Absalom Jones
1746-1818 18th century Feast day: February 13
The thanksgiving of a people who remember their deliverance, and pray for those still waiting for theirs.
Who was Absalom Jones?
Born enslaved in Delaware, he taught himself to read and bought his wife's freedom, then his own. In Philadelphia he founded with Richard Allen the first Black mutual-aid society in America, then became in 1802 the first Black priest of the Episcopal Church. His parish of St Thomas was both a refuge and a pulpit against slavery.
In their own words
Oh thou God of all the nations upon the earth! We thank thee, that thou art no respecter of persons, and that thou hast made of one blood all nations of men.
He has seen the affliction of our countrymen, with an eye of pity.
Let the first of January, the day of the abolition of the slave trade in our country, be set apart in every year as a day of publick thanksgiving for that mercy.