Last updated: March 23, 2023
Article
Black Activism
- Duration:
- 5 minutes, 37 seconds
How did different groups of people shape the American Revolution and events leading up to it? This film uses primary source documents to explore the stories of two men - a Salem colonist, Richard Derby, and an enslaved man, Obed.
Salem's African Society
NPS Photo / Maryann Zujewski / Courtesy of the Museum of Printing
The newspaper advertisement to the left was chosen as the thumbnail image for this section on "Slavery and Freedom" to highlight Black activism. Sabe Derby was part of the first generation of freed Black people in Salem and a member of an early Black benevolent society - the Sons of the African Society. The society brought members of the free Black community together with the mission of supporting one another during the challenging transition from slavery to freedom.
![Black and white scan of 18th century newspaper](/common/uploads/grid_builder/articles/crop16_9/0F4D7143-F918-A28E-90B943C24C020116.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Long before 1776, enslaved women fought for their freedom in everyday and revolutionary ways.
![Text handwritten in cursive with ink on yellowed paper.](/common/uploads/grid_builder/articles/crop16_9/0FE9A4AB-C39F-0D2B-A0A95209BD2F22BC.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Explore a series of articles and primary source documents related to slavery and freedom in Salem.