Records of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia Relating to Slaves, 1851-1863.

National Archives Microfilm Publication M433, Roll 3
“Manumission Papers, 1857-1863.”

District of Columbia
County of Washington

I, John A. Smith, clerk of the circuit court of the District of Columbia for the county of Washington hereby certify that the bearer hereof, light mulatto man, by the name of Calvert Syphax— about twenty one years of age— nine feet nine and a half inches high— having a small mole immediately beneath the right ear— his mouth prominent— visage, thin— forehead, high— and his appearance, genteel and respectable, is proven to my satisfaction to be a free man and born free— by the affidavit of William B. Randolph filed and recorded in my office.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 28th day of October A. D. 1857.
Jno. A. Smith, Clk.

District of Columbia
County of Washington

On this twenty eighth day of October in the year eighteen hundred fifty seven before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared William B. Randolph and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that Calvert Syphax (the bearer hereof), a bright mulatto man aged about twenty one years is a free man and that his mother is also a free woman.

Wm. B. Randolph

Sworn and subscribed before me.
N. Allan J. P. {seal}