Paul Cuffee, the subject of this narrative, was the youngest son
of John Cuffee, a poor African slave; but who, by good conduct,
faithfulness, and a persevering industry, in time obtained his
freedom. He afterward purchased a farm, and having married an Indian
woman, brought up a family of ten children respectably, on one of the
Elizabeth Islands, near New Bedford, Massachusetts.
In the year 1773, when Paul was about fourteen years of age, his father
died, leaving a widow with six daughters to the care of him and his
brothers. Although he had no learning except what he had received from
the hand of friendship, yet by that means he advanced to a considerable
degree of knowledge in arithmetic and navigation.
Of the latter, he acquired enough to enable him to command his own
vessel in its voyages to many ports in the Southern States, the West
Indies, England, Russia, and to Africa. The beginning of his business
in this line was in an open boat; but by prudence and perseverance, he
was at length enabled to obtain a good-sized schooner, then a brig, and
afterward a ship. In the year 1806, he owned a ship, two brigs, and
several smaller vessels, besides considerable property in houses and
lands.
Feeling in early life a desire of benefiting his fellow-men, he made
use of such opportunities as were in his power for that purpose.
Hence, during the severity of winter, when he could not pursue his
usual business in his little boat, he employed his time in teaching
navigation to his own family and to the young men of the neighborhood.
Even on his voyages, when opportunity offered, he instructed those
under his care in that useful art.
He was so conscientious that he would not enter into any business,
however profitable, that might have a tendency to injure his
fellow-men; and seeing the dreadful effects of drunkenness, he would
not deal in ardent spirits on that account.
In the place where he lived, there was no school; and as he was anxious
that his children should obtain an education, he built a house on his
own land, at his own expense, and gave his neighbors the free use of
it; being satisfied in seeing it occupied for so useful and excellent a
purpose.
In many parts of his history, we may discover that excellent trait of
character which rendered him so eminently useful--a steady perseverance
in laudable undertakings. It is only by an honest, industrious use of
the means in our power that we can hope to become respectable.
His mind had long been affected with the degraded and miserable
condition of his African brethren, and his heart yearning toward them,
his thoughts were turned to the British settlement at Sierra Leone. In
1811, finding his property sufficient to warrant the undertaking, and
believing it to be his duty to use a part of what God had given him for
the benefit of his unhappy race, he embarked in his own brig, manned
entirely by persons of color, and sailed to Africa, the land of his
forefathers.
After he arrived at Sierra Leone, he had many conversations with the
governor and principal inhabitants, and proposed to them a number of
improvements. Thence he sailed to England, where he met great attention
and respect; and being favored with an opportunity of opening his views
to the Board of Managers of the African Institution, they cordially
united with him in all his plans. This mission to Africa was undertaken
at his own expense, and with the purest motives of benevolence.
He was very desirous of soon making another voyage, but was prevented
by the war which took place between England and the United States.
In 1815, however, he made preparations, and took on board his brig
thirty-eight persons of color; and after a voyage of thirty-five days,
he arrived safe at his destined port. These persons were to instruct
the inhabitants of Sierra Leone in farming and the mechanic arts. His
stay at this time was about two months, and when he took his leave,
particularly of those whom he had brought over, it was like a father
leaving his children, and with pious admonition commending them to the
protection of God.
He was making arrangements for a third voyage, when he was seized with
the complaint which terminated his labors and his life. He was taken
ill in the winter, and died in the autumn following, 1817, in the
fifty-ninth year of his age. For the benefit of his African brethren,
he devoted a portion of his youthful acquisitions, of his latter time,
and even the thoughts of his dying pillow.
As a private man, he was just and upright in all his dealings. He was
an affectionate husband, a kind father, a good neighbor, and a faithful
friend. He was pious without ostentation, and warmly attached to the
principles of the Society of Friends, of which he was a member; and
he sometimes expressed a few sentences in their Meetings, which gave
general satisfaction. Regardless of the honors and pleasures of the
world, he followed the example of his Divine Master, in going from
place to place doing good, looking not for a reward from man, but from
his Heavenly Father.
Thus walking in the ways of piety and usefulness, and in the enjoyment
of an approving conscience, when death appeared, it found him in peace,
and ready to depart. Such a calmness and serenity overspread his soul,
and showed itself in his countenance, that the heart of even the
reprobate might feel the wish, "Let me die the death of the righteous,
and let my last end be like his."
A short time before he expired, feeling sensible that his end was near,
he called his family together. It was an affecting and solemn scene.
His wife and children, with several other relations, being assembled
around him, he reached forth his feeble hand, and after embracing them
all, and giving them some pious advice, he commended them to the mercy
of God, and bid them a final farewell.
After this, his mind seemed almost entirely occupied with the eternal
world. To one of his neighbors who came to visit him, he said, "Not
many days hence, and ye shall see the glory of God. I know that my
works are gone to judgment before me; but it is all well, it is all
well."
He lived the life, and died the death of a Christian. He is gone whence
he never shall return, and where he shall no more contend with raging
billows and with howling storms. His voyages are all over, he has made
his last haven, and it is that of eternal repose. Thither, could we
follow him, we should learn the importance of fulfilling our duty to
our Creator, to ourselves, and to our fellow-creatures.
Such was his reputation for wisdom and integrity, that his neighbors
consulted him in all their important concerns; and what an honor to
the son of a poor African slave! And the most respectable men in Great
Britain and America were not ashamed to seek him for counsel and advice.
Thus we see how his persevering industry and economy, with the blessing
of Providence, procured him wealth; his wisdom, sobriety, integrity,
and good conduct made him many friends; his zealous labors for the
honor of his Maker, and for the benefit of his fellow-men, gave him
a peaceful conscience; and an unshaken belief in the mercies and
condescending love of his Heavenly Father, afforded, in his dying
moments, that calmness, serenity, and peaceful joy, which are a
foretaste of immortal bliss.
The following is an extract from his address to his brethren at Sierra
Leone:--"Beloved friends and fellow-countrymen, I earnestly recommend
to you the propriety of assembling yourselves together to worship the
Lord your God. God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him acceptably,
must worship in spirit and in truth.
"Come, my African brethren, let us walk in the light of the Lord; in
that pure light which bringeth salvation into the world. I recommend
sobriety and steadfastness, that so professors may be good examples in
all things. I recommend that early care be taken to instruct the youth
while their minds are tender, that so they may be preserved from the
corruptions of the world, from profanity, intemperance, and bad company.
"May servants be encouraged to discharge their duty with faithfulness;
may they be brought up to industry; and may their minds be cultivated
for the reception of the good seed which is promised to all who seek
it. I want that we should be faithful in all things, that so we may
become a people giving satisfaction to those who have borne the burden
and heat of the day in liberating us from a state of slavery.
"I leave you in the hands of Him who is able to preserve you through
time, and crown you with that blessing which is prepared for all who
are faithful to the end." This appears to be the simple expression of
his feelings, and the language of his heart.
When you have read this account of your brother Paul Cuffee, pause
and reflect. Do not think because you cannot be as extensively useful
as he was, that you cannot do any good. There are very few people, if
any, in the world who cannot be useful in some way or other. If you
have health, you may, by your industry, sobriety, and economy, make
yourselves and your families comfortable.
By your honesty and good conduct, you may set them and your neighbors
a good example. If you have aged parents, you may soothe and comfort
their declining years. If you have children, you may instruct them
in piety and virtue, and in such business as will procure them a
comfortable subsistance, and prepare them for usefulness in the world.