This rare two-part document is a Certificate of Discharge dated January 5th, 1860 and a Certificate of Character, dated January 10th, 1860, at Plymouth, England. It was issued to Nantucket seaman, Benjamin Clark. He was discharged from the 561 ton Liverpool registered ship Burita. Both parts are signed by Thomas Allen, Master of the Ship as well as, illegibly, by the Shipping Master. Clark did not sign the document. 5 1/8 in. x 12 5/8 in.

Benjamin Clark was born in Nantucket, Ma. in 1837.

During the second half of the 1850’s a number of Canadian vessels were transferred to British maritime interests. The Burita was built in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in 1854 and Sold at Liverpool on December 5, 1856. Following the 1854 Merchant Shipping Act in Britain, and up to the turn of the century, it was required to presemt these certificates to the seamen on the termination of a voyage..

SORRY, SOLD