Cuffe, Paul (1759-1817), an American seaman and merchant, encouraged the colonizing of blacks in Sierra Leone, Africa, after sailing there in 1810. He financed the voyage of 38 free blacks in 1815. He also sought to strengthen the legal position of blacks in the United States. His efforts led to a law in 1783 that gave blacks in Massachusetts the right to vote. Cuffe, part black and part Indian, was born on Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts. He also preached among his fellow Quakers.