Today we honor and celebrate a sadly little-known figure in American history, inventor and abolitionist Thomas L. Jennings. Born a free black in New York City in 1791, he began his career as a tailor. After a few years, he began work as a cleaner. He created a process which he called dry-scouring, a precursor to modern dry cleaning.
Jennings applied for and was granted a patent for his work in 1821, becoming the first African-American to be awarded a U.S. Patent. This move caused considerable controversy, as the patent laws clearly included a color bias. Because the language specifcially excluded slaves from holding patents, however, Jennings’ status as a free man provided a legal loophole and the award held.
He used the proceeds from his invention and business to buy the freedom of many of his family members. He also contributed time and money to other abolitionsist causes. In 1831, he served as assistant secretary of the First Annual Convention of the People of Color in Philadelphia. Little else is known about this pioneer. He died in New York in 1856.
Social Justice For All 
Why are you using a picture of Paul Bogle, Jamaican national hero with his post? Is this an error?
Actually, that is not a picture of Paul Bogle. It is in fact a picture of Thomas Jennings.
In Jamaica, it has been used as Bogle’s official picture since the 1960s but it is, to my knowledge, only very recently that it has appeared in association with Jennings. While there is some debate about its authenticity, it is unlikely to be of Jennings, who was in his mid sixties by the time this type of photography was patented in the US. Would love to know more about your image source, as that may shed further light on the correct identification. You may find the following links interesting: http://thebitterbean.wordpress.com/2012/02/25/paul-bogle-from-stony-gut-to-contested-identity/ and http://nationalgalleryofjamaica.wordpress.com/tag/paul-bogle/.
Thank you for your comment and for the link. Sadly, as you know there is no way for any one to prove the authenticity of the attribution of the photograph, which points to yet another intersection of racism and loss of identity. I really do appreciate your comment. If either of us should find definitive proof of the identity, we should let each other know.
The picture you claim to be of Thomas Jennings is a picture of Paul Bogle of Jamaica West Indies.
Thank you for weighing in here regarding the picture. There is still a great amount of dispute about the origin and identity of this picture. If you have documentation of proof, I more than invite you to share that documentation.
So helpful and awesome tips. This helped me in my history. Best facts I could find.
Thanks A Lot
Thank you. I’m glad it was of some help.
Did you ever learn the identity of the man in the photograph? Was it Thomas L. Jennings? If so, do you have a link?
Amy, thank you for checking in regarding the picture of Jennings. After an enormous amount of time and energy, I cannot find definitive evidence this is his photograph and there is enough evidence to support that this is his picture–messy, I know. Peace, Michael.
I’m curious as to why he looks like Paul Bogle who was a slave in Jamaica. He was a freedom fighter.
Unfortunately the photo you have here is Jamaica national hero PAUL BOGLE not Mr Jennings
This is Paul bogle not Thomas Jennings…you uneducated creatures…he was a national hero in Jamaica…come on guys