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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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the majority of them men; anxious to learn all they can in the
few weeks they can spare to come to school. ‘Teaching thus, I
sometimes feel it wearing and exhausting; for their is anxiety
of mind attending it, which certainly has that effect. Neverthe-
less I love my work and would not change it for another. Daily
do I have reason to feel this to be one of the noblest works in
which we are permitted to engage. Iam often led to question
my own heart, whether I am good enough to fill the responsible
position of teacher; to stand up as an example for these people.
In the morning, standing before my desk, my eyes run over the
school room, filled to its utmost capacity with children of all
sizes and color, from the jettiest black to the pale face and blue
eyes; and large men, willing to set at my feet, if need be, to
learn. Is it to be wondered at, if my heart goes up in prayerful
supplication to the throne of the ‘Most High,’ for tyne wisdom
and knowledge to instruct them, and that I may not grow luke-
warm or arbitrary? for I have but to say, ‘do this and he doeth
it,’ and to that ‘come hither and he cometh.’. |
‘J have found true ‘friends in S. M. Janney and family during
my illness, and indeed ever since I have been in this neighbor-
hood. His house is one of my homes, and I always meet with
a kindly welcome there. He and his daughter Cornelia take a
great interest in my school, and while I was not able to go,
assisted in teaching. The friends with whom I am boarding ave
also very kind. I was made just as comfortable when I was ill
as I could have been at home. Indeed I feel under obligations
to many of the friends for kind attentions. It is very pleasant
to be among Christian people, and I can but rejoice that ‘my
lines are thus cast in pleasant places;’ and yet my thoughts
often wander to the city of ‘Sodom,’ and wonder how it is
with my poor people. I sometimes hear from them. I had a
letter a few weeks ago from one of my night scholars, an-
nouncing -the arrival of a little namesake. I believe their
school ‘house is still unfinished, and will, no doubt, remain so for
some time to come, as there is now no one to take the’ matter in
hand and push it along. Three of my old pupils are now com-
ing to school to me, having gotten homes in the neighborhood.
The people have quite a large Temperance Society established
and I should like to meet with them occasionally and read some-
thing to them. Dear friends please give us a little of your
abundance. ‘These people have not much given to them, and I
know anything of the kind would be so thankfully received.
‘“‘T hope thee will have patience to read my letter through ©
and excuse the length. With much love to thy, family and the
Association, and hoping to hear from you soon, I remain, &c.”
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr