19th century abolitionists

Letter from Israel Warburton Putnam, Portsmouth, to Amos Augustus Phel...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Israel W. Putnam says he has heard Phelps’s plan to go to teach in Berwick. Putnam asks Phelps to “make all convenient d[i]spatch in going to Berwick.” Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Elizur Timothy Washburn, Hatford, [Connecticut], to Amos A...

Elizur Timothy Washburn writes to Amos A. Phelps about his duties as a school teacher for the Deaf and Dumb in Hartford. He describes the conditions of religion in the surrounding towns, stating "There are revi... More

Letter from Elizur Timothy Washburn, Hatford, [Connecticut], to Amos A...

Elizur Timothy Washburn writes to Amos A. Phelps about his duties as a school teacher for the Deaf and Dumb in Hartford. He describes the conditions of religion in the surrounding towns, stating "There are revi... More

Letter from Spofford D. Jewett, Andover, to Amos Augustus Phelps, Augt...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Spofford D. Jewett discusses certain financial matters he attended to on behalf of Phelps, and gives update about life in the Andover Theological Seminary. Courtesy of Boston P... More

Letter from Elizur Timothy Washburn, Hatford, [Connecticut], to Amos A...

Elizur Timothy Washburn writes to Amos A. Phelps about his duties as a school teacher for the Deaf and Dumb in Hartford. He describes the conditions of religion in the surrounding towns, stating "There are revi... More

Letter from Lucius Israel Barber, Simsbury, to Amos Augustus Phelps, M...

Lucius I. Barber writes to Amos A. Phelps to ask about employment opportunities as a school teacher, including the possibility of taking Phelps’s current position, which he heard Phelps plans to leave in August... More

Letter from Elizur Timothy Washburn, Hatford, [Connecticut], to Amos A...

Elizur Timothy Washburn writes to Amos A. Phelps about his duties as a school teacher for the Deaf and Dumb in Hartford. He describes the conditions of religion in the surrounding towns, stating "There are revi... More

Letter from Joel R. Arnold, Chester, [N.H.], to Amos Augustus Phelps, ...

Joel R. Arnold writes to Amos A. Phelps that he is aware of the subject Phelps referred to in his letter. Arnold says he worked with Senator Bell, who supplied him with information about the [American Colonizat... More

Letter from Loren Robbins, Andover, to Amos Augustus Phelps, June 12 1...

Loren Robbins writes to two recipients, one of which is Amos A. Phelps, about some administrative matters, including letters of recommendation and bills paid. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Susan Hayes, South Berwick, to Amos Augustus Phelps, March...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Susan Hayes relates news about their mutual friends from South Berwick. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from James Ballard, Bennington, [Vermont], to William Lloyd Gar...

James Ballard writes to William Lloyd Garrison thanking him for his latest letter and assuring him that "anything [that] has dropped from your pen will always make it interesting." He discusses his friendship w... More

Letter from Abraham Chittenden Baldwin, Amherst (Ms), to Amos Augustus...

A. C. Baldwin congratulates to Amos A. Phelps on both public and domestic concerns, especially the birth of his son. He then talks about an accusation of “heresy” made upon himself. He wishes to find a parish. ... More

Letter from Julius O. Beardslee, Mico Institution, [Kingston, Jamaica]...

Julius O. Beardslee writes to Amos A. Phelps that he is glad to hear Phelps's health improved. He says Graves departed the previous evening and Wolcott and his company will leave the next morning. He hopes to k... More

Draft of a letter from Saumuel May replying to Sunday school circular

May writes what appears to be a preliminary draft of a letter to an unknown critic of a Sunday school with which May is connected. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Draft of a letter from Saumuel May replying to Sunday school circular

May writes what appears to be a preliminary draft of a letter to an unknown critic of a Sunday school with which May is connected. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Fragment by Samuel May, anti-slavery movement

This fragment, labeled, "Plain Language," appears to be an extract from an anti-slavery sermon. The fragment is written on the reverse of other notes by May, which have been crossed out. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Fragment by Samuel May, anti-slavery movement

This fragment, labeled, "Plain Language," appears to be an extract from an anti-slavery sermon. The fragment is written on the reverse of other notes by May, which have been crossed out. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Lester Anson Miller, Windsor, [Vt.], to William Lloyd Garr...

