Certificate of registration for Neptune York, a free person of color, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 1798 :autograph manuscript, signed.

Document certifying that Neptune York, a resident of Fredericksburg, Virginia, has registered with town officials in accordance with the 1793 state law An Act for regulating the Police of Towns in this Commonwealth, and to restrain the Practice of Negroes going at large. York is described as a "free negro, aged about thirty seven years, five feet 11 inches & a half, who was born free." Text on the verso indicates that this was York's copy. Document is signed by and appears to be written by John Chew, clerk of the Town of Fredericksburg and Clerk of Court, and attested by "one of the aldermen of the said Town of Fredericksburgh, Geo. French."

An addendum at the bottom states "At a court held for Albemarle County the 6th day of September, 1802, the written certificate was brought into court and ordered to be recorded."

Title devised by cataloger.

Certificate dated in body of text: this 3rd day of May 1798.

Formerly titled: John C. Town of Fredrickburg: Neptune York certified born free (about 37 years old, 5 ft. 11 inches); recorded with court September, 1803, Albemarle County, Va.