PAPERS READ
BEFORE THE
Lancaster County Historical Society
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1922
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THE LANCASTER COUNTY COLONIZATION SOCIETY
By William Frederic Worner.
VOL. XXVI. NO. 5.
PRICE FIFTY CENTS PER COPY
LANCASTER, PA.
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PAPERS READ
BEFORE THE
Lancaster County Historical Society
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1922
''gjxsturg as awn in If*r mtm toarksljop."
THE LANCASTER COUNTY COLONIZATION SOCIETY.
By William Frederic Worner.
VOL. XXVI. NO. 5.
PRICE FIFTY CENTS PER COPY
LANCASTER. PA,
1922
The Lancaster County Colonization Society
By William Frederic Worner
Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.—Psalm 68:31.
Slavery is very ancient origin. It is said to be consequent on the
curse of Canaan, and to have commenced soon after that time. Some
insist that it originated under Nimrod, because he was the first to make
war; and, as a result, made captives and brought them into slavery. It
is supposed that from this arose the connection between victory and ser¬
vitude which prevailed among the peoples of antiquity. The Spartans;
the Greeks, the Romans, and those nations which contributed to the over¬
throw of the Roman empire, exercised the right of conquest by reducing
prisoners of war to the condition of slaves. By the civil law the power
of making slaves is considered the right of nations, and follows as a
rtssnlt of captivity. This is the origin of the right of slavery assigned by
Justinian,
The first negro slaves were brought to America in a Dutch ship; the
English then adoptei. the trade and continued it until after the Revolu¬
tionary War.
As early as the year 1777, 1-fiomas Jefferson proposed to the legis¬
lature of "Virginia, a plan for colonizing the free colored population of
the United States. He intended that it be incorporated in the revised
code of the State. There is reason to believe that he proposed the settle"
ment in some of the western vacant lands. The project, however, proved
abortive. '
In the year 1787, Dr. William Thornton, of Washington, D. C., or¬
iginated the idea of colonizing the free people of color, and formed a
project for establishing a colony of negroes on the western coast of
Africa. In order to procure emigrants, he published an address to the
free people of color in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, inviting them to
accompany him to Africa. The project failed for lack of funds, but the
sponsor always cherished the idea. He was among the first managers ol
the American Colonization Society.
Prior to the year 1801, the legislature of Virginia twice debated, in
secret session, the subject of colonizing the free people of color, without
coming to a decision. In 1801, it passed a resolution instructing James
Monroe, then Governor of the State, to urge the President ol: the United
States to institute negotiations with some of the powers of Europe to
grant an asylum to which our emancipated negroes might be sent.
In the discussion of the best means of averting, or at least of miti¬
gating the " cursed evil of slavery, " public opinion unanimously settled
down in favor of an extensive system of colonization.
On the subject of location, there was not the same degree of unanim¬
ity. Some were in favor of selecting a portion of the vacant territory of
the United States, and setting it apart for the purpose; others, were for
making arrangements with the government of Mexico, and sending the
(105)
(106)
class in question to Texas; still, others advocated a settlement on the
western coast of Africa, the climate being better suited to the great
majority of the colored people of this country. The last plan was finally
adopted.
The first efficient effort made on the subject of African colonization
was the institution of the American Colonization Society. The honor of
orginating this society undoubtedly belongs to the Rev. Dr. Robert Finley,
of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, a man of great humanity and benevolence.
He may possiMy have heard of what was done in the Virginia Assembly.
Wt the idea of a distinct voluntary association was entirely his own.
Dr. Finley settled upon the plan of colonization in Africa. As early as
February. 1816, he wrote a letter to a friend in which he deeply deplored
the calamitous and degraded state of the people of color, and suggested,
as a means of improving their morals and manners and rescuing them
from the debasement under which they labored in this country, the plan
of forming a colony on the western coast of Africa for their reception.
He counted largely on the advantages that such a colony, by the intro¬
duction of civilization and Christianity, would insure to Africa.
Full of these benevolent views, he repaired to Washington, D. C.,
and, aided by his brother-in-law, Dr. E. B. Caldwell, assembled a public
meeting on December 16, 1816, which was attended by many citizens of
influence and respectability. Bushrod Washington presided, and among
the speakers were Henry Clay and John Randolph, of Roanoke.
The meeting was held for the purpose of considering the expediency
and practicability of ameliorating the condition of the free people of
color, in the United States, by providing a retreat for them, either on this
continent or in Africa. Five days later (December 21, 1816,) a second
meeting was held, presided ove' ">y Henry Clay. Thomas Dougherty act¬
ed as secretary. Among resolutions adopted, the following is of interest:
" Resolved, That an association or society be formed for the purpose
of collecting information, and to assist in the formation and execution of
a plan for the colonization of the free people of color, with their consent,
in Africa or elsewhere, as may be thought most advisable by the con¬
stituted authorities of the country."
At a third meeting, held on Saturday, December 28, 1816, in the hall
of the House of Representatives, the American Colonization Society was
formally organized by the adoption of a constitution and the choosing
of officers and a board of managers. The organization of the society was
completed January 1. 1817, when Judge Bushrod Washington was elected
President. Among the eight vice-presidents appears the name of Henry
Clay.
An eloquent memorial to Congress was drawn up, which John Ran¬
dolph undertook to present to that body.
The objects of the American Colonization Society have been well
stated to be:
1. To rescue the free colored people from the disqualifications, the
degradations and the proscriptions to which they are exposed in the
United States.
2. To place them in a country where they may enjoy the benefits
of free government, with all the blessings which it brings in its train.
3. To avert the dangers of a dreadful collision, at a future day, of
the two castes, which must inevitably be objects of mutual jealousy to
each other.
(107)
4. To spread civilization, sound morals and true religion throughout
the vast continent of Africa, at present sunk in the lowest and most
hideous state of barbarism.
5. To arrest and destroy the African slave trade.
6. And last, though not least, to afford slave owners who are con¬
scientiously scrupulous about holding human beings in bondage, an asy¬
lum to which they may send their manumitted slaves.
The American Colonization Society was a voluntary association formed
for benevolent purposes. This fact was acknowledged by all. Its aim
was to transport to the western shore of Africa, from the United States,
all such free persons of color as choose voluntarily to go. From its
origin, and throughout the whole period of its existence, it had constant¬
ly disclaimed all intention whatever of interfering, in the smallest degree,
with the rights of property or the object of emancipation, gradual or
immediate.
Auxiliary societies were formed in various parts of the Union to aid
and cooperate with the parent association. An active system of propa¬
ganda was conducted in almost every State, the official agents of the so¬
ciety speaking frequently in public and soliciting the cooperation of the
several State Legislatures. The exertions of the auxiliary societies were
limited to the transmission to the treasurer of the parent society of such
funds as they could collect by the voluntary contributions of benevolent
and charitable individuals.
On November 16, 1817, Rev. Samuel J. Mills and Ebenezer Burgess
were appointed the society's first agents to Africa. They went by way of
England to the west coast of Africa for the purpose of exploration and
of ascertaining the best location for the establishment of a colony.
In February, 1820, the first expedition, consisting of thirty families
(eighty-six free blacks), proceeded on board the Elizabeth, chartered by
the United States Government, from New York for Sherbro Island.
Bushrod Washington, Charles Carroll, James Madison, Henry Clay
and J. B. Latrobe, served successively as presidents of the American
Colonization Society, while such men as Bishop Hopkins, Rufus King,
Dr. Channing, Francis Scott Key, Gerrit Smith and James G. Birney,
were at one time zealous members.
During the first year of the society's existence (1817) an auxiliary
organization was formed in Philadelphia.
On October 21, 1829, a meeting of the citizens of Philadelphia was
held in the hall of Franklin Institute, for the purpose of considering the
propriety of taking measures in aid of the American Colonization Society.
The result of this meeting was the formation of the Pennsylvania Col¬
onization Society, which was incorporated on December 29, 1829. The
Governor's order for enrollment was dated January 6, 1830. The incor¬
porators were:
Eli K. Price, John Bell, John Wurts, G. C. Jones. Tho. C. James,
I. K. Mitchell, William Davidson, Gerard Ralston, Jas. Bayard, Hugh L.
Hodge and George W. Blight.
Another auxiliary association, known as the Young Men's Coloniza¬
tion Society of Pennsylvania, was organized in the month of April, 1834,
by the adoption of a constitution and the election of a board of man¬
agers. To this action its members were determined by the following
considierations:
1. A belief that a direct appeal should be made to the benevolence
and Christian zeal of the wealthy and populous capital of Pennsylvania,
(108)
and of the State at large, in favor of the establishment of a new colony
on the coast of Africa.
2. The necessity of prompt measures being taken to carry into effect
the testamentatory bequest of Doctor Aylett Hawes, of Virginia, by which
he manumitted more than one hundred slaves on condition of their being
sent to Liberia.
In 1835 the Young Men's Colonization Society made a determined
effort to retrieve the failure of previous attempts made by the American
Colonization Society to establish an industrial colony of freedmen on the
west coast of Africa. One hundred and twenty-six colonists were sent
out, all of whom were skilled artisans — carpenters, blacksmiths, potters,
brick-makers, tailors, and shoemakers. The natives attacked their little
settlement on an island in the St. John's river. True to the Quaker
doctrine, the Pennsylvanians offered no resistance; eighteen were killed,
the houses were razed and the survivors escaped to another village.
In 1836, the Young Men's Colonization Society petitioned the Legis¬
lature of Pennsylvania for assistance in carrying out its work, and in
that year and the years following, petitions that such aid be granted
came from all parts of the State. At this time a committee of the
Senate recommended that in view of the great increase in the number
of negroes, and their undesirable character, this aid be granted. On one
occasion it seemed likely that a substantial appropriation would be made;
but the plan came to nothing.
By 1838, it seems, societies auxiliary to the American Colonization
Society had been organized in every State and territory in the Union,
except Rhode Island, South Carolina, Arkansas and Michigan.
Just when the first efforts were put forth in Lancaster county in aid
of the colonization scheme, I am not able to state with certainty. A
contribution to the American Colonization Society, and the first that is.
on record as coming from a Lancastrian, was made by J. C. Barnes, in
June, 1827. For the same purpose, a collection, amounting to five dol¬
lars, was taken up in Leacock Presbyterian church, in July, 1827.