Lester Anson Miller thanks William Lloyd Garrison for the "favor" of his last letter, and declares his perpetual happiness to receive correspondence from Garrison provided that it does not impose upon time that... More

Letter from Theodore Dwight Weld, [Cincinnati, Ohio], to Amos Augustus...

Theodore Dwight Weld writes to Amos A. Phelps about Lane Seminary member's attitudes towards slavery. He writes, "Our theological professors are exceedingly anxious to keep us from bringing up the subject to di... More

Letter from Theodore Dwight Weld, [Cincinnati, Ohio], to Amos Augustus...

Theodore Dwight Weld writes to Amos A. Phelps about Lane Seminary member's attitudes towards slavery. He writes, "Our theological professors are exceedingly anxious to keep us from bringing up the subject to di... More

Letter from Theodore Dwight Weld, [Cincinnati, Ohio], to Amos Augustus...

Theodore Dwight Weld writes to Amos A. Phelps about Lane Seminary member's attitudes towards slavery. He writes, "Our theological professors are exceedingly anxious to keep us from bringing up the subject to di... More

Letter from Ellis Gray Loring to William Lloyd Garrison, [1833]

Ellis Gray Loring writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him money to add to the subscription of "W[illia]m Hadley's paper, - & thus make myself a life member of the A[nti] S[lavery] Soc[iet]y." Courtesy of B... More

Letter from Ellis Gray Loring to William Lloyd Garrison, [1833]

Ellis Gray Loring writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him money to add to the subscription of "W[illia]m Hadley's paper, - & thus make myself a life member of the A[nti] S[lavery] Soc[iet]y." Courtesy of B... More

Letter from Theodore Dwight Weld, [Cincinnati, Ohio], to Amos Augustus...

Theodore Dwight Weld writes to Amos A. Phelps about Lane Seminary member's attitudes towards slavery. He writes, "Our theological professors are exceedingly anxious to keep us from bringing up the subject to di... More

Letter from John Codman, Dorchester, to Amos Augustus Phelps, 12 March...

John Codman writes to Amos A. Phelps to agree to exchange pulpits on the 31st of March. . Courtesy of Boston public library.

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Samuel Joseph ...

Letter from Erastus Brooks, Haverhill, [Massachusetts], to William Llo...

In this letter to William Lloyd Garrison, Erastus Brooks describes how he has denied "one of the many scandalous libels which ingratitude and calumny has heaped upon you." Brooks details how he refuted a claim ... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Robert Purvis,...

Letter from Maine Anti-slavery Society, Portland, to Portland Female A...

The Maine Anti-Slavery Society and the Portland Female Anti-Slavery Society invites Amos A. Phelps to deliver an address. James Frederick Otis signed on behalf of the first organization, and [Rinthia Hennessey?... More

Letter from Louis O. Cowan, Augusta, [Maine], to William Lloyd Garriso...

Louis O. Cowan writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him five dollars to pay for his Liberator subscription and for copies of Garrison's "Thoughts on African Colonization." Cowan celebrates "the unexampled s... More

Letter from Louis O. Cowan, Augusta, [Maine], to William Lloyd Garriso...

Louis O. Cowan writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him five dollars to pay for his Liberator subscription and for copies of Garrison's "Thoughts on African Colonization." Cowan celebrates "the unexampled s... More

Letter from Samuel H. Fletcher, So. Northbridge, to Amos Augustus Phel...

Samuel H. Fletcher writes to Amos A. Phelps about his intention of asking for a dismissal from the Church at South Northbridge. He discusses the condition of the parish. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Maine Anti-slavery Society, Portland, to Portland Female A...

The Maine Anti-Slavery Society and the Portland Female Anti-Slavery Society invites Amos A. Phelps to deliver an address. James Frederick Otis signed on behalf of the first organization, and [Rinthia Hennessey?... More

Letter from Francis Alexander, Boston, [Massachusetts], to William Llo...

In this receipt sent to William Lloyd, Francis Alexander records $65 "in part payment for Miss [Prudence] Crandall's portrait." Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Louis O. Cowan, Augusta, [Maine], to William Lloyd Garriso...

Louis O. Cowan writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him five dollars to pay for his Liberator subscription and for copies of Garrison's "Thoughts on African Colonization." Cowan celebrates "the unexampled s... More

Letter from Erastus Brooks, Haverhill, [Massachusetts], to William Llo...

In this letter to William Lloyd Garrison, Erastus Brooks describes how he has denied "one of the many scandalous libels which ingratitude and calumny has heaped upon you." Brooks details how he refuted a claim ... More

Letter from William P. Weeks, Canaan, [New Hampshire], to Amos Augustu...

William P. Weeks writes to Amos A. Phelps regarding reports concerning Phelps which have reached Canaan. He asks Phelps why he did not see him when he was in Concord. He would have called upon him and welcomed ... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Samuel Joseph ...

Letter from Erastus Brooks, Haverhill, [Massachusetts], to William Llo...

In this letter to William Lloyd Garrison, Erastus Brooks describes how he has denied "one of the many scandalous libels which ingratitude and calumny has heaped upon you." Brooks details how he refuted a claim ... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Samuel Joseph ...

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Samuel Joseph ...

Letter from Erastus Brooks, Haverhill, [Massachusetts], to William Llo...

In this letter to William Lloyd Garrison, Erastus Brooks describes how he has denied "one of the many scandalous libels which ingratitude and calumny has heaped upon you." Brooks details how he refuted a claim ... More

Letter from Louis O. Cowan, Augusta, [Maine], to William Lloyd Garriso...

Louis O. Cowan writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him five dollars to pay for his Liberator subscription and for copies of Garrison's "Thoughts on African Colonization." Cowan celebrates "the unexampled s... More

Letter from George W. Collier, Cohasset, [Massachusetts], to William L...

George W. Collier writes to William Lloyd Garrison introducing him to "Levi N. Bates who is a firm friend & advocate of immediate emancipation." He also says "that the question, 'Is immedaite emancipation the b... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Helen Eliza Ga...

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Helen Eliza Ga...

Letter from George W. Collier, Cohasset, [Massachusetts], to William L...

George W. Collier writes to William Lloyd Garrison introducing him to "Levi N. Bates who is a firm friend & advocate of immediate emancipation." He also says "that the question, 'Is immedaite emancipation the b... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Helen Eliza Ga...

Letter from Henry Brewster Stanton, Providence, to Amos Augustus Phelp...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Henry B. Stanton describes plans for the State antislavery convention, which is to be held in Providence, and expresses his desire to obtain Phelps’s assistance in organizing t... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Helen Eliza Ga...

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Brooklyn, [Conn.], to George Willi...

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Brooklyn, [Conn.], to George Willi...

Letter from Sophia Davenport, Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], to Anne Wa...

Sophia Davenport writes to Anne Warren Weston in regards to thanking her for her gift of a publication. She wishes to subscribe to the Liberator, and asks Anne to purchase for her George Thompson's lectures and... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Brooklyn, [Conn.], to George Willi...

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Brooklyn, [Conn.], to George Willi...

Letter from Elizur Wright, New York, to Amos Augustus Phelps, 1836 Feb...

Elizur Wright Jr. writes to Amos A. Phelps questioning whether Mr. Twining is fit to be an agent. He asks Phelps to let him know by next month. He also requests suggestions for an editor for the weekly paper in... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Henry Egbert B...

Letter from Sophia Davenport, Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], to Anne Wa...

Sophia Davenport writes to Anne Warren Weston in regards to thanking her for her gift of a publication. She wishes to subscribe to the Liberator, and asks Anne to purchase for her George Thompson's lectures and... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Brooklyn, [Conn.], to George Willi...

Letter from Sophia Davenport, Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], to Anne Wa...

Sophia Davenport writes to Anne Warren Weston in regards to thanking her for her gift of a publication. She wishes to subscribe to the Liberator, and asks Anne to purchase for her George Thompson's lectures and... More

Letter from Sophia Davenport, Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], to Anne Wa...

Sophia Davenport writes to Anne Warren Weston in regards to thanking her for her gift of a publication. She wishes to subscribe to the Liberator, and asks Anne to purchase for her George Thompson's lectures and... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Brooklyn, [Conn.], to George Willi...

Letter from Lewis Tappan, New York, to Amos Augustus Phelps, 24 Feb. 1...

In this letter, Lewis Tappan informs Amos A. Phelps of the Executive Committee’s decision to publish a weekly paper in addition to the present publications. Tappan requests for information regarding Mr. George ... More

Letter from Samuel L. Hill, Willimantic, Ct., to Amos Augustus Phelps,...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Samuel L. Hill expresses his belief that Phelps, who has been specifically chosen to give a lecture in the area, would be better received than a substitute. Hill describes anti... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Brooklyn, [Conn.], to Samuel Josep...

Letter from Lewis Tappan, New York, to Amos Augustus Phelps, 24 Feb. 1...

In this letter, Lewis Tappan informs Amos A. Phelps of the Executive Committee’s decision to publish a weekly paper in addition to the present publications. Tappan requests for information regarding Mr. George ... More

Letter from Henry Brewster Stanton, Rochester, to Amos Augustus Phelps...

In this letter, Henry B. Stanton informs Amos A. Phelps of his recent activities in Utica, and of his plans for the future. He says both the “committee” and himself believe that they should wait until the anniv... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Brooklyn, [Conn.], to George Willi...

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Brooklyn, [Conn.], to George Willi...

Letter from Amos Augustus Phelps, Boston, to John Greenleaf Whittier, ...

Amos A. Phelps writes to J.G. Whittier in protest to his recent conduct. Phelps asks Whittier not to “pass judgment on [the] ease of which you know nothing,” and not to “condemn us for getting out of [the troub... More

Letter from Alanson St. Clair, West Boylston, to Amos Augustus Phelps,...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Alanson St. Clair requests certain publications that are needed in order to refute some charges made by some clergymen against the American Anti-Slavery Society and Massachuset... More

Letter from Gardiner Dorrance, Amherst, to Amos Augustus Phelps, June ...

Dorrance Gardiner writes to Amos A. Phelps to accept his appointment as a Vice President of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Samuel Joseph May, South Scituate, [Massachusetts], to Wil...

Samuel Joseph May writes to William Lloyd Garrison informing him he expects to visit Boston for a few days in January. He then shares his dissapointment that "the anti slavery cause is to me more gloomy and unp... More

Letter from Alanson St. Clair, West Boylston, to Amos Augustus Phelps,...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Alanson St. Clair requests certain publications that are needed in order to refute some charges made by some clergymen against the American Anti-Slavery Society and Massachuset... More

Letter from Henry Brewster Stanton, New York, to Amos Augustus Phelps,...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Henry B. Stanton discusses a variety of subjects, including circulating petitions, the $50 from Lynn that went to the treasury of American Anti-Slavery Society, and the financi... More

Letter from Henry Brewster Stanton, New York, to Amos Augustus Phelps,...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Henry B. Stanton discusses a variety of subjects, including circulating petitions, the $50 from Lynn that went to the treasury of American Anti-Slavery Society, and the financi... More

Letter from Jonas Perkins, Weymouth, to Amos Augustus Phelps, Oct. 4.-...

Jonas Perkins writes to Amos A. Phelps that it is agreeable to him to receive Phelps on the following Sabbath. He requests that he come prepared to deliver an address on Tuesday. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Angelina Emily Grimké, Brookline, to Amos Augustus Phelps...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Angelina Emily Grimké defends her view on women’s rights from the religious point of view. She then further argues for the equality of men and women. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Henry Brewster Stanton, New York, to Amos Augustus Phelps,...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Henry B. Stanton discusses a variety of subjects, including circulating petitions, the $50 from Lynn that went to the treasury of American Anti-Slavery Society, and the financi... More

Letter from Elizur Wright, New York, to Amos Augustus Phelps, Sep. 2. ...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Elizur Wright lists the names of the local agents appointed in Massachusetts. On the same paper, Henry B. Stanton writes that he forgot what Phelps requested to him, and says h... More

Letter from Henry Brewster Stanton, New York, to Amos Augustus Phelps,...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Henry B. Stanton discusses a variety of subjects, including circulating petitions, the $50 from Lynn that went to the treasury of American Anti-Slavery Society, and the financi... More

Letter from Gardiner Dorrance, Amherst, to Amos Augustus Phelps, June ...

Dorrance Gardiner writes to Amos A. Phelps to accept his appointment as a Vice President of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Elizur Wright, New York, [New York], to William Lloyd Garr...

Elizur Wright, Jr. writes to William Lloyd Garrison asking for "a pledge to use your pen in the Quarterly" and telling him to respond "by mail - a monosyllable of three letters will do." He promises it will not... More

Letter from Alanson St. Clair, West Boylston, to Amos Augustus Phelps,...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Alanson St. Clair requests certain publications that are needed in order to refute some charges made by some clergymen against the American Anti-Slavery Society and Massachuset... More

Letter from Alanson St. Clair, West Boylston, to Amos Augustus Phelps,...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Alanson St. Clair requests certain publications that are needed in order to refute some charges made by some clergymen against the American Anti-Slavery Society and Massachuset... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Sarah Thurber ...

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, New York, to Helen Eliza Garrison,...

Letter from Augustus William Hanson, to Amos Augustus Phelps, July 7. ...

Augustus William Hanson writes to Amos A. Phelps about his desire to obtain employment, preferably in a short term copying. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Sarah Thurber ...

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to Sarah Thurber ...

Letter from David Root, Dover, to Amos Augustus Phelps, Dec 4 - 1838

Upon reading about Amos A. Phelps receiving a call from the Free Church in Boston to be its a pastor, David Root writes to Phelps to ask him to consider the matter further before leaving the field of antislaver... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to George William...

Receipt from Amos Augustus Phelps, Boston, to Henry Grafton Chapman, J...

A receipt written by A.A. Phelps to Henry G. Chapman for $100, on account of salary from the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Luther Wright, Woburn, [Massachusetts], to Amos Augustus P...

Luther Wright writes to Amos A. Phelps regarding his inability to raise funds for Phelps. He writes of reports that circulated about him at the last anti- slavery meeting that "are absolutely false, having not ... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to George William...

Letter from Luther Wright, Woburn, [Massachusetts], to Amos Augustus P...

Luther Wright writes to Amos A. Phelps regarding his inability to raise funds for Phelps. He writes of reports that circulated about him at the last anti- slavery meeting that "are absolutely false, having not ... More

Letter from David Root, Dover, to Amos Augustus Phelps, Dec 17 - 1838

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, David Root expresses his surprise at the “tenor & bearing” of Phelps’s letter. He asks whether the whole group of antislavery agents will be left “to take care of themselves.” ... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to George William...

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Boston, [Mass.], to George William...

Letter from Jonathan Ward, Plymouth, Massachusetts, to Amos Augustus P...

Jonathan Ward writes Amos A. Phelps suggesting that agents of the society who are able to preach be permitted to do so in places where preaching is needed. He describes controversy in some of the churches in Pl... More