Hetty Reckless facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hetty Reckless
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"Am I not a woman and a sister?" – the seal of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, of which Reckless was a founder member.
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Amy Hester Boadley
1776 |
| Died | January 28, 1881 |
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| Known for | Campaigning against slavery and vice |
Amy Hester "Hetty" Reckless (1776 – January 28, 1881) was a runaway slave who became an important part of the American abolitionist movement. This movement worked to end slavery. Hetty bravely campaigned against slavery.
She was also part of the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped slaves escape to freedom. She ran a safe house in Philadelphia where escaping slaves could hide. Through her hard work, including running a shelter for women and supporting schools, she became a leader in the fight against slavery. Even after her former owner died, she kept helping slaves escape, especially during the American Civil War.
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Hetty Reckless's Early Life and Escape
Amy Hester "Hetty" Reckless was born into slavery in Salem, New Jersey, in 1776. Her mother, Dorcas Boadley, belonged to the wealthy Johnson family. Hetty was first owned by Jane Gibson Johnson. When Jane died, Hetty became the property of Jane's son, Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson.
Colonel Johnson's second wife, Julianna, treated Hetty very badly. In 1826, Hetty decided to escape to Philadelphia with her daughter. She sought help from the Abolition Society, which worked to end slavery. Hetty told them she had been promised her freedom by Johnson's mother, but Colonel Johnson refused to free her. She also explained that Julianna had hurt her, knocking out her front teeth and pulling out her hair.
Hetty boarded a stagecoach like any other passenger and rode from Salem to Philadelphia. Colonel Johnson tried to get her back, promising freedom if she returned with her daughter. Hetty refused. She did not go back to Salem until after Johnson died in 1850.
Fighting for Freedom in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, Hetty lived with Samuel and Eliza Clement. They were related to the Goodwins, Quaker sisters who were early helpers on the Underground Railroad. Through them, Hetty joined the fight against slavery.
In 1833, Hetty became a founding member of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society (PFASS). This group included other important women like Grace Bustill Douglass, Sarah Mapps Douglass, and Charlotte Forten Grimké. Hetty's own experience as a former slave made her a strong voice in the PFASS. She treasured a photo of the PFASS members and a flag with anti-slavery messages.
The PFASS was a group where both Black and white women worked together. Hetty also worked with the Female Vigilant Association, which was mostly Black women. This group helped the male Vigilant Association of Philadelphia. In 1843, Hetty was even made a full member of the male Vigilant Association. She was one of only a few women to serve on their committee.
Hetty was a very active and energetic campaigner. She helped these groups work together. In September 1841, she reported that the Vigilance Committee had saved 35 slaves in just one month. She often asked for money to help these escaping slaves.
Hetty also ran a safe house for the Underground Railroad on Rodman Street in Philadelphia. This was a secret place where runaway slaves could find safety. She also helped set up Sabbath schools for the Black community. Hetty believed it was important for groups to support and improve educational opportunities created by African Americans themselves.
In 1838, Hetty attended the Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women in Philadelphia. She also took part in the "Convention of the Colored People" in Philadelphia in 1840. Lucretia Mott, another famous abolitionist, noted that Black women delegates were treated as equals at this meeting.
Helping Women at the Moral Reform Retreat
In 1845, Hetty and Hetty Burr started the Moral Reform Retreat. This shelter helped women who were in difficult situations. It was the only shelter in Philadelphia specifically for African American women.
In its first two years, the retreat housed over 200 women. They stayed for up to six months, receiving shelter and education. The organization also provided jobs for the women who ran the shelter. Sarah Mapps Douglass helped fund the shelter and taught the women skills to improve their lives.
Continuing the Fight and Later Years
After 1850, Hetty Reckless returned to Salem, New Jersey. She continued her anti-slavery work, living near her old owner's house. She kept helping slaves escape throughout the American Civil War. In 1862, a letter from Abigail Goodwin to William Still mentioned that "Amy Reckless" collected $17 for fugitives. This was more than any other person collected. She also gathered clothing for them.
By 1880, Hetty had moved back to Philadelphia. She lived with two of her daughters. She passed away at home on January 28, 1881. Her home was at 1015 Rodman Street, in the Washington Square West area of Philadelphia. She was almost 105 years old when she died. Her mind remained very sharp until the end. She loved to tell stories about seeing George Washington more than once.
