• Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia

  • May 14 2024
  • Length: 41 mins
  • Podcast
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Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia

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  • Summary

  • Matthew Skic from the Museum of the American Revolution and I talk about their exhibit Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia . 9-year old James Forten heard the Declaration of Independence read in July of 1776, and never forgot its promise of liberty and equality. At the age of 14 he signed aboard a privateer, was captured, taken to New York where a British officer offered to release him and send him to England. He refused rather than betray his country. Back in Philadelphia after the war he became a successful businessman--a sail maker--one of the wealthiest Black men in the country, and the chief benefactor of William Lloyd Garrison's newspaper The Liberator. Join us to hear more about James Forten and his family's story--and for more on Forten, read Julie Winch's great book Gentleman of Color.


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