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Manumissions

 Collection
Identifier: HC.MC-950-122

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of original and typed transcripts of manumissions of enslaved people.

Dates

  • Creation: 1771-1780

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Historical Note

Quakers were among the first white Americans to denounce slavery. Quakers in Germantown, Philadelphia, made the first recorded protest against slavery in 1688, although many Quakers, especially in the southern colonies, enslaved people at this time. William Penn himself was an enslaver during his four years in Pennsylvania (1682-1684 and 1696-1698), though they were later freed.

For much of the 18th century, there was a focus on eliminating slavery within the Quaker community. This was eventually achieved in 1774. Many Quakers freed their own enslaved people, and some bought enslaved people from one another in order to free them. By 1758, opinion amongst Quakers had moved to a point where a systematic program of visits to the remaining Quaker enslavers was agreed, in an endeavour to persuade them to free the enslaved people. Eventually, in 1774, Quakers who were still enslavers were expelled from the Society of Friends.

Extent

.01 linear ft. (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection is comprised of original and typed transcripts of manumissions of enslaved people from Burlington, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Includes transcriptions of other manumissions not in this folder (in possession of E. Page Allinson 1939). Loose

Acquisition

Unknown.

Related Materials

HC.MC.975.11.001 Abington monthly meeting manumissions

Processing Information

Processed by Kara Flynn; completed February, 2016.

Title
Manumissions, 1771-1780
Author
Kara Flynn
Date
February, 2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Find It at the Library

Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Library

Contact:
370 Lancaster Ave
Haverford PA 19041 USA US