New England Freedom Association facts for kids
The New England Freedom Association was an important group started by African Americans in Boston around 1842. Its main goal was to help people who had escaped slavery find safety and freedom. These brave individuals were often called "fugitive slaves."
Helping People Find Freedom
The New England Freedom Association began in 1842 or 1843 and was active for about five years. Some of its first members included William Cooper Nell, Henry Weeden, Judith Smith, Mary L. Armstead, Thomas Cummings, and Robert Wood.
The group worked hard to raise money. This money was used to help people who had escaped slavery and traveled north to places like Boston, which was seen as a land of freedom. They held their meetings at the historic African Meeting House in Boston.
New Leaders and a Clear Mission
In December 1845, the association announced that it had reorganized and chosen new leaders. These leaders included:
- President: Henry Weeden
- Vice-President: Joshua V. Smith
- Corresponding Secretary: John S. Jacobs
- Recording Secretary: Thomas Cummings
- Treasurer: John P. Coburn
- Directors: James Johnson, Peter Avery, John St. Pierre, James L. Giles, James Scott, Mary L. Armstead, Judith Smith
It's interesting to note that two of the twelve officers were women. This was not common for many groups at the time. The association clearly stated its purpose in a newspaper article:
The group wanted to "extend a helping hand" to anyone escaping slavery. They aimed to protect these individuals from "man-stealers," which was a term for people who tried to capture and return escaped slaves. A very important rule for the association was that they would never pay money to slaveholders. They believed that no one should own another person. Their mission was to help people who believed in their own freedom and wanted to live independently from slavery.
Working for Change
Some members of the New England Freedom Association were very active in helping escaped slaves. For example, John Coburn, James Scott, and John J. Smith helped in the famous rescue of Shadrach Minkins in 1850. This rescue showed how dedicated these groups were to their cause.
Eventually, the New England Freedom Association joined forces with another group called the Boston Vigilance Committee. This committee was made up of both Black and white members, working together against slavery.
See also
