Category Archives: Jupiter Hammon

Jupiter Hammon

An Address to the Negroes in the State of New York

“An Address to the Negroes in the State of New York” (1786)

by Jupiter Hammon

At the age of 76, Hammon delivered this speech to a group of free and enslaved Black individuals at the founding meeting of the African Society in New York City. In it, he does not call for immediate emancipation but urges younger generations to pursue spiritual freedom and prepare for eventual liberation. He states that in heaven, there would be no judgment based on race or status, offering a hopeful vision of justice that deeply resonated with his audience. 

This address became one of his most widely circulated works. It was printed and shared by abolitionist groups including the New York Quakers and the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, increasing Hammon’s visibility across the Northeast. This  is Hammon’s most powerful critique of slavery and vision for freedom.

Continue reading An Address to the Negroes in the State of New York →

Jupiter Hammon

A Poem for Children with Thoughts on Death

“A Poem for Children with Thoughts on Death” (1782)

by Jupiter Hammon

This piece was written as a moral guide for young people. Like much of his work, it focuses on spiritual preparation, the afterlife, and the importance of faith. It is one of the most approachable of Hammon’s writings for students today, especially for discussing how religion shaped the lives of African Americans during this era.  Continue reading A Poem for Children with Thoughts on Death →

Jupiter Hammon

An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley

“An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley” (1778)

by Jupiter Hammon

This poem, composed while in Hartford, was dedicated to Phillis Wheatley, a fellow Black poet and devout Christian. Although the two never met, Hammon admired Wheatley’s work. His poem to her includes twenty-one four-line stanzas, each paired with a verse from the Bible. The address encourages her to continue writing and stay true to her Christian faith. It also shows Hammon’s belief in the power of Black literature to inspire and guide others. The poem highlights the intellectual exchange between early Black writers. Continue reading An Address to Miss Phillis Wheatley →

Jupiter Hammon

An Evening Thought

“An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penetential Cries” (1761)

by Jupiter Hammon

In 1761, Hammon became the first Black poet published in the United States when his poem, “An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries,” was printed as a broadside in Hartford. Written on Christmas Day in 1760, the poem expresses his deep Christian faith and marks the beginning of a decades-long literary career. This is Hammon’s first published poem and a foundational piece in the history of African American literature. Continue reading An Evening Thought →

Jupiter Hammon

Jupiter Hammon – Biographical and Critical Sources

Berry, Faith, ed. From Bondage to Liberation: Writings by and about Afro-Americans from 1700-1918. New York: Continuum, 2001.

“Jupiter Hammon.” Lloyd Harbor Historical Society. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://lloydharborhistoricalsociety.org/jupiter-hammon/.

May, Cedrick, ed. The Collected Works of Jupiter Hammon: Poems and Essays. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2017.

“The Life and Works of Jupiter Hammon (1711–Before 1806).” Preservation Long Island. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://preservationlongisland.org/the-life-and-works-of-jupiter-hammon-1711-before-1806/.

Additional Resources

“Jupiter Hammon.” The Decorative Arts Trust. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://decorativeartstrust.org/jupiter-hammon/.

“Jupiter Hammon.” Poetry Foundation. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/jupiter-hammon.

“Jupiter Hammon.” Poets.org.: Academy of American Poets. Accessed July 3, 2025. https://poets.org/poet/jupiter-hammon.

“Jupiter Hammon’s Story.” Treasures of New York. PBS LearningMedia. Accessed July 12, 2025. https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/jupiter-hammon-story-video-gallery/treasures-new-york/.