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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.
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or four cabins and six acres appropriated to them; but the farmer pro- —
mises to make a different arrangement.
~ “Camp Rucker. — Superintendent, Philip Fowler; Farmer, Oliver
Beesley; Teacher, Sarah Ann Cadwallader. Eighty-six men, women
and children,—twenty men, thirty-two women, and thirty-four children.
There are at this time, on this farm, ninety acres in winter grain, eighty-
five in corn, fifty in grass, seven in garden, two and a half in black-eyed
peas, twenty-five of white beans, two and a half of corn for horses, and
one acre in potatoes.
“ Since last fall, all the cabins, fifteen i in number, have been built : with
four exceptions, they are 16 feet-by 14 feet, and ample in height. There
are upon an average about six persons to each house. Should the
Freedmen remain here, there will be more cabins erected. Govern-
ment has disposed of this farm, and the people will have to be removed;
but this probably may not occur for two or three years. The condition
of the Freedmen here is very satisfactory. Their cabins are whitewashed
outside and in, and all neatly kept. The people are clean, tidy and
highly appreciative of the improvement in their condition. Many of
them escaped from severe masters, and they manifest a degree of grati-
tude to those who have aided them which Ihave never seen excelled.
They are exceedingly attached to their teacher, and fear lest she should
leave them. She has labored indefatigably, and ina measure successfully,
for their elevation, and it is their testimony that their condition has been
greatly improved since she came among them. There is a smaller num-
ber at this camp than at any other, which gives them a decided advan-
tage. The standard of morality is high, and they are well cared for.
“There seems a prevalent wantin all the camps of a spot of ground to
belong to each family where they can raise vegetables for themselves, and
— also to give their homes a more attractive appearance.”
Early in the Seventh month, letters having been received by
Louisa J. Roberts, depicting great suffering and destitution on
Mason’s Island, she believed that a personal inspection of the
place without’ delay was incumbent upon her. On arriving there,
she thus reported its condition :
“Camp Topp, Seventh month 7th, 1864.
“Dear S.,—I am at work in earnest. I have the entire co- -operation
of all the officials hereabout, and think I am in the right place at the
right time. I wish I could give thee a word- -picture of all Sally and I
have seen and done these last two days.
‘We went over to Mason’s Island with both our boxes yesterday, and
as the doctor went his rounds, we followed him with our dainties for the
‘sick. The sights that met our eyes were revolting. The quarters have
been barracks for soldiers, aud are well ventilated and comfortable, so
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Friends Freedmen's Association Records --http://archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/resources/4024frfr