Peter Williams, Jr.

Rev. Peter Williams Jr. (1780 - 1840) was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Williams grew up to become active in the Methodist Church. In 1818, with the blessings of prominent white Methodist minister Rev. Thomas Lyell, Williams organized a black congregation in Harlem, St. Philip's African Church. He was the first African-American Episcopalian minister in the United States.^[1] As a young man, Williams tutored James McCune Smith while he was attending The African Free School.^[2]

See also

• African Free School
• Dr. James McCune Smith
• abolitionism
• Slavery
• African-American

References

• "Peter Williams Jr.". New York Historical Society. http://www.nydivided.org/popup/People/PeterWilliamsJr.php. Retrieved December 20, 2006. 
• "Major Speeches: Rev. Peter Williams, Jr. “Slavery and Colonization,” 1830". University of Washington Department of History. http://faculty.washington.edu/qtaylor/speeches/williams_slavery.htm. Retrieved December 20, 2006. 
• "Major Speeches: Major Speeches: Rev. Peter Williams, “An Oration On The Abolition Of The Slave Trade,” 1808". University of Washington Department of History. http://faculty.washington.edu/qtaylor/speeches/williams_slavery.htm. Retrieved December 20, 2006. 
• An Oration on the Abolition of the Slave Trade; Delivered in the African Church in the City of New-York, January 1, 1808 online pdf version