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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.
34 .
In giving a summary of the work of the Association, from
its origin, it is impossible to form a correct estimate of its com-
plete operations, from the fact that numerous valuable contribu-
tions of garments, books, seeds, sanitary stores, &c., were for-
warded without an accurate inventory being had of them.
With regard to the funds expended for educational purposes
we would say, that although we have but twelve schools in
active operation at the present time, we have had at other
periods of our history a greater number, and have assisted
others by small donations, —while, through the assistance aud
influence of our teachers, night and First-d day schools have been
established in various neighborhoods, the books for which have
been supplied by the “F ‘riends Bible and Tract Affsociation.”
When we reflect that in the course of a few years the des-
tinies of the nation will be influenced by these children, who
are now so earnestly asking us for an edecation which will
enable them wisely to exercise that influence, can we, as Chris-
tians or lovers of our common country, prove lukewarm to
our long profession of ‘‘ being peculiarly the friends of these
people,” refuse the small share of our tneans to assist in the
accomplishment of a purpose which will fit them to care for
themselves? °
We would therefore appeal to Friends for the means to con-
tinue this three-fold work,—looking as it does toward their
spiritual, intellectual and temporal welfare,—believing that we
shall, by so doing, realize that “it is more blessed to give than
to receive.”
Amount paid teachers, . ‘ ; ‘ . $18,145
Af TOM BOOKS,” yi j ; : ; 2,028
ie! for seeds, ' . j : j : oC ee
i ‘“« for sanitary stores, . ( \ ' 2,990
iy “for material for clothing, ‘ ‘ BOT 6G
: ‘« for expenses, Report, &e. ak y ; 917
y ‘“« for donations to Asylums, &., . ‘ 2,300
Total, : , ‘ ’ . $57,300
No. of schools, (whole number) i : : 25
“schools at present, . : ’ j é 12
“« boxes and barrels forwarded, k ; ‘ 391
“) pew garments, . ; i ; : . 26,375
‘¢ part worn do., : j i ‘ . 2 eOe
Besides a large quantity feiwakied of which no account was
taken. Neither does this include the clothing made up for the
‘‘Penna. Freedmen’s Association.”
Cumulative Summary (Page 34)
Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr