John Kizell

John Kizell was a first-generation African American of Sherbro origin. Kizell was a Baptist and belonged to David George (Baptist) congregation of African Americans. Kizell was regularly used to negotiate with the Sherbro Caulkers and Sherbro Clevelands for land in Sierra Leone. Kizell was one of only 50 African-American immigrants to Sierra Leone who was born in Africa. Kizell was one of the agents for the American Colonization Society who caused the nation of Liberia to be established.

Background

He was born to a Sherbro Chief and he was sold into slavery while on a visit to see his uncle who was another chief nearby.

Slavery

Kizell was a sold as a slave in Charleston, South Carolina. He left his master to join the British after the Philipsburg Proclamation by British General Henry Clinton.

Return to Africa

Alongside 1,200 African Americans, John Kizell immigrated to Sierra Leone and established Settler Town, Sierra Leone.

Kizelltown and Colony for colored people

Kizell established a colony for colored people in Sherbro land after negotiating with Afro-European clans such as the Caulkers and Clevelands (who were descendants of English slave traders and were both related). Kizell was a prosperous trader, a Baptist preacher and he built a church in the Colony.

Dealings with the ACS

John Kizell had dealt with Paul Cuffe and had told him that the Sherbro lands would be suitable for African-American settlers.

Debt

Kizell still maintained ties with the African-American community in Settler Town, Sierra Leone and he still had 278 lots in the city. Kizell fell into debt and decided to give up his property until the time came when he would be able to repay the Sierra Leone Company.

Bibliography

• Clifford, Mary Louise, From Slavery to Freetown: Black Loyalists After the American Revolution, McFarland, 2006, ISBN 0-7864-2557-1