{"id":29375,"date":"2018-02-22T14:22:38","date_gmt":"2018-02-22T19:22:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=29375"},"modified":"2021-04-02T16:47:27","modified_gmt":"2021-04-02T20:47:27","slug":"genealogy-discoveries-a-look-into-john-brown-russwurms-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/genealogy-discoveries-a-look-into-john-brown-russwurms-life.html","title":{"rendered":"Genealogy Discoveries: A Look into John Brown Russwurm\u2019s Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article \u2013 to help celebrate February being Black History Month \u2013 Mary Harrell-Sesniak searches old newspapers to learn more about publisher, journalist and abolitionist John Brown Russwurm. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.<\/em><\/p>\n

Newspapers are one of the most important resources for expanding genealogical data and filling in your family tree. Often when searching newspapers, we find long-lost articles and advertisements that fill in the blanks on what came before.<\/p>\n

To illustrate this important point and also to celebrate February as Black History Month, let\u2019s search GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a> to take a look at a man recognized by many as one of the top 100 historical African Americans: publisher, journalist and abolitionist John Brown Russwurm.<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a>
Illustration: John Brown Russwurm. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Born in Jamaica<\/strong><\/p>\n

Born in Jamaica in 1799, John Brown Russwurm\u2019s father was an English merchant \u2013 his mother was a black slave whose name has been lost to history. In 1812, his father moved to Portland, Maine, and brought John with him.<\/p>\n

The First African American to Graduate from Bowdoin College<\/strong><\/p>\n

John Brown Russwurm graduated from Bowdoin College in Maine in 1826. As the first African American to graduate from Bowdoin \u2013 and the third African American to graduate from any American college \u2013 his accomplishment was duly noted in several papers.<\/p>\n

This Maine newspaper reports: \u201cAt the late commencement at Bowdoin College the following young gentlemen received the degree of Bachelor of Arts,\u201d listing John B. Russwurm as one of the 28 graduates. The article also listed the \u201cOrder of Exercises\u201d \u2013 the second speaker, right after the \u201cSalutatory Oration in Latin,\u201d was Russwurm, presenting a treatise on \u201cThe Condition and Prospects of Hayti [Haiti].\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Eastern Argus (Portland, Maine), 12 September 1826, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This Connecticut newspaper says of Russwurm\u2019s commencement address that day:<\/p>\n

\u201cHe came on the stage under an evident feeling of embarrassment, but finding the sympathies of the audience in his favor, he recovered his courage as he proceeded. He pronounced his part in a full and manly tone of voice, accompanied with appropriate gestures, and it was received by the audience with hearty applause. Altogether it was one of the most interesting performances of the day. His subject was happily selected. It was the condition and prospects of Hayti.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"An<\/a>
Norwich Courier (Norwich, Connecticut), 27 September 1826, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The First African American Owner and Publisher of an American Newspaper<\/strong><\/p>\n

Along with Samuel Cornish, Russwurm founded and published the first African American newspaper in America, launching the abolitionist newspaper Freedom\u2019s Journal<\/em> on 16 March 1827.<\/p>\n

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

This pioneering newspaper uses the slogan \u201cRighteousness Exalteth a Nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cIN 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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

This Maine newspaper praises the publication of Freedom\u2019s Journal<\/em>, and says of its abolitionist message:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope it will be felt as such by every citizen of the Republic.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"An<\/a>
Christian Mirror (Portland, Maine), 23 March 1827, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This Massachusetts newspaper reports a toast to Freedom\u2019s Journal<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Old Hampshire Post (Northampton, Massachusetts), 17 July 1827, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The American Colonization Society<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is so much to read about the American Colonization Society (a movement to relocate blacks from American to Africa) that I will not repeat the controversial history, only to say that Russwurm was at the heart of it \u2013 and he supported relocation, moving to Africa himself in 1829.<\/p>\n

After moving to Liberia, Russwurm became the colonial secretary for the Society from 1830 to 1834, and later became superintendent of education for Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. In 1836 he became governor of a colony in African that later became part of Liberia.<\/p>\n

Russwurm wrote many letters during his time in Africa. Some of his letters were published in American newspapers, including ones asking for financial help and others describing the conditions he found.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Christian Watchman (Boston, Massachusetts), 25 May 1832, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Did He Die?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wikipedia has a question mark for his death date. Did a man of such prominence as Russwurm really not have a published death notice? After about 30 seconds of searching, I located his death notice in GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On 29 October 1851 the Congregational Journal<\/em> described Russwurm as the \u201cindefatigable Chief Magistrate of Cape Palmas,\u201d and clearly stated his death date as the 17th of June 1851.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Congregational Journal (Concord, New Hampshire), 29 October 1851, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, Is That All There Is to His Story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Of course not \u2013 so if this article has intrigued you, let it be the inspiration for your own research, or to do an act of genealogical kindness, and find and document more information about John Brown Russwurm.<\/p>\n

See:<\/strong><\/p>\n