority under the act of assembly in that case made and provided." West signs with his mark. Also signed by Thomas Healy, George Healy, James Handate and Thomas Muse

West, Benjamin, fl. 1810

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