Absalom Jones

Absalom Jones (1746 - February 13, 1818), was an African American abolitionist and clergyman. He was born into slavery in Delaware. When he was 16, he was sold to a store owner in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While still a slave of Mr. Wynkoop, he married Mary King, another slave, in January 4, 1770. He paid for her freedom by 1778, and by 1784, he paid for his own freedom.

He became a lay minister for black members in a Methodist church. He later founded St. Thomas African Church in Philadelphia, which petitioned to become an Episcopal parish. Jones was later ordained as the first African-American priest in the Episcopal Church in the USA.

• Article from PBS