His ancestor fought for abolition. Now his family's heirlooms tell 'America's story'

James Forten was a sailmaker and a soldier in the U.S. Army during the Revolutionary War who helped build a free African-American community in Philadelphia.

The Museum of the American Revolution has been telling Forten's story since its opening in 2017, according to Matthew Skic, the museum's curator of exhibitions. But a new contribution to the exhibit "Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia" was only added recently, thanks to a Phoenix man with a unique personal tie to Forten.

Marcus Huey is a Phoenix resident whose mother, Sidney Simpson, married into the Forten family. Huey, the great step-grandson of Forten, received a few special family heirlooms after his mother's passing in 2001. He said it wasn't until after her death that he learned of the items' historic significance.

"I am absolutely thrilled that the Museum of the American Revolution has placed my family heirlooms, along with other very important Forten family items on display and that the Forten and Purvis families are getting the long overdue attention that they so richly deserve," Huey said. "Their stories are America's stories and should be included in books and classrooms across the country."

Who was James Forten?

According to Skic, Forten was born free in 1766. He spent his teenage years aboard a privateer ship that was captured, and he became a prisoner of war of the British. After his release, Forten spent his adult years fighting for liberty and equality for everyone, and his descendants followed his lead.

"The Forten story is the window through which to look at the first 100 years of the United States as an independent nation," Skic said. "James Forten and his children and grandchildren were very dedicated to ensuring that the United States adhered to its founding ideals of liberty and equality."

Why was James Forten important?

There was a clear domino effect from Forten's efforts during the American Revolution as his children and grandchildren continued to pass the torch through the generations, from fighting for the rights of African Americans to abolition slavery to supporting the women's suffrage movement, the Forten family has been a force in history.

"They're seeing their support and seeing themselves as reformers who are trying to encourage the nation to be better," said Skic. "Many people, many Americans today are doing the same thing and continuing some of that work, especially as we approach the 250th anniversary" of the American Revolution.

Which James Forten items are in the 'Black Founders' exhibit?

The heirlooms Huey inherited that are now on display at the Museum of the American Revolution include two 200-year-old samplers, pieces of handstitched embroidery that helped educate young girls, made by two of James Forten's daughters.

The most intriguing heirloom that Huey donated was Forten's table, where he likely held meetings and did most of his writing.

"Knowing that James Forten was a prolific writer, it gave me chills when the Keno Brothers (furniture appraisers) told me that the numerous scratch marks on the tabletop were made by quill pens," said Huey. "To think of James Forten sitting at this table, possibly writing important letters and articles, puts a chill up my spine."

How to see the James Forten exhibit without traveling to Philadelphia

"Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia" is on display now at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, but you don't have to travel across the country to see it.

The museum website has an interactive Black Founders Virtual Tour, where you can see all the Forten family heirlooms and learn about their history. The exhibit will be available to see in person until Nov. 26, and the virtual tour will be on the museum's website permanently.

To plan a visit to the museum or take the virtual tour, go to amrevmuseum.org.

Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at meredith.white@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Family's rediscovered heirlooms tell 'America's story' of James Forten