Denmark Vessey . Denmark Vesey became an important figure for African Americans and a symbol of the militant resistance to slavery.
Leah Aiello
Demark Vesey (1767-1822), whose original name was Telemanque, was born in West Africa. When Denmark was young he was captured, sold as a slave and brought to America. In 1781, Captain Joseph Vesey who was “stuck with the beauty, alertness, and intelligence of the boy” purchased Denmark. Captain Vesey then relocated Denmark to his residence in Charleston, South Carolina. While in Charleston, Denmark managed to educate himself as well as teaching himself how to read.
In 1800, seventeen years after his arrival, Denmark won $1,500 in a street lottery. With $600 that Denmark had won he had managed to purchase his freedom. After Demark become free he remained in Charleston and opened his own carpentry shop. Denmark soon became “distinguished for his great strengths and activity. Among his color he was always looked up to with awe and respect by both black and white Americans.” Denmark also acquired property on his own. Denmark went on to be pretty successful but was never completely happy with life knowing the “horrible reality experiences by slave’s everyday.” Denmark hated slavery and slaveholders, he versed himself in all the “available antislavery arguments and spoke out against the abuse and exploitation of his own people.” Denmark believed in equality for everyone and vowed to never rest until his people were free. In 1817, Denmark joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Through the church, Vesey “found a political movement.” Denmark along with other leaders of the church began organizing the black community around Charlestown to revolt in 1822.
