Some items in the TriCollege Libraries Digital Collections may be under copyright. Copyright information may be available in the Rights Status field listed in this item record (below). Ultimate responsibility for assessing copyright status and for securing any necessary permission rests exclusively with the user. Please see the Reproductions and Access page for more information.
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.
8
Mary E. McBride, at Fairfax Court House, Va., states—
‘That, in addition to the 89 pupils she reports as in the First,
Second and Third Readers, she has ‘four who can read anything
set before them, and they have been through the Fourth Reader long
since.’ She also informs us that, in consequence of indisposition
for one or two days, she had to place the school under the entire
care of Maggie Lewis, (her colored assistant,) and that, during
her absence, her school was visited by two clergymen, who sub-
sequently reported to her that they found the school in excellent
order.”’
Although apparently a trifling circumstance, it is gratifying —
to know that one who has received her instruction under our ~
auspices, is not only capable of imparting her stores of know-
ledge to,others, but also of maintaining discipline in the school.
Sarah Ann Steer, at Waterford, Va., remarks—
‘ Since my last report, I had a pleasant visit from D. F. W., of
Philadelphia. She expressed herself pleased with the appear-
- ance of my school, which was truly-gratifying to me.”
Sarah M. Ely, located near Lewensville, Va., writes—
‘‘T have a deep interest in the school and the people. I have
tried, and shall try again, to get them to place something every —
week in my hands, if it is only half what they spend for tobacco ;
but so far they will not consent to that arrangement, although
they spend considerable every week for that abomination. The
progress of the school is very encouraging, and they are governed
easily. My health is good, and though almost entirely cut off
from all society, I am contented and very happy, and much
pleased to be here.” |
Caroline Thomas, at Leesburg, Va., writes—
‘‘My evenings are very much occupied since I have commenced
tbaching night-school, but it is well to be so, as I am better sat-
isfied to be employed. There is so much to do here that I some-
times feel as though I had just commenced. If the people here ~
would arouse to a sense of this great work, take hold of it, and
help me along, we could do much more. At times, when I look
ahead, I am almost discouraged, and must needs take a glance at
the past, and with this contrast I can then see and know it is
well for me to be here. The improvement in the children has been
such, that one can scarcely believe they are the same. I have so
many little creatures, who require so much patience, and who
have not the right kind of home-training, as playful as kittens,
but much naughtier, that daily my prayer goes up for patience,
patience.”’
Page 8
Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr