(WEAA) Today we are acknowledging an early settler to Maryland named Mathius de Sousa.
Only a few documents record the details of his life, nevertheless, he is recognized as the first, free person of African descent to live in Maryland.
Mathius de Sousa learned skills as a sailor and fur trader to win his freedom.
He was an indentured servant who eventually became captain of a trading ship owned by a secretary in the Maryland government.
In 1641 Mathias De Sousa, a free black man, was elected to the Maryland General Assembly.
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