John Kizell

John Kizell was a first-generation African American of Sherbro origin and a key figure in the early history of Sierra Leone. Kizell was a Black Loyalist and a Baptist who belonged to the David George (Baptist) congregation of African Americans. Kizell served as an intermediary between the British colonial government and inhabitants of his native Sherbro Island off the coast of Sierra Leone, including Sherbro Caulkers and Sherbro Clevelands. Kizell was one of only 50 African-American immigrants to Sierra Leone who was born in Africa. Kizell also worked with agents of the American Colonization Society, including Samuel Bacon and Samuel Crozer, as well as with African American settlers to help colonize the territory that would later become the Republic of Liberia.

He was born to a Sherbro Chief and he was sold into slavery while on a visit to see his uncle who was another chief nearby.

Kizell was a sold into slavery in Charleston, South Carolina. He escaped from his master to join the British after the Philipsburg Proclamation by British General Henry Clinton.

Along with 1,200 African Americans immigrants, John Kizell was expatriated to Sierra Leone and helped establish Settler Town, Sierra Leone, the oldest section of present-day Freetown.

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