Liberian exodus facts for kids

The Liberian exodus was a journey in 1878 when over 200 African Americans left South Carolina in the United States to start new lives in Liberia, Africa. They traveled on a ship called the Azor. This event was a significant moment in the history of black people seeking freedom and new opportunities after the American Civil War.

Why People Left the U.S.

After the American Civil War, many black people in the Southern United States faced unfair treatment. They wanted to escape these difficulties and find a better life.

A Call for Change

A politician named Richard H. Cain, who was a Congressman, encouraged many to consider moving to Africa. He spoke about leaving the injustices they faced in the United States.

Starting a New Company

In 1877, a group of black people in Charleston, South Carolina, created a company. It was called the Liberian Exodus Joint Stock Steamship Company. They raised $6,000 to help people move. In early 1878, people wanting to leave started arriving in Charleston. The company bought a ship, a type of sailing vessel called a bark, and named it the Azor. The Azor arrived in Charleston in March 1878.

The Voyage of the Azor

On April 21, 1878, the Azor set sail from Charleston. There were 206 people on board, all hoping for a new beginning in Liberia.

A Reporter's Journey

A young reporter named A.B. Williams from the News and Courier newspaper joined the travelers. He sailed with them all the way to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. He wrote a detailed story about the entire trip.

Problems on Board

Sadly, the journey had many serious problems. These issues led to the deaths of 23 people before the ship reached Africa.

• The ship's water supply ran out just before they arrived.
• The food was meant to last for six months after they reached Liberia. However, it was poor quality and was all eaten during the voyage.
• There was no doctor on the ship, which was against the law.
• One of the organizers, George Curtis, volunteered to act as a doctor. But he had no medical training. He tried his best using a book called The Mariner's Medical Guide and the ship's medicine chest.

Arrival in Liberia

The Azor stopped in Sierra Leone on May 19 to get more supplies. After 42 days at sea, the ship finally arrived in Monrovia, Liberia, on June 3.

Facing New Challenges

When they arrived, many of the new settlers found themselves very poor. They did not have enough supplies and had to rely on help from others. Before they left the U.S., some people had heard exciting, but untrue, stories about Liberia. They were told that potatoes grew so big they could feed a family for a day. They also heard that certain trees produced bacon! When they arrived, they discovered these stories were not true.

Some Returned Home

In December 1879, eighteen of the travelers returned to the U.S. on another ship called the Monrovia. They reported that if anyone from the Azor had enough money, they would also return to the United States.

The Company's End

The stop in Sierra Leone for supplies cost a lot of money. The Liberian Exodus Company could not pay this debt. The company announced plans for a second voyage in early 1879. This time, they planned to charge passengers for tickets instead of selling company shares. However, the company had managed its money poorly. Also, news spread about the deaths on the first trip and the difficult conditions in Liberia. Because of these problems, a second voyage never happened.

Success for Many

Even with the early difficulties, many of the travelers found success in Liberia. By 1880, most had found ways to earn a living. They no longer wished to return to the United States. By 1890, many of the Azor passengers were important citizens in Liberia.

Notable Achievements

• Saul Hill, who had moved earlier from York, South Carolina, started a very successful 700-acre coffee farm.
• Clement Irons, from Charleston, built the first steamship ever made in Liberia.
• The Reverend David Frazier opened a large coffee farm with 20,000 trees. He was elected to the Liberian Senate in 1891.
• One passenger, Daniel Frank Tolbert, was from a town called Ninety-Six in Greenwood County. He later became the grandfather of William R. Tolbert, Jr., who would become a President of Liberia.