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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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Prom Frances H. Gause.—I have one pupil who will make a good
teacher; she will be able to be an assistant in a few months. I asked her
if she would like to teach; she seemed very much pleased with the idea.
She is sixteen years of age, very ladylike in her appearance and deport-
ment, and particularly good in reading and spelling. She has only been
coming since Christmas, and has some three miles to walk. Several men
have been coming through the winter, who will go to work as soon as the
weather is favorable. I feel sorry, far they are good students.— Herndon,
Fairfax County, Va., Third Month \st, 1867.
From the same.—Many of my scholars who are obliged to leave
school seem very anxious to keep their books, so that they can pur-
sue their studies during the evenings. They say I can have the books
whenever I want them: One of my pupils wanted to buy her books, but
I told her I had no authority to sell them. Will thee be kind enough to
give me some directions about them ?—-Herndon P. O., Fairfax County,
Va., Third Month 29th, 1867.
From Mary McBride.—The girls now will not go out to service
unless the employers agree to give them lessons daily. I know of. one
girl who could not be urged to live with the lady that wanted her until
writings were drawn to that effect.
Our Sabbath School has been discontinued on account of the weather, ©
but we expect to begin soon again.
The pupils seem backward in arithmetic, the first class working only in
compound addition. They could barely make figures when they began
last summer ; perhaps I am anticipating too much from them. Long divi-
sion seemed to puzzle the girls; it was a great while before I could make
them understand, and some days I have returned from school feeling
discouraged; but when I think how many disadvantages our school has
labored under I know we do very well.—Fairfax C. H., Va., Third mo.
28th, 1867.
From Hannah Shortlidge —My school, though small, still continues
very pleasant. Allshow rapid improvement in their studies. I have
several scholars, who have not been coming more than three months, that
can write very good letters and read others which they receive.
I have had to bid adieu to several of my little flock since I last wrote.
They have all good situations, and I think will do well. Although I
felt very sorry to have them leave school, I could not but encourage
them to seek employment. I feel assured that they will not neglect their
books, even if they cannot attend school. Before leaving they brought
their copy-books, to have me set copies through them, that they might
‘still continue their writing.— Springvale, Third Month 9th, 1867.
From Eliza E. Way.—I beiieve when I wrote last I thought I could
report 90 pupils this month, but my school has diminished instead of in.
creased. It as been quite small, as thou,wilt see by the report, It has
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr