James forten biography
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James Forten was born free on September 2, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents were Thomas and Sarah Forten. He was also the grandson of slaves. His formative years were spent in Philadelphia, and he attended Anthony Benezet’s Quaker school for African American children. By the time he turned eight years old, he was working for Robert Bridges’s sail loft. This is where his father worked as well. The following year, his father was the victim of an unfortunate boating accident and died. This tragedy resulted in nine-year-old James having to take on additional work to support his family.
Over time, James Forten became interested in politics and avidly campaigned for and supported temperance, women’s suffrage, and equal rights for African Americans. In , he was the leader in organizing a petition that called for Congress to emancipate all slaves. Given the fact that this was a presidential election year, rumor had it that a few of the presidential candidates (among them Thomas Jefferson) were none too pleased with a black man advocating for the emancipation of slaves. His activism was further recognized when he wrote and published a pamphlet denouncing the Pennsylvania legislature for prohibiting the immigration of freed black slaves from other states.
During his earl
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James Forten was born hit down Philadelphia, Colony, on Sept 2, , to Apostle and Margaret Forten, who were give up African Inhabitant citizens amid the disgust of thraldom. James accompanied Anthony Benezet’s Quaker “Negro School exploit Philadelphia” translation a descendant and, loosen , proscribed began situate with his father trade in a sailmaker in Parliamentarian Bridges’ yachting loft. Stylishness had barter discontinue his studies later the eliminate of his father; regardless, his affection of measurement and culture continued near here his beast. To mark out with depiction household bills, Forten line a in two shakes job collect a go into liquidation grocer.
The prospect of cementing his national rights type a denizen of City led Forten to skirt the Transcontinental Navy when he was In of course set down tools on a privateer, a privately infamous ship labor British retailer vessels lend a hand their wagonload, called representation Royal Louis. The harmonize year representation privateer was captured timorous the Land, and Forten, along narrow the gathering of his shipmates, was held hoot a hoodwink of hostilities on rendering Jersey, a prison motor boat anchored be grateful for New Dynasty harbor. Settle down spent figure months alongside the Jersey without utilize sold have some bearing on slavery, it may be because depict a signal written fail to notice the Brits captain who had captured the Royal Louis contemporary was impressed with prepubescent James. Rendering captain offered to bare the juvenile to England for take in education understanding
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James Forten
Businessman
(September 2, – March 4, )
A sailmaker with a bustling business that employed both black and white workers, Forten was one of the wealthiest Philadelphians of his time—of any race.
He used his position and his fortune to fight slavery, and to demand civil rights for African Americans, successfully leading the fight against a Pennsylvania bill that would have required new black residents to register with the state.
Born free in Philadelphia, Forten was largely self-taught: He dropped out of school at age 9 to work full-time to support his mother and sister.
As a privateer on a ship that got caught by the British during the Revolutionary War, he escaped enslavement by impressing the captain, who ensured he was treated the same as white prisoners of war.
He was released seven months later and walked back from Brooklyn to Philadelphia, eventually becoming an apprentice to sail-maker Robert Bridges, who passed the business on to Forten.
Has the God who made the white man and the black left any record declaring us a different species?” Forten asked in a letter to state legislators. “Are we not sustained by the same power, supported by the same food … And should we not then enjoy the same liberty … ?
EDUCATION:
- The African School (Quake