Samuel Cornish

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Not to be confused with Vice-Admiral Samuel Cornish.

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Samuel Eli Cornish (1795 – 1858) was an African American abolitionist, journalist, and Presbyterian minister.

1 Early Life and Religious Activities
2 Activities in the Abolitionist Movement
3 Activities as a Journalist
4 Family and Death
5 External links

[edit] Early Life and Religious Activities

He was born in Sussex County, Delaware, to free parents. In 1815, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After moving to New York City in 1821, Cornish organized a congregation of black Presbyterians. When he was ordained in 1822, this parish was officially established as the New Demeter Street Presbyterian Church, making it the first black Presbyterian Church in New York City. He later ministered at the First African Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, and Emmanuel Church in New York City. Cornish held high-ranking positions within the American Bible Society, the Union Missionary Society, and the American Missionary Society.

[edit] Activities in the Abolitionist Movement

Cornish was one of the founding members of the American Anti-Slavery Society, remaining with the Society from 1833 to 1840. In 1840, Cornish left the American Anti-Slavery Society to join the newly formed American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, largely over disputes with William Lloyd Garrison over religion in the Abolitionist movement. Cornish used his position as a journalist and editor to inform the public on the issues involving Abolitionism.

[edit] Activities as a Journalist

Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm started the first black newspaper in 1827, calling it Freedom's Journal. Cornish left Freedom's Journal in 1829 to edit Rights of All, and later Colored American from 1837 to 1839.

[edit] Family and Death

Samuel Cornish married Jane Livingstone in 1824 in New York city, where Samuel Cornish lived most of his life. The couple had four children: Sarah Matilda, William, Samuel, and Jane Sophia Tappan. Cornish died on November 6, 1858 in Brooklyn, New York. He was 63 years old.