Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
The Christopher Bracey freedom certificate was purchased with the Nelle Richardson Tonkin Fund.
The material is arranged by item.
William & Mary Libraries' archival, digital and physical collections may contain content with harmful language or difficult subject matters. We strive for transparency in making these materials available for teaching and research, but we do not endorse the attitudes, prejudices or behaviors found within them.
William & Mary Libraries' perspective on harmful content and language aligns with the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) and university libraries around the world.
Christopher Bracey freedom certificate, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
Collection contains a certificate, certified by the State of New York, for a 24 year old Black American mariner, Christopher Bracey. The document includes Bracey's place of birth in Norfolk, Virginia and a physical description of Bracey. The document states that Bracey was a "Freeman and citizen of the United States of America and entitled to be respected accordingly".
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.