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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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ate. At last, after a long time, everything was chosen, and they
started home as happy a set as I ever saw. Everything was
just as I wanted, and I think will do much good. I cut out a
number of aprons ready for to-morrow, my sewing day. For
the last three weeks I have had one session from half past eight
until three o’clock, with a half hour intermission at noon. I
think I will continue it through the winter. Will have a longer
afternoon after my school becomes larger. |
Truly thy friend, SaraH A. STEER.
“* Waterford, 12th mo. 80th, 1867.”’
“Dear Children,—On last Third-day afternoon I gave out the
nice presents of toys and candies you sent. As each present was
handed out, I wished you could be present to see how happy you ©
made these children. You will never be forgotten .by them.
Several of the children were sick, and I sent gifts to them. Yes-
terday, one sister told me how happy you had made her little
brother. The mottoes I have nailed up, and the children trimmed
them with overgreens. On Third-day afternoon some of the pa-
rents came in and. heard them read and answer some questions.
They seemed as glad as the children over the presents. ‘T'o the
mothers I gave some thread, needles and buttons. I shall teach
the children to sew on the dry goods. ‘The tin plates I gave to
some old people. The books I hope to use in the First-day
school, I have just commenced. I had some very nice books sent
me which I gave to the larger scholars. 1 hope your own Christ-
mas was a happy one, and that all that are to come may be so.
My love for yourselves. :
Your friend, SARAH M. E ty.
“ Thriftland, 12th mo. 30th, 1867.” :
“My dear little Friends,—A merry Christmas to you! and may
the dear Heavenly Father bless you, both now and in all coming
years. Indeed, I am sure that He will, if you continue thus mindful
of the happiness and comfort of others. O that you could have.
seen the happy faces, covered all over with smiles, made so by
your kindly gifts; their little hearts beat quick and fast as they
watched with eager eyes the pretty, amusing, good and useful
presents you sent to them. Some of them had told me a few
days before that they were too poor to have Christmas; that
there was no use for them to hang their stockings up. I did not
inform them then that dear little children miles away at the
North had remembered them, for I wanted to surprise them ; but.
when they heard that you had chosen to make them happy, their
bright eyes filled with tears of joy and gratitude, for these dark-
browed children of our Heavenly Father have large souls and
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr