Cuffe, Paul, 1759-1817

African American ship owner, political activist and founder of the Friendly Society to promote emigration to Africa.

From the description of Letter to W. Roper, 1816 August 24. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 34689946

From the description of Letter to W. Roper [manuscript], 1816 August 24. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647879761

Colonist and seaman.

From the description of Biography and remarks concerning Paul Cuffe, undated. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79450064

Seaman and civil rights leader.

From the description of Papers of Paul Cuffe, circa 1742-1963. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71067707

Paul Cuffe, a black seaman and shipowner, was born off the coast of New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1759. In 1780 he and his brother brought a case before the courts of Massachusetts which was instrumental in the passage of the act of 1783. This act granted blacks legal rights and privileges in that state. As early as 1788 Cuffe had been prominent in suggesting an exodus of blacks to Africa. He sailed to Sierre Leone and formed a Friendly Society in Freetown to encourage further immigration of free blacks from America. He planned to make yearly trips to Sierre Leone but his health failed and Cuffe died in 1817.

From the description of Cuffe collection, 1765-1963 (inclusive), [microform]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122513553