April 14, 1773: Thomas Paul, a free black from New Hampshire was born. He was self-taught, and in 1805 was ordained at Nottingham West, New Hampshire. Reverend Paul formed the African Baptist Church in Boston (later known as the Joy Street Baptist Church) and served as pastor for more than 20 years. He also helped establish the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York. He was greatly respected wherever he was known. ABHS has an extensive collection of annual minutes of Black associations and state conventions dating from 1835 – 1965.