In August, 1830, Josiah F. Polk, an agent of the American Coloniza¬
tion Society, was in Columbia, Penna., for the purpose of arousing in¬
terest in favor of colonization. The fruit of his labor was the immediate
formation of the Columbia Auxiliary Colonization Society, which was
composed of the following officers:
President.— William P. Beatty; vice-presidents.— William Todd, Dr.
R. E. Cochran, William Wright, James E. Mifflin; Managers.—Abraham
Bruner, Robert B. Wright, Dr. H. McCorkle, Dr. Beaton Smith, Robert
W. Houston; Secretary.— Dr. George Moore; Treasurer.— John McKis-
sick.
That the collection of funds to carry on the work of colonization was
considered the most important function of an auxiliary society, is evident
from the following, which appeared in the Columbia Spy shortly after
the Columbia Auxiliary Society was formed:
"The members of the Columbia Auxiliary Colonization Society are
requested to call on John McKissick, Esq., treasurer of the society, on
or before the first of September next, and pay the amount of their annual
subscription.
"By order of the Board of Managers.
"George Moore, Secretary.
"August 19th, 1830."
(109)
The treasurer, John McKissick, was cashier of the Columbia Bridge
Company, while the secretary, George Moore, was a physician.
An enthusiastic meeting of the society was held in the town hall on
'Monday evening, July 25, 1831. The members were slow about paying
their annual dues, just as members of organizations to-day neglect them.
It became necessary to insert a notice in the Columbia Spy, warning the
members that the " Collecting Committee are requested to attend to the
collection of the outstanding subscriptions due the society, and to pay the
same in the hands of John McKissick, Esq., previous to the time of
meeting."
At this meeting, which, obviously, was the annual one, the following
officers were elected to serve for the ensuing year:
President.— William Kirkwood; Vice-Presidents.— James Wright,
James E. Mifflin, Richard E. Cochran, Robert Barber; Managers.— Wil¬
liam Dick, Jacob L. Rowand, Samuel Mathiot, Evan Green, Israel Cooper;
Secretary.— Arthur B. Bradford; Treasurer.— William Mathiot.
The Columbia Colonization Society was in existence but a short while
when the negroes living in the borough expressed their " decided opinion
that African Colonization is a scheme of southern policy, a
wicked device of slave-holders who are desirous of riveting more firmly,
and perpetuating more certainly, the fetters of slavery."
A public meeting of the Afric-Americans was held in their school
house in Columbia, Penna., on August 5, 1831, for the purpose of taking
into consideration the novel scheme of the American Colonization Society.
Stephen Smith, a wealthy negro lumber dealer, presided; and James
Richards acted as secretary.
Among the resolutions adopted at this meeting appear the following,
which show how strongly the negroes of Columbia, Penna., denounced
the colonization scheme:
" Resolved, That we view the country in which we live as our only
true and appropriate home; and, let colonizationists pour contempt upon
our race, and slave-holders look on our brethren as a nuisance to the
country, yet, here will we live, here were we born, this is the country
for which some of our ancestors fought and bled and conquered, nor
shall a conspiring world drive us hence.
" Resolved, That it is our firm belief, that the colonization society
is replete with infinite mischief, and that we view all the arguments of
its advocates as mere sophistry, not worthy our notice as freemen.
" Resolved, That we will resist all attempts to send us to the burning
shores of Africa. We verily believe that if by an extraordinary perver¬
sion of nature, every man and woman, in one night, should become
white, the colonization society would fall like lightning to the earth.
" Resolved, That we will not be duped out of our rights as freemen,
by colonists, nor by any other combination of men. All the encomiums
pronounced upon Liberia can never form the least temptation to induce
us to leave our native soil, to emigrate to a strange land.
" Resolved, That this meeting will not encourage a scheme, which
has for its basis prejudice and hatred.
" Resolved. That we will support the colony in Canada, the climate
being healthier, better adapted to our constitutions, and far more con¬
sonant with our views than that of Africa."
In March, 1832, the treasurer of the Columbia Auxiliary Colonization
Society turned over to the American Colonization Society, the sum of
$37.41.
(110)
A special meeting of the Columbia Colonization Society was held in
the town hall on Monday, December 31, 1832, at seven o'clock, at which
times it was resolved that an adjourned meeting of the society be held
in the town hall on Saturday evening, January 5, 1833, at six o'clock.
At this meeting, which was held according to adjournment, the presi¬
dent. William Kirkwood, delivered a very illuminating address on the
subject of African colonization, which appeared in full in the Columbia
Spy, dated January 12, 1833.
In August of this year, $8.83 was collected by the Rev. John McKis".
sick, from the members of the Columbia auxiliary, and turned over to
the parent society.
In the spring and summer of 1834, there were a number of race riots
in some of the northern cities of the United States. The sentiment spread
to Columbia, Penna., and on the evenings of August 16, 17, 18 and 19,
the first outbreakings of a riotous nature were exhibited in the borough.
On Saturday, August 23, 1834, a meeting was held in the town hall, at
which time the following, among other resolutions, was unanimously
passed:
" Resolved, That the Colonization Society ought to be supported by
all the citizens favorable to the removal of the blacks from this country."
