Denmark Vesey A free black carpenter and Methodist leader who would conduct meetings that would have organized the largest salve revolt in U.S. history went by the name Denmark Vesey also known as Telemaque. His surname came from his slave owner “He started his own carpentry business. At this time, he took on his name Denmark Vesey. His surname came from the surname of his former slave owner and his first name derived from his birthplace of St Thomas.” Stated from http://www.facts-about.org.uk. Mr. Vesey was known for being the ringleader of “The rising” the slave revolt that was suppose to happen in June 1822 in South Carolina. Vesey was born in St. Thomas sold as a young boy at the age of 14, he served as a slave in Bermuda before arriving to Charleston. Denmark could not endure hard or heavy labor so he became a personal servant for his slave owner Joseph Vesey. After seeing so many horrific things while traveling he decided…show more content… “The Vesey Revolt was led by Denmark Vesey (1767-1822) and to a lesser extent, by his accomplice, Peter Poyas (Higginson, 229). Vesey was a literate and very intelligent black man who had purchased his freedom in January of 1800; he was the only free black to take part in the revolt. The revolt was planned to occur on an unknown date in May of 1822 near Charleston, South Carolina (Sylvester, bio 231). Vesey's views and ambitions were spurred by his work with the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the only independent black church in Charleston at the time. Within the church, Vesey gave sermons and led lessons. As a literate man, he was looked upon as a teacher. His association with the AME Church gave him an outlet to express his views of equality. (Sylvester, Bio 230-232). The strong influence that religion had on Vesey, and Vesey's biblical education are evident through the song "Go Down, Moses," which is popularly credited to Denmark
