Image: Seaman's Protection Certificate issued to James Forten Dunbar on 12 July 1810 at Philadlphia Pa

Description: The 12 July 1810 protection certificate issued in Philadelphia identities the bearer as James Forten Dunbar, a “mulatto” (a person of mixed white and black ancestry) age ten, and height 4’ 7’’ inches tall. Dunbar was described as having black hair and yellow complexion. He had a small pox inoculation scar on his left arm and on his right shin the mark of a dog bite. Dunbar was born a “free man of color” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His uncle, the renowned James Forten signed for, and made sure “Born Free” were included in the description. James Forten Dunbar attested the document by his X mark; it is unclear, if he ever became fully literate. Dunbar would spend most of his life as a sailor, aboard such naval vessels as the USS Constellation, USS Niagara, USS Brooklyn and the USS Tusacora.
Title: Seaman's Protection Certificate issued to James Forten Dunbar on 12 July 1810 at Philadlphia Pa
Credit: National Archives and Records Administration, "Proofs of Citizenship",RG36, Entry UD-1066A. Philadelphia, 15E3: 16/20/4. Box 28. (James Forten Dunbar)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration Washington DC
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No