Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society
The Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1838. Founders included James Mott, Lucretia Mott, Robert Purvis, and John C. Bowers.In August 1850, William Still while working as a clerk for the Society, was assisting a fugitive slave calling himself "Peter Freedman". As the escapee's story was similar to many he had heard before, it took a while for Still to realize that Freedman was his long-lost brother. It was this incident that galvanized Still's resolve and compelled him to document his work with the Underground Railroad, later published in 1872 as ''The Underground Rail Road Records''.
In 1855, while working for the Society, Passmore Williamson and William Still helped Jane Johnson escape slavery while in Philadelphia with her master, a well-known congressman, John Hill Wheeler. As one of the first challenges to the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 the case created a scandal, with Williamson imprisoned for several months, charged with riot, forcible abduction, and assault. The judge in the case rejected an affidavit from Johnson affirming that there had been no abduction as "immaterial". Williamson eventually turned his cell into a virtual abolitionist media center, drawing visits from luminaries like Frederick Douglass.
Robert Purvis, African American son of a wealthy white cotton broker, was a leading member during the life of the organization. Provided by Wikipedia
-
1Published 1836Philadelphia [Pa.] : Benjamin Lundy, 1836-1838.v. ; 54 cm.Also available on microfilm from University Microfilms, and the Library of Congress, Photoduplication Service.“...Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Eastern District. Executive Committee...”
-
2Published 1838Philadelphia [Pa.] : Eastern District Executive Committee of the Anti-Slavery Society of Pennsylvania, 1838-1854.v.Also available on microfilm from University Microfilms, and the Library of Congress, Photoduplication Service.“...Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Eastern District. Executive Committee...”
-
3Published 1840New York [N.Y.] : American Anti-Slavery Society, 1840-1870.30 v. ; 65 cm.Available on microfilm from New York Public Library.“...Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society...”
-
4Published 1838Philadelphia [Pa.] : Eastern District Executive Committee of the Anti-Slavery Society of Pennsylvania, 1838-1854.v.Also issued in print.“...Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Eastern District. Executive Committee...”
Center for Research Libraries: 1838-1841; 1844-1851
Online Resource