7 Black Individuals Who Built Wealth During Slavery
Despite the horrors of slavery that defined much of the early history of the United States, there were remarkable African Americans who defied the odds, transcended their circumstances, and acquired significant wealth.
These individuals, through a combination of resourcefulness, hard work, and sheer determination, managed to rise above the shackles of oppression to create legacies that continue to inspire today.
This list celebrates 7 such extraordinary figures who amassed wealth during the era of slavery, demonstrating the resilience and brilliance that flourished even under the harshest conditions.
Bridget “Biddy” Mason
Bridget Mason, born a slave in 1818, managed to not only escape the horrors of slavery but also rise to prominence as one of Los Angeles’ wealthiest and most influential African American women. Mason gained her freedom in 1856 after California became a free state and later used her earnings to purchase real estate.
She started with modest means, working as a nurse and saving every penny. Over time, Mason purchased multiple plots of land in Los Angeles, which she leased out commercially. As the city grew, so did the value of her holdings. By the late 1800s, Mason had accumulated a fortune of $300,000, making her one of the wealthiest black women in the area. She also contributed to her community, funding the city’s first black church in 1872.
Robert Gordon
Robert Gordon, born a slave, bought his freedom in 1846 and went on to become a successful coal dealer in Cincinnati. Facing fierce competition from white coal dealers who slashed their prices in an attempt to drive him out of business, Gordon outsmarted them by stockpiling his own coal supply.
Amanda America Dickson
Amanda America Dickson, born into slavery in 1849, was the daughter of a Georgia plantation owner and one of his enslaved women. Despite her difficult beginnings, Dickson inherited a vast estate from her father upon his death in 1885, which included 17,000 acres of land. This inheritance made her one of the wealthiest African American women of the 19th century.
After gaining control of her father’s estate, Dickson relocated to Augusta, Georgia, and integrated into a more affluent, racially mixed community. Her story stands as a testament to the power of inheritance, education, and resilience in the face of systemic racism.
Anthony Johnson
Anthony Johnson, an African man who was brought to America as an indentured servant, became one of the first African Americans to own land and slaves. After gaining his freedom, he bought 250 acres of land and established a successful tobacco farm.
Johnson’s controversial legacy is marked by his legal ownership of the first enslaved black person in America, setting a tragic precedent that contributed to the growth of slavery in the colonies.
James Forten
James Forten, born in 1766, was a free black man in Philadelphia who achieved considerable wealth through his innovative work in the sailmaking industry. He began his career as a crew member on the Royal Louis during the Revolutionary War, where he was captured by the British and imprisoned. Upon his release, he apprenticed in sailmaking, eventually inventing a new sailmaking device that revolutionized the industry.
By the 1830s, Forten had accumulated a fortune worth $100,000, equivalent to around $2.5 million today. Forten used his wealth to fund abolitionist causes and was a leading advocate for the freedom of enslaved people, investing in various antislavery initiatives.
Antoine Dubuclet, born in 1810, was a free black man who inherited a plantation in Louisiana upon his father’s death. By the time the Civil War had ended, Dubuclet had become one of the wealthiest planters in Louisiana, managing his estate and overseeing numerous slaves.
William Ellison Jr
William Ellison Jr., born a slave in 1790, became one of the most successful black entrepreneurs in the South after gaining his freedom. Ellison learned the art of building cotton gins during his youth and used his skills to establish a successful cotton gin business. He eventually bought land, established a 900-acre cotton plantation, and owned 37 slaves.
Conclusion
These remarkable individuals defied the harshest of circumstances and achieved extraordinary success, demonstrating the strength, ingenuity, and perseverance that helped them rise above their stations. Their stories are not only inspiring but also serve as a testament to the power of human will in the face of oppression.
Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against them, they proved that wealth and success are attainable for those who dare to dream, no matter the system they were born into.
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