was born on this date - he is considered by Carter Goodwin Woodson to be the first African American historian - Nell, Garrison's 'right-hand' on The Liberator, published several treatises, the most outstanding of which was "Colored Patriots of the American Revolution ..." he also is acknowledged to be the first federal employee of the United States, having been employed in the Boston Post Office in 1863. He died May 25, 1874