1813. Free African American Sailors Travel from Philadelphia to Virginia

Free African American crewmen listed from the North are Henry Bray of Massachusetts (Age 41, 5 feet 5 inches tall, Black complexion), William Kempenfell of Massachusetts (Age 41, 5feet 4 inches tall, Mulatto), Charles Smith of Delaware (Age 21, 5 feet 6 ¼ inches tall, Black complexion), Samuel Elbert of Maryland (Age 21, 5 feet 5 ½ inches tall, Black complexion), Wellington Sayfield of Maryland (Age 29, 5 feet 10 ¾ tall, Black complexion), and Chester Mitchell of Maryland (Age 42, 5 feet 7 ¾ tall, Black complexion). This remarkable document gives a glimpse into the lives of African Americans who were part of the maritime workforce as sailors in the free North as they travelled to the enslaved South. The document measures 16 x 13.5 inches, is signed by the captain, Henry Rihl, and has an embossed seal on the back with signatures from other parties. Area and a member of the Manuscript Society and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

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