Primus Hall Research Paper

Black migrants were not only participants in civil right protests, integrationist activities, and abolitionist activism they were in many cases its leaders. Abolitionist activism took on a personal meaning due to the fact that many southern migrants living in Boston had been slave themselves. The tradition of leadership in organizations and protest in Boston’s black society can best be explained by examining the activism of a number of important black families. Prince Hall founded the Negro Masonic Order a fraternal organization in 1784. As a result of this, his son, Primus Hall was also actively involved in black community affairs. Primus Hall was one of the founders of the first black church in Boston, the African Baptist Church. Hall was an essential member of this group, however he was not the leader.

Paul established distinct black only religious and educational institutions, in many cities throughout the north. He conducted revival tours for the Baptist Missionary Society, therefore in his absence, minister Nathaniel Hall, his son, was called to preach. Similarly, Thomas Paul’s brothers were ministers as well and his younger brother traveled internationally as an antislavery speaker. His oldest son, Thomas Paul, Jr. worked on the Liberator alongside the famous abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. Thomas Jr was also the first black graduate of Dartmouth College. Coincidentally, Susan Paul, Paul’s daughter, was a highly recognized female reformer in Boston and was a life member of the Massachusetts Anti Slavery Society. The pattern of family involvement over generations was widespread, not only among black leaders but more generally among black Bostonians. If one member was involved in civil rights, anti slavery, or general social reform, other family members were likely to take part as