Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

This collection includes the certificate of freedom for William Ashley, 1823-1913, issued by the Queen Anne's County, Maryland Court. It certifies that Ashley was free-born in Queen Anne's County according to the oath of Joseph D. Anthony. It gives a physical description of Ashley noting his age, complection, height, and scarring. The certificate is signed by John Tilghman as clerk of the court, dated 22 May 1845, and contains the court's seal which is attached by a pink ribbon.

Also included in the collection are two powers of attorney concerning the estate of William Ashley. Both are signed by Harriet A. Ashley, William J. Ashley, and Mary J. Boyer, and authorized by B. Frank Hobensack, justice of the peace for Ivyland, Pennsylvania. They both give the power to act as agent for collecting rents or conducting other business of Ashley's estate.

Queen Anns County Court: The state of Maryland: I hereby certify
that William Ashley the bearer hereof proved to me by the oath
of Joseph D. Anthony of Queen Anns County that he was free
born and raised in said county, he is about twenty two years of
age, dark complexion and about five feet eight and one half
inches high, he has a very small scar in his forehead
In Testimony whereof I hereto subscribe my name and
affix the seal of my office this twenty second
day of May eighteen hundred and forty five