Free African Union Society facts for kids
The Free African Union Society was started in 1780 in Newport, Rhode Island. It was the first group in America created by and for African Americans to help each other. This type of group is called a benevolent society or mutual aid society. Important founders and early members included Prince Amy, Lincoln Elliot, Bristol Yamma, Zingo Stevens, and Newport Gardner.
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Why the Society Was Needed
Even though Rhode Island tried to end slavery in 1652, this rule was not followed. By 1750, Rhode Island had more enslaved people than any other New England state. Enslaved Black people worked as sailors, farm workers, and house servants.
Slavery in Rhode Island slowly ended after the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a law in March 1784. This law was called the Gradual Emancipation Act. But even after this, Newport was a busy port city and continued to be a center for the U.S. slave trade until at least 1807.
At that time, most help for people in need came from white-controlled groups. So, free Black people across the early United States started their own groups. These groups were called mutual aid societies. They offered places for people to gather, spiritual support, and money to help their members. The Free African Union Society in Newport was the very first one for Black people in the United States. Other similar groups formed later, like the Free African Society in Philadelphia in 1787.
How the Society Helped People
Newport was a major port for the slave trade. Because of this, it had one of the largest populations of enslaved and free Black people in the American Colonies.
The Free African Union Society of Newport officially began on November 10, 1780. Newport Gardner, Zingo Stevens, and Prince Amy were key founders. The group's main goal was to help those who were poor or sick. They also wanted to show white society that Black people could be responsible citizens.
The Society provided many important services:
- They made sure members received proper burials.
- They cared for widows and children who had lost their parents.
- They worked to end slavery.
- They kept basic records of Black people in the community.
- They helped young enslaved Black apprentices. They hoped these apprentices could earn enough money to buy their freedom.
We know the names of at least 85 members of the Free African Union Society between 1787 and 1810. Some of the founding members were Abraham Casey, Salmar Nubia, Quam Bowers, Zingo Stevens, Quash Mowat, Cubber Rodman, Cudjo Hicks, Congo Jenkins, Cuffe Mumford, and Arthur Tikey.
In 1824, the society changed its name to the Colored Union Church and Society.
Early Black Churches in Newport
Churches were very important to the African American community in Newport, just like in other places. They were centers for social life and support.
Newport's first church for people of African heritage was started in 1824. It was called the Union Colored Congregational Church, located at 49 Division Street. Other important Black churches followed:
- Mount Zion AME Church (1 Zion Place) in 1845.
- Shiloh Baptist (29 School Street) in 1869.
- Mount Olivet (79 Thames Street) in 1897.
Newport is also home to a large African-American burying ground known as "God's Little Acre." This special place has many old burial markers. It may have the largest and oldest collection of grave markers for enslaved and free Africans from that time period.
See also
- Benefit society
- Free African Society, Philadelphia
- Garrison Literary and Benevolent Association, New York
