Amelia Piper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amelia Piper
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| Born |
Amelia
1796 |
| Died | 1856 (aged 59–60) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Abolitionist, organizer, conductor on the Underground Railroad |
| Spouse(s) |
William Piper
(before 1820) |
| Children |
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| Relatives | Elizabeth Piper Ensley (granddaughter) |
Amelia Piper (1796–1856) was an amazing American woman who worked hard to end slavery. She was once enslaved herself, but she became a strong leader in the fight for freedom. Amelia helped organize events to raise money and support for the anti-slavery movement. She also worked with her husband, William Piper, to help people escape slavery through the Underground Railroad. Amelia was a key person in the African-American community in New Bedford, Massachusetts, helping many people find freedom.
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Amelia Piper's Early Life and Family
Amelia J. Piper was born in Alexandria, Virginia. She and her husband, William Piper (1786–1870), had both been enslaved. Between 1826 and 1830, Amelia, William, and their four children bravely left Alexandria. They traveled by ship to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Family stories say they sailed on a schooner owned by the Rotch family.
New Bedford was a safe place for people escaping slavery. Slavery had ended in Massachusetts in 1783. Sea captains and crew members from New Bedford often helped people escape slavery as they traded along the Atlantic coast.
The Piper Family in New Bedford
William Piper worked as a domestic servant and a hostler (someone who cares for horses) for William Rotch Rodman. Rodman earned his money from banking and whaling. William Piper was known for his excellent horse care skills. He lived near Rodman and worked for him for many years. A newspaper in 1854 praised William for his "integrity and great fidelity." Like Amelia, William was also an activist and a community leader.
Amelia and William had at least six children. Their son, Robert H. Piper (1814–1875), worked on ships and later as a waiter for Rodman. Another son, Philip, born around 1820, worked on a ship called the Rebecca Simms. Philip married Jane Gibson. Their daughter, Elizabeth Piper Ensley, became a famous civil rights advocate, a suffragette (someone who fought for women's right to vote), and an educator.
Their daughter Sarah married William H. Roshier, who also worked for William Rotch Rodman. Another daughter, Amelia, married Daniel B. Davis, a boot and shoe maker. The Pipers also had a son named Augustus and a daughter, Rebecca G. Piper. Rebecca married Moses Olmstead in 1871. Amelia and William were members of the Second Baptist Church, where William was a deacon.
Amelia Piper: A Dedicated Abolitionist
[We meet to] ply our needles and fingers, to talk over the wrongs of our countrymen and women in chains, and pray that the time will soon come when every yoke shall be broken—when all oppression, whether it be southern slavery or northern prejudice, shall cease in our land and the world.
An abolitionist is someone who works to end slavery. On January 1, 1840, Amelia Piper organized one of the first anti-slavery fairs in New Bedford, Massachusetts. These fairs raised money for important causes. The money helped the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. It also funded speaking tours for abolitionists. Some funds supported The Liberator, an important anti-slavery newspaper. Sometimes, the money was used to help ensure that people who had escaped slavery were not forced back into it.
The New Bedford Female Union Society
At these fairs, people sold baked goods, handmade items, and even autographs of famous people. Amelia Piper was one of the managers of the New Bedford Female Union Society. This group was formed by African-American women. Their main goal was to fight against slavery and achieve freedom for all. The quote from The Liberator shows their strong desire for freedom and equality.
Amelia Piper and the Underground Railroad
Amelia Piper and her husband, William, were "conductors" on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network of safe houses and routes. It helped people who had escaped slavery travel to freedom in the North or Canada. The Pipers provided safe housing for these brave individuals. They also helped them start new lives as free people.
People like John S. Jacobs, the brother of abolitionist and writer Harriet Jacobs, were helped by the Pipers. Amelia's name, along with her husband's and son Robert's, is mentioned in the stories of people who came through New Bedford. She is also mentioned in the anti-slavery newspaper, The Liberator. This shows how important their work was in helping others find freedom.
Amelia Piper's Legacy
Amelia Piper passed away on March 10, 1856, in New Bedford. She and William Piper are buried at the Oak Grove Cemetery in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
The Piper family continued their important work. Amelia and William's children and grandchildren also worked hard to end slavery. They fought for equal civil rights for all people. Their dedication left a lasting impact on the fight for freedom and justice in America.
See Also
