How African indigenous knowledge helped shape modern medicine: Onesimus, an enslaved African man, played a pivotal role in combating the smallpox epidemic in colonial Boston during the early 18th century. Introduced to the concept of inoculation by his African roots, Onesimus shared his knowledge with his owner, Puritan minister Cotton Mather. Mather, despite initial skepticism, advocated for the practice, leading to its adoption in Boston. Through Onesimus’s insights, inoculation became a crucial tool in containing the smallpox outbreak, saving countless lives and contributing to the advancement of medical science in America. Onesimus’s story highlights the often-overlooked contributions of marginalized individuals in shaping history and advancing public health initiatives.