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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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Mary K. Perry, (late Brosius,) located at Manassas,—
Informs us that at the time of writing her school had only been -
in operation one week, and that it numbered twenty-one pupils.
Her evening school numbers twelve, and thirty-two attend the
First-day school. - ae
Sarah Ann Steer, at Waterford, remarks—
‘““My report for Twelfth month varies but little from the pre-
ceding month, except in the average attendance, which is less,
owing to the cold, stormy weather that prevented some of the
little ones getting here. I have had but one new scholar this
month; he is worth mentioning, being the minister stationed on
this circuit, and whose home is temporarily in our village.”
From Caroline Thomas, at Leesburg, Va.—
‘To-morrow I shall resume my school with renewed vigor, af-
ter my short holiday. And now a word or two about my scholars —
and their Christmas. The children made a happy group, and I
wish the little folks who contributed so much to the pleasure of
these poor children, could have been present when the papers
were removed which concealed the treasures. In addition to
other matters, every one had a book. There were some happy
little children that night.
_. “T have started a class in History, and one in Grammar, and
they get along nicely. I shall deplore the necessity of having to
eave these children, when the time comes for us to close the
schools.” ,
Philena Heald, at Falls Church, in response to some sugges-
tions as to the practicability of getting the Freedmen to deposit
a small stipend in her hands for the double purpose of teach-
ing them economy, and to aid in the maintenance of the school,
as has been repeatedly recommended elsewhere, states,—
‘“‘[ have not even alluded to it, and have felt that I would
rather teach without pay than ask them, as there are very few
who are able to support themselves comfortably,—many are bare-
foot this cold weather,—some have old rags wrapped round their
feet—others have mere shells of shoes, and the body scarcely co-
vered! I think where it can be done, it is well, for it will no
doubt help to make them self-reliant and self-supporting.”
Frances EH. Gauze, at Herndon, Va., writes—
“T expect to have a large reinforcement to my school the com-
ing month (First)—at least so the colored people inform me. The
First-day school is attended by both parents and children, and
the papers sent are gratefully received. I closed school for a
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr