Stephen H. Gloucester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephen H. Gloucester
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| Born | 1802 |
| Died | May 21, 1850 |
Stephen Gloucester (1802–1850) was an important leader in the fight against slavery in Philadelphia. He helped organize the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.
Stephen Gloucester's Early Life
Stephen Gloucester was one of four sons born to John Gloucester. Stephen was born into slavery in Tennessee. When he was 12 years old, his father paid $400 to buy Stephen's freedom. This meant Stephen was no longer enslaved and could live as a free person.
Helping His Community
Between 1820 and 1840, Reverend Gloucester worked hard to help his community. He started a school for Black children. He also created a reading room where Black adults could learn.
Stephen Gloucester helped create the Leavitt Anti-Slavery Society. He encouraged other Black churches to start similar groups. He was one of eight Black pastors who founded the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society. These groups worked to end slavery.
In 1838, he became a co-publisher for a newspaper called the Colored American. This newspaper shared important news and ideas. Later, he became the pastor of the Second African Presbyterian Church. Sadly, a large crowd destroyed this church during riots in 1842.
His Death and Burial Site
In 1850, Stephen Gloucester was on a church trip to Reading, Pennsylvania. He became sick with pneumonia and passed away. His church members buried him in a special brick tomb. This tomb was in front of the church building he had helped build.
They placed a marble stone there. It honored him as a devoted minister. In 1880, his wife, Ann Gloucester, also passed away. Her remains were placed with her husband in the same tomb.
At some point, the large stone marking their grave went missing. Years later, in 1939, the church congregation grew too big for their old building. They moved to a new historic church building in West Philadelphia.
In 2008, workers were changing the old church building into a new home. They found a piece of slate that led them to Stephen Gloucester's brick tomb. On November 21, 2008, his remains were found. This discovery helped confirm the history of this important leader.
