abolitionists

Letter from James Forten, Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], to William Llo...

James Forten writes to William Lloyd Garrison discussing a work Garrison is about to publish (likely his "Thoughts on African Colonization"), sharing his hope that it "may be the means of opposing, in full, the... More

Five sermons by Theodore Parker, 1858 Jan[uary] 10 -Fe[bruary] 7

Theodore Parker writes a sermon on January 10, 1858 titled, "Evidences of God in the World of Matter." Theodore Parker writes a sermon on January 17, 1858 titled, "Evidences of God in the World of Man." Theodor... More

Letter from Elizabeth Swan Mawson, Ashfield, [England], to Francis Jac...

Elizabeth Swan Mawson writes Francis Jackson Garrison that the "proof copies" of photographs taken by H. S. Mendelssohn have arrived, and forwards these to Garrison for his review and pleasure. Mawson expresses... More

Frederick Douglass, Cabinet photograph, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Mathew B. Brady (American, born Ireland, 1823?–1896 New York) The albumen silver print is a photographic printing process that was widely used in the 19th century. It involves coating paper support with a mixt... More

J. W. Loguen; [A bishop of the Zionites and an abolitionist.]

Picryl description: Public domain image from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Har... More

Letter from Sydney Howard Gay, New York, to Samuel May, June 17, '46

Gay acknowledges May's contribution to the American Anti-Slavery Society. He commends May's success in providing subscribers. He gives instructions concerning the forwarding of money, payment of postage, and ha... More

Letter from Elizabeth Cady Stanton, New York, [New York], to William L...

Elizabeth Cady Stanton writes to William Lloyd Garrison asking him to "help break in pieces this matron's 'Golden Calf' Abraham Lincoln", as she challenges a woman's claim that Garrison supports Lincoln for ree... More

Letter from Thomas Cushman Buddington, Leyden, Mass, to William Lloyd ...

Letter from Joseph Cassey, Philad[elphi]a, [Pennsylvania], to William ...

Joseph Cassey writes to William Lloyd Garrison and Isaac Knapp "with much satisfaction" after seeing Arnold Buffum listed as the general agent for the Liberator in Pennsylvania in the last issue of the Liberato... More

Letter from Joseph Lupton, Scarborough, Yorkshire, [England], to Samue...

Lupton says that he has shipped two boxes of contributions from Leeds for the anti-slavery fair. He gives a brief account of the contents of the boxes and speaks particularly of a screen. Lupton also informs Ma... More

James G. Birney. ; John G. Fee.

Public domain illustrated book page scan, American, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Eminent anti-slavery men; William Lloyd Garrison.

John Brown, as he looked in 1857.

Picryl description: Public domain image from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Har... More

Two letters from Granville Sharp to Jacques-Pierre Brissot de Warville

Public domain scan of a manuscript related to African American history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

The case of William L. Chaplin : being an appeal to all respecters of ...

Chaplin was arrested in Aug. 1850 for having "abducted, stolen, taken, and carried out from the city of Washington" two fugitive slaves. Additional charges were brought against him for assaulting his arrestors.... More

The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th, 1870 / from an original ...

Another of several large commemorative prints marking the enactment, on March 30, 1870, of the Fifteenth Amendment and showing the grand May 19 celebratory parade in Baltimore. (See also nos. 1870-2 and 1870-3)... More

Letter from Mrs. Mary Welsh, Montpelier, Edinburgh, [Scotland], to Mar...

Public domain scan of manuscript related to Massachusetts, American history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Glasgow, [Scotland], to Henry Clar...

Letter from Joseph Lupton, Leeds, [England], to Samuel May, November 8...

Lupton informs May that he is sending a box of contributions for the Anti-Slavery Fair. He apologizes for its small size, saying that there are so many other charitable demands on the people of Leeds that the a... More

Letter from John Goings, New Bedford, [Massachusetts], to Samuel May, ...

John Gorings writes to Samuel May reporting that they "had a very interesting meeting here on Sunday last and [a] very crowded house all day," however "a great many were disappointed in not hearing Miss [Sallie... More

Letter from James Miller M'Kim, Philadelphia, [Pennsylvania], to Mary ...

James Miller McKim writes to Mary Anne Estlin in regards to his voyage back to the U.S. with Richard Davis Webb and of his time in New York before his return to Philadelphia. He writes of his editor of the "Pen... More

[Head-and-shoulders portrait of Frederick Douglass]

Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Letter from Eliza Wingham and Jane Wingham, Glasgow, [Scotland], to Wi...

Eliza Wigham and her stepmother, Jane Wigham, write to William Lloyd Garrison expressing their regret that although they cannot be "present at the gathering of friends tomorrow in Liverpool" they wish to thank ... More

Letter from Mary Anne Rawson, Sheffield, [England], to William Lloyd G...

Mary A. Rawson writes to William Lloyd Garrison accepting his invitation to call on her. Rawson informs Garrison that there are many trains available to reach Sheffield and if he notifies her what time he shoul... More

Letter from Samuel Joseph May, Syracuse, [N.Y.], to William Lloyd Garr...

Samuel Joseph May writes William Lloyd Garrison inviting him to the antislavery convention to take place on January 7-9, and requests that should Garrison be unable to attend that he assist May in persuading Ge... More

Letter from Mary Anne Rawson, Sheffield, [England], to William Lloyd G...

Mary A. Rawson writes to William Lloyd Garrison expressing her gratitude for Garrison's "great kindnes" in coming to visit her. Rawson discusses her "five large volumes of autographs and portraits" which includ... More

Frederick Douglass, the escaped slave, on an English platform, denounc...

Hon. Frederick Douglass.

Picryl description: Public domain image from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Har... More

The case of William L. Chaplin : being an appeal to all respecters of ...

Picryl description: Public domain document related to trials and litigations, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

Letter from Samuel Joseph May, Boston, to Amos Augustus Phelps, Dec. 1...

In this letter to Amos A. Phelps, Samuel J. May discusses a few anti-slavery publications, including Phelps’s book, the second edition of which Mr. Knapp is willing to publish. He then discusses a variety of to... More

Letter from Harriet Beecher Stowe, [Andover, Massachusetts], to Philli...

Harriet Beecher Stowe writes to Mr. Phillips of Phillips, Sampson & Company in regards to her publishing deadline for her next anti-slavery novel "Dred." She writes, "Between now & the 30th are only about 12 wo... More

Five sermons by Theodore Parker, 1858 Jan[uary] 10 -Fe[bruary] 7

Theodore Parker writes a sermon on January 10, 1858 titled, "Evidences of God in the World of Matter." Theodore Parker writes a sermon on January 17, 1858 titled, "Evidences of God in the World of Man." Theodor... More

Journalist and abolitionist Horace Greeley wearing hat

Gift; Tom Liljenquist; 2016; (DLC/PP-2017:171, formerly deposit D072) Purchased from: Medhurst & Co., North Liberty, Iowa, January 2016. Forms part of: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs (L... More

Richard J. Hinton telegram to [Thomas Wentworth Higginson], New York, ...

Declares he is delayed but [Stephen J.] Willis starts that night. Addressed to "Charles P. Carter"; signed "Josiah H. Reed." Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from John Keep, Oberlin, Ohio, to William Lloyd Garrison, June ...

John Keep informs William Lloyd Garrison that he was "gratified" by the notice that Garrison was compiling a history of the abolitionist movement in America, exclaiming that it will be "a precious boon" to the ... More

John G. Whittier - Print, Library of Congress collection

60907 U.S. Copyright Office. General information about the Popular and Applied Graphic Art print materials is available at: https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.pga Title information compiled by Junior Fellows, 2005-... More

Letter from Sydney Howard Gay, Office of the Tribune, New York, to Wil...

Letter from Joseph Lupton, Leeds, [England], to Samuel May, November 1...

Lupton informs May that a box of articles for the Anti-Slavery Fair has been forwarded to Liverpool to be shipped to America. He wishes to be informed of its safe arrival and of which articles sold best. Lupton... More

Bibliography by Samuel May, [after 1862]

This bibliography is of foreign works on slavery and abolition. The dates of the works range from 1787 to 1862. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Frederick Douglass - Public domain portrait engraving

Public domain photograph of portrait print, engraving, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Letter from James Forten, Philad[elphi]a, [Pennsylvania], to William L...

James Forten writes to William Lloyd Garrison telling him "the Liberator is highly valued here by all who have had opportunity to judge of it and others who have already heard of it are very anxious to peruse i... More

Notes by Samuel May, [18--] - Public domain correspondence manuscripts

May's apparent draft of a eulogy for Charles Calistus Burleigh is written on the inside of two opened envelopes. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Downfall of abolition, anti-slavery movement

This illustration in ink, titled "Downfall of abolition," depicts the anti-Garrison riot which occurred in Boston on October 21, 1835. It shows the rioters removing the sign from the Anti-Slavery Office and con... More

Letter from Edwin M. Gilbert, Columbia, to Amos Augustus Phelps, Decem...

In his letter to Amos A. Phelps, Edwin M. Gilbert expresses his approval of Phelps’s choice of profession in ministry. He relates some news around Lebanon, Conn. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from John Rand, Milton, [Massachusetts], to Samuel May, 1850 Fe...

John Rand writes to Samuel May describing the visit of Lucy Stone to Milford and a lecture she delivered in the town. Rand reports that Stone "found with us a cordial welcome" and was introduced to the meeting ... More

Doctor Mary Walker. Female portrait of American Civil War time by Math...

Original Caption: Doctor Mary Walker..U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: 111-B-2112..From:: Series: Mathew Brady Photographs of Civil War-Era Personalities and Scenes, (Record Group 111)..Photographer: ... More

Letter from George Thompson, Rochester, N[ew] Y[ork], to William Lloyd...

George Thompson writes to William Lloyd Garrison reporting that his last lecture in Rochester "was well received." He also says that he spoke to Frederick Douglass after the meeting and he will lecture again th... More

Song lyrics: "The War Song," from Edmund Quincy, Dedham, [Massachusett...

Edmund Quincy sent this antislavery song of three stanzas, repeating the words "Reform! Reform!" after each one, to William Lloyd Garrison. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Wrapping paper relating to the memoir of Samuel Joseph May from Samuel...

This manuscript is a piece of paper that Samuel May wrapped around the papers relating to the memoir for his cousin, Samuel Joseph May, who "died at Syracuse, N.Y. July 1, 1871." Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Washington, D.C.--the new administration--colored citizens paying thei...

Illus. in: Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, 1877 April 7, p. 85. Reference copy in BIOG. FILE.

Elaine Goodale Eastman signed autograph note, Mount Washington, Mass.,...

Christmas card with poem titled "Christmas Carol" written on it. Old folder #: same. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Charles Marriott, Hudson, N[ew] Y[ork], to William Lloyd G...

Charles Marriott writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him ten dollars to pay for a number of Liberator subscriptions. He then comments on recent events like the Clerical Appeal as causing him "sadness & som... More

Elaine Goodale Eastman signed autograph note, Mount Washington, Mass.,...

Christmas card with poem titled "Christmas Carol" written on it. Old folder #: same. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Charles Marriott, Hudson, N[ew] Y[ork], to William Lloyd G...

Charles Marriott writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him ten dollars to pay for a number of Liberator subscriptions. He then comments on recent events like the Clerical Appeal as causing him "sadness & som... More

Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society expense account of A. A. Phelps for...

An itemized expense account, with the receipt signed by A.A. Phelps on April 10 1838, and three additional receipts: (1) for payment made by "New England Anti-Slavery Society" to “Dutton & Wentworth, Dr.” for a... More

Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society expense account of A. A. Phelps for...

An itemized expense account, with the receipt signed by A.A. Phelps on April 10 1838, and three additional receipts: (1) for payment made by "New England Anti-Slavery Society" to “Dutton & Wentworth, Dr.” for a... More

Letter from Mary Anne Rawson, Sheffield, [England], to William Lloyd G...

Mary Anne Rawson writes William Lloyd Garrison a few words concerning their recently-deceased mutual friend, George Thompson. Rawson states that despite her sense that "this poor earth seems the poorer" in Thom... More

Frederick Douglass Statue

The statue of Frederick Douglass was dedicated by Congress in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center on Wednesday, June 19, 2013.

Two letters from Granville Sharp to Jacques-Pierre Brissot de Warville

Public domain scan of a manuscript related to African American history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Eminent colored men. Frederick Douglass.

Public domain scan of American 19th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

A short sketch of the evidence delivered before a Committee of the Hou...

Letter from Samuel Joseph May, Brooklyn, [Connecticut], to William Llo...

