Pass to Freedom
A historical document required to be in the possession of free Blacks prior to the
Emancipation Proclamation. A document from the past and a link to the African American in America. Truly a missing page in American History.
JUST A LITTLE HISTORY
Before The Kennedy Jones Beginnings :
Since the formation of the United States of America more than two hundred years ago, various stages in the growth and progress of the nation have been reflected in its historic
documents. Included among such papers are, of course, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. In addition, the papers of great statesmen may properly be
considered historically significant; indeed, these documents often give us a more human view of events and trends, personalities and attitudes, than do strictly political
accounts. family records, church documents, municipal statistics, and even bills of sale also may reveal the human condition at a given time in history.
Prior to enacting the Emancipation Proclamation, it was essential for freed Blacks to verify that they were no longer SLAVES. A certificate was sometimes issued to former
slaves for this purpose..a.."PASS TO FREEDOM."
The original Pass issued to Elizabeth Welb over 180 years ago is in the possession of Louise Allen, a direct descendant of Ms. Welb of Neuse River, North Carolina.
Absent documentation, freed Blacks felt the dark threat of slavery constantly hovering over them. Thus, ANY BLACK, regardless of status, reputation or length of residence in a
community, might find themselves RETURNED TO SLAVERY. Liberated Blacks spoke in vain lacking any evidence of their FREEDOM. Just the word of a witness of the slaveholder no
matter how flimsy, was all that was necessary to return a freed Black BACK TO SLAVERY.
Times have changed because AFRICAN AMERICANS AND AMERICA WOULD NO LONGER TOLERATE THE OLD WAY.
