John Quamino facts for kids

John Quamino (born around 1744, died August 1779) was an amazing person. He was once enslaved but became a missionary. He might even have been the first African to go to college in America! His story shows how determined he was to learn and help others.

John Quamino's Early Life

John Quamino was born into a rich family. This was near a place called Anomabu in Ghana, West Africa. He was likely born around 1744 or 1745. When he was a little boy in the 1750s, his father wanted him to get a Western education. So, his father arranged for him to travel.

Sadly, the ship captain who was supposed to take John sold him into slavery instead. By the 1760s, John was in Newport, Rhode Island, in America. He was enslaved in the home of Captain Benjamin Church. We don't know exactly what his daily tasks were there. Soon after arriving in Newport, John became a Christian. He joined the First Congregational Church.

John Quamino's Family Life

In 1769, John Quamino married a woman named Duchess. She was also enslaved and worked as a chef. Duchess worked for William and Lucy Channing. John and Duchess had several children together. Their son Charles was born in 1772. Violet was born in 1776, and Katharine Church in 1779. They also had another daughter named Cynthia. Sadly, three of their daughters died young. One died at birth, another at age fifteen, and Violet died at age 18. John and Duchess did not live together. Their children lived with Duchess at the Channings' house.

Gaining Freedom and New Plans

In 1773, John Quamino and his friend Bristol Yamma won a local lottery! John used his winnings to buy his freedom. It's not clear if he stayed with the Church family, moved in with Duchess, or got his own place.

Soon after becoming free, John became part of an important plan. Two religious leaders, Samuel Hopkins and Ezra Stiles, organized it. They wanted to send Black missionaries to Africa. Their big dream was to send thirty or forty missionaries. But they started with just John Quamino and Bristol Yamma.

Mission to Africa: A Dream

Both John and Bristol knew African languages. This was a huge help! It meant they could be better missionaries than many white scholars. Their letters asking for money showed how truly devoted they were to Christianity. John also had a personal reason to go. He hoped to see his mother again, as they had been able to write letters to each other.

The fundraising for this mission was very successful. They got support from religious people in America, England, and Africa. Even the famous poet Phillis Wheatley helped them!

College Studies and War

In 1774, John Quamino and Bristol Yamma left Newport. They went to the College of New Jersey. Today, this school is known as Princeton University. They didn't officially enroll or graduate. Instead, they studied directly with the college President, John Witherspoon. Because of this, some people say they were the first Africans to study at an American college.

However, their studies and the missionary plan were stopped. The American Revolutionary War began in 1775.

John Quamino's Final Years

During the war, John Quamino became a privateer. This was a job where a private ship was allowed to attack enemy ships. It could be very profitable. John hoped to earn enough money to buy the freedom of his wife and children. Sadly, he died in battle in August 1779.

In 2018, John Quamino's story was shared in a dance and multimedia show. It was called "Spiritual Secularism" by André Daughtry.