Denmark Vesey (1767 - 1822)

Born 1767 in St. Thomas

Descendants

Died 2 Jul 1822 at about age 55 in Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Problems/Questions Profile managers: US Black Heritage Project WikiTree [send private message] and DK Clews [send private message]

Denmark Vesey is a part of US Black history. Join: US Black Heritage Project Discuss: black_heritage

Biography

Denmark Vesey is Notable.

Denmark Engaged as an Interpreter

Known for his leadership role in what would have possibly been the most organized and best planned slave revolt of the times, if leaks hadn't thwarted those plans, Denmark Vesey is a noted, though little-known-about, figure in history. What little that is known of his history comes from documents published after the secret trials of him and several others for the planning of the revolt. However, his name served as a call to arms long after his execution. When Frederick Douglass, the noted social reformer, sent out a call for enlistment in the Union, Denmark Vesey's name was the first inspiration he invoked:

"...The chance is now give you to end in a day bondage of centuries, and to rise in one bound from social degradation to the plain of common equality with all other varieties of men. Remember Denmark Vesey of Charleston. Remember Nathaniel Turner of South Hampton; remember Shields, Green, and Copeland, who followed noble John Brown, and fell as glorious martyrs for the cause of the slave. Remember that in a contest with oppression, the Almighty has no attribute which can take sides with oppressors. The case is before you. This is our golden opportunity - let us accept it - and forever wipe out the dark reproaches unsparingly hurled against us by our enemies...."^[1]

• born on St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands - but at that time it was a Danish colony)
  
• multi-lingual and literate
  
• skilled carpenter
  
• Capt. Joseph Vesey purchased him at age 14. After refunding the money the sale price, Vesey once again took ownership of Telemaque (as he was apparently known while a slave) who later served as an assistant and interpreter to Vesey in his slave trading.^[2]
  
• he bought his freedom from Vesey for $600 after winning $1500 in a city lottery.^[2]
  
• co-founded African Methodist Episcopal Church (Now Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church) in 1818.^[2]
  
• According to possibly biased court documentation, Vesey was the leader of a proposed major slave revolt plan in 1822. The revolt never took place as Vesey and other supposed conspirators were arrested, tried in secret and subsequently hanged. He was 55.^[2]
  
• Almost all the information on his life and origin comes from the official report from the court regarding these trials.^[2]
  

Sources

1. ↑ "Men of Color, To Arms! --- A Call by Frederick Douglas." The Daily Evansville Journal. 11 March 1863. Evansville, Indiana. Vol 15: No 134. p1, column 4. Chronicling America (Web). 19 June 2015
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Wikipedia: Denmark Vesey

• Also see: Denmark Vesey Monologue - a monologue from "Denmark Vesey" by Clifford Mason performed by Eric Carter
• Also see: Higginson, Thomas Wentworth. "The Story of Denmark Vessey." The Atlantic. June 1861. theatlantic.com (web). 19 June 2015.
• "Denmark Vesey," This Far by Faith, (https://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/people/denmark_vesey.html)
• “Gullah” Jack Pritchard (https://enslaved.org/fullStory/16-23-106174/)