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Friends' Association of Philadelphia for the Aid and Elevation of the Freedmen, Annual Reports
Report of the Executive Board of Friends' Association for the Aid and Elevation of the Freedmen, Read at the Meeting of the Association
Yearly reports printed for annual meeting of the association. Largely consist of narrative accounts of the freedmen's progress, drawn from letters sent by teachers who operated colored schools under the care of the association. Most years, a list of the society's officers, the treasurer's report, accounts of donations received in cash and goods, and an overview of distributions made were also included.
1864 - 1871
192 p. ; 22 cm.
reformatted digital
SG 3
Friends Freedmen's Association Records--http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr
The Women's Association of Philadelphia for the Relief of the Freedmen was founded in 1862 to provide charitable assistance to recently freed slaves. Many Quakers were involved in this organization, but it was not until the following year that a similar group that was officially affiliated with the Society of Friends emerged. The Friends Association of Philadelphia and its Vicinity for the Relief of Colored Freedmen, was founded by Orthodox Quaker men in 1863. Soon after, in 1864, an equivalent group was established by Hicksite Quakers of both sexes: the Friends' Association for the Aid and Elevation of the Freedmen (amended to the more precise "Friends' Association of Philadelphia for the Aid and Elevation of the Freedmen"), which incorporated the Women's Association in 1865. It is unclear when this association closed, but it was in existence at least as late as 1872. Its Orthodox counterpart, renamed Friends' Freedmen's Association circa 1873, continued to operate in various capacities--most recently as a scholarship fund--until it was dissolved in 1982.
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This enables us to keep a free school until the 1st of Seventh month
next, and without it we could not have inaugurated it. We haye
now about 64 pupils on the list at each school (Gum Springs and
Woodlawn), both in fine condition, and the scholars making progress
in their studies,’
More recently Assy D. Monro, one of the teachers at Mt.
Pleasant, S. C., writes :—
‘Tam pleased with the school, with the eagerness of the children
to progress, and think I may truly reportitina prosperous condition,’?
It has been remarked “that trifles make up the world,’’ so
‘little acts” often express much, as may be confirmed by the
following extract from a letter received from Frances BE. GAUZE,
after closing her school for the summer vacation :—
‘*T felt very sorry to leave my little band of pupils. When I told
them we would have no more school this summer, they seemed really
very much disappointed, and one little boy came to me and said, ‘Miss
Fannie, if you were not going so soon I would have a melon for you.’
Another one that is just learning to write in a book, said,‘ Miss Fan-
nie, lam going to write to you.?, The day I left, a little boy came
with a great bucket of potatoes, saying his mother sent them. And
thus they manifest their affection. I can truly say that my school is
in a much better condition that it was when I went there, both for
cleanliness and progress, &c.”?
The following extract from a letter received about the same
time from Mary P, Jacoss, of one of the South Carolina schools,
is indicative of the motives actuating our teachers—(mark the
gratitude for the privilege) :—
‘The time for closing school is near at hand. We will soon be
with dear friends at home again. I hope we have accomplished some
good at least, during our sojourn here ; and to those who haye given
us this privilege, I, for one, feel very grateful. Though we may not live
to see the good we do, there is a reward for us all in the end,”’
Isapore BrinKERHorF writes from Herndon in reference to
the anxiety of the scholars for the continuance of the school.
‘* They ask if they cannot have the school one more month ;lam
sure I shall have thirty pupils. I love to teach them very much, they
are so attentive.’
JOSEPHINE Baxer, at Gum Springs, is very earnest in her
expressions that her efforts may be crowned with “ success,’
and a hope that no negligence on her part may prevent her pupils
from advancing as rapidly as possible.
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr