February 26, 2016
Introduction: In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak looks at some of the articles published in the inaugural issue of “Freedom’s Journal,” the first African American newspaper published in America. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.
In honor of Black History Month, I explored GenealogyBank’s African American Newspaper Archives.
To find these newspapers and some other specialty collections, select Newspaper Archives from the Historical Newspapers section of GenealogyBank’s home page.
From there, select African American Newspapers from the Other Genealogy Records section.
As I am particularly interested in the earliest examples, I examined the newspaper selections from New York. There I found some exciting resources, including the first African American newspaper published in America: Freedom’s Journal.
First Issue of Freedom’s Journal
The first weekly edition of this newspaper came on Friday 16 March 1827. It is thought to have been the inspiration of a group from New York City, including the Rev. Peter Williams, Jr. As described by editors and proprietors Rev. Samuel Eli Cornish (see Findagrave bio) & John Russwurm, this paper’s motto was:
Righteousness Exalteth a Nation!
So what was reported in this historic publication?
The opening paragraph speaks of moral and religious improvement, as well as the dissemination of useful knowledge.
IN presenting our first number to our Patrons, we feel all the diffidence of persons entering upon a new and untried line of business. But a moment’s reflection upon the noble objects, which we have in view by the publication of this Journal; the expediency of its appearance at this time, when so many schemes are in action concerning our people – encourage us to come boldly before an enlightened publick. For we believe, that a paper devoted to the dissemination of useful knowledge among our brethren, and to their moral and religious improvement, must meet with the cordial approbation of every friend to humanity.
Memoirs of Capt. Paul Cuffee
That inaugural issue’s front page also contained an important memoir: that of Captain Paul Cuffee. Among his other accomplishments, he became instrumental in the colonization of Sierra Leone.
Within this autobiography, we learn of his parentage: Ruth Moses of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe and Kofi Slocum, an African man freed from slavery. Cuffee was a pious Quaker businessman and captain of a ship. He became instrumental in the colonization of Sierra Leone, a movement which led to disagreements among the newspaper’s editors that resulted in its discontinuation two years later.
Other Articles in the First Issue of Freedom’s Journal
Other reports in the first edition include:
- A biography of Rev. Abraham Thompson
- A report about the kidnapping of Mary Davis’s baby
- Missions to Africa
- A report regarding the slave sale of a Christian man named William
- Effect of sight upon a person born blind
- Domestic news, including a resolution to support the paper made during a group called “Meeting of the People of Colour” of Boston
- Foreign news, including a report from the newly declared independent country of Hayti (sic) regarding half-duty payments collected from French vessels
- An advertisement for a school for “Coloured Children of both Sexes”
- A poem titled “The African Chief” by Bryant
- An article on the effects of slavery reprinted from the New York Christian Advocate
- The prospectus for publishing Freedom’s Journal (excerpt shown)
- A piece on the advantage of choosing a wife by proxy
- A report on the egg trade in Ireland and England
- Recommendations and testimonials in favor of the newspaper
- Publication and subscription details
Are you researching African American roots in your family line? Be sure to consult GenealogyBank’s African American Newspaper Archives!
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