Free blacks in the antebellum period—those years from the formation of the Union until the Civil War—were quite outspoken about the injustice of slavery. Their ability to express themselves, however, was determined by whether they lived in the North or the South. Free Southern blacks continued to live under the shadow of slavery, unable to travel or assemble as freely as those in the North. It was also more difficult for them to organize and sustain churches, schools, or fraternal orders such as the Masons.
Although their lives were circumscribed by numerous discriminatory laws even in the colonial period, freed African Americans, especially in the North, were active participants in American society. Black men enlisted as soldiers and fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Some owned land, homes, businesses, and paid taxes. In some Northern cities, for brief periods of time, black property owners voted. A very small number of free blacks owned slaves. The slaves that most free blacks purchased were relatives whom they later manumitted. A few free blacks also owned slave holding plantations in Louisiana, Virginia, and South Carolina.
Free African American Christians founded their own churches which became the hub of the economic, social, and intellectual lives of blacks in many areas of the fledgling nation. Blacks were also outspoken in print. Freedom's Journal, the first black-owned newspaper, appeared in 1827. This paper and other early writings by blacks fueled the attack against slavery and racist conceptions about the intellectual inferiority of African Americans.
African Americans also engaged in achieving freedom for others, which was a complex and dangerous undertaking. Enslaved blacks and their white sympathizers planned secret flight strategies and escape routes for runaways to make their way to freedom. Although it was neither subterranean nor a mechanized means of travel, this network of routes and hiding places was known as the “underground railroad.” Some free blacks were active “conductors” on the underground railroad while others simply harbored runaways in their homes. Free people of color like Richard Allen, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, David Walker, and Prince Hall earned national reputations for themselves by writing, speaking, organizing, and agitating on behalf of their enslaved compatriots.
Thousands of freed blacks, with the aid of interested whites, returned to Africa with the aid of the American Colonization Society and colonized what eventually became Liberia. While some African Americans chose this option, the vast majority felt themselves to be Americans and focused their efforts on achieving equality within the United States.
Individual Accomplishments
Phillis Wheatley’s Love of Freedom
Prince Hall, Founder of the African American Masonic Order
Prince Hall. A Charge Delivered to the African Lodge, June 24, 1797, at Menotomy. Boston: Member of the Said Lodge, 1797. Hazard Pamphlet Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress [2–19]
An African Captive Tells His Own Story
Olaudah Equiano. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Norwich: The Author, 1794. Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress. Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-54026 [2–1]
Benjamin Banneker, Mathematician
Benjamin Banneker's Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Almanack and Ephemeris, for the Year of Our Lord 1792. Baltimore: William Goddard and James Angell, 1791. Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress [2–14]
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Emergence of the Black Church
African American Women Preachers
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Documenting Freedom
Freedom Document
Certificate of Freedom of Harriet Bolling, Petersburg, Virginia, 1851. Carter G. Woodson Collection, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress [2-2]
An African American Seaman
Seaman's Protection Certificate for Samuel Fox, August 12, 1854. Black History Collection, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress [2-6]
The Underground Railroad
William Still. The Underground Railroad: A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters . . . . Philadelphia: People's Publishing Co., 1879. Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress [2–11]
From Fugitive To Minister
Another Fugitive's Account
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The Revolutionary Era
African American Soldiers in the American Revolution
An African American Revolutionary War Soldier
Revolutionary War documents for Juba Freeman. State of Connecticut, June 1, 1780. Gladstone Collection, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress [2-5]
Free Blacks and Haitian Independence
Francis Johnson. Recognition March of the Independence of Hayti. . . . Philadelphia: F. Willig, [1825]. Sheet music. Music Division, Library of Congress [2-23]
Free People of Color as Professional Musicians: Francis Johnson
Francis Johnson. Boone Infantry Brass Band Quick Step. Philadelphia: Osbourn's Music Saloon, 1844. Sheet music. Music Division, Library of Congress [2-22]
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Africa or America
Is African Colonization The Answer?
American Colonization Society Settlements in Liberia
African American Convention Movement
Proceedings of the Colored National Convention Held in Rochester July 6th, 7th, and 8th, 1853. Rochester: Frederick Douglass, 1853. Susan B. Anthony Collection, Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress [2–17]
David Ruggles, Outspoken Advocate for Freedom
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The Free African American Press
Freedom's Journal, 1827
Freedom's Journal, March 16, 1827. John B. Russwurm and Samuel Cornish, founders. Copyprint from microfilm. Microform Reading Room, General Collections, Library of Congress [2–9]