J. Sella Martin
Encyclopedia
John Sella Martin was an escaped slave who became a noted abolitionist and a pastor. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina
. His mother was a slave, and his father was the white slaveholder, as was the law at the time that the children of slave women assume the legal status of the mother he was also a slave, and would serve his own father. At the age of six Martin, his mother and his only sister were taken to Columbus, Georgia
were they were sold. His mother and sister were purchased by one slaveholder and he by another.
His new owner was an old bachelor and Martin served him in the capacity of an valet de chambre
until the age of eighteeen. They resided together in one of the principal hotels in Columbus and Martin was afforded the opportunity to learn how to read and write as well as be exposed to a more worldly view as opposed to being an agriculrural worker as he met travellers from throughout the United States and Canada staying at the hotel as well as their servants.
When he was sixteen his owner went blind and Martin was entrusted with helping him carry out his personal affairs, he gave him a more indepth home-school type education as it was in his best interest. When his owner died Martin -then eighteen, was set free. However the former owners relatives successfully contested the will and Martin remained in bondage and was sold and taken to Mobile, Alabama
.
After escaping slavery in 1856 Martin he entered the ministry and made his way to Boston, Massachusetts where he became minister of the First Independent Baptist Church
in the Beacon Hill
section of that city.
Martin died in New Orleans, Louisiana
in 1876 by an overdose of laudanum
, there was no suicide note so it wasn't known if the overdose was accidental or intentional; he had developed a drinking problem in his later years and was unemployed at the time of his death, he left behind a wife and one child.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. His mother was a slave, and his father was the white slaveholder, as was the law at the time that the children of slave women assume the legal status of the mother he was also a slave, and would serve his own father. At the age of six Martin, his mother and his only sister were taken to Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
were they were sold. His mother and sister were purchased by one slaveholder and he by another.
His new owner was an old bachelor and Martin served him in the capacity of an valet de chambre
Valet de chambre
Valet de chambre , or varlet de chambre, was a court appointment introduced in the late Middle Ages, common from the 14th century onwards. Royal Households had many persons appointed at any time...
until the age of eighteeen. They resided together in one of the principal hotels in Columbus and Martin was afforded the opportunity to learn how to read and write as well as be exposed to a more worldly view as opposed to being an agriculrural worker as he met travellers from throughout the United States and Canada staying at the hotel as well as their servants.
When he was sixteen his owner went blind and Martin was entrusted with helping him carry out his personal affairs, he gave him a more indepth home-school type education as it was in his best interest. When his owner died Martin -then eighteen, was set free. However the former owners relatives successfully contested the will and Martin remained in bondage and was sold and taken to Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
.
After escaping slavery in 1856 Martin he entered the ministry and made his way to Boston, Massachusetts where he became minister of the First Independent Baptist Church
African Meeting House
The African Meeting House, also known variously as First African Baptist Church, First Independent Baptist Church and the Belknap Street Church, was built in 1806 and is now the oldest black church edifice still standing in the United States. It is located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston,...
in the Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is a name shared by many hills, suburbs, villages and other places around the world. Many are so called because they were historically the site of a warning beacon. Others are named after other places of the same name.-In the United Kingdom:...
section of that city.
Martin died in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
in 1876 by an overdose of laudanum
Laudanum
Laudanum , also known as Tincture of Opium, is an alcoholic herbal preparation containing approximately 10% powdered opium by weight ....
, there was no suicide note so it wasn't known if the overdose was accidental or intentional; he had developed a drinking problem in his later years and was unemployed at the time of his death, he left behind a wife and one child.