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Entrepreneurs & Business Pioneers

James Forten

1766 – 1842

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Free-born Philadelphian who served on privateers in the Revolutionary War and was held captive by the British, then grew wealthy as a sailmaker and helped lead the city's antislavery movement.

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High Street with the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, a print after William Birch's c. 1800 views of the city
Credit: After William Birch; Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. License: Public domain (LOC: no known restrictions; published 1841).

Content pending: verified research needed.

Related entries

Sources

  1. Museum of the American Revolution, "James Forten Discovery Cart" (Primary source)
  2. Museum of the American Revolution, "African Founders" (Primary source)
  3. Historical Society of Pennsylvania, "James Forten" (Primary source)

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