{"id":12425,"date":"2016-02-26T15:42:57","date_gmt":"2016-02-26T20:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=12425"},"modified":"2023-03-28T15:27:23","modified_gmt":"2023-03-28T19:27:23","slug":"freedoms-journal-the-1st-african-american-newspaper-published-in-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/freedoms-journal-the-1st-african-american-newspaper-published-in-america.html","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Freedom\u2019s Journal\u2019: The 1st African American Newspaper Published in America"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak looks at some of the articles published in the inaugural issue of “Freedom\u2019s Journal,” the first African American newspaper published in America. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

In honor of Black History Month, I explored GenealogyBank\u2019s African American Newspaper Archives<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To find these newspapers and some other specialty collections, select Newspaper Archives<\/a> from the Historical Newspapers<\/strong> section of GenealogyBank\u2019s home page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"screenshot<\/a><\/p>\n

From there, select African American Newspapers<\/strong> from the Other Genealogy Records<\/strong> section.<\/p>\n

\"screenshot<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u2019s Journal<\/em><\/a>.\"screenshot<\/a><\/p>\n

First Issue of Freedom\u2019s Journal<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/a>) & John Russwurm, this paper\u2019s motto was:<\/p>\n

Righteousness Exalteth a Nation!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So what was reported in this historic publication?<\/p>\n

The opening paragraph speaks of moral and religious improvement, as well as the dissemination of useful knowledge.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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 \u2013 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.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"front<\/a>
Freedom\u2019s Journal (New York, New York), 16 March 1827, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Memoirs of Capt. Paul Cuffee<\/strong><\/p>\n

That inaugural issue\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"article<\/a>
Freedom\u2019s Journal (New York, New York), 16 March 1827, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u2019s editors that resulted in its discontinuation two years later.<\/p>\n

Other Articles in the First Issue of Freedom\u2019s Journal<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Other reports in the first edition include:<\/p>\n