Absalom Jones (1745 - 1818)

Born 1 Jan 1745 in Sussex, Delaware

Died 13 Feb 1818 at age 73 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Absalom Jones is Notable.

Absalom Jones was a Freemason and a member of First Independent African Grand Lodge of North America (PA).

Absalom Jones was an African American abolitionist and was the first African American to be ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church of the United States. In 1794, Jones founded the first black Episcopal congregation in Philadelphia.

Absalom Jones was born enslaved in 1746 in Sussex, Delaware the son of enslaved parents. They were enslaved on the plantation owned by Abraham Wynkoop, a wealthy Delaware planter. Abraham Wynkoop died circa 1753, and his son, Benjamin, inherited the plantation.^[1]

He married Mary King, who was enslaved by S. King. ^[2]

The story of Absalom's early life is best told in his own words:

“I, Absalom Jones was born in Sussex,” DEL., “on the 6th of November, 1746. I was small, when my master took me from the field to wait and attend on him in the house; and being very fond of learning, I was careful to save the pennies that were given to me by the ladies and gentlemen from time to time. I soon bought myself a primer, and begged to be taught by any body that I found able and willing to give me the least instruction. Soon after this, I was able to purchase a spelling book; for as my money increased, I supplied myself with books, among others, a Testament. For, fondness for books, gave me little or no time for the amusements that took up the leisure hours of my companions. By this course I became singular, and escaped many evils, and also saved my money.

In the year 1762, my mother, five brothers and a sister were sold, and I was brought to the city of Philadelphia with my master. My employment in this city was to wait in the store, pack up and carry out goods. In this situation, I had an opportunity, with the clerk, to get copies set for me; so that I was soon able to write to my mother and brothers, with my own hand. My spelling is bad for want of proper schooling.

In the year 1766, I asked my master the liberty of going one quarter to night-school, which he granted. I had a great desire to learn Arithmetic. In that quarter I learned Addition, Troy weight, Subtraction, Apothecaries’ weight, Practical multiplication, Practical Division, and Reduction.

In the year 1770, I married a wife who was a slave. I soon after proposed to purchase her freedom. To this her mistress agreed, for the sum of forty pounds. Not having the money in hand, I got an appeal drawn, and John Thomas, my father-in-law, and I called upon some of the principal Friends of this city. From some we borrowed, and from other we received donations. In this way we soon raised thirty pounds of the money, her mistress, Sarah King, forgiving the balance of ten pounds. By this time, my master’s family was increased, and I was much hurried in my servitude. However, I took a house, and for seven years, made it my business to work until twelve or one o’clock at night, to assist my wife in obtaining a livelihood, and to pay the money that was borrowed to purchase her freedom.

This being fully accomplished, and having a little money in hand, I made application to my master, in the year 1778, to purchase my own freedom; but, as this was not granted, I fortunately met with a small house and lot of ground, to be sold for one hundred and fifty pounds, continental money. Having laid by some hard money, I sold it for continental and purchased the lot. My desire for freedom increased, as I knew that while I was a slave, my house and lot might be taken as the property of my master. This induced me to make many applications to him for liberty to purchase my freedom; and on the first of October, 1784, he generously gave me a manumission. I have ever since continued in his service at good wages, and I still find it my duty, both late and early, to be industrious to improve the little estate that a kind Providence has put in my hands.

Since my freedom, I have built a couple of small houses on the small lot, which now let for twenty-two pounds a year.”^[3]

On October 1, 1784, Wynkoop manumitted Absalom and he took the surname Jones.

Absalom Jones was the First Worshipful Master of African Masonic Lodge No. 459 of Philadelphia, and in 1815 he was elected the First Grand Master of the First Independent African Grand Lodge of North America Pennsylvania.^[4]

In the 1800 census Absalom was a free man in Philadelphia New Market Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.^[5]

In 1804 Jones was ordained as the first black man to become a priest in the Episcopal Church.

In the 1810 census Absalom was in Philadelphia Cedar Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.^[6]

Absalom died on 13 Feb 1818 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.^[7] In 1992 Absalom Jones' remains were exhumed, cremated, and placed in an urn shaped like a bible. The urn is in the altar in the Absalom Jones Chapel in the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia).^[8][9]

Slave Owner

1. Abraham Wynkoop
2. Benjamin Wynkoop (vestrymen, warden and benefactor of Christ Church and St. Peter’s in Philadelphia).

Sources

1. ↑ Who Owned Absolom Jones?
2. ↑ Absalom Jones
3. ↑ Douglass, William (1862). The Annals of the First African Church in the United States of America. Philadelphia: King & Baird, printers.
4. ↑ AE Church of St. Thomas web site
5. ↑ 1800 Census: "1800 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1800; Census Place: Philadelphia New Market Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Series: M32; Roll: 43; Page: 244,245; Image: 100; Family History Library Film: 363346
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7590 #447120 (accessed 7 September 2023)
   Absalom Jones in Philadelphia New Market Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
6. ↑ 1810 Census: "1810 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1810; Census Place: Philadelphia Cedar Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: 55; Page: 597; Image: Pam252_55-0245; FHL Roll: 0193681
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7613 #517612 (accessed 7 September 2023)
   Absolim Jones in Philadelphia Cedar Ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
7. ↑ Death: "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates Index, 1803-1915"
   FHL Film Number: 1902773
   Ancestry Record 2535 #1579097 (accessed 7 September 2023)
   Absolam Jones death 13 Feb 1818 (age 72) in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
8. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7374445/absalom-jones: accessed 07 September 2023), memorial page for Rev Absalom Jones (6 Nov 1746–13 Feb 1818), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7374445, citing African Episcopal Church of Saint Thomas Columbarium, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA; Cremated; Maintained by Find a Grave.
9. ↑ Episcopal archives.

• Wikipedia: Absalom Jones
• Episcopal Archives
• Clergy Leadership
• Absalom's slavery information
• African American Lives, ed. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbothom, Oxford University Press, 2004. pg. 469-470