The Case:
A Bronx, New York man with a longtime interest in African-American history recently purchased an intriguing document at a flea market that he believes to be a “freedom paper” for an African-American man named John Jubilee Jackson.
The paper was issued in Philadelphia in 1821, and indicates that Jackson was from Virginia, a state where, by 1780, nearly half of all slaves resided.
History Detectives heads to Philadelphia, Mystic, CT and New York City to investigate the document and the life of John Jubilee Jackson, uncovering the remarkable and contradictory reality of free blacks struggling to get by in a racist society.
Related Content
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Birthplace Of Hip Hop
Did this Bronx apartment building give birth to a culture that now spans the globe?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Lindbergh-Sikorsky Fabric
How do the signatures on this patch of fabric connect Charles Lindbergh to another first in flight?
-
Related Investigation
Manhattan Project Letter
Did this letter help persuade President Harry S. Truman to change policy in the post war era?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Amos n' Andy Record
Is this aluminum record an early recording of the old-time radio series?
-
Related Investigation
Land Grant
How did an African-American win freedom and land so early in American history?
-
Also in Revolution: 1754-1820
Monroe Letter
Does this letter link America's President to the high seas piracy of U.S. merchant ships in the early 1800s?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.