Paul Cuffe was an ADVENTURER
What does it look like to be born Black, Indigenous and free in 1759?
Paul's mother was Wampanoag, his father from West Africa and was an emancipated slave. Paul was raised on the shores of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.
He set out on his first whaling voyage when he was just 12 years old. He went on to become the wealthiest Black/Indigenous fleet owner in the world.
Legendary
Paul exercised his voice and demanded equality. Unable to vote because of his race, Paul protested and was jailed. His activism was the catalyst for change in Massachusetts tax law - allowing free Black men the opportunity to vote and participate in the new democracy.
During the War of 1812 one of Paul's ships was seized by the U.S. government. He became the first Black man to meet with a sitting president when he went to Washington to petition to have his ship released. He was successful.
Success and Succession
Paul's fleet of ships were crewed by Black and Indigenous men. He became a millionaire who invested in his community - giving friends and family the opportunity to invest in his business ventures and gain wealth; he also built and funded the first interracial school-house in the United States.
In the years before he died Paul campaigned tirelessly to relocate former slaves to Freetown, Sierra Leone. After a successful voyage to Africa with 38 people Paul returned home and passed away soon after.