While it appears that Columbia supported a Colonization Society foi-
a number of years before an auxiliary society was organized in Lancas¬
ter, Penna., it must not be supposed that little interest in the cause was
manifested in the county seat. The African Repository, the official organ
of the American Colonization Society, for March, 1832, acknowledges the
receipt of $114.00 collected in Lancaster, Penna. Included in this was a
donation of ten dollars from William Kir;kpatrick.
In the summer of 1835, that quaint, queer, irrepressible Quaker,
Elliot Cresson, secretary of the Young Men's Colonization Society, ac¬
companied by the Rev. Cor. C. Cuyler, agent of the same organization,
visited Lancaster, Penna., for the purpose of arousing interest in, and
gaining support for the colonization movement.
The meeting was held in the Presbyterian church, on Monday eve¬
ning, July 20, 183 5. It was organized by the appointment of Adam
Reigart, Esq., as president, and Redmond Conyngham, secretary. The
Rev. T. Sovereign opened the meeting with prayer. Elliot Cresson, in
his usual happy manner, entered into an explanation of the views of the
Young Men's Colonization Society of Pennsylvania; and delineated, with
clearness and accuracy, the origin and progress of the various settle¬
ments in Africa bearing the felicitous title Liberia. At Bassa Cove, he
stated, is beautifully located the Pennsylvania colony.
Dr. Cuyler then explained the nature and principles of the society,
and answered the objections urged by its opponents. He took a view of
the effects of a religious colony, extending its influence into the heart of
Africa and Christianizing that immense continent. Both gentlemen showed
by evidence, that the slave trade must cease; that wherever a free black
plants his foot on the shores of Africa, by the Colonization Society, the
soil will thereafter be unpolluted by the slaver, who cannot live where
the social virtues constitute the happiness of civilized society. Both
gentlemen were listened to with profound attention.
Reah Frazer expressed his satisfaction and pleasure, but deeply re¬
gretted that the shortness of notice and the bad weather had prevented
a fuller attendance. He suggested that the agents of the Young Men's
Colonization Society, by another visit, would accomplish more fully the
(Ill)
object of their mission. The Rev. Samuel Bowman offered the following
resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. J. T. Marshall Davie, and
unanimously adopted:
" Resolved, That this meeting highly approve of the principles and
operations of the Young Men's Colonization Society of Pennsylvania, and
that ten gentlemen be appointed a committee to solicit, from the citizens
of Lancaster, donations in aid of their benevolent enterprise."
The chairman appointed the following men: G. L. Mayer, Henry
Keffer, William F. Bryan, Reah Frazer, F. S. Burrows. George B. Ker-
foot, W. Heitshu, D. Longenecker, G. B. Markley and Redmond Conyng-
ham.
Dr. Cuyler concluded the meeting with an appropriate prayer, and
it adjourned to meet on Wednesday evening, the 19th of August.
About this time the Rev. T. Sovereign and William Kirkpatrick
were appointed agents for Lancaster county to secure subscribers to the
African Repository, a magazine published by the American Colonization
Society.
On the evening of the day following the meeting held in Lancaster,
Pa., the agents of the Young Men's Colonization Society, Dr. C. C. Cuyler
and Elliot Cresson, were in Columbia, Pa., and addressed a large meeting
in the Presbyterian church. The Colonization Herald, a paper published
by the Young Men's Colonization Society, for August. 1835, contains the
following:
" In pursuance of public notice: a meeting of the friends of African
colonization was held in the Presbyterian church this evening, (July 21,
1835) and after prayer by the Rev. Francis Hodgson, the meeting was
organized by calling John Barber, Esq., to the chair, and appointing Rev.
William F. Houston, Rev. Francis Hodgson and Richard E. Cochran, M.
D., secretaries.
" The meeting was then addressed by Elliot Cresson, Esq., of Phil¬
adelphia. He was followed by the Rev. Dr. Cuyler.
" On motion of the Rev. John H. Symmes, seconded by the Rev.
Francis Hodgson, it was
" Resolved, That this meeting do cordially approve of the plan and
design of the Young Men's Colonization Society of Pennsylvania, and that
a committee of eight be appointed to solicit donations in aid of funds.
" The committee is S. Goheen, Owen B. Goodman, Dr. Joseph S.
Clarkson, James E. Mifflin, Dr. James Given, John Frederick Houston,
Albert G. Bradford and William Mathiot.
" On motion of the Rev. John H. Symmes, seconded by the Rev.
William F. Houston, the proceedings, with the above sketch of the ad¬
dresses, were ordered to be printed in the papers of Columbia, Lancaster,
York and Harrisburg.
" Closed with prayer by the Rev. Orson Douglass ."
I have not been able to learn whether a meeting was held in Lan¬
caster, Penna, on the 19th of August, 1835, in the interest of African
colonization, as agreed upon at the last meeting held on July 20th. Our
local newspapers make no mention of it. If the auxiliary society here in
Lancaster, Penna., kept a minute book, it is lost or destroyed. While
much has been written about the American Colonization Society, very
little appears in print concerning the Lancaster County Colonization So¬
ciety; therefore, my sources of information have been very limited, and
what is here presented is of a fragmentary nature, yet, it is hoped that
(112)
it may serve as the foundation for a full and comprehensive history Oi.
the aid extended towards colonization in Lancaster county, whenever that
chapter shall be written.
Very little of importance seems to have been accomplished, locally,
to help the cause during1 the fall of 1835. Immediately following- the
Christmas season, Elliot Cresson spent nearly a fortnight in Lancaster
and Chester counties, to which he had been invited, addressing meetings
and soliciting funds. The Colonization Herald had this to say concerning
Mr. Cresson's itinerary:
" Notwithstanding the state of the roads' and weather, we have rea¬
son to believe from the number who attended, that a very considerable
interest has been awakened in this important subject. These meetings
were held at the churches of Upper Octorara, Bellevue, Pequea, Coates-
ville, Fagg*s Manor, Leacock, Strasburg, the Compass, two at Sadsbury-
ville and at Paradise — the Rev. Messrs, Latta, Buchanan and Barr,
their pastors, evincing a lively interest in the subject, and strongly recom¬
mending' the cause to the consideration and patronage of their people
Steps were taken to form auxiliary societies and the following col¬
lections were received:
Bellevue church, $7.56; Strasburg, $6.02; Fairfield, $8.00; Leacock,
$15.00; Sadsburyville, $5.70; Pequea church, $19.00.
The Rev. Orson Douglass, pastor of Donegal Presbyterian church
during the revivals held in the churches in Marietta, Penna., became em¬
broiled in controversies with the other denominations. After he retired
from Donegal, he was appointed, in the spring of 183 6, corresponding
secretary of the Young Men's Colonization Society and travelled in the
Southern States during the most of his time.
In February, 1836, William Kirkpatrick, of Lancaster, Penna., con¬
tributed one hundred dollars to the Young Men's Colonization Society.
In addition to this munificent gift, a donation of four dollars was received
from John Wallace, of the same city. About the same time, collections
amounting to twenty-five dollars, were taken up in Octorara church by
the Rev. J. Latta, and thirty-nine dollars in Leacock church, by the Rev.
Joseph Barr.
No other collections were reported until the early autumn when an
offering amounting to five dollars was received from a school for African
children in Lancaster, Penna., through the efforts of the Rev. J. T.
Marshall Davie, pastor of the First Presbyterian church.
On Thursday, February 16, 1837, a notice appeared in the Examiner
& Herald that a meeting of the Lancaster County Colonization Society
would be held in the Court House, on Wednesday, the 22nd of February,
at half past ten o'clock in the morning, to which all citizens of the city
and county were respectfully invited to attend.
It is not to be supposed that many were present at the meeting or
evinced any great interest in colonization at this particular time, for
this was the very day arranged for the imposing' spectacle of introducing
the water of the Conestoga into the city of Lancaster, Penna. We are
told that at an early hour the citizens congreg-ated in the Court House
square to marshall themselves into the proper order of procession. They
marched out East King street to the reservoir, where the arrival of the
" stranger element" was expected. About half past ten the water made
its first appearance, slowly entering from the pipes into the basin, amid
the thundering of artillery and the general ringing of the city bells. The
floor of the basin was soon covered, and the water gradually rose, promis-
(113)
ing soon to fill the reservoir, a consummation greeted with huzzas from
thousands of voices that made the welkin ring.
On the evening of this same day, a large and respectable gathering
of the citizens of Lancaster and its vicinity friendly to the object of col¬
onization, met in the German Lutheran church. William Kirkpatrick,
Esq., was appointed to the chair and William F. Bryan, secretary.
The proceedings were opened by a hymn, and an appropriate prayer
was offered up by the Rev. John C. Baker, after which the president
took his seat. The minutes of the last meeting were then read and adopt¬
ed. (I have not been able to ascertain when the last meeting, here re¬
ferred to, was held).
The object of the meeting was stated by the chair to be the forma¬
tion of a colonization society in Lancaster county, auxiliary to the Penn¬
sylvania Colonization Society, in Philadelphia.
Redmond Conyngham, Esq., then addressed the meeting, and called
to remembrance the happy 22nd of February, which gave birth to the
Father of His Country — the immortal George Washington. He empha¬
sized the propriety of organizing a colonization society, and suggested
that a committee be appointed to draft and report an address, for the
purpose of having it printed and circulated throughout the county, solicit¬
ing aid in the important work undertaken by the society.
On motion of William F. Bryan, seconded by the Rev. Aaron A.
Marcellus, it was
" Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to draft a con¬
stitution for a colonization society of Lancaster county, based upon the
principles of, and auxiliary to, the Pennsylvania Colonization Society, of
Philadelphia, and that said committee be empowered to obtain subscrib¬
ers to said constitution, and call a meeting of all who are friendly to the
object of such society whenever they shall be prepared to report. "
In pursuance of this resolution, the chair appointed as said com¬
mittee, Redmond Conyngham, Esq., Rev. Aaron A. Marcellus and William
F. Bryan.
William F. Bryan offered the following resolutions, with some ex¬
planatory remarks:
" Whereas, an organized plan has recently been matured in this
State for the purpose of agitating the subject of the immediate abolition
of slavery in other States; and, whereas, the lives of our Southern breth¬
ren and the ' Integrity of the Union ' have been already jeopardized by
the indiscreet and obstrusive zeal of Abolitionists.
" 1. Resolved, That as Pennsylvanians and members of the same
national family with our fellow citizens of the South, we disclaim all
right to intermeddle in their domestic concerns, and declare our disap¬
probation of any proceedings that have been instituted in this State for-
the purpose of compelling the abolition of slavery in any of our sister
States.
" 2. Resolved, That the Independence and Sovereignty of the several
States in regard to all matters of local concern, are fundamental prin¬
ciples of the Federal Compact; that slavery, whatever may be thought
of its moral aspect, is an institution entirely of a domestic or local char¬
acter; and, therefore, that all interference with it, by citizens of other
States than those in which it exists, is equally an invasion of social and
constitutional rights, and a wanton and criminal violation of international
faith.
" 3. Resolved, That the inflammatory and reckless course pursued
by the Anti-Slavery societies, in sowing the seeds of insurrection, mas-
(114)
sacre and servile war, throughout the Southern States, and in exciting the
feelings and passions of the citizens of the non-slave-holding States,
against the owners of slaves, thereby fomenting hatred and distrust be¬
tween various sections of our country, is calculated to fill us with the
most alarming apprehensions in regard to the stability of the National
Union.
" 4. Resolved, That the ' Unity of our government, which constitutes
us ONE PEOPLE, ' should be an object dear to the heart of every Am¬
erican citizen. In the language of the immortal Father of His Country,
' it is the -main pillar in the edifice of our real independence; the support
of our tranquility at home; our peace abroad; of our safety; of our pros¬
perity; of that very Liberty which we so highly prize. ' And, therefore,
adopting the solemn warning of the departed Sage, we will ' discounte¬
nance whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can, in any event,
be abandoned; and indignantly frown upon the first dawning of every
attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to en¬
feeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts. '
" 5. Resolved, That, having long since abolished slavery within her
territorial limits, Pennsylvania has already done all in her power to en¬
force observance of her own noble declaration that ' all men are born
equally free and independent.' Her sympathies and philanthropy may
yet be exercised in providing for the manumitted slave and the free-born
black, a home in the land of their fathers, but she cannot be driven into
a Quixotic championship of the rights of strangers to her soil, however
unjustly they may be oppressed.
" 6. Resolved, That the citizens of the District of Columbia have
the same rights of person and of property as their fellow citizens of The
several States; that the Congress of the United States, in respect to all
matters of legislation affecting the domestic concerns of said district, is
a Local Legislature; and, therefore, while acting in such capacity, i§ not
bound by instructions emanating from the citizens of the States.
" 7. Resolved, That we are neither the advocates of slavery, nor of
the surrender of the liberty of speech, or of the press. To the gradual,
peaceable and voluntary transfer of the slave to a land of freedom and
equality, we shall cheerfully contribute our aid. And while we shall,
ever maintain, with the spirit of freemen, the right to utter and publish
our opinions, we will not prostitute this high and sacred privilege, by
making it a cloak for the concealment of the incendiary's torch.
" 8. Resolved, That we are in favor of African colonization:
" (&) Because it is the only means by which we can con¬
stitutionally aid in the abolition of slavery;
" (h) Because it is the only means by which the colored
population of this country can be elevated to a state
of entire freedom and equality.
(°) Because it proposes to remove from our midst a
class of people, who, while they may remain, will al¬
ways be a prolific source of agitation and excitement,
fatal to the integrity of the Union,
(d) Because its plan of operation is entirely peaceable
and voluntary, as well in regard to the emancipation
of the slave as to his transportation to Africa.
" (e) Because, by lining the coasts of Africa with civilized
colonies, able to protect themselves and their terri¬
tory, it strikes at the root of the foreign slave trade
and will abolish it forever.
(115)
" (f) Because it is carrying1 civilization and religion to a
land which must otherwise continue in brooding
pagan darkness.
" 9. Resolved, That colonization is peculiarly the friend of our colored
population. In the language of their Baltimore brethren in 1827, they
reside among us and yet are strangers; natives', and yet not citizens;
surrounded by the freest people, and most republican institutions in the
world, and yet enjoying' none of the immunities of freedom. Beyond a
mere subsistence and the impulse of religion, there is nothing to arouse
them to the exercise of their faculties or to excite them to the attain¬
ment of eminence. In Africa, they shall be freemen, indeed, and repub¬
licans after models of this republic.
" 10. Resolved, That we recommend to our fellow citizens through¬
out the county to hold township meetings for the purpose of forming
colonization societies, auxiliary to the Lancaster County Society. "
The above resolutions, having been seconded by the Rev. Aaron A.
Marcellus, were adopted.
Elliot Cresson, of Philadelphia, who had just arrived from Harris-
burg, and had entered the house but a few minutes before, was then
called on to address the meeting. He complied with the request by enter¬
ing fully into the objects of the colonization society, the success that had
hitherto attended its efforts, the obligation resting- upon all to aid these
efforts, and the ease and rapidity with which obstacles, apparently in¬
superable, were made to disappear, by a determination to " try " to over¬
come them, and a perseverance in that determination. Mr. Cresson illus¬
trated and enforced his position by numerous interesting facts.
