"Thomas L. Jennings" (1791-1856)

Was a leading abolitionist.He was a free black tradesman who operated a dry-cleaning business in New York City,New York and was the first known African American to be granted a patent.Thomas skills were so accepted that people near and far-off came to alter or custom-tailor objects of clothing for them.When he was thirty  in 1821,he was granted a patent for a dry cleaning process called "dry scouring."This  enable him to build up his business.The first money Thomas earned was spent on the legal fees to purchase his family out of slavery,and then to support the abolitionist cause.In 1831,Thomas became assistant secretary to the First Annual Convention of the People of Color in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.