PhilaPlace

James Forten Historical Marker

James Forten. Image provided by Historical Society of Pennsylvania

336 Lombard Street

James Forten was a wealthy African American sail maker who employed craftsmen of all races. A contemporary of Absalom Jones, Robert Purvis and Richard Allen, Forten was a leader of the African American community in Philadelphia and a champion of reform causes. The multi-racial American Antislavery Society was first convened here at Forten's house in 1833.

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