On motion of the Rev. J. T.. Marshall Davie, seconded by Redmond
Conyngham, it was
" Resolved, That this society pledge itself to raise a sufficient sum of
money during the current year, ending April 1, 1838, to send to Liberia,
twenty free persons of color or manumitted slaves; and, that this resolu¬
tion be attached to the address, just reported. "
It is evident that the committee appointed to draft and report an
address to the citizens of Lancaster county, for the purpose of having it
printed and circulated, soliciting aid in the important work undertaken
by the society, carried out its part of the program as directed. One of
these circulars is still in existence, and was until a few years ago the
property of Christian E. Metzler, of East Bridgewater, Mass. It is printed
on heavy paper, foolscap size; and, in addition to the address, it contains
the constitution of the society and a list of the officers.
— CONSTITUTION —
OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY COLONIZATION SOCIETY
Article 1. This society shall be called the Lancaster County Coloni¬
zation society, and shall be auxiliary to the Colonization Society of Penn¬
sylvania.
Article 2. To provide for civilizing- and christianizing Africa, through
the direct instrumentality of voluntary colored emigrants from the United
States.
Article 3. To promote, by all legal and constitutional means, the
intellectual and moral improvement of the African race.
Article 4. The principles upon which this society shall base its
operations are dissuasion from warfare on the part of the colonists, and
(116)
the prohibition of the acquisition of territory except by actual purchase
from the proprietors of the soil. .
Article 5. The officers shall consist of a president, vice-presidents,
twelve managers, a corresponding secretary, three recording secretaries
and a treasurer; any three of whom shall form a board for the transac¬
tion of business.
Article 6. The president shall call meetings of the board at such
times as may be necessary for the management of the concerns of the
society.
Article 7. The subscription to constitute membership to be not less,
than one dollar, to be paid annually; the payment of ten dollars to con¬
stitute life membership.
Article 8. The officers shall be elected annually, in the month of
January, at such time and place as shall be agreed upon by the officers,
and shall continue in office until others are elected.
Article 9. The treasurer shall take charge of the funds of the so¬
ciety, keep its accounts and make payments, subject to the order of the
Board of Managers, and annually report to the society the state of the
funds.
List of officers: President — William Kirkpatrick; Vice-presidents
— Hon, Oristus Collins, John Yeates, John Steel, Edward B. Grubb,
Charles Hess, Esq., George Bryan, C. Kieffer, Adam Reigart and John
Wallace; Corresponding Secretary — William F. Bryan; Recording Secre¬
taries — C. F. Hoffmeier, Thomas E. Franklin, Esq., and Dr. George B.
Kerfoot; Treasurer — Dr. Samuel Humes; Managers — Emanuel Shaef-
fer, Jacob McCully, John Ehler, Henry Keffer, William Frick, W. K.
Huffnagle, Peter McConomy, C. Hager, John Brown, Gen. A. Diller, C.
McCleery and Dr. John Miller.
On Tuesday, March 2 8, 1837, the Rev. J. B. Pinney and Thomas
Buchanan, agents of the colonization society, arrived in Lancaster, Pa.,
and in the evening of the same day addressed in the First Presbyterian
church, an audience which, owing to the unpleasant state of the weather,
was small. The Rev. Mr. Pinney had resided for two years in Africa;
and Mr. Buchanan, who later became the first and last white Governor
of Liberia, had just returned from Liberia. Mr. Buchanan gave a gra¬
phic description of his efforts to collect the scattered remnant of a colony
which once composed a body of savage Africans, whom a slaver was
about to convey into bondage.
About March, 1837, the Men's Colonization Society and the Pennsyl¬
vania Colonization Society were united under the title of the latter.
The next effort put forth in Lancaster county in aid of African col¬
onization was the following preamble and resolution, which were adopted
without a dissenting voice, by the Presbytery of New Castle, at its ses¬
sions, held in Bellevue church on April 4th and 5th, 1837:
" Whereas, the colonization enterprise has conferred so great civil
and religious benefits upon the colored race, both in Africa and in this
country, in giving freedom to the slave; in breaking up the African slave
trade; in bearing to the benighted natives of that dark and long-neglect¬
ed continent the light of civil and religious knowledge, through the in¬
strumentality of colored emigrants from this country; therefore,
" Resolved, That this Presbytery does approve of the Pennsylvania
Colonization Society as wisely adapted to furnish a comfortable and
happy home to the colored people of our own country, and a moral and
intellectual elevation of race generally, and does recommend it to the
(117;
sympathies, prayers, and liberal contributions of all the churches under
their care, and that the subject be presented to them on or about the
4th of July, and collections be taken up in aid of the cause. "
It may be of interest to know that the custom of taking up collec¬
tions in the churches on the Sunday nearest the 4th of July, in aid of
African colonization became general throughout the country.
The Colonization Herald for May 27, 1837, acknowledged the receipt
of a box containing 157 garments of different sizes for the different sexes,
valued at eighty dollars, received through Mrs. Jane Latta from the ladies of
Upper Octorara congregation. They also donated a quantity of garden
seeds put up in bottles. This judicious idea of putting garden seeds in
bottles, which only a Lancaster countian would have thought of doing,
was commented on by the editor of the Herald, as being worthy of imi¬
tation by all those who wished to send seeds to Liberia.
On July 1, 1837, a collection amounting to $3.50 was taken up in the
Methodist church, Columbia, Penna. On July 29th another collection,
amounting to $5.12 was received from the same congregation. Under
this date the following contributions were made in Lancaster, Penna.:
Presbyterian church per Rev. J. T. Marshall Davie, $8.91; Mrs. Eliza
Jane Davie, $10.00; Mrs. Mary Dickson, $2.00, and Miss E. Bryan, $1.00.
