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James Forten was born in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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At the age of 15 he he set off and joined the revolutionary war as a privateer on the royal Luis.
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In 1784 he returned to Philly and resumed working as a privateer
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He takes over Bridges sail-making business, becoming one of the richest African americans in the country.
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He helps other African American Philadelphians rally against the state to stop the law which requires black people to register with the state
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He once supported the American Colonization Society but now opposes it and now arguing for African Americans rights in the U.S. rather than emigration to africa.
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He ended up becoming the leading abolitionist, funding the Liberator and supported William Lloyd Garrison.
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He passed away on March 4th in Philadelphia at the age of 75 leaving behind a legacy