Absalom Jones

Absalom Jones was an African American abolitionist and clergyman. He was born into slavery in 1746 and became one of the first African American priests in the Episcopal Church in the United States. Jones was a co-founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), one of the first independent black denominations in the country. He was also a vocal advocate for the abolition of slavery and was involved in early anti-slavery societies.

Jones was a prominent figure in the early anti-slavery movement in the United States. He was a co-founder of the Free African Society, an early African American mutual aid society, which also served as a platform for advocating against slavery. He was also a founding member of the African School Society, which sought to provide education for African American children, many of whom were born into slavery. In 1792, Jones and other members of the Free African Society organized the first African American church in the country, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, which became an important center of activism and a symbol of African American independence. Jones was a vocal and tireless advocate for the abolition of slavery and used his religious platform to raise awareness about the issue. He is remembered as a pioneering leader in the fight against slavery and for his contributions to the early African American community.

Absalom Jones was initiated into Freemasonry in 1787 and became a member of the African Lodge No. 459 in Philadelphia. He was a committed Mason and was active in the organization for many years. Jones saw Freemasonry as a way to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and to promote brotherhood and unity. Through his membership in the organization, he was able to network with other influential African Americans and white abolitionists, and to gain greater visibility for his activism. His involvement in Freemasonry is seen as an important aspect of his life and legacy, and is celebrated by many in the Masonic community.

-R. Matt Branson (with research assistance from ChatGPT)