James Forten PORTRAYED BY KEITH HENLEY
Born a free man in Philadelphia, James Forten began working at seven years old following the passing of his father. He attended the African School, run by Quaker abolitionist Anthony Benezet until he was nine. At 14, Forten was serving on a privateer ship during the Revolutionary War. The ship was captured by the British, but as a result of a bond of friendship he had formed, he was held a prisoner, not sold into slavery, until his release 7 months later. At which time he walked from Brooklyn to Philadelphia to rejoin his family.
He apprenticed as a sail-maker, became foreman, and eventually bought the sail loft itself, and set about turning the business into one of the most successful of its kind in Philadelphia, thus making himself one of the city’s wealthiest citizens. Forten used his wealth and influence to support many causes, particularly the abolition of slavery. Toward this goal he signed a petition calling for the abolition of the slave trade and modification of the Fugitive Slave Law. With Reverend Richard Allen, he worked to establish the first Convention of Color in 1817. In 1833, Forten helped form and finance the American Anti-Slavery Society. He wrote many pamphlets as “a Man of Color” as well as contributing as a writer and supporter of TheLiberator, an abolitionist newspaper. He continued his efforts for equal civil rights until his passing at 75 years of age.
Keith Henley: Bio Actor/Historian, Interpreter, Reenactor, Impersonator