J. Sella Martin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
J. Sella Martin
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| Born |
John Sella Martin
September 27, 1832 |
| Died | August 11, 1876 (aged 43) |
| Occupation |
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| Spouse(s) |
Sarah Ann Lattimore
(m. 1858) |
| Children | 2 |
John Sella Martin (born September 27, 1832 – died August 11, 1876) was an important leader. He escaped slavery in Alabama. He became a pastor and an abolitionist in Boston, Massachusetts. An abolitionist is someone who worked to end slavery.
Before the American Civil War, he spoke out for equal rights. He even traveled to England to give speeches against slavery. After returning, he became a preacher in Presbyterian churches in Washington, D.C..
After the war, Martin went back to the South. He worked in education during the Reconstruction era in Alabama and Mississippi. He was a Republican and became a politician in Louisiana. In 1872, he was elected to the state legislature from Caddo Parish. He also worked for the US Post Office and wrote for a newspaper called Louisianian.
Contents
John Sella Martin's Early Life
John Sella Martin was born into slavery in 1832. This happened in Charlotte, North Carolina. His mother was enslaved, and his father was her white master. At that time, a law said that children born to enslaved mothers were also enslaved. This was true no matter who their father was.
When Martin was six, he, his mother, and his sister were sold. They were taken to Columbus, Georgia. His mother and sister were bought by one person. John Sella Martin was bought by a free black man named Horace King.
Learning and New Experiences
His new owner was an older man. Martin worked for him as a personal assistant until he was eighteen. They lived in a main hotel in Columbus. This gave Martin a special chance to learn. He learned to read and write.
He also met many travelers from across the United States and Canada. This helped him see the world in a different way. He learned much more than most enslaved people, who often worked in farming.
A Promise of Freedom Broken
When Martin was sixteen, his owner became blind. Martin helped him with his personal tasks. His owner also taught him at home. When his master died, Martin was eighteen. His master's will said Martin should be set free.
However, the people settling the estate did not follow the will. They sold Martin instead. He was then taken to Mobile, Alabama.
Escape and a New Beginning
In 1856, at age 24, Martin escaped slavery in Alabama. He traveled North and reached Canada. He later settled in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston was known as a place of freedom for black people. It had a strong movement against slavery.
In 1859, he gave a powerful speech. He spoke about John Brown, who fought against slavery. Martin called Brown a hero for freedom.
Becoming a Minister and Activist
Martin became a minister. From 1860 to 1862, he led the First Independent Baptist Church. This church was in the Beacon Hill area of Boston. He was very active in the movement to end slavery. He worked hard for equal rights for all races.
He and his wife lived at 26 Myrtle Street. His wife helped a group that supported escaped enslaved people. Martin was well-liked by other abolitionist leaders. They admired his excellent speaking skills.
He was chosen to represent the American Missionary Association in England. There, he gave many speeches in London against slavery. He also helped raise money for the education of African Americans. When he returned, he joined the Presbyterian Church. He became a popular preacher in Washington, D.C.
After the American Civil War, Martin went back to the South. He worked in education in Alabama and Mississippi. He then entered politics in Louisiana. In 1872, he was elected to the state legislature. He was appointed as an agent for the US Post Office. He also wrote for the Louisianian newspaper.
John Sella Martin's Later Life and Passing
John Sella Martin had a national reputation. His death was reported by The New York Times. He left behind his wife and a daughter.
Marriage and Family Life
In 1858, Martin married Sarah Ann Lattimore. She was from Saratoga Springs, New York. They had two children together. Their son, Horace, died when he was four months old in April 1861. Their daughter, Josephine Sarah, was born in Boston on March 9, 1863.
After Martin passed away, Sarah Ann Martin moved to Washington, D.C.. She worked there as a teacher. In 1884, Sarah and her daughter Josie were witnesses. They attended the wedding of Frederick Douglass and his second wife Helen Pitts Douglass.
Josie also worked as a teacher in Washington, D.C. On December 27, 1883, she married Cyrus Fabius Martin. He was a Civil War veteran from Dowagiac, Michigan. They were not related. Josie and Cyrus later had four children.
Sarah Ann Martin died in Washington on May 26, 1891. Josephine Sarah Martin divorced her husband in 1909. She then moved to Chicago, Illinois with her youngest daughter. There, she married Dr. Graham Sharp. He was a foot doctor. They later moved to Los Angeles, California. Josephine Sarah Martin passed away there on October 18, 1947.
