People, Locations, Episodes

Thomas Clarkson, Abolitionist born

*The birth of Thomas Clarkson in 1760 is celebrated on this date. He was a white-European abolitionist against slavery.

The Berbice Rebellion, a story

*The Berbice Rebellion began on this date in 1763. This was a year-long slave rebellion in Guyana that lasted into 1764. The Dutch colony of Berbice was owned by four Amsterdam merchants who founded the Society of Berbice as a public company listed on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. The colony was unsuccessful compared to other […]

John Clarkson Jr, Soldier and Abolitionist born

*John Clarkson Jr. was born on this date in 1764. He was a white European Royal Navy officer and abolitionist. John Clarkson was born in Wisbech. His father was headmaster of Wisbech Grammar School. After his father’s death, the family lived in the town. In 1777, aged 13, he entered the Royal Navy and served […]

Denmark Vesey, Slavery Revolutionary born

This date celebrates the life of Denmark Vesey in 1767. He was a Black abolitionist who planned the most extensive slave revolt in U.S. history, in Charleston, S.C. in 1822.

Born in St. Thomas, the Danish West Indies, he was sold in 1781 to a Bermuda slave captain named Joseph Vesey. Young Denmark, who was self-educated assumed his master’s surname, accompanied him on numerous voyages and in 1783 settled with his owner in Charleston.

Robert Finley, Abolitionist born.

*Robert Finley’s birth is celebrated on this date in 1772. He was a white-American Presbyterian clergyman, abolitionist, and educator. Finley was born in Princeton, New Jersey, to James Finley and his wife, Ann Angrest. His father immigrated from Scotland to New Jersey in 1769. His paternal grandparents were James Finley from Paisley and Ann McDonald Finley. […]

John Jea, Writer and Abolitionist born

*John Jea’s birth is celebrated on this date in 1773. He was a Black writer, preacher, abolitionist, and sailor. Little is known about John Jea’s life apart from what he wrote in his autobiography, The Life, History, and Unparalleled Sufferings of John Jea, the African Preacher (1811). Jea said that he was born near Calabar in the Bight […]

The Pennsylvania Abolitionist Society is Formed

*The Pennsylvania Abolition (or Abolitionist) Society (PAS) was founded on this date in 1775. It was also known as The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage.    PAS was the first American abolition society. It was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and held four meetings. Seventeen of the 24 men who attended initial meetings of the Society were Quakers, […]

Frank McWorter, Abolitionist born.

*This date in 1777 is celebrated as the birth date of Free Frank McWorter. He was a Black slave, abolitionist, and businessman who bought his freedom.   Frank McWorter was born into slavery in South Carolina to Juda, a Black West African woman abducted into slavery and transported to the colony. His father was her white master, George McWhorter, a Scots-Irish planter. According to family […]

James Tallmadge, Abolitionist born

*James Tallmadge, Jr. was born on this date 1778. He was a White American politician and abolitionist.

Born in Stanford, Dutchess County, New York, he graduated from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island in 1798, and was secretary to Governor George Clinton from 1798 to 1800. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1802, after which he practiced in Poughkeepsie and in New York City. He served in the War of 1812 and commanded a company of home guards in defense of New York.

Quamina, Guyanese Abolitionist born

*Quamina’s birth is celebrated on this date in 1778. He was a Black Guyanese slave and abolitionist. Quamina Gladstone (surnamed after his master) was a carpenter who lived and worked on the “Success” plantation in Demerara. Quamina was African-born from the Akan ethnic group in modern-day Ghana. He and his mother were sold into slavery […]

Opothleyahola, Native American Chief, and Slave Owner born

*The birth of Opothleyahola is affirmed on this date in c. 1778. He was a Native American, Muscogee Creek Indian chief, noted orator, and slave owner. Also known as Opothle Yohola, he was from Florida, a Speaker of the Upper Creek Council, and supported traditional culture. Although known as a diplomatic chief and Red Stick […]

Catherine Ferguson, Minister, and Child Advocate born

*The birth of Catherine Ferguson in 1779 is celebrated on this date. She was a Black minister and advocate of childcare.

Grace Bustill Douglass, Abolitionist born

*This date in 1782 is celebrated as the birth date of Grace Bustill Douglass. She was a Black abolitionist and women’s rights advocate.   Grace Bustill was born in Burlington, New Jersey, to the Bustill family, a well-known abolitionist family. Her father was Cyrus Bustill, a strong leader in the community and promoter of abolishing […]

Charles Avery, Abolitionist born

*Charles Avery was born on this date in 1784. He was a White European merchant, businessman and abolitionist.

The New York Manumission Society is formed.

*The first meeting of the New York Manumission Society was held on this date in 1785. Their full name was ‘The New York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves, and Protecting Such of Them as Have Been, or May be Liberated.’ John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, Noah Webster, and many slaveholders were among its founders. […]