 Zedekiah Johnson Purnell was born in Philadelphia in 1813, in one of the most socially active families in Philadelphia's black community.He began work as a sailor, but eventually changed careers for "a more stable life ashore", becoming a hairdresser and a successful businessowner, located on the corner of Carpenter & Decatur Streets.As of the 1860 Philadelphia Census, his real estate property was valued at approximately $1100.