People, Locations, Episodes

The First Black African Birth In America Is Recorded

Tucker Cemetary, Hampton, VA

*On this date in 1606, the first recorded birth of a Black African child in the continental United States occurred. This was in the Cathedral Parish Archives in St. Augustine, Florida, thirteen years before more enslaved Africans were brought to the English colony at Jamestown in 1619.

Anthony and Isabella were two of the first Black Africans brought to North America in 1619. They were married and, in 1624, gave birth to the first Black child born in English America, William Tucker. He was another of the first Black African children born (recorded) in the American colonies and was baptized in Jamestown, Virginia, on January 3, 1624. His name (William) was in honor of a Virginia Planter.

After 1619, all Africans brought into the colonies were sold as slaves. Today, the Black population Is over 35 million, or nearly 13 percent of the U.S..  The most significant number of Blacks live in New York State (more than 3 million). Other states with more than 2 million Black populations include California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.