Did You Know?

Prince Hall founded the first black lodge within the Masonic Order, and was the first Worshipful Master of African Lodge Number One in 1776, the oldest black fraternal organization in America.

Prince Hall campaigned for the right for children of color to attend public schools. In 1797 he formed the African School which later became the Abiel Smith School. In 1834 the Abiel Smith School became the first black public school building for African American children in Boston.

He was one of four signers of a 1777 petition submitted to the Massachusetts legislature demanding the abolition of slavery. Slavery was eventually abolished in the state by 1783 when Massachusetts’ highest court ruled it unconstitutional.

As an entrepreneur, Prince Hall owned and operated a successful leather crafting shop for many years, through which he provided Revolutionary troops with leather drumheads. He was also one of New England’s leading caterers. Prince Hall died in 1807.