The extraordinary life and times of Pilot James Darrell is the theme of a new exhibit at the Bermuda Archives.

The exhibition, 'A Very Manifest Alteration, The life and times of Pilot James Darrell, 1793-1816' opened on June 12 in the Reading Room at 30 Parliament Street, Hamilton with Finance Minister and Acting Premier Paula A. Cox as the guest of honour.

The exhibition explores the legal status of free persons of colour in the age of slavery through documents written by and about James Darrell.

James or 'Jemmy' Darrell is well known to Bermudians as the pilot who, while still a slave in 1795, skillfully navigated the flagship of British Rear Admiral George Murray through the reefs to the inshore waters now known as Murray's Anchorage.

Mr. Darrell's abilities and steadiness in navigating the Admiral's vessel to safety won him the admiration of the British Admiralty and a recommendation that he be freed and commissioned as a King's Pilot. He was freed on March 1, 1796 and commissioned King's Pilot on May 23, 1796.

A year-long project at the Bermuda Archives has uncovered dozens of documents that shed light not only on the life of Pilot Darrell but give insight into, and ready access to, historical information about Bermuda's community of slaves and free persons of colour that had previously remained unremarked.

Highlighting repressive legislation passed at the beginning of the 19th century curtailing economic and legal rights of the black community, the exhibition documents the bold persistence of a group of men, led by Bermudian pilots, in redressing this legislation through petitions to the Admiralty and to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

"The Bermuda Archives is pleased to display select original manuscripts that give voice and light to a difficult subject," said archivist Karla Hayward who researched Mr. Darrell's life.

"It is hoped that the exhibition will stimulate others to begin to look more closely at a period in our history which continues to affect us today.

"Researchers focusing on a particular aspect of this period will find the exhibition an invaluable guide to sources, while those who admire tales of triumph over immense odds will be fascinated."

The exhibition will remain up until mid-September, 2008 at the Bermuda Archives Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5 p.m. Group arrangements by calling Mrs. G. Weeks at 294-9196.