Captain Absalom Boston

Ablsom Boston, born in 1785 in Nantucket, Massachusetts, developed a liking towards boats once he picked up a job working on whaling ships, which at the time was a great source of income, especially for a person of  African American descent in the 1800 hundreds. Died in 1855, Captain Absalom Boston accomplished many things that paved the way for mariners and helped his community.

While working on the boats as a teenager, he picked numerous experiences which led up to what he is most famous for, being the first Afro-American sea captain in the sailing hall of fame. After climbing up the ranks, he became a whaling ship captain with an entirely African American crew. Although the amount of money the job provided, it also came with many risks as many ships became damaged and many crew members were lost at sea.

After working through harsh terranes, he bought a property, an inn, and a store on the island once he settled in Nantucket. Subsequently, Boston's wealth opened pathways for the black community as he helped African Americans enlist to study law. After Abaloms daughter was rejected from attending school, Boston was furious and sued the school, which led him to win the lawsuit. After winning the case, his daughter was invited back to school, and another afro American student was too. This ultimately led to Nantucket signing a law that paved the way for African Americans to attend schools and be who they want to be today.

Asher Momplaisir