Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

Membership Certificate of the Rev. J. W. McLeod for the New York State Colonization Society, WLU Coll 0239, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased in June 2024

Historical Note

The New York State Colonization Society organized in 1829 to assist the American Colonization Society in removing free black people from the United States and resettling them in Liberia. Liberia was founded in 1822 as a colony by the American Colonization Society.

Content Description

This collection consists of a partially printed illustrated certificate measuring 14" x 17." The broadside includes an engraved vignette of a sailing ship with African and white men shaking hands. The certificate is made out to the Reverend J. W. McLeod and signed by abolitionists Anson Green Phelps (President of the NY State Colonization Society) and John Brooke Pinney (Secretary). Pinney was Colonial Agent for the Colonization Society and later served as Governor of Liberia. The certificate is dated November 24, 1855.

Related Material

Special Collections and Archives has several cataloged titles related to Liberia, including newspapers published in Liberia.The Reid Family Papers (WLU Coll 0024) includes a subscription list signed by residents of Rockbridge County, Va. who pledged money to send free black individuals to Liberia.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Liberia
• McLeod, J. W.
• Phelps, Anson G. (Anson Greene), 1781-1853
• Pinney, John Brooke, 1806-1882