Pierre Toussaint (1781-1853)

Summary Label

Famous Haitian barber in New York City during the 1800s.

Pierre Toussaint was a freed barber in New York City after he was brought to the United States as a slave in 1787 from Saint Domingue, Haiti. Due to the wealth he acquired as a free man, he was able to make significant contributions to the Catholic Church by funding cathedrals and orphanages.

Title

Pierre Toussaint (1781-1853)

Date of Birth

June 27th, 1781

Date of Death

June 30th, 1853

gender

Male

Hometown or Region

Saint Domingue (Haiti)

Freedom Status

Transition

Occupation

Barber

Biography

Pierre Toussaint was born into slavery on June 27, 1766, in modern-day Haiti or then known as the French Territory of Saint-Domingue. Even though he was born into slavery, Toussaint was given the opportunity to read and write by his family's tutors at a young age. After gaining his Freedom in 1807, Toussaint moved to New York City where he became a successful hairdresser and this allowed him levels of socioeconomic status that other freed slaves didn’t have access to. He became important to the Catholic Church because of his devotion to faith, philanthropy, and wanting to help others. Despite living in a society that did not treat him as equal, Toussaint dedicated his life to serving others. Specifically, he gave marginalized communities in New York City the ability to further their own lives through funding orphanages and Catholic Schools. Furthermore, he used his network of influence to advocate for the abolition of slavery and supported the education of young African Americans. Toussaint passed away on June 30, 1853, in New York City. He was buried in the cemetery of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan in a tomb next to his wife Juliet. His tomb remains to this day as a site for those inspired by his life and work for both the African community and the Catholic Church.

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Connected Historical Actor(s)

Bérard Family

Student Researcher

Jack Roode