True Life Tuesday: Prince Hall

While many parts of his life are not known what we do know about Prince Hall is very interesting.

It is believed that he was born between 1735 and 1738. The identities of his parents along with his birthplace are not known. At the age of 11 he was either enslaved or in the service of Boston tanner William Hall. By 1770 he was free man and he was also able to read and write. There were many men in the area with the name of Prince Hall so it is unclear if he was married and had children. He worked in Boston as a peddler, caterer and leather worker. 

Prince was also active in the black community. He encourage blacks to fight in the revolution thinking that this would lead to the freedom for all black people. He also hosted many events in the community to improve the lives of blacks. He was drawn to the free mason movement due to their ideals of liberty, equality and peace. He and 14 other free black men petitioned to join the all-white Boston St. John's Lodge but they were denied. They ended up founding the African Lodge No. 1 and Prince became the Grand Master. However, their lodge had limited power and could not confer degrees or perform other essential functions. 

Prince worked in the state political arena to end slavery, advance black rights and protect free blacks from being kidnapped by slave traders. He also started a school program in his home for free black children. He also wrote many petitions to have slavery outlawed in Massachusetts. Prince supported the return to Africa movement as well although he set the idea aside when he realized that there was little support for it. 

Prince Hall died in 1807. He was buried in Copp's Hill Burying Ground along with many other notable Bostonians. A monument was placed next to his grave marker on June 24, 1835.