Amistad Freedom Schooner

The Amistad Story

In 1839, 53 Africans were kidnapped from West Africa and brought to Cuba. They were illegally classified as slaves upon arrival in Cuba. The captives were bought by two Spaniards and put on board the cargo schooner, La Amistad. Three days later, a 25-year-old Mende rice farmer named Sengbe Pieh or "Cinque" led a rebellion.

(Mural by Hale Woodruff)

After 63 days at sea, La Amistad and the captives ("cargo") were seized as salvage. The Africans were brought to New Haven Connecticut and jailed on charges of murder and mutiny. An Amistad Committee was formed to help raise funds to provide for the legal defense and other needs of the imprisoned captives. Roger Sherman Baldwin agreed to take up the case of the captives. The case took on historic proportions when former President John Quincy Adams joined the legal team and helped argue successfully on the behalf of the captives before the US Supreme Court. In 1841, the 35 surviving Africans were returned to Africa.

Links to Find Out More

Amistad America - AMISTAD America, Inc. is a national, non-profit educational organization. We promote improved relationships between races and cultures by acknowledging our common experiences and encouraging dialogue that is based on respect.

The Amistad Research Center - One of the country's largest repositories of art, photography and documents dedicated to preserving the rich history of African-Americans.

American Sail Training Association - Offers training and educational experiences on the tall ships.

Sengbe Pieh

drawn by court artist

UCC Relationship to the Amistad

In 1839 many Congregationalists were “evangelical” abolitionists. They were sometimes called “immediatists” because they advocated for an immediate end to the evil of slavery. For instance, 20,000 church members read the American Missionary newspaper. By contrast, the Boston Liberator, published by abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, had 2,000 subscribers at its height. The evangelical abolitionists deeply believed in the equality of the races and they insisted on racial integration in their activities and societies.

The United Church of Christ was a major sponsor of the building of the Amistad.