Samuel Joseph May writes to William Lloyd Garrison thanking him for sending "the present of 50 copies" of his Discourse and encouraging him to visit Brooklyn sometime during the month. He then discusses his new... More

Printed calling card, 38 Summer Street, Dorchester

This item contains an unidentified visiting card found among Samuel May Jr.’s letters. It announces the time and place of a meeting to be held in the unnamed sender’s home in Dorchester. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from James Cropper, Liverpool, [England], to William Lloyd Garr...

James Cropper writes to William Lloyd Garrison after receiving a bound volume of the Liberator for 1833 and telling him that he had subscribed through Joseph Sturge to receive the Liberator regularly. He then p... More

Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society expense account of A. A. Phelps fro...

An itemized expense account and receipt, signed by A. A. Phelps on August 13, 1838, and a note requesting that the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society pay J. E. Fuller or the bearer of the note $23 and charge th... More

Letter from William Smeal, Glasgow, [Scotland], to William Lloyd Garri...

William Smeal writes to William Lloyd Garrison informing him that William Adam has learned from Charles Lenox Remond that "R[alph] R. Gurley & a Coloured [sic] female named Ela, have just arrived in Liverpool."... More

Letter from John Rand, Milton, [Massachusetts], to Samuel May, 1850 Fe...

John Rand writes to Samuel May describing the visit of Lucy Stone to Milford and a lecture she delivered in the town. Rand reports that Stone "found with us a cordial welcome" and was introduced to the meeting ... More

Five sermons by Theodore Parker, 1858 Jan[uary] 10 -Fe[bruary] 7

Theodore Parker writes a sermon on January 10, 1858 titled, "Evidences of God in the World of Matter." Theodore Parker writes a sermon on January 17, 1858 titled, "Evidences of God in the World of Man." Theodor... More

Letter from William Lloyd Garrison, Rockledge, [Roxbury, Mass.], to Fa...

Portrait of Harriet Tubman Powelson, photographer, 77 Genesee St., Aub...

Photograph shows Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) at midlife. She is seated, turned toward the left. One hand rests on the back of a wooden chair, another rests in her lap. Date based on Library of Congress photo co... More

Receipted bills to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society from Amos Au...

The item includes two receipted bills. One is an $8.68 bill issued to Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society by Nathaniel Greene for letter postage, newspapers and boxes. An approval for the payment was signed on t... More

Letter from Joseph Lupton, Scarborough, Yorkshire, [England], to Samue...

Lupton says that he has shipped two boxes of contributions from Leeds for the anti-slavery fair. He gives a brief account of the contents of the boxes and speaks particularly of a screen. Lupton also informs Ma... More

Letter from Joshua Reed Giddings, Bangor, Maine, to William Lloyd Garr...

Letter from Oliver Johnson, [New York, N.Y.], to William Lloyd Garriso...

Oliver Johnson inquires if William Lloyd Garrison is quite certain that he had not been paid for one of his articles published in the Independent, as Johnson states that the accounting ledgers show that a check... More

Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society expense account of A. A. Phelps for...

An itemized expense account, with the receipt signed by A.A. Phelps on April 10 1838, and three additional receipts: (1) for payment made by "New England Anti-Slavery Society" to “Dutton & Wentworth, Dr.” for a... More

James Stephen - Public domain portrait engraving

Portrait of James Stephen (1758-1832), lawyer and slavery abolitionist Public domain scan of engraving, male portrait, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Lucretia Mott. - Black and White Portrait Photograph

Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Lucretia Mott. - Public domain portrait engraving

Letter from Sarah Moore Grimkè, Brookline, [Massachusetts], to Elizabe...

Sarah Moore Grimkè writes to Elizabeth Pease Nichol regarding the books and pamphlets she has sent her and her "English sisters." She discusses emancipation in the West Indies and the anti-slavery cause in Grea... More

Frederick Douglass - Daguerreotype, Public domain

Picryl description: Public domain image of a daguerreotype portrait, early photography, 19th century, Victorian style, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Letter from John Rand, Milton, [Massachusetts], to Samuel May, 1850 Fe...

John Rand writes to Samuel May describing the visit of Lucy Stone to Milford and a lecture she delivered in the town. Rand reports that Stone "found with us a cordial welcome" and was introduced to the meeting ... More

Frederick Douglass, 19th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Letter from Mary Anne Rawson, Sheffield, [England], to William Lloyd G...

Mary A. Rawson writes to William Lloyd Garrison expressing her gratitude for Garrison's "great kindnes" in coming to visit her. Rawson discusses her "five large volumes of autographs and portraits" which includ... More

Letter from Giles Badger Stebbins, Rochester, N[ew] Y[ork], to William...

Giles B. Stebbins writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him an obituary (not included) "of our much loved friend Susan R. Doty." Stebbins recalls that Garrison visited "her pleasant home a year since with Ge... More

Letter from Mary Anne Rawson, Sheffield, [England], to William Lloyd G...

Mary A. Rawson writes to William Lloyd Garrison accepting his invitation to call on her. Rawson informs Garrison that there are many trains available to reach Sheffield and if he notifies her what time he shoul... More

Letter from Susan Taber, New Bedford, [Massachusetts], to Deborah West...

[Susan Taber?] writes to Debora Weston in regards the anti-slavery society preparing materials for a sale to raise funds. She writes of her surprise for the news of Angelina E. Grimke's marriage to Theodore T. ... More

Letter from Harriet Beecher Stowe, [Andover, Massachusetts], to Philli...

Harriet Beecher Stowe writes to Mr. Phillips of Phillips, Sampson & Company in regards to her publishing deadline for her next anti-slavery novel "Dred." She writes, "Between now & the 30th are only about 12 wo... More

Letter from Mary Anne Rawson, Sheffield, [England], to William Lloyd G...

Mary A. Rawson writes to William Lloyd Garrison expressing her gratitude for Garrison's "great kindnes" in coming to visit her. Rawson discusses her "five large volumes of autographs and portraits" which includ... More

Frederick Douglass. - Public domain portrait print

Picryl description: Public domain image from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Har... More

Treaty between Her Majesty and the United States of America for the su...

Picryl description: Public domain book about slavery, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

John Brown. - Public domain portrait engraving

Picryl description: Public domain image from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Har... More

Letter from Henry Egbert Benson, Providence, [Rhode Island], to Willia...

In this letter to William Lloyd Garrison, Henry Egbert Benson reports to Garrison that some new subscribers have not yet received their first copies of the Liberator and sends him money for another new subscrib... More

Letter from George William Benson, Providence, [Rhode Island], to Will...

George William Benson writes to William Lloyd Garrison informing him that he has "nothing new to communicate respecting the Canterbury affair" but he plans to travel there with Rev. Thomas Williams later in the... More

Letter from Arthur Tappan, [New York], to George Thompson, 1835 August...

Arthur Tappan sends George Thompson a ship order which states, "Shipped, In good order and well conditioned, by Judge Lynch, on board the Ship called the Incendiary whereof Arthur Tappan is master, for the pres... More

Letter from George Allen, Shrewsbury, to Amos Augustus Phelps, Mar. 31...

George Allen writes to Amos. A. Phelps about the necessity of a new anti-slavery paper in Boston. He praises Dr. Porter ([the editor of New England Spectator]) for his work, but says the Spectator has “done its... More

Letter from Francis John Higginson, Brattleboro, to Thomas Wentworth H...

Discusses legal matters relevant to the recipient’s arrest and upcoming trial, and sends supports. Courtesy of Boston Public Library

Letter from Lydia White, Philad[elphi]a, [Pennsylvania], to William Ll...

Lydia White writes to William Lloyd Garrison sharing her desire to assist in "the support and circulation of the Liberator" and sending Garrison the names of four new subscribers, promising to "cheerfully embra... More

Letter from William Wood, Manchester, Eng[land], to Amos Augustus Phel...

William Wood writes to Amos A. Phelps regarding notes concerning a Mrs. Elaw, a "a female of color..has lately arrived here from Nantucket having a strong..duty to preach the Gospel in England! She says she is ... More

Report of donations for Garrison's Mission to England from Francis Jac...

Francis Jackson wrote this ledger to track the donations and withdrawals of funds for William Lloyd Garrison's trip to England in 1846. The first page details withdrawals made by Garrison, including for his pas... More

Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society expense account of A. A. Phelps for...

An itemized expense account, with the receipt signed by A.A. Phelps on April 10 1838, and three additional receipts: (1) for payment made by "New England Anti-Slavery Society" to “Dutton & Wentworth, Dr.” for a... More