Prince Hall

Prince Hall (December 7, 1807) was an American abolitionist and leader in the free Black community in Boston. He founded Prince Hall Freemasonry and lobbied for education rights for African-American children. He was also active in the Back-to-Africa movement.

Hall tried to gain a place for New York's enslaved and free Blacks in Freemasonry, education, and the military. Hall is considered the founder of "Black Freemasonry" in the United States, known today as Prince Hall Freemasonry. He formed the African Grand Lodge of North America, and was unanimously elected its Grand Master and served until he died in 1807. Steve Gladstone, author of Freedom Trail Boston, states that Hall was "one of the most influential free black leaders in the late 1700s".

There is confusion about his birth year, place of birth, parents, and marriages, partly because there were numerous "Prince Halls" during this period.

Early life Hall's exact birthdate, including year, is uncertain. Some sources cite 1735, others 1738, and one cites 1748. (Death notices that link Prince Hall to African Lodge, published on December 7, 1807, say he died at the age of 72, suggesting he was born in 1735.) A deposition dated August 31, 1807 records his age as "about 70 years". A letter written in 1795 by Reverend Jeremy Belknap, a founder of the Massachusetts Historical Society, places Hall's birth in 1737 or 1738, based upon Prince Hall's stated age when Hall and Belknap met. Hall's birthday is traditionally celebrated on September 14. His place of birth and parents are also unclear.

After Hall died on December 4, 1807, the brethren organized the African Grand Lodge on June 24, 1808, including the Philadelphia, Providence, and Boston lodges. Hall said of civic activities:

Community activism

Hall worked within the state political arena to advance the rights of blacks, end slavery, and protect free blacks from being kidnapped by slave traders. He proposed a back-to-Africa movement, pressed for equal educational opportunities, and operated a school for African Americans in his home. He engaged in public speaking and debate, citing Christian scripture against slavery to a predominantly Christian legislative body.

Education Hall requested that the Massachusetts Congress create a school program for black children. He cited the same platform for fighting the American Revolution of "Taxation without Representation." Hall and other Black Bostonians wanted a separate school to distance themselves from white supremacy and create well-educated Black citizens. Although Hall's arguments were logical, his two attempts at passing legislation through the Massachusetts Congress both failed. Hall then started a school program for free black children out of his own home

His 1788 petition to the Massachusetts legislature protested the abuse and kidnapping of fellow Black Boston residents and called out many atrocities faced by the community.

Hall's notable written works include the 1792 Charge and 1797 Charge. Hall's 1792 Charge focused on the abolition of slavery in his home state of Massachusetts. He addressed the importance of black leaders in shaping the country and creating unity. In his 1797 Charge, Hall wrote about the treatment and hostility that blacks received in the United States. He recognized black revolutionaries in the Haitian Revolution. Hall was one of several free blacks in Massachusetts who presented a petition to the legislature in 1788 protesting African-American seamen being sold into slavery.

In a speech he presented in June 1797, Hall said:

Back-to-Africa movement Hall was involved in the Back-to-Africa movement and approached the legislature to request funds for voluntary emigration to Africa. In January 1773, Hall and 73 other African-American delegates presented an emigration plea to the Massachusetts Senate. This plea, which included the contentions that African Americans are better suited to Africa's climate and lifestyle, failed. When a group of freed black men had begun a trip to Africa, they were captured and held, which reignited Hall's interest in the movement.

Personal life Hall joined the Congregational Church in 1762. He married an enslaved woman named Sarah Ritchie or Ritchery, who died in 1769. Primus also established a school in his home for educating African-American children and sought funding from the community, including African-American sailors. Elisha Sylvester and two Harvard University students taught there. In 1800, the school was moved to the African Meeting House, a church built by Thomas Paul. Primus Hall continued fund-raising to support the African-American school until 1835.

Monuments A tribute monument to Hall was erected on Copp's Hill on June 24, 1835, next to his grave marker. The inscription reads: "Here lies ye body of Prince Hall, first Grand Master of the colored Grand Lodge in Mass. Died Dec. 7, 1807".

The Prince Hall Monument, by Ted Clausen, was erected in Cambridge, Massachusetts.