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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
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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.
REPORT.
In preparing the Fourth Annual Report of the proceedings of
‘‘ Friends’ Association for the Aid and Elevation of the Freed-
men,” we find that, although our interest in the cause of the
Freedmen continues unabated, the incidents worthy of note have
greatly lessened within the past year, owing to our having been
compelled, by the condition of our funds, simply and carefully
to perform the work before us upon the old ground, without as-
suming new labor in fresh fields. .
In the 9th month, at the close of the summer vacation of the
schools under our care, the Education Committee reported, that
‘they deemed it advisable to discontinue the two at St. Helena,
S. C:” that “they had agreed to continue the three at Mt.
Pleasant—teachers for two of which had been selected; and that —
partial arrangements had been made for the Virginia schools ;’’
all of which was approved by the Association. And as these
schools when opened could not be sustained during the winter
term without more pecuniary aid, a committee was, at that time,
appointed, to devise some means by which Friends generally
might become more interested in their prosperity. This commit-
tee prepared an appeal, which was subsequently sent to each of
the Monthly and Preparative Meetings of our Yearly Meeting.
Through this medium we believed we might truthfully acknowl- .
edge—‘“ That our labors among the Freed people have heretofore
been greatly blessed, and that, although they have now arrived
at that condition in which they are able to provide for the most
pressing of their bodily wants, they yet need help in the educa-
tion of their children.’”*
Although the response to this appeal was tardy and faint, we
have been enabled cautiously to move forward, and have con-
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr