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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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in the future little homes of your own; or should sickness unfortu-
nately come upon you, these savings will provide you with many
comforts you could not otherwise obtain. In addition to all these
things, be truthful; be honest; under no circumstance depart from the
truth, or take as your own what does not belong to you.
Be temperate in everything: touch not a drop of intoxicating
drink of any kind. Shun the vice of drunkenness as you would a
pestilence; an indulgence in this habit will cause more ruin and
misery in yourselves and families, than even death itself. Avoid even
moderate drinking; touch not, taste not the unclean thing,—only in a
resolution of this kind will your safety consist.
The time is not far distant when you must take care of yourselves,
and if you do not now, as well as then, make the best of everything
at your command, much suffering will be your portion. By leading
lives of industry, both for yourselves and your children, you will
gradually obtain the respect of your white brethren, who will feel
more encouraged to lend you a helping hand than if they saw you
idle and dissolute.
We ask you to remember all your friends who have exerted
themselves on your behalf, and especially do we ask you to not forget
your kind teachers, who have toiled so incessantly and endured so
many privations for your good. While we claim nothing for ourselves,
and know that you have no pecuniary means of reward or payment,
we also know, that you can show your gratitude by making every
effort in your power to become self-dependent, and leading upright
Christian lives; only do this, and all will feel amply repaid.
Treat everybody well; resent not injuries, (for they will come,)
but be patient and kind to all.
We know you have much to contend with, but we also know our
Heavenly Father is near to all who humbly ask His assistance; not
in idleness or improper conduct, but in honest endeavors to do right.
To Him, therefore, we commend you, as we bid you farewell.
By direction of Friends’ Association of Philadelphia, for the Aid
and Elevation of the Freedmen, ;
JACOB M. ELLIS,
ANNIE COOPER,
Secretaries,
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr