Michigan Anti-Slavery Society facts for kids

The Michigan Anti-Slavery Society, also known as the Michigan State Anti-Slavery Society, was a group formed on November 10, 1836. It started in Ann Arbor, Michigan, when Michigan was still a territory. This group was part of a bigger movement across the United States to end slavery. They also helped people who were escaping slavery through a secret network called the Underground Railroad.

What Was the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society?

This society was created by 75 people who believed slavery was wrong. They were called abolitionists. These people came from six different counties in Michigan. The group received support from churches like the Wesleyan Methodists and the Quakers.

At that time, people in Michigan had different ideas about slavery. Some were against it, and some supported it. Guy Beckley and Theodore Foster, who published an anti-slavery newspaper, faced criticism. They wrote that people accused them of being "worse than horse thieves" because they helped enslaved people escape. Helping escapees was against the law at the time, specifically the Fugitive Slave Law of 1793.

Meetings and Locations

The society often held its meetings at the First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor. They met there for about ten years. Even though the national Presbyterian Church did not want to take a strong stand against slavery, this local church played a big role.

Because of these differences, some members of the First Presbyterian Church decided to start their own church. In 1847, they founded the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor.

Spreading the Word: Anti-Slavery Newspapers

One important goal of the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society was to start a newspaper to share their message. They first launched a paper called American Freeman. This was later replaced by the Michigan Freeman.

Finally, in 1841, they started a weekly newspaper called the Signal of Liberty. The society's leaders helped write for this newspaper. Today, there is a special marker at the site of the First Presbyterian Church. It recognizes the church's role in starting the anti-slavery society and these important newspapers.

Key Leaders and Reorganization

The society was later reorganized in Adrian, Michigan. Several important abolitionists helped with this reorganization. These included Stephen Symonds Foster and Abby Kelley Foster. Other notable figures were Sojourner Truth, Jonathan Walker, Marius Robinson, and Sallie Holley. These individuals worked hard to continue the fight against slavery.