United States
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Absalom Jones
Sussex County, United States
Archival Overview
First African American ordained as an Episcopal priest, co-founder of the Free African Society, and heroic nurse during the 1793 Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic.
Biographical Record
Absalom Jones was born enslaved in Delaware, taught himself to read from the New Testament, and purchased his freedom in 1784 after working in a Philadelphia dry goods store. Alongside Richard Allen, he founded the Free African Society in 1787, one of America's first Black mutual aid organizations.
During the catastrophic 1793 Yellow Fever Epidemic in Philadelphia, when white citizens fled, Jones and Allen led Black volunteers in nursing the sick and burying the dead. In 1794, Jones founded the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, becoming the first Black Episcopal priest in 1804.
Key Life Milestones
Co-founding Mutual Aid
Established the Free African Society to provide mutual aid and burial assistance to freed people.
First Black Episcopal Priest
Ordained by Bishop William White as the first African American priest in the Episcopal Church.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialPhiladelphia, United States