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Dr. D. Elisabeth Glassco Jul 2, 2023

Onesimus, a Boston enslaved man, saved hundreds of people from the horrors of smallpox in 1721. His contributions to science reverberate to this day b/c his knowledge led to what became the 1st vaccine-related study in America. Onesimus’s story illustrates the degree to which reputable men of science depended on the testimony & experience of Africans in dealing with a dreaded disease.

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Dr. D. Elisabeth Glassco Jul 2, 2023

Onesimus’ origins remain unknown, but he was likely taken forcefully from his homeland in West Africa, forced into slavery, and transported to the Massachusetts Bay colony aboard a ship. During that time, MA was a hub of the early slave trade & the first American colony to legally establish the ownership of human beings in 1641. By the year 1700, approximately 1,000 enslaved individuals resided in Massachusetts.

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Dr. D. Elisabeth Glassco Jul 2, 2023

The name Onesimus was not the original name given to him at birth. Similar to many others who experienced the horrors of slavery, historical texts only document the name he was given by his enslaver. The name Onesimus, meaning "useful," serves as a reminder of the property status imposed upon him by his enslaver.

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LeRoc Jul 2, 2023

@Deglassco Onesimus is the name of a Biblical slave (Philemon 1:8-11)

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Dr. D. Elisabeth Glassco Jul 3, 2023

@leroc yes it is. This is probably where Mather got it.

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LeRoc

@Deglassco I've been trying to read up on how conservative Christians twisted and turned the Biblical Onesimus story to fit their pro-slavery views. It gets rather weird.