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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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_ through his exertions were especially acceptable, as he believed
‘‘they aided in saving many lives.” He says further, in rela-
tion to the work, “‘It seemed a manifest duty to collect these
poor children, and I have faith to believe that our Heavenly
Father will not allow them again to be scattered. It ig very
pleasant to-night, in the midst of our troubles, to reflect that so
many are sleeping comfortably. To one whose compassion is
infinite, I commit the new family, and look to Him both for
counsel as to its future mode of operation and the means for its
support.”’ | | |
This Asylum is still under the care of its faithful originator,
and we have, from time to time, met his request for assistance as
far as our other engagements would justify. This institution
has comforted and sheltered many a homeless little one, and we
trust that the means for its support will not be withheld.
In the Fourth month Lydia T. Atkinson was released from
her position at Mason’s Island, and resumed her duties at Camp
Wadsworth, where she remained until the Eleventh mcnth, when,
notwithstanding her continued interest in the cause, she felt that
her labors among the freed-people must for the present be
closed. Our Association shared with those among whom she
had been so long and so usefully employed, in regret at parting
with this their faithful teacher and friend. — Mary K. Brosius
was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by her removal. About
the same time Sarah E. Lobb, in consequence of ill health,
requested .to be released from service. In the ensuing month
the Camp at Mason’s Island was broken up by order of Govern-
_ ment. Mary K. Brosius was thence removed to Camp Wads-
worth, and Sarah A. Cadwallader engaged with a friend in a
school for the Freedmen at Camp Todd. The fluctuations in the
settlements of these people have subjected the teachers to fre-
quent changes; but we believe that, in every instance, the freed -
men have been permanently benefitted by the residence of our
teachers among them, even when it has been only for a short time.
Information having been received that Friends in Virginia
had opened First-day Schools for the freed-people at Lincoln,
Hillsboro’ and Waterford, much interest was felt in their efforts,
and a sum of money appropriated for the purchase of books and
stationery to aid them in the undertaking. )
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr