Mitchell Collection Uncovers Rare Document

1667 Land Grant Document proves establishment of Free Blacks
as landowners in present-day New York City. 

Groote (Big) Manuel, one of the first eleven African slaves brought to
New Amsterdam in 1626, and eighteen years later was granted freedom and full ownership
of twelve acres in what is now Greenwich Village!  In this 1667 document
signed by the first English Governor Richard Nicolls, Manuel's widow and
children inherit this valuable property "forever."

History Detectives Episode (PBS)