Some items in the TriCollege Libraries Digital Collections may be under copyright. Copyright information may be available in the Rights Status field listed in this item record (below). Ultimate responsibility for assessing copyright status and for securing any necessary permission rests exclusively with the user. Please see the Reproductions and Access page for more information.
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.
T
a strife in the second spelling class, to see who shall remain at the
head of the class for the longest time. They all study their lessons
well, and pay strict attention.”
After the Christmas Holidays, Sauuiz E. Luoyp writes :—
“T commenced to-day with forty-nine scholars; several returned
who had not been in school since the previous winter.
“(ne man had been working ever since last Spring on a farm in
Montgomery County, Penna. When he left school, he procured books
like those he had been using in school, and when he could find time
for study, had devoted himself to them with so much energy, that he
not only retained all he had learned before, but had made considerable
progress.”
Saran A. STEER gives an interesting account of the closing
exercises of her school, Fourth month 18th:—
“T gave notice that I had a letter from Philadelphia to read, and
that, with the interest all seemed to feel in being present ut the close,
brought a large number of the colored people together. Nearly all of
the scholars had selected pieces to recite, which they did very well
indeed. One of my white friends present said, ‘I might feel quite
proud of my school,’ and I do, and I feel very sorry to give it up.
They all promised to study as much as they can while at home, and
the older ones say they will do all they can to continue the school
here. They cannot re-open before fall, but I think they will do so
then. I believe their interest increases in the cause of education as
they see what their children have accomplished. I wish thee could
have been present, and seen how perfectly satisfied, I might say happy,
the parents looked when their children were called out, and recited
their pieces without making a mistake. I think it would have been
a satisfaction to you, who have spent so much time and money in their
interest, to see the progress they have made. After they had gone
through with their recitations, I read your address to them.
‘‘Your good advice was thankfully received, and I am sure will be
productive of good. They expressed themselves as being so much
obliged to you for all you have done for them, and I know they are,
and will try to be worthy of it. I promised to read the address to
them again at Sabbath School, as there are some who would like to
hear it who could not come yesterday. I will remark here, that they
have been punctual in paying me ten dollars per month, their portion
of my salary. They also bought coal and paid a man one dollar per
month to make the fire and sweep the school-room, thus relieving me
of all trouble, and having the room always clean and comfortable when
I went to it in the morning. Though our correspondence will, I sup-
pose, cease from this time, I hope to be held in remembrance by those
with whom I feel that I have been associated in this great work,—a
Page 7
Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr