A BRIEF SKETCH
OF THE
SCHOOLS FOR BLACK PEOPLE,
AND
5
THEIR DESCENDANTS,
Established by the
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS,
IN IVZO.
>
3
I
PUBLISHED BY DIRECTION OF THE. COMMITTEE HAVING

>
CHARGE OF THE SCHOOLS.
P HIL A D E L P H I A:
FRIENDS’ BOOK STORE,
No. 304 Arch Street.
1867,
««»•'»» (
A BKIEF SKETCH
OF THE
SCHOOLS FOR BLACK PEOPLE,
AND
THEIR DESCENDANTS,
Kstablislied by the
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS,
IN 1770.
PUBLISHED BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE HAVING
CHARGE OF THE SCHOOLS.
PHILADELPHIA:
FRIENDS’ BOOK STORE,
No. 304: Arch Street.
1867,The following account of the origin and history of the
Schools for black people and their descendants, has been
prepared for publication, under a belief that it might be ser-
viceable in maintaining the interest of Friends in this Insti-
tution established by our religious Society, for the benefit of
the Colored race, under a lively concern for the promotion of
the welfare of this oppressed people; and which, since its origin
in the year 1770, has been supported to a considerable extent
by the voluntary contributions of the Society, and is still in
measure dependent upon the existence of a similar feeling
of interest among the members for its support.
Philada., Twelfth month, 1866.A BRIEF SKETCH, &c.
Those who are familiar •with the history of the Rise
and Progress of the Testimony of the religious Society of
Friends against slavery, are aware that our predecessors
were brought under much religions concern, on account
of holding their fellow-men in bondage; a faithful attention
to which resulted in the Society becoming ultimately clear
of that iniquitous practice. In the prosecution of this
righteous engagement, they saw the disadvantages which
the people of color labored under, even after they were
liberated from bondage, and truly sympathizing W’ith
them, they were induced to advise and assist them in
many ways. They were especially solicitous that their
offspring should receive such a religious and literary in-
struction, as would qualify them for the proper enjoyment
of freedom, and for becoming useful and worthy citizens.
Individuals, as well as committees of Monthly and Quar-
terly Meetings, labored diligently in promoting this
desirable object. Long before the Society was clear of
slavery, and at a time when the community at large ap-
peared indifferent to the real good of the colored people,4
Friends of this city established and supported a school,
where the children of such could be gratuitously edu-
cated.
In 1770 there was but one Monthly Meeting of Friends
in this city, to which all the members of Society residing
here belonged. At the Monthly Meeting held the 26th
of the First month in that year, the situation of the co-
lored people, as respects literary education, was brought
under consideration, and a proposition was made to adopt
measures for instructing the children of that class. It
cannot now be known who opened the subject in that
meeting, but as Anthony Benezet belonged to it, and is
known to have been a very zealous promoter of every
undertaking calculated to benefit the people of color, it
is probable it was introduced by him. The proposition
was approved, and Friends desired to keep it under
their care; and the further consideration was referred to
the next meeting. At the ensuing meeting, held the 23d
of Second month, the subject again claimed deliberate
attention, and the following minute was made :—
“ The proposal made last month for the promotion of a
school for the instruction of negro children, coming now
under consideration, and the sentiments of Friends being
expressed in approbation thereof, after mature delibera-
tion, the following Friends are desired to meet together,
and to consider further of the most suitable manner of
putting forward this intention; which it is the desire of
the meeting may be promoted in such manner as may be
most useful; and that they make report thereon to next
meeting, viz., Israel Pemberton, Henry Drinker, Isaac
Grreenleaf, Daniel Stanton, John Drinker, Jr., Samuel
Emlen, Jr., Charles West, John Morris, Isaac Zane,
Samuel Noble, James Pemberton, William Savery, Joshua
Fisher, Hugh Forbes, John Reynell, Joseph Mariott,5
Joshua Emlen, John Hunt, John Baldwin, Samuel Mor-
ton, Jacob Shoemaker, Jr., and Anthony Benezet.” A
general invitation was also given “ to such other Friends
who may incline to attend the said committee on this
business.”
On the 30th of the ensuing month this committee re-
ported, that, “ pursuant to the appointment of the meet-
ing, we have had several free conferences on the subject
recommended to our consideration by the minute of last
month; and being unanimously desirous that provision
should be made for the instruction of negro and mulatto
children in reading, writing, and other useful learning
suitable to their capacity and circumstance, under the
direction of Friends; we have agreed to propose, that a
committee of seven Friends be nominated by the Monthly
Meeting, w'ho shall be authorized to employ a school-
mistress, of prudent and exemplary conduct, to teach not
more at one time than thirty children in the first rudi-
ments of school learning, and in sewing and knitting.
That the admission of scholars into the said school be
entrusted to the said committee, giving to the children of
free negroes and mulattoes the preference, and the op-
portunity of being taught clear of expense to their pa-
rents ; and if a sufficient number of such do- not offer,
others may be received in such manner as the said com-
mittee may judge most convenient and consistent with
the good intent of Friends in endeavoring to promote the
Christian education and real good of these poor people.
That a subscription be promoted among Friends as speedily
as may be, to raise annually not less than one hundred
pounds* for the term of three years, by which method
the expense will be rendered light, and become diffused
among such members of this meeting who may be desirous
* Equivalent to two hundred and sixty-six dollars and sixty-seven cdnts.6
of manifesting their concern for the religious instruction
of many who now remain in ignorance, and deprived of
the valuable blessings others enjoy. That the committee
may have liberty given them, if they find, on experience,
the occasion requires it, and the liberality of Friends in
contributing will admit of it, to employ a school-master,
of prudent and exemplary conduct and suitable qualifica-
tions, to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic, or another
mistress, as they may find necessary.”
This report was signed on behalf of the Committee, by
Daniel Stanton, and being read and considered, was ap-
proved by the meeting, and a subscription paper having
been prepared, “Friends generally manifested their de-
sire of promoting the good purposes intended by signing
the same, and signifying the sum they freely contributed
thereto; and the following Friends, viz., Israel Pember-
ton, Richard Blackham, John Drinker, Jr., James Pem-
berton, Samuel Emlen, Jr., Hugh Forbes and Edward
Jones, were nominated as overseers, to employ prudent
and well qualified tutors, and for promoting and main-
taining the said school, agreeably to the foregoing report,
until a new nomination be made by the meeting; and to
make report of their proceedings, from time to time, as
the meeting may think proper to require.”
In the Fifth month the committee met, and agreed
with “ Moles Patterson, to teach as many children as”
they “ should send to him, not exceeding forty at one
time;” fbr which they engaged to pay him a “ salary of
eighty pounds a year, and a sum not exceeding eleven
pounds a year for one half of the rent of his dwelling-
house.”
“ The salary to the master was higher than we should
have agreed to if we could have engaged one that we
thought suitable on easier terms ; or if a mistress capa-7
ble of the service could have been procured, but nei-
ther at that time offering, the hopes we entertained of
Moles being capable of discharging the trust to our satis-
faction, and that he would continue in it, induced us to
employ him on these terms.”
They at the same time rented of “Benjamin Kendall
the upper room of his house in Pear Street, over the pot-
ash works, at the rate of fifteen pounds a year.” Hav-
ing made these preliminary arrangements, on the 28th of
the Sixth month the school was regularly opened with
twenty-two children, one-half of whom were girls. At
the next meeting of the committee,* about a week after,
two boys and si.x girls were admitted, and other additions
to the number were soon made.
“ In the Ninth month some further addition being
made to the subscriptions, and the number of scholars
increasing, (six more being admitted,) we thought it
would be expedient to employ a mistress to instruct the
girls in sewing and knitting, and hearing of one that was
suitable,^ we offered her such terms as we judged rea-
sonable, which we were afterwards informed she did not
incline to accept.”
Some of the scholars first admitted were afterwards
considered too young, and it wars concluded to admit none
under six years of age; and also, that the masters or
parents of such as were able and willing should be re-
quested to pay, “ at the rate of ten shillings a quarter* for
those who write, and 7s. and 6c?. for others.” The school-
room which they occupied “ being subject to some unex-
pected inconveniences, they found it necessary to seek
for another,” but not being able to rent a suitable house,
* Anthony Benezet and John Pemberton, although not on the committee^
appear to have met regularly with them.8
or room, they concluded to meet weekly, until they could
“ find one, or agree to build a house for the purpose.”
At the meeting of the committee on the 9 th of First
month, 1771, after examining the scholars, and being
pleased to find that they “ had made good progress,” the
minute says, “Went to the lot back of Friends’ Alms-
houses, [on Walnut Street below Fourth,] and are all of
the opinion, that it is a suitable place to fix a school-
house.” On the 16th of this month they again met, but
not having obtained a suitable room for the school, they
concluded to apply to the Monthly Meeting for liberty to
build a convenient house on the “south part of the alms-
house lot.” At the ensuing Monthly Meeting, which
occurred the 25th of that month, the application was ac-
cordingly made, and liberty granted, “to build a school-
house on the said lot, in such manner as would not in-
commode the habitations of the poor Friends. And two
days afterwards, a number of Friends meeting on the
said lot, after viewing it, and fixing on the spot for the
building, agreed, that by running a fence across the south
part of the lot, any interruption to the poor Friends in
the alms-houses might be guarded against.” In the re-
port which the committee made to the Monthly Meetings
in 1773, from which a part of the above has been taken,
they say , “ At our next meeting in the Second month, a
calculation was made of the cost of building a school-
house, twenty-eight feet east and west, and eighteen feet
north and south, and our dear friend Daniel Stanton,
who was very instrumental in the first promoting the es-
tablishing the school, having, by his last will, given
twenty pounds toward it, and our friend Amos Hillborn
having also given a legacy of twenty pounds for the same
purpose, it was concluded we might apply these sums
toward carrying on the building, and we likewise agreed9
to apply to some charitable women Friends, who were
likely to contribute towards the cost of the building,
being desirous of carrying it on without lessening the
stock of the annual contributions.” “ In the Sixth month
following, some contributions having been obtained, the
consideration of building was resumed, but not deter-
mined on until the 4th of the Ninth month, when it was
concluded to build a brick house thirty-two feet in length
and eighteen feet in breadth, one story high; and at seve-
ral meetings in that month, the plan was settled, workmen
agreed with, and by the care of some of us who superin-
tended the buildings, the materials were provided and the
work carried on, so that in the Twelfth month the school
was opened in the new house; and on the 26th of that
month we met therein.” The cost of this house, with the
necessary fencing, was £ 186 4 s. 6<Z. “At the times of our
visitations of the school this year,” the report continues,
“we observed great neglect of the scholars’ attendance,
in which we used endeavors to make a reformation, by
some of us speaking to their parents, and otherwise, which
had Some effect; their neglect was one cause of their not
improving so much as we expected.” On the 30th of the
Tenth month, 1772, the Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia
having concluded to establish two additional Monthly
Meetings, a committee appointed before the opening of
those meetings, made a report, of which the following is
a paragraph, viz., “And having considered the circum-
stances of the school established by this Monthly Meet-
ing, and supported by the voluntary contributions of
Friends in this city, for the instruction of negro children,
being desirous of promoting the good purposes of that
school, agreeable to the benevolent intention of the sub-
scribers ; we think it may be proper that an equal number
of Friends, not less than three, be nominated by each10
meeting, to have the care and oversight thereof.” In
consequence of which, the following minute was made by
the meeting, viz., “After some time spent in considera-
tion of that part of the above report which relates to the
school, established for the instruction of negro children,
there appearing a strong desire among us that the school
may be continued, and the good purposes already expe-
rienced by it may be extended, and it is the sense of this
meeting, that when the two other Monthly Meetings are
established, it should become an object of the united care
of the members of the three Monthly Meetings, to continue
and extend the usefulness of the said school, in such man-
ner as our duty and concern for the religious instruction
of these poor people requires.”
In the Eleventh month, this year. Moles Patterson
resigned his situation as teacher, and was succeeded by
Ann Patterson, his wife, who taught the school until the
First month following, when John Pare was engaged.
John was suddenly removed by death a few weeks after
entering upon his duties, and the committee being unable
to get a successor immediately, the school was suspended
about six weeks. They finally concluded to employ
David Estaugh on trial, “he having spent some time to
improve himself under our friend Anthony Benezet, who
having frequently met with us, and assisted us in the
trust committed to us, now kindly offered to attend daily
and give his assistance to David in the school. He
entered into the service 19th of Fourth month, and con-
tinued till the 26th of the Tenth month, when finding the
employment too heavy, he chose to resign it.”
“ Sometime before this, Jacob Lehre having offered his
service, and being well known to several of us, who es-
teem him a religious sober man, well qualified, and of
sufficient experience in the business, having taught school11
some years past; we therefore agreed, after some conver-
sation with him, to employ him, and to pay him a salary
of eighty pounds a year, for six months certain; and if,
after that time of trial, he conducts to our satisffiction, to
continue three years in the service. Upon which he re-
moved with his fomily to this city ; and on the 6th of the
Twelfth month, the school was again opened: and then,
and at several times since, 32 scholars have been ad-
mitted into the school; and on our last meeting, several
of them being examined, appear' to be in the way of im-
proving ; and we are in hopes such care will be taken of
them as to answer the good purposes intended. And as
from the present state of our accounts, it appears most of
the money hitherto subscribed hath been expended, we
are desirous that the same benevolent disposition which
hath appeared in many, and laid the foundation, may in-
fluence others to contribute towards the support of the
school, by whose assistance, or by such other means as
the meeting may judge most expedient, it may be main-
tained ; that our concern for these oppressed people ob-
taining liberty may be manifested by endeavoring to pre-
pare their posterity for making a right use of it. And as
we have had frequent opportunities through the course of
this service, for observing their capacity for learning, to
be equal to other children, we are confirmed in our ap-
prehensions that it is our duty and true interest as men
and Christians, to promote and support this school; and
hope that in other places, a concern of the same kind will
be raised, as the good effects of our care become more
known and observed. With the state of the account, we
deliver a list of all the children which have been taught
in the school, but for want of greater care in the master,
we cannot mention the time when many of them were
placed out to service or otherwise discharged.12
“ On the general state of the accounts of the stock for
the establishing and maintaining a school for the instruc-
tion of negroes, it appears that Richard Blackham the
Treasurer, hath received from the contributors their sub-
scriptions for three years, £414 9s. Orf. From the con-
tributors’ donations, which it w\as agreed to apply toward
the building of the school house, £70 8s. 4rf. Three
legacief? applied in like manner, Daniel Stanton’s £20.
Amos Ilillborn, £25. Richard Parker’s £10—£55.”
The above account was presented and read in each of
the three Monthly Meetings and approved. Committees
were also appointed to make collections; -who succeeded
in obtaining new subscriptions to the amount of £54 6s.
Japob Lehre being found on trial satisfactory, he was re-
engaged in the Sixth month, 1774.
At a meeting of the committee, held First month 3rd,
1775, it w’as found that there were but nine scholars
regularly attending the school. It w'as agreed to visit the
parents and endeavor to induce them to oblige their chil-
dren to attend more diligently; “but as it is not proba-
ble,” the minute continues, “ that so many will attend
this winter season a.s the master is capable of teaching, it
is agreed that it will be expedient to admit 10 or 12 poor
white children to be taught in the school for the next en-
suing three months.”
The proposed visitation was made to the parents, which
was thought of service; and in the Fourth month 40
colored and 6 whites were reported in attendance. Jacob
Lehr4 continued in charge of the school until Twelfth
month, 1776, when he appears to have left, and the school
closed to the Second month, 1777. At this time John
Haughton was engaged, and entered upon the duties of
his station. About this period the committee again made
a report to the Monthly Meetings, in which they remark,13
“as we are, after upwards of seven years’ experience,
confirmed in believing that by a religious care to dis-
charge oui’ duty towards these long oppressed people
they may receive much benefit, and the increasing con-
cern that appears to restore them to their right to liberty,
encourage us to hope Friends in general will be more and
more united in a faithful fulfilling of their' trust, by in-
structing them in necessary learning, and the ways and
means of a livelihood suitable to their stations,” &c. The
transactions of the committee from the Third month,
1777, to the Third month, 1782, are not preserved. It
appears from the minutes of the Monthly Meetings that
they were careful to make appointments of Friends to su-
perintend the school, and that it was with some intermis-
sion kept open during this time under the care of John
Haughton. “ A part of this period,” a minute of the
committee states, “ was remarkable for commotion, con-
tending armies, taking, evacuating, and repossessing this
city, that schools kept within the compass thereof were
generally for a time suspended.”
The committee in their report to the Monthly Meetings
in the year 1782, after stating that John Haughton had
been engaged as teacher at the time of their last report,
remark, “ in which employment he continued till the
Second month last, being five years, when his health
appearing to be much impaired, he chose to decline the
charge of the school. Soon after, in the Third month
last, we had a meeting, at which our friend Anthony
Benezet attended, and revived a concern which he had a
considerable time before mentioned to some of us, of
taking the school, whenever John Haughton should relin-
quish it; and his proposal being approved, it was agreed
to allow him for the present year, the same salary given
to John Haughton for the last, to commence on the 1st14
of the Fourth month last, about which time he entered
upon the employment, and is now engaged in teaching
the children at his own house. We are free to observe,
that the order and regularity in which it was maintained,
and the progress in learning, have in all respects been
equal to our expectation: the master having discharged
the weighty trust in these respects, and in visiting the
parents and guardians of the children, in order to excite
his scholars to a diligent attendance, with a faithful reli-
gious care that claims our entire approbation.”
During these five years they state that 250 children
and grown persons were entered in the school, “ and par-
took of the benefit of instruction, many of whom made
considerable progress in learning, and discovered a dispo-
sition to avail themselves of the benevolence of Friends,
in a manner that may be of much benefit by qualifying
them for the useful purposes of life, and the removing
prejudices entertained by some to their disadvantage.”
They also remark, “from the state of our funds, it
appears needful for Friends to consider the means of giv-
ing this benevolent institution a further support; and a.s
through the unmerited goodness of Divine Providence the
Society is preserved in the possession of much substance,
we trust, no incentives are wanting to excite Friends to
liberality on this occasion, especially when we consider
that the support of it is so connected with the weighty
religious concern and labor of Friends, to promote the
freedom and real welfare of that long and deeply oppress-
ed people, that we should not act consistent with our pro-
fession in suflering it to be discontinued,”
When Anthony Benezet took charge of the school, he
lived on the north side of Chestnut Street, above Third,
at the corner of Franklin Place, the site of which is now
occupied by the new building erected for the First National15
Bank. The school was held in his own house, (probably
on account of his feeble health,) with the consent of the
committee. They appear to have surrendered to him the
entire control of it, as there are no minutes of a formal
meeting from Sixth month, 1782, to the Fifth month, 1784.
At a meeting of the committee, held at the Fourth Street
meeting-house. Fifth month Sth, 1784, there were present
Edward Jones, Richard Blackburn, Daniel Drinker, Bene-
dict Dorsey, John Field, Thomas Say, Jonathan Shoema-
ker, Richard Humphreys, Richard Wells and Miers Fisher,
and the following minute was made :—“ Several members
of this board now report, that our valued friend Anthony
Benezet, who for some time past has kept the school for
the education of the black people departed this life on
Second-day last, the third day of this month, having first
made his will. And that he also left a letter, directed to
the overseers of the school appointed for the instruction
of the black people, a copy whereof it is thought proper
to be preserved, being as follows :—‘ My friend, Joseph
Clark, having frequently observed to me his desire, in
case of my inability of continuing the care of the negro
school, of succeeding me in that service, notwithstanding
he now has a more advantageous school, by the desire of
doing good to the black people, makes him overlook these
pecuniary advantages, I much wish the overseers of the
school would take his desires under their peculiar notice,
and give him such due encouragement as may be proper;
it being a matter of the greatest consequence to that
school, that the master be a person who makes it a prin-
ciple to do his duty. His wife, a prudent, sensible wo-
man, joins him in the concern.
‘ With respect, I conclude. This from
‘Anthony Benezet.’
* To the Overseers of the School for the Instruction of the block people.’16
“Which papers were laid before several members of
this board the last evening by some of the executors
named in the will.
“Upon reading the letter, and considering the contents
thereof, the members of this board think it a duty they
owe to their valuable deceased friend, to retain upon their
minutes a record of the deep sense they have of his great
and good services, not only in forwarding the emancipation
of that oppressed people for a great number of years past,
but also in giving up his time and labor to instruct the
younger part of that race in such branches of useful
literature, as would fit them for the common purposes of
life. And the strongest proof of their love and good will
to their departed friend, they think, will be to pay regard
to the advice and recommendation contained in the said
letter, written, as the board is informed, near the close of
his life.”
Extract of the leiU of Anthony Benezet,
“I give my above said house and lot, or ground rent
proceeding from it, and the rest and residue of my estate,
which shall remain undisposed of, after my wife’s decease,
both real and personal, to the Public School of Philadel-
phia, founded by charter, and to their successors forever
in trust, that they shall sell my house and lot (tn per-
petual ground rent forever, if the same be not already
sold by my executors, as before mentioned; and that as
speedily as may be, they receive and take as much of my
personal estate as may be remaining, and therewith pur-
chase a yearly ground rent, or ground rents, and with the
income of such ground rent, proceeding from the sale of
my real estate, hire and employ a religious minded per-
son, or persons, to teach a number of negro, mulatto, or
Indian children, to read, write, arithmetic, plain accounts,17
needle work, &c. And it is my particular desire, founded
on the experience I have had in that service, that in the
choice of such tutors, special care may be had to prefer
an industrious, careful person, of true piety, who may be
or become suitably qualified, who would undertake the
service from a principle of charity, to one more highly
learned not equally disposed; this I desire may be care-
fully attended to, sensible that from the number of pupils
of all ages, the irregularity of attendance their situation
subjects them to, will not admit of that particular inspec-
tion in their improvement usual in other schools; but
that the real well-doing of the scholars, will very much
depend upon the master making a special conscience of
doing his duty ; and shall likewise defray such other ne-
cessary expense as may occur in that service: and as the
said remaining income of my estate, after my wife’s de-
cease, will not be sufficient to defray the whole expense
necessary for the support of such a school, it is my re-
quest that the overseers of the said Public School shall
join in the care and expense of such a school, or schools,
for the education of negro, mulatto, or Indian children,
with any committee which may be appointed by the
Monthly Meetings of Friends in Philadelphia, or with
any other body of benevolent persons who may join in
raising money, and employing it for the education and
care of such children. My desire being, that as such a
school is now set up, it may be forever maintained in this
city.”
Application was made to Joseph Clark, who manifested
a deep interest in the concern, but the circumstances in
which he was placed, seemed to render it proper for him
to continue the school in which he was then engaged; and
accordingly the committee sought another Friend to suc-
ceed to the care of the school.
218
In the First month, 1786 the committee made a report
to the Monthly Meetings, in which they say, “ Our friend
Anthony Benezet had the charge of the school when we
last reported, which was kept at his house; in this employ
he continued until the Fourth month, 1784, when he de-
ceased. An intermission then succeeded, during which
time we raised the school house, built on the Alms-house
lot, for this purpose, another story, with a view to accommo-
date a mistress’s school in the upper room, apprehending
from the increase of black children it was necessary, and
that the state of the subscriptions towards their instruction
would enable us to accomplish it. This being completed in
the Ninth month following, w’e engaged with William Waring
to undertake the tuition of the larger children and grown
persons, in the lower room, for one year, at a salary of
£100; and with Sarah Dougherty to teach the younger
children and girls in spelling, reading, sewing, &c., at £50
per annum, in the upper room. When the year for which
William Waring engaged was nearly expired, a prospect
of another school opening, which he inclined to embrace,
he gave up the school, wherein he was immediately suc-
ceeded by Daniel Britt; who has it now under his care,
at the same allowance made to William Waring. “The
subscriptions for the support of the school from Eighth
month 1st, 1782, to the 13th of First month, 1786,
amounted to £576 9®. 'id.”—They conclude their report
by informing the Monthly Meeting, that “ our valued friend
A. Benezet having made a large bequest to the school,
and several other persons having also bequeathed sums of
money for its support, when these donations come into
our possession, and are applied in aid thereof, we expect
subscriptions to a much less amount than has been usual
will suffice; but until that may be done, we hope our
friends in this city will not be discouraged in the continu-19
ance of their liberality, for the support of an institution,
founded on the most benevolent principles, useful, and
essentially necessary for relieving our oppressed fellow-
men from a state of ignorance, and enabling them to be-
come useful members of civil community.” Although the
committee do not state explicitly the number admitted
during this period, it is thought it could not have been
less than two hundred and fifty.
At the meeting of the committee, held in the Third
month, 1787, the following minute was made: “Our friend
James Pemberton now attends, and lays before the over-
seers a letter from our friend David Barclay, of London,
dated London, 2nd of First month, 1787, with a printed
copy of the minutes of a sub-committee for managing the
donation fund for the relief of Friends in America, held
the 15th of the Eleventh month, 1786, whereby it appears
that that committee have appropriated .£500 sterling of
the money in their hands for the use of this institution,
with directions to draw for the same.
At the same meeting, three Friends were appointed
to prepare a letter in reply to that of D. Barclay, which
was produced at a subsequent meeting, and signed by all
of the committee. This communication contained a con-
cise history of the school from its establishment, for the
information, as they allege, “ not only of the sub-commit-
tee, who made the appropriation of the money, but also
such of the contributors,” as might desire to know some-
thing of the manner in which the money was to be ap-
plied.
This liberal donation was duly received, and invested
in ground rents, as were the funds derived from the es-
tate of A. Benezet.
Soon after this period the permanent income was so
much increased from the bequests of several Friends, as20
to render annual subscriptions unnecessary. In 1794,
the committee came to the conclusion, that an act of in-
corporation would enable them to manage the funds more
satisfactorily, and accordingly they requested from the
Monthly Meetings authority to apply to the Legislature
for one. The Friends however, to whom the subject was
referred by the Monthly Meetings reported unfavorably
to the' application being made, and it was consequently
not procured. In 1795 and 1811, owing to the want of
punctuality in the payment of interest and ground rents,
and from other causes, the money received was not suffi
cient to pay the current expenses. The Monthly Meet
ings upon being informed thereof, directed in each year a
general subscription to be made, which resulted in obtain-
ing in 1795, £247 2s. 5(7., and in 1811, $336.71. It
was found necessary also in the year 1821 to make up a
deficiency in the income; this was likewise readily pro-
cured in the same way. The funds received several im-
portant additions from legacies, between 1800 and 1820;
these, as well as those which had been previously receiv-
ed, it is believed, were left by members of our religious
Society, except one of three hundred dollars, which was
bequeathed by Thomas Shirley, a colored man. After
the income became suflScient to defray the expenses, the
duties of the committee were confined to the care of the
funds, and a supervision of the schools—the routine of
which was not much varied from year to year. They
appear to have been regularly attended by an average of
from sixty to eighty scholars per annum. In almost all
the annual reports to the Monthly Meetings, they express
the opinion that the schools were of great use to the class
for which they were established, and the improvement of
the pupils is frequently noticed as being very satisfactory.
In 1817, the management of this concern was, by agree-21
ment, transferred to the Monthly Meeting of Friends of
Philadelphia for the Southern District, which, in that year,
appointed a committee of men to superintend it. Two
years afterward it was thought that an advantage would
arise to the girls’ school if women Friends were associated
in the care of it, and accordingly, a number of women
Friends were appointed, who attended two meetings in
joint-committee with the men, after which it appears they
held their meetings by themselves, as a minute made
Fourth month 3rd, 1819, states that “Women Friends
being of the sentiment that advantage will arise from
men’s and women’s committees meeting separate, it is
agreed hereafter to do so, and that women Friends have
the charge of admitting the girls, and the general superin-
tendence of the girls’ school.”
Anthony Benezet and John Pemberton left a number
of valuable books for the use of the scholars, to which
additions have been made from time to time.
For many years there does not appear to have been
any other school at which colored children could have
been gratuitously taught. Many of our most respectable
colored inhabitants in the last generation obtained all
their literary education at these seminaries, not a few of
whom, from time to time, expressed their gratitude for
what they considered the great favor conferred upon
them.
Many cases occurred of men and women far advanced
in life, attending these schools, often at great personal
sacrifice, and often these exertions were made solely, it
was believed, that they might have access to the contents
of the inspired volume.
In the Eleventh month, 1830, application was made to
the overseers by Thomas Booth and George M. Haver-
stick, and other Friends, for the use of the school room22
of evenings during the week, in the winter season, for the
gratuitous instruction of colored male adults. The appli-
cation was granted, and the evening schools have since
been conducted in the buildings belonging to these schools,
and since their establishment fewer grown persons have
attended the day schools. The day schools are however
still made use of by persons of mature years, as it is sel-
dom that none are in attendance, and they still afford op-
portunity, and the only one of which those are known to
avail themselves, whose education has been neglected in
youth.
In 1835, two youths, natives of Africa, one of them a
son of one of the native kings, were sent over to this
country for the purpose of receiving an education, one of
whom remained at this school long enough to obtain a
knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic; the other
one was able to attend only for a short time on account of
the state of his health.
The growth of the city rendered the location of the
schools on Willing’s Alley much less central and conve-
nient to the scholars than formerly, and the buildings
which were adapted to the purpose in the beginning, be-
came inadequate to the wants of the schools, so that the
subject of providing better accommodations, claimed the
attention of the committee and other Friends interested
in the cause, for a number of years, and numerous refer-
ences to it were made in the annual reports to the Monthly
Meetings, even as far back as 1806.
In 1807, a report of a committee of the three Monthly
Meetings was made, by which it appears they enjoin the
committee in charge, to seek for and procure another
situation for the schools, with the approbation of said
meetings, as soon as practicable.
The mistress at this time lived in the school-house, and23
having to sleep in the same room in which the school was
kept, the accommodations were not suitable and it was
agreed after due deliberation, to allow her ^£25 per annum,
in addition to her salary, to enable her to procure accom-
modations out of the house.
The efforts to obtain a better situation do not appear to
have resulted in any thing of moment for some years.
In 1838 allusion was made to the subject of a change,
as desirable. In 1841 a committee was appointed to
take the subject into consideration, who reported that way
did not open to recommend any action. In the next year,
and also in the one ensuing, similar committees were ap-
pointed.
In the Second month, 1844, four Friends were appoint-
ed to make enquiry for a suitable lot whereon to erect
a new school house, and a few weeks afterward the lot ex-
tending 40 feet on Locust Street, and along Raspberry
Street 100 feet to Shield’s alley, (now Aurora Street,)
was purchased with funds temporarily loaned the com-
mittee for the purpose. The buildings were not imme-
diately commenced, it being decided by the Monthly
Meetings that nothing should be done towards erecting
them until the amount of money necessary for the pur-
pose, and for the purchase-money for the ground, was
paid into the hands of the Treasurer. The cost of the
ground was considerably reduced in the early part of
1846, by the sale of the Locust Street front to the depth
of 60 feet, on advantageous terms, and about this time
the necessary appropriations having been made by the
four Monthly Meetings, the contract was made and the
house proceeded with. The report to the Monthly Meet-
ing in the First month, 1847, contains the following:
“ In the Fifth month our Treasurer having received the
balance of the proportion of $4,500 contributed by Friends24
of the Northern District Monthly Meeting, and being in-
formed that the Western District Monthly Meeting had
appropriated the whole of their share of the surplus in-
come arising from the sale of the lot bequeathed by John
Pemberton, and that Philadelphia Monthly Meeting had
also agreed to pay $1,125 out of their share of the
same fund, the committee believed they were warranted
in proceeding with the erection of the new school house
upon the remaining portion of the lot. A plan and speci-
fication having previously been agreed upon, a contract
was accordingly made for the building, which was com-
pleted under the superintendence of part of the committee.
The lot on which it is erected extends 40 feet on Raspberry
Street and the same distance on Shield’s alley. The
house is 40 feet long by 30 wide, two stories high, and
covered with a slate roof. There are two rooms in each
story the ceilings of which are 12 feet 4 inches in height.
The large rooms are about 28 feet square, the others are
9 by 16 feet, in dimensions. The rooms in each story
are lighted by three large windows on each side, and the
Schuylkill water is introduced into both stories, the house
is warmed by a furnace in the cellar, and ample provision
is made for ventilation. The entrance to the lower room,
occupied by the boys, is from Raspberry Street, and that
for the girls is on Shield’s alley. A sufficient number of
new cherry desks has been placed in the large rooms for
the accommodation of 70 pupils in each, and other conve-
nient fixtures have been provided.”
“The school house and lot, with the new furniture,
have cost about $4,500.”
On the 12th of the Tenth month, 1846, the school was
opened in the new buildings, the conveniences of which,
and arrangement, appear to have been very satisfactory,
and the comfort of those concerned much increased. With25
the additional room and other advantages of the new loca-
tion, facilities for imparting instruction to a much larger
number of pupils were afforded, so that the attendance in
the two schools rose from an average of 70 before the
change to 114 within two years afterward.
Owing to this increase in the size of the schools, some
assistance was found needful to aid the teachers, and a
female assistant was accordingly temporarily appointed in
the girls’ school, and a colored man who had previously
been a scholar, in the boys’ school. This man was after-
wards succeeded by a female assistant. 'I'he funds of
the school being found insufficient to meet the necessary
expense of employing these assistants, application was
made to the Monthly Meetings in 1848, for an appropria-
tion of $75 dollars each, per annum, which was granted.
For the ensuing three years the schools appear to have
been in flourishing condition, and to have further increased
in size, and the expenses of conducting them having be-
come heavier in proportion, an additional appropriation
of $75 each, was obtained from the Monthly Meetings in
1851, in order that the salary of the principal in the boys’
school might be advanced to $600, and some addition be
made to the compensation of the assistants.
The Treasurer’s report in the First month of 1810, ap-
pears to be the first one containing the item of money
paid for taxes on the property held in trust by and for
the schools.
In 1826 a committee applied to the County Commis-
sioners for relief from taxation, but they reported that
relief could only be obtained by an application to the
Legislature.
About the close of the year 1839, a committee was
appointed to apply to the Legislature for exemption of
the property belonging to the schools from taxation, the26
result of which is expressed in a minute of the Fifth
month, 1840, as follows: “The property held in trust
for the support of these schools is hereafter exempt
from taxation, as appears by section 5th of an act. No.
133, of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, passed at the Session of 1840, and approved
the 11th day of Fourth month 1840, entitled: ‘An
Act relating to the election of school directors, &c.,’ the
section being in the words following, to wit: ‘ Section
5th.—That the property, real or personal, held in trust
or otherwise, for the use of the schools for black people
and their descendants, now held in Willing’s Alley, in the
city of Philadelphia be, and it is hereby exempted from
taxation.’ ”
This exemption, however, was terminated in 1853, and
two Friends were appointed in the Twelfth month of that
year to take such measures as they deemed proper, to
obtain a renewal of it, but in the ensuing Fourth month
they reported that they deemed it inexpedient to take
any action at that time.
About this time the public mind became much inter-
ested in the establishment of new market houses in
various localities throughout the city, in lieu of the old
fashioned ones in the public streets, and application being
made to the committee for the sale of the premises occu-
pied by the schools, for the purpose of locating a market
building there, an agreement for the sale of them to the
applicants was made with the advice and consent of the
Monthly Meeting, but the project having been given up,
the said applicants never consummated this agreement,
and consequently the schools were not disturbed.
In the Eleventh month, 1858, women Friends in charge
of the girls’ school, informing that it was desirable that
an additional assistant should be employed in their school,27
they were left at liberty to engage one, and about a year
afterward a second assistant was employed in the boys’
school; the size of the schools requiring more attention
for the proper instruction of the scholars than could be
otherwise given. To meet the necessary expenses with-
out encroaching upon the funds of the schools, the four
Monthly Meetings in 1861, advanced their annual appro-
priation to ^200 each.
In this year an apartment in the basement was fitted
up as a class-room for the girls, to relieve their school
room somewhat from its crowded state, the principal part
of the cost of which alteration was borne by the contribu-
tions of interested Friends.
In the few years including and preceding that of 1860,
the schools appear to have been larger in size, and as pros-
perous in condition as at any previous time in their his-
tory; the average attendance of both sexes in 1860 being
157. The rooms were occupied frequently to their full
capacity, and numerous applicants for admission were
unavoidably refused for want of accommodations for them.
The increased desire thus manifested by the colored
population of the city, to have their children educated,
was very gratifying, and although regularity of atten-
dance and punctuality to the hour were not so well ob-
served as should have been, and strong efforts were
necessary on the part of the teachers to maintain an
interest in the studies by the scholars, and the organiza-
tion of the schools was not always as perfect as might
have been desired, their condition was generally regarded
to be as satisfactory as could reasonably be expected
under all the circumstances.
The buildings being now fully occupied, all further ex-
tensions of the benefits of the schools were unattainable,
without larger accommodations for the purpose, and in28
the Third month, 1863, a committee was appointed to
take into consideration the subject of obtaining them, and
though some attention was given to the matter, nothing
very satisfactory appeared to offer, and the efforts in that
direction were discontinued.
During this year it was concluded to employ a male
assistant in the boys’ school, instead cf two female assis-
tants, and a well educated colored man was appointed
to the station.
The continuance of the Southern rebellion for several
years, having the effect of greatly increasing the cost of
living, the salaries of the teachers and assistants became
inadequate. The committee were enabled to advance
them in 1865 by the increase in the appropriation of the
Monthly Meetings, to $400 each.
From the commencement of the war a gradual falling
off in the attendance of the schools became apparent,
more particularly in the boys’ school. This was con-
sidered to be in part owing to opportunities for the
larger boys obtaining employment becoming greater,
and the necessities of some of their parents to have
the proceeds of their labor to assist in maintaining the
family. It was also found as the result of a careful en-
quiry, that a few of the pupils had been attracted to some
public schools which had been established in the vicinity,
but the causes of the decline seemed on the whole to be
of a general rather than any particular nature.
In 1866, owing to the prospective diminution in the
income of the schools by the withdrawal of the appropri-
ation of one of the Monthly Meetings, it became necessary
to reduce the expenses, and accordingly the assistant in
the boys’ school, and one of the assistants in the girls’
school were released, and the size of the school was di-
minished.29
The account of the “ Schools for Black People and Their
Descendants,” is thus brought down to the present day,
showing their history for a period of over ninety-six
years, during which they have afforded more or less
instruction to about 8,000 pupils, many of whom, it is
probable, would otherwise have had little opportunity for
receiving literary improvement. It has been gratifying
to find that some of these scholars upon arriving at mature
age, have had cause to remember, and express with thank-
fulnes.s their appreciation of the advantages conferred
upon them in earlier life by these schools.
In laboring for the welfare of the school it is evident
that Friends in the last century had difficulties to contend
with in providing the necessary means to defray the ex-
penses, and the proviso of “when in cash,” is frequently
inserted in the minutes directing the Treasurer to dis-
charge bills presented.
In 1786 the mistress informed the committee that a
quarter’s wages w’as due to her, which she would be glad
to receive. But, on enquiry of the Treasurer respecting the
state of the finances, it appeared that he had but about
£7 10s. in his hands, which was immediately necessary
for the purchase of winter fuel. The Treasurer was de-
sired accordingly to pay it to the master for that purpose,
and the mistress to wait till a further collection was made.
At the next meeting “ The subject of collecting money
from the subscribers to this Institution, being gone into,
it is generally agreed to exert ourselves as much as
shall be proper in this way this season, in order to make
provision for complying with our engagements to the
master and mistress.” Afterwards, “It appears that
some progress has been made in collecting money, but
our wants not being supplied, further care in this matter
is recommended.”30
Recommendations to the collecting committees to “re-
newed diligence” and “ greater exertions,” are frequent
throughout the record.
The founders worked assiduously in their cause, and
contended faithfully with many difficulties. At times
when the attendance was small and irregular, they went
from house to house laboring with the parents to induce
them to send their children to school, and send them
continuously.
Looking over the history of the past it may seem
strange that when an opportunity, such as these schools
afforded, one unknown before, was opened, there should
have been any backwardness on the part of these people
in availing themselves of it. On the other hand, instances
have in no period been wanting of parents making such sa-
crifices to enable their children to attend school, as manifest-
ed that they had a high appreciation of the value of learn-
ing. Despised and degraded and oppressed by the ruling
race, the colored people as a class, have been, and are, in
very limited circumstances, and the battle with poverty
always severe, is heightened with them by the cruel preju-
dice with which they have to contend. The sympathies of
the Society of Friends have therefore been with them from
an early date, and this interest in them continued from
year to year, and was unabated even after others became
interested in their cause. The report to the Monthly
Meeting made by the committee in 1829 contains the fol-
lowing instructive sentiments in relation to these schools.
“Although from the establishment of institutions, whose
objects are nearly similar, in conjunction with other causes,
the number of scholars has been smaller than usual, yet
they believe that under the influence of a proper concern
and interest, they may increasingly become a blessing to
the descendants of the African race, for whose benefit and31
improvement they were originally established. They are
aware that successful labor must be preceded by proper
engagement of mind, and while they are sensible that
more important concerns have justly claimed a large share
of the attention of many of the members of our religious
Society, they feel desirous that this memorial of the ex-
ercise that was felt and travailed under by some of our
worthy predecessors, may not be entirely lost sight of,
but under the animating influence of the same kind of
feelings by which they were actuated, we may be incited
to the prosecution of every good work in relation to this
interesting concern.”
It is approximately estimated that there are at the
present time (1866) upwards of 4,000 colored children in
the city of Philadelphia of a suitable age to go to school.
Of these, about 1300 are being educated in public schools
for this class, upwards of 800 in different seminaries sup-
ported by the income from charitable bequests, and by
voluntary and annual subscriptions, and probably 200 at
private schools; from which it would appear that but little
over 60 per cent, of the whole number are receiving an
education at school.
It is encouraging and satisfactory that the public schools
for the general education of the colored children have
been increasing in number since their commencement in
1823, indicating an altered feeling in the public mind
towards this long neglected class. Yet it has been ob-
served that many of the parents preferred placing their
children under the care of Friends, in consequence of
which, their institutions have often been much crowded,
even since the opening of the public schools.
An important part of the motive which led to the es-
tablishment of these schools arose from a concern that the
principles of virtue might be early implanted in the minds32
of the children, and in furtherance of this object the
scholars have been required to attend meetings for wor-
ship, held near the middle of the week. And the recom-
mendation of Anthony Benezet, that the teachers em-
ployed should be persons interested in the real well-doing
of the scholars, has always been borne in mind.
Conducted under these feelings, the trusts which have
been handed down from a former generation may still be
executed with lasting benefit to these people, and by the
continuance of such appropriations from year to year, as
the inadequacy of the invested funds may render neces-
sary, the good work may be continued, perpetuating a
record of the interest of the Society in the welfare of
the colored race, and advancing the object of the estab-
lishment of these Schools for Black People and Their
Descendants.