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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 children. For some of the brightest minds in our school
their future seems a good thing, and to all there is such a steady
improvement. If there only could be plenty of schools spread
through the South, so as to uproot the dense ignorance that per-
vades all minds, reconstruction would then be commenced at the
foundation, for without ignorance the South could never have
kept the war going on as long as it did. We have kept a night
school this winter, although it is questionable whether a teacher
ought to expend so much mental energy, thus depriving the day
school of part of her power; but Lizzie Heacock being new, and
zealous to do all she could, it has been kept in operation so far.
The tax of ten cents has been exacted of our scholars every
month so far, and in some instances it is cheerfully paid. That
amount supplies the school with suitable books, and after the
wants are met in that direction we shall endeavor to liquidate
salary. Ifa crop is raised here another year the tax should be
increased, but I do feel that it should not be until then. One
of the scholars in my school has to assist Fanny in hers all the
time, as her school numbers over seventy pupils. If you would
feel like encouraging her to do well by a little compensation, I
would be glad, for she has to work hard teaching and endeavor-
ing to keep up with her classes. We are at the end of our ca-
pacity in taking in scholars, even with this assistant. We now
take the name and residence of the child, and wait for some one
to be delinquent in attendance, and dismiss the delinquent and
take in the newscholar. It seems to me this school might be
extended ad infinitum, as scholars seem to increase daily, so
many are boarding their children within walking distance of the
school. It is very encouraging to the teacher to see such un-
abated zeal manifested, and should incite to earnest labor for
the good of the children so implicitly entrusted to their care. I
enjoy my school more every day, as they develope and take an
interest in new studies. I have.several scholars who seem much
interested in Physiology. The library sent to them is very
beneficial : some of the children in First-day school to-day could.
repeat the substance of the whole book lent to them; it will
create in them such good taste in reading to be surrounded with
such nice books and papers. I have again to invite some or all
of you to come and visit this school. Thanking all for your con- |
tinued interest in the welfare of the “school,” and your practi-
cal sympathy in all my enterprises connected with it,
Iam sincerely your friend,
CorNELIA Hancock,
Charleston, S. C.
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr