James Forten (1766-1842)
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
A wealthy sailmaker who employed multi-racial craftsmen, Forten was a leader of the African-American community in Philadelphia and a champion of reform causes. The American Antislavery Society was organized in his house here in 1833.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
James Forten rose from a Philadelphia sailmaker's apprentice to a wealthy businessman whose loft employed craftsmen of every race. A towering leader of the city's free Black community, he poured his fortune into the era's great reform causes, above all the fight against slavery. In 1833 the American Anti-Slavery Society was organized in his home here, binding this address to the birth of the militant abolitionist movement.
Why it matters
Forten proved that Black economic success and moral leadership could help launch a national movement, making his home a cradle of organized American abolitionism.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorialnearby
- Hill-Physick House0.1 mi away · 321 South 4th Street
- Powel House0.2 mi away · 244 South 3rd Street
- Merchants' Exchange Building0.4 mi away · 143 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Living History Center0.4 mi away
- New Hall Military Museum0.4 mi away · Philadelphia
Attractions
- City Tavern0.4 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
- Carpenters' Hall0.4 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- USS Becuna0.4 mi away · South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
- First Bank of the United States0.4 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- USS Olympia0.4 mi away · South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
- Second Bank of the United States0.4 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Food & drink
- FRIEDA0.3 mi away · 320 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Garden0.4 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.4 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.4 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Buddakan0.4 mi away · 325 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Franklin Social0.4 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Philadelphia Marriott Old City0.4 mi away · 1 Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thomas Bond House0.4 mi away · 129 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
- Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing0.4 mi away · 201 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
- Morris House Hotel0.4 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.5 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Best Western Plus Independence Park Hotel0.5 mi away · 237 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · James Forten
Related events
- · Founding of the American Anti-Slavery Society, 1833
Themes & tags
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