John Brown Russwurm
Encyclopedia
John Brown Russwurm was an American abolitionist from Jamaica, known for his newspaper, Freedom's Journal
. He moved from the United States to govern the Maryland section of an African American colony in Liberia
, dying there in 1851.
merchant father and an unknown black slave
. The family stayed in Jamaica until 1807 when Russwurm was sent to Quebec
. In 1812, father and son moved to Portland, Maine
, where the elder Russwurm married widow Susan Blanchard in 1813. Blanchard (now Russwurm) insisted her husband grant 'John Brown', as he was then known, his full birth name. His father did so, and the now named 'John Brown Russwurm' lived with his father, stepmother and her children from a previous marriage, accepted as part of the family. The elder Russwurm died in 1815 but his son stayed close to his stepmother, even after she re-married to become Susan Hawes. The John B. Russwurm House
in Portland was owned by the family and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
in Maine, focusing on his studies to finish his education and earning the nickname "Honest John". Graduating in his early twenties, he taught at an African-American school in Boston. Several years later he re-located back to Maine to live with his stepmother and her new husband, and they helped Russwurm pay for further education when he enrolled in Bowdoin College
in 1824. Upon graduation in 1826, Russwurm became first African-American to graduate from Bowdoin College and third African-American to graduate from an American college.
in 1827. On March 16 of that year, Russwurm, along with his co-editor, Samuel Cornish
published the first edition of Freedom's Journal
, an abolitionist newspaper dedicated to opposition of slavery. Freedom's Journal was the first newspaper in the United States to be owned, operated, published and edited by African Americans. Upon becoming senior editor in September 1827, Russwurm used his position to change the paper's initially negative stance on the colonialization of Africa by African-Americans to a positive advocacy for this position. These strong views forced Russwurm's resignation in March 1829, after which he immigrated to Liberia
.
Upon emigrating to Liberia, Russwurm started work as the colonial secretary for the American Colonization Society
between 1830 and 1834. He worked as the editor of the Liberia Herald
, though he resigned his post in 1835 to protest America's colonization policies. Russwurm also served as the superintendent of education in Liberia's capital, Monrovia
.
between 1850 and 1852 where they lived with their step-grandmother, Susan Hawes.
During his time in Liberia, Russwurm learned several of the native languages, encouraging trade and diplomatic relations with neighboring countries as well as whites. There is a statue of John Russwurm at his burial site at Harper
, Cape Palmas
, Liberia
. In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante
listed John Brown Russwurm on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans
.
Freedom's Journal
Freedom's Journal was the first African American owned and operated newspaper published in the United States. Published weekly in New York City from 16 March 1827 to 28 March 1829, the journal was edited by John Russwurm and co-editor, Samuel Cornish who contributed only through 14 September 1827...
. He moved from the United States to govern the Maryland section of an African American colony in Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
, dying there in 1851.
Early years
Russwurm was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica to an EnglishEnglish people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
merchant father and an unknown black slave
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
. The family stayed in Jamaica until 1807 when Russwurm was sent to Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. In 1812, father and son moved to Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, where the elder Russwurm married widow Susan Blanchard in 1813. Blanchard (now Russwurm) insisted her husband grant 'John Brown', as he was then known, his full birth name. His father did so, and the now named 'John Brown Russwurm' lived with his father, stepmother and her children from a previous marriage, accepted as part of the family. The elder Russwurm died in 1815 but his son stayed close to his stepmother, even after she re-married to become Susan Hawes. The John B. Russwurm House
John B. Russwurm House
The John B. Russwurm House is an historic house in the Back Cove neighborhood of Portland, Maine. It was the residence of American abolitionist and Liberian colonist John Brown Russwurm. Russwurm lived in the house intermittently from 1812-1827....
in Portland was owned by the family and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Education
Russwurm attended Hebron AcademyHebron Academy
Hebron Academy, founded in 1804, is a small, independent, college preparatory boarding and day school for boys and girls in grades six through postgraduate.-History:...
in Maine, focusing on his studies to finish his education and earning the nickname "Honest John". Graduating in his early twenties, he taught at an African-American school in Boston. Several years later he re-located back to Maine to live with his stepmother and her new husband, and they helped Russwurm pay for further education when he enrolled in Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College , founded in 1794, is an elite private liberal arts college located in the coastal Maine town of Brunswick, Maine. As of 2011, U.S. News and World Report ranks Bowdoin 6th among liberal arts colleges in the United States. At times, it was ranked as high as 4th in the country. It is...
in 1824. Upon graduation in 1826, Russwurm became first African-American to graduate from Bowdoin College and third African-American to graduate from an American college.
Career
Russwurm moved to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1827. On March 16 of that year, Russwurm, along with his co-editor, Samuel Cornish
Samuel Cornish
Samuel Eli Cornish was an American abolitionist, journalist, and Presbyterian minister.-Early years:Cornish was born in Sussex County, Delaware, to free parents. In 1815, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
published the first edition of Freedom's Journal
Freedom's Journal
Freedom's Journal was the first African American owned and operated newspaper published in the United States. Published weekly in New York City from 16 March 1827 to 28 March 1829, the journal was edited by John Russwurm and co-editor, Samuel Cornish who contributed only through 14 September 1827...
, an abolitionist newspaper dedicated to opposition of slavery. Freedom's Journal was the first newspaper in the United States to be owned, operated, published and edited by African Americans. Upon becoming senior editor in September 1827, Russwurm used his position to change the paper's initially negative stance on the colonialization of Africa by African-Americans to a positive advocacy for this position. These strong views forced Russwurm's resignation in March 1829, after which he immigrated to Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
.
Upon emigrating to Liberia, Russwurm started work as the colonial secretary for the American Colonization Society
American Colonization Society
The American Colonization Society , founded in 1816, was the primary vehicle to support the "return" of free African Americans to what was considered greater freedom in Africa. It helped to found the colony of Liberia in 1821–22 as a place for freedmen...
between 1830 and 1834. He worked as the editor of the Liberia Herald
Liberia Herald
The Liberia Herald, founded in 1826 is the first newspaper ever published in Liberia which at the time was a colony. It was founded by Charles Force, an American freed slave who died shortly after....
, though he resigned his post in 1835 to protest America's colonization policies. Russwurm also served as the superintendent of education in Liberia's capital, Monrovia
Monrovia
Monrovia is the capital city of the West African nation of Liberia. Located on the Atlantic Coast at Cape Mesurado, it lies geographically within Montserrado County, but is administered separately...
.
Personal life
In 1833 he married Sarah McGill, the daughter of the Lieutenant-Governor of Monrovia, with whom he had a daughter and three sons. In 1836 he became the first black governor of the Maryland section of Liberia, a post he held until his death, encouraging the immigration of African-Americans to Maryland and supporting agriculture and trade. In 1850, shortly before his death, Russwurm returned to Maine for a visit, bringing two of his sons with him. They were enrolled at North Yarmouth AcademyNorth Yarmouth Academy
North Yarmouth Academy is an independent, co-ed, college preparatory day school serving students in grades 5-12 located in Yarmouth, Maine. The school offers a structured program that sets clear standards and high expectations in an environment that emphasizes values of mutual respect, trust and...
between 1850 and 1852 where they lived with their step-grandmother, Susan Hawes.
During his time in Liberia, Russwurm learned several of the native languages, encouraging trade and diplomatic relations with neighboring countries as well as whites. There is a statue of John Russwurm at his burial site at Harper
Harper, Liberia
Harper, situated on Cape Palmas, is the capital of Maryland County in Liberia. It is a coastal town situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Hoffman River. Harper is Liberia's 11th largest town, with a population of 17,837....
, Cape Palmas
Cape Palmas
Cape Palmas is a headland on the extreme southeast end of the coast of Liberia, West Africa, at the extreme southwest corner of the northern half of the continent. The Cape itself consists of a small, rocky peninsula connected to the mainland by a sandy isthmus. Immediately to the west of the...
, Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
. In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante
Molefi Kete Asante
Molefi Kete Asante is an African-American scholar, historian, and philosopher. He is a leading figure in the fields of African American studies, African Studies and Communication Studies...
listed John Brown Russwurm on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans
100 Greatest African Americans
100 Greatest African Americans is a biographical dictionary of the one hundred historically greatest African Americans , as assessed by Molefi Kete Asante in 2002.-Criteria:...
.
External links
- http://library.bowdoin.edu/arch/mss/jbrg.shtml