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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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gloves, handkerchiefs, knives, scissors, &c. The funds of the
Association were not used for their purchase ; private contribu-
tions having been made for that special purpose.
The following extracts from letters show how highly they were
appreciated :
Sarah Ann Steers writes from Waterford, Va., under date of
Twelth month 30.
“T enclose my School Report for this month, and although I
have two more pupils on my list, the average attendance is less
than that of last month, owing to inclement weather. The win-
ter has been unusually severe, with a great deal of snow, which
prevented those coming regularly who have a long distance to
walk. The members of my Sewing Class have been very indus-
trious, and some of the girls have learned to sew very well. I
told them when I commenced school last fall, I wanted to have
all the sewing (twenty-two garments) finished by Christmas.
This the sixteen girls have accomplished ; only sewing one after-
noon in the week, until the last two weeks, when I found they
would not get through with it, and allowed them two afternoons.
I distributed these articles on Christmas eve, together with the
contents of the box sent by our Philadelphia Friends. The
children were delighted with them, and send many thanks to.
you for your kind remembrance of them.
“The books for the Library are a very welcome gift, as are
also those for the school, while the map is a perfect treasure.”
It was deemed best to close for the winter the First-day
school at this point, partly on account of the difficulty in getting
about during inclement weather. The teacher described the
closing exercises,’ which were held on Christmas day, as consist-
ing of “reading from the Testament, examination in the Cate-
chism, and reciting some very beautiful and appropriate Hymns
by the children. After they were through, they had a long
table set and spread with an abundance of cake and confec-
tionery, contributed by the parents and friends of the scholars.
All seemed to enjoy the day; and the older ones said to me—
how much more profitable it was to meet and spend their Christ-
mas in that way than to be idly strolling about, as they used to
do. I gave the Bibles, Testaments, &ec., to the teachers and
- pupils of the school.
‘*T hear favorable accounts of the Temperance Society—
nearly all of the colored people in this neighborhood belong to
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr