John Pierre Burr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Pierre Burr
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John Pierre Burr
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| Born | June 1792 New Jersey or Pennsylvania, United States
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| Died | April 4, 1864 (aged 71–72) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) | Hester Elizabeth Emory |
| Children | 9 |
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John Pierre Burr (born June 1792 – died April 4, 1864) was an important American abolitionist. He was a strong community leader in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John Pierre Burr worked hard to improve education and civil rights for African Americans. He was the son of Aaron Burr, who was the third U.S. Vice President. His mother was Mary Emmons, a governess from Haiti. She may have been born in Calcutta, India.
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Who Was John Pierre Burr?
John Pierre Burr was born in 1792. He was born in either New Jersey or Philadelphia. His mother was Mary Emmons, also known as Eugénie Beauharnais. She worked for politician Aaron Burr and his first wife. Before coming to Philadelphia, Mary may have lived in Haiti. Some say she was born there, while others suggest she was from Calcutta.
John Pierre Burr had an older sister named Louisa Charlotte Burr. She was born in 1788. Louisa also worked to help her community. Her son, Frank J. Webb, later wrote an important novel. It was one of the first novels by an African American author.
What Did John Pierre Burr Do?
John Pierre Burr worked as a barber in Philadelphia. By 1818, he had his own business. He was a dedicated abolitionist. This means he worked to end slavery. He was also an active member of the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia. The Underground Railroad was a secret network. It helped enslaved people escape to freedom.
Pennsylvania was a free state. It offered freedom to enslaved people brought there. Many freedom seekers came to Pennsylvania. Burr would hide these brave people in his home. He was light-skinned, so he often walked with them. If police stopped them, Burr would say the person was his "personal servant." This helped them avoid capture.
Working for Civil Rights
Burr helped start the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. This group worked for civil rights. He was part of its Vigilance Committee. This committee directly helped freedom seekers. Burr also helped raise money for people accused of treason. These people had resisted slaveholders in 1851. This event is known as the Christiana Resistance. It was part of the fight against the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.
Burr worked to help American Black people move to Haiti. Haiti had become a free republic. He also helped distribute The Liberator. This was an important abolitionist newspaper. He fought for civil rights. He protested when free Black people lost their right to vote in 1838.
Leading Community Groups
Burr was chairman of the American Moral Reform Society. He helped publish its journal, the National Reformer. He was also involved in the National Black Convention movement. This movement worked for Black rights in the 1830s. Burr was an officer for several groups. These included the Mechanics' Enterprise Hall and the Moral Reform Retreat. The Moral Reform Retreat was a shelter for African-American women. He worked with other leaders like Robert Purvis.
In 1837, Burr helped start the Demosthenian Institute of Philadelphia. This group trained young Black men in public speaking. They practiced giving speeches and discussed current topics. The Institute aimed to prepare them for public life. By 1841, it had 42 members. It also had a library with over 100 books. The Institute published its own weekly paper, The Demosthenian Shield.
Burr was a member of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas. This was the first Black Episcopal church. He worked with Absalom Jones, who was the first Black Episcopal priest. Burr helped build the church and grow its members. Many Black community leaders were part of this church.
Burr became a respected leader among free Black people in Philadelphia. He signed Frederick Douglass's "Men of Color to Arms" poster. This poster encouraged Black men to join the Union army during the Civil War. He also met with Quakers. Many Quakers supported ending slavery. The poet John Greenleaf Whittier even wrote about Burr in his letters.
John Pierre Burr's Family Life
In 1817, John Pierre Burr married Hester Elizabeth ("Hetty") Emory. They were married at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas.
Hetty Burr was also a community leader. She co-founded the Moral Reform Retreat. This was Philadelphia's first shelter for African American women in need. Hetty also worked in business. She had an employment office. Later, she became a dressmaker with her daughters.
John and Hetty Burr had at least nine children. Their children included John Emory, Julia Matilda, David, Edward, Martin, Elizabeth, and Louisa. Edward and Martin became carpenters. The whole family was committed to fighting slavery.
Their son, John Emory Burr, became a barber like his father. He was also a Grand Master of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America. This was a fraternal organization. He was also president of the Young Men's Union Literary Association of Philadelphia.
John Pierre Burr's Legacy
John Pierre Burr was buried at Olive Cemetery. Later, he was reinterred to Eden Cemetery.
He helped many freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. He and his family were active in groups that worked for education, charity, and civil rights. They made a big difference for the African-American community.
His descendants, Mable Burr Cornish and Louella Burr Mitchell Allen, saved many documents and photos. These tell the story of his life and family. In 2005, the Aaron Burr Association welcomed them into the family. In 2018, John Pierre Burr and his sister Louisa were officially recognized as children of Aaron Burr. This happened after a DNA test showed a family link. In 2019, a new headstone was placed for John Pierre Burr. It calls him a "Champion of justice and freedom, conductor on the Underground railroad."
Images for kids
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A later portrait of Aaron Burr, c. early 1800s
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1863 broadside, listing Burr as a speaker, calling men of color to arms.
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John Emory Burr, son of John Pierre Burr
See also
