John Baptist Snowden
American slave who bought his freedom and was Methodist minister
About John Baptist Snowden
Lived 1801 – 1885 (aged 84).
John Baptist Snowden (May 14, 1801 – September 8, 1885) was an American minister. He was born enslaved, and purchased his freedom. He wrote an autobiography which was published following his death by his son.
Biography By the time Snowden was a teenager he had five different enslavers in Anne Arundel County in Maryland. He was able to buy his freedom by selling baskets and hickory brooms he made himself; peppermint drops he distilled, and other small items he was able to sell to his neighbors. During the 1820s his enslaver agreed to a price for Snowden's freedom, and then he left the vicinity.
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Important facts
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Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Baptist Snowden?
American slave who bought his freedom and was Methodist minister
When was John Baptist Snowden born?
John Baptist Snowden was born on 14 May 1801 in Maryland.
When did John Baptist Snowden die?
John Baptist Snowden died on 8 September 1885 in Carroll County, Maryland.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: John Baptist Snowden
· DBpedia: John Baptist Snowden
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Baptist Snowden. https://biography.guide/john-baptist-snowden/
MLA: "John Baptist Snowden." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-baptist-snowden/.
Chicago: "John Baptist Snowden." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-baptist-snowden/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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