John H. Paynter facts for kids
John H. Paynter (1862-1947) was an important African American writer. He wrote poems and true stories. One of his most famous books was Fugitives of the Pearl, published in 1930. This book told the exciting story of the biggest known escape attempt by enslaved people in the United States.
Paynter's story came from a short story he wrote in 1916. It was first printed in The Journal of Negro History. Later, it appeared in parts in the Washington Tribune newspaper. He learned about the escape from old news reports and stories passed down in his own family.
John H. Paynter had a special connection to this history. He was a descendant of the Edmonson sisters. These three sisters tried to escape slavery on a ship called The Pearl. He was also the grandson of John and Elizabeth Edmonson Brent. They were born into slavery but bought their own freedom. After becoming free, they started the John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in Washington, D.C.
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Paynter's Life and Adventures
John H. Paynter also wrote about his own life. In his book Joining the Navy, or Abroad with Uncle Sam, he shared his experiences. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1884 as a cabin boy. A cabin boy was a young person who helped officers on a ship. At that time, it was hard for African Americans to move up in the Navy.
A famous leader named W.E.B. DuBois wrote the introduction for Paynter's book. This showed how important Paynter's story was.
Building an Amusement Park
Besides writing, Paynter was also a smart businessman. He invested in real estate, which means he bought and sold land and buildings. He was also in charge of a company called Universal Development and Loan Co.
This company built an amusement park called Suburban Gardens. It opened in 1921 in Washington D.C. The park was seven acres big, which is about the size of five football fields.
A Park for Everyone
Suburban Gardens was special because it welcomed African Americans. At that time, many places were segregated, meaning Black people were not allowed or had separate areas. For example, Glen Echo Amusement Park in nearby Maryland did not allow African Americans. Paynter's park offered a fun place for everyone to enjoy.
