African Nova Scotians in the Age of Slavery and Abolition

This document demonstrates that black refugees behind British lines needed passports to escape from America after the War of Independence. Indeed, some without passports were returned to their place of origin, which meant a return to slavery. Also, it makes clear that Ramsay initiated his freedom by escaping to the British lines, which certainly put his life at risk.

Date: 21 April 1783

Reference: Gideon White family fonds  Nova Scotia Archives  MG 1 volume 948 number 196 (microfilm 14960)