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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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those who, from a sense of duty, have entered into the work,
and who are peculiarly fitted for its varied requirements.
No feature in the remarkable history of the freed-people is
more striking than their thirst after the elements of knowledge.
A thirst which should operate as a powerful incentive to all who
have their welfare at heart, to supply to the utmost the means
for their education. While we require liberal subscriptions to
carry on the schools now established, we are already solicited to
open others, which we are desirous of doing as rapidly as our
funds will justify. Now is evidently the accepted time. The
past is full of warning, to neglect no opening for service in this
great work. The prejudice and cupidity which have oppressed
the African race in the past, are liable to rise again into do-
minion, and none can tell how soon insuperable obstacles may
be thrown in the way of our efforts. The proclamation which
made the bondman legally free, has not changed the hearts of.
those who have hitherto ruled in the late slave-holding States ;
and though we may hope that the light of truth is in some degree
breaking through the dark cloud that has rested over the South,
yet there is much to dread in the prospect of the resumption of
authority by the State Governments. Let us persevere while
we can, and to this end let the members of the Society. of
Friends, who have been so long identified with the education of
these people, and whose ancestors were among the first to ac-
knowledge their claims to the equal enjoyment of the rights of
our common humanity, see to it that our present opportunity is
not wasted.
The number of those who are willing to devote themselves to
the work of instruction has thus far kept pace with the require-
ments of our schools. Will not those who stay at home give of
their abundance to support those already engaged in this labor of
Jove, and to send others into it?
By the report of our Treasurer it will appear that, after ap-
propriating the necessary funds to meet the current expenses of
the ten teachers already in our empioy, but little is left to con-
tinue our operations for the ensuing season, td extend them as
new fields open to our view, or to aid the cases of suffering
coming to the notice of the Committees; and, in conclusion, we
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr