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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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established, not once have Friends been known to fail in gathering on the
appointed occasions. During the war the house was used by a portion of. -
the Rebel army, and on meeting days the soldiers not only prepared for-
the reception of Friends, but many frequently sat with them. Some of
the pickets became so much interested in the Gospel teachings of our dear
friend, Miriam Gover, that they requested not to be sent on duty until the
Quakers closed their meeting.
In this house, by appointment, we met, on First-day afternoon, Sarah
Steer’s pupils, and their parents, as her school-room could not accommo-
date them, We were gratified with their recitations—believe the teacher
to be earnestly devoted to her work, and entirely competent to perform its
requirements. A new building is in process of erection by the colored
people, which will be used for religious and educational purposes.
The following morning we returned to Leesburg; stopped about half
an hour at the school, then took stage to Belmont, six miles, and from
thence, by railroad, about twenty-four miles, to Vienna, where we saw
Mary K. Brosius at the residence of Capt. Hine. Her school was not in
session, on account of the house being needed for other purposes. Mate-
rial for a new building was ready, awaiting the leisure of the colored peo-
ple for its erection, but continued claims upon their time had interrupted
the work. They hoped to complete it in a few weeks, and, in the mean-
time, we advised M. K. Brosius to open a school a few miles distant, where
a house was ready and a teacher needed. This she consented to do.
Capt. Hine took us in the afternoon to visit Mary McBride’s school,
near Fairfax Court House, about six miles distant from Vienna. Her
schuol-house is comfortable, and filled with industrious, appreciative
scholars. We heard satisfactory recitations. She appears much in-
terested in her work.
Returned to Vienna, and in the evening, by appointment, a large com-
pany of colored people collected in a house occupied by soldiers in one of
the fortifications during the war—and now used for a school for white
pupils. Capt. Hine read our introduction from the Association, and ex-
plained the object of our appointment, and requested their aid by respect-
ful attention to what they should hear, and prompt replies to required
information. This was satisfactorily realized ; and, after much expression
from the people and ourselves in relation to their past condition and
future responsibilities, vocal thanksgiving and supplication arose from two
fervent hearts. Then all united in hymns of praise.
It was an interesting and instructing occasion. We were informed that
several of Moseby’s men were present and participated in the closing
service.
The next morning, Third-day, Capt. Hine took us about six miles, to
Catharine E. Hall’s school, where we also saw Hannah Shortlidge. Inter.
views with both satisfactory. The school under the care of the latter,
about five miles distant, is smal], with no prospect of an increase. We
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr