The Establishment of Liberia: A Legacy of Resettlement for Freed Black Americans
Liberia was founded as a result of the resettlement initiative for formerly enslaved Black Americans, led by the American Colonization Society. Approximately 15,000 freed individuals, including William D. Coleman, migrated to Liberia, establishing a society reflective of their American heritage. The nation declared independence in 1847, and descendants of those early settlers continue to honor their legacy while contributing to Liberia’s reconstruction efforts.
The inception of Liberia arose from the endeavors to resettle formerly enslaved Black Americans. This initiative materialized notably through the efforts of the American Colonization Society (ACS) established in 1816, which sought to relocate free Black individuals, who white religious groups believed could never attain true freedom in a segregated United States, to Africa. Historian C. Patrick Burrowes noted, “They aimed to form a colony in Africa… to leave and go to Liberia,” emphasizing the societal pressures prompting this movement.
The ACS acquired land in Africa and designated it as Liberia, meaning “the land of the free,” with its capital, Monrovia, named after U.S. President James Monroe. Approximately 15,000 freed Black Americans relocated to Liberia, founding a society informed by their American experiences while confronting local challenges. Notable among these was William D. Coleman, who traveled with his family from Kentucky in 1853, as dictated by the will of James Wardlaw, who provided for their emancipation contingent upon their emigration to Liberia.
Life in Liberia presented challenges, yet it offered newly freed individuals a chance to cultivate their lives independently. Burrowes commented, “Life was rough because you’re coming into a place that’s new,” but noted that it was preferable to plantation life. The descendants of these settlers, such as the Colemans, have continued to honor their American heritage. Martin Coleman remarked on the cultural transference, saying, “From the time they came in, they started fashioning things after the U.S., the flag, everything.”
In 1847, Liberia declared its independence at a Baptist church gathering, with William D. Coleman later becoming the nation’s 13th president. However, the family’s quest for safety encountered turbulence during the Liberian Civil War, prompting some to return to America as a refuge. James Coleman reflected, “When the coup took place, thank God we had a place of refuge.”
Since 1998, the Colemans have organized a family reunion, which has evolved from a modest gathering to an event attended by up to 300 family members across continents. Genevieve Coleman-Garnett, 93, expressed the family’s ambition to maintain their identity, stating, “We wanted them to know who they were and where they came from.” The Coleman descendants also actively contribute to Liberia’s rebuilding efforts, with James Coleman asserting, “We got to continue to work, though… and do what we can to help the situation over there.”
The creation of Liberia resulted from the efforts to resettle formerly enslaved Black Americans, driven by the American Colonization Society and the belief that freedom could not be fully realized within the United States. Noteworthy figures such as William D. Coleman embodied the journey of these individuals who sought new beginnings in Liberia, culminating in the nation’s declaration of independence in 1847. Despite subsequent hardships, the Coleman family’s legacy persists through cultural remembrance and ongoing contributions to Liberia’s development, reinforcing the significant connection between America and Liberia.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
