Joseph Jenkins Roberts was born free in Norfolk, Virginia, March 15, 1809 and went on to be the first president of Liberia. On February 9, 1829, Roberts and his family migrated to Monrovia, Liberia. They established a successful company exporting palm products, camwood, and ivory to the United States, and traded imported American goods at the company store in Monrovia. In 1841 Joseph Roberts was appointed as the first black governor of Liberia. In 1846, Roberts asked the legislature to declare the independence of Liberia, but also to maintain cooperation with the American Colonization Society. The legislature called for a referendum, in which voters chose independence. On July 26, 1847, Roberts declared Liberia independent. He won the first presidential election on October 5, 1847, and was sworn into office on January 3, 1848.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 12:24:49 +0000
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