John P. Coburn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John P. Coburn
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| Born | 1811 |
| Died | January 20, 1873 (age 62) |
| Known for | Abolitionism |
| Spouse(s) | Emeline Coburn |
| Children | Wendell Coburn |
| Relatives | Mary Coburn (mother) John Coburn (father) |
John P. Coburn (1811–1873) was an important African-American leader in the 1800s. He was an abolitionist, meaning he worked to end slavery. He also fought for civil rights for all people. Coburn was a successful tailor and clothing seller in Boston, Massachusetts. He lived in the Beacon Hill area of Boston for most of his life.
John Coburn was one of the richest African Americans in Boston during his time. His home in Beacon Hill was very valuable. He was deeply involved in the fight against slavery. He worked with groups like the New England Freedom Association and the Massasoit Guards.
John Coburn's Businesses
John Coburn was a skilled businessman. He worked as a builder, a tailor, and a clothing seller. He owned two clothing stores in Boston. One was on Brattle Street and the other on Cornhill Street.
His stores focused on making and selling trendy clothes. He sold different types of fabrics like cashmere and tweed. He also sold men's clothes and offered cleaning and repair services. In the mid-1860s, he renamed his clothing store to W.T. Coburn Clothing Store. This was named after his son, Wendell T. Coburn.
Coburn also co-owned a business with his brother-in-law, Ira Gray. This business was known as the Coburn Gaming House. It also served as a secret safe house for the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses. It helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom. This business helped Coburn earn money. He used this money to help rescue enslaved people, like Shadrach Minkins.
Fighting for Freedom
John Coburn was a dedicated abolitionist. He was the treasurer of the New England Freedom Association. This group focused on helping enslaved people who had escaped. He supported The Liberator, a newspaper that fought against slavery. He placed ads for his stores in the paper. He also thanked people who donated to the New England Freedom Association. Sometimes, he would announce that he had lodging available for those in need.
In 1854, Coburn started a group called the Massasoit Guards. This was a military company made up of black men. Their job was to patrol Beacon Hill. They protected residents from slave catchers. Slave catchers were people who tried to capture and return escaped enslaved people. Coburn was the captain of this group.
The Massasoit Guards were never officially recognized by the state. This was despite many requests from lawyer Robert Morris. The group was named after a Wampanoag chief. This chief had been friendly to the early Massachusetts colonists. Coburn also helped recruit volunteers for the famous abolitionist John Brown.
Coburn's Family and Home
John Coburn was married to Emeline Coburn. They had an adopted son named Wendell Coburn. Between 1843 and 1844, Coburn hired a famous architect named Asher Benjamin. He asked Benjamin to design a house for him. This house was built at the corner of Phillips and Irving Streets.
John Coburn passed away in 1873. He left most of his possessions to his son, Wendell. His historic house on Beacon Hill is now an important site. It is part of Boston's Black Heritage Trail. This trail highlights places important to African-American history.
