James Forten Leads Philadelphia Sail-Making Empire, Becomes Wealthy Abolitionist

James Forten of Philadelphia, born free in 1766, had by 1800 taken over and expanded Robert Bridges's sail loft, employing both Black and white workers. He accumulated a fortune estimated at $100,000, making him one of the wealthiest Black Americans of the era. He used his wealth to fund abolitionist publications and anti-colonization petitions.