The Colonization Herald of September 9, 1837, states that the Rev.
Orson Douglass had just returned from a tour in the counties of Adams,
Lancaster and York, and described the inhabitants as being animated
with the best spirits in favor of colonization.
On August 17, 1837. the Rev. Orson Douglass lectured at Donegal
church in behalf of the cause, and obtained subscriptions for the work
of the society. The Lancaster County Historical Society has among its
valued possessions a certificate, embrowned and blotched by time, which
reads as follows:
This is to certify that James Brice Clark, by the contribution of
thirty dollars by Jane Porter, is a member for life of the Pennsylvania
Colonization Society. August 17, 1837. Orson Douglass, Corresponding
Secretary. John Bell, Vice-President.
James Brice Clark was the father of Miss Virginia Bladen Clark, at
present a member of the executive committee of the Lancaster County
Historical Society. Mrs. Jane Porter was an aunt of James Brice Clark
and the widow of the Rev. Kamuel Porter, a clergyman of the Presby¬
terian church.
The next effort put forth in the interest of colonization was that
made in a rural church that has figured largely in the history of this the
empire county of Pennsylvania. I quote the following from the Coloniza¬
tion Herald for it tells in better words than mine what transpired in the
little edifice which was built in pre-Revolutionary days:
" In Donegal township, Lancaster county, Penna.. stands the church
of the same name, on a most beautiful and picturesque spot. There a
congregation commenced the worship of God more than a century ago,
and ever since the means of grace have been steadily enjoyed. Generation
after generation has passed away, one and another has arisen to supply
their places. The mantle of the fathers has rested upon their sons not
only in the continuance of the means of grace but in the evidence that
the ' grace of God has not been received by them in vain.'
" Although not very numerous as a people, yet tlieir acts of benevo¬
lence are neither few nor small. For many years the general agent
(Orson Douglass) labored happily among them until his health required
a change. On a recent tour through that section of country he stated
(118)
to them the great want of a Presbyterian church at Bassa Cove, in
Africa, and the good that would result from the erection of such a build¬
ing there, which would cost not less than five hundred dollars. With a
promptness and liberality, worthy of perpetual remembrance and univer¬
sal imitation, they secured within a few days the adequate sum. In view
of their generous conduct in aiding the colored man, the Board of Man¬
agers of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society, at their last meeting,
passed unanimously the following preamble and resolutions:
" Whereas, The congregation of Donegal in Lancaster county. Penn¬
sylvania, has acted nobly in securing to the Pennsylvania Colonization
Society the payment of the sum of five hundred dollars for the purpose
of erecting a Presbyterian church at Bassa Cove in Africa. Therefore,
" Resolved, That the governor of the Colony at Bassa Cove, be
authorized and directed to erect or cause to be erected a suitable build¬
ing for the Presbyterian church in said colony, on a good lot to be ap¬
propriated to the purpose.
" Resolved, That the said church shall be denominated and forever
called the Donegal church, and a suitable inscription to this amount
shall be placed on some conspicuous part of said church when erected.
" Resolved, That the thanks of this society be cordially tendered to
the members and friends of the Donegal congregation for their zeal and
liberality in thus aiding the colonization cause.
" The above resolutions were passed unanimously by the Board, at
the office, September 5, 1837. "
The Presbyterians in Lancaster county were very active in the cause
of African colonization. Not content with the erection of a church at
Bassa Cove, which the generosity of the congregation at old Donegal,
made possible, New Castle Presbytery, in which Donegal was located, at
a stated meeting held at New Castle, on September 27, 1837, passed the
following:
" Resolved, That this Presbytery, in addition to the two missionaries
for whose support we are now pledged, offer to contribute six hundred
dollars per year to sustain a missionary at Bassa Cove on the western
coast of Africa, under the care of the Presbyterian Foreign Missionary
Society, whenever they will place one at that station.
" JOHN N. C. GRIER,
" Stated Clerk. "
Nor did the members of old Donegal cease contributing to the cause
after they had raised the amount necessary for the building of a church
in Liberia. That indefatigable agent of the society, the Rev. Orson Doug¬
lass, under date of November 4, 1837, acknowledged the receipt of the
following liberal contributions " for the church of Donegal, in Bassa
Cove, Africa":
Mrs. Jane Porter, $60.00; John Clark, $30.00; James Patterson, Jr.,
$30.00; Mrs. Rachel Brown, $30.00; Major James Patterson, $10.00; John
Sterret, $5.00; Patterson Spangler, $5.50; Mrs. Mary Taylor, $2.00. Col¬
lections at Donegal church, $20.00. Collections in Marietta church, $1.73.
F. Wilson, $1.00; J. Stahl, $1.50; Abraham Cassel, $1.00, and A. Dysert,
$1.00. The Misses Sarah and Mary Bethel contributed $30.00 to consti¬
tute B. Heise, a lire member of the Pennsylvania. Colonization Society.
The members of Donegal congregation continued to give liberally and
without stint to the colonization scheme. A gift of thirty dollars was re¬
ceived from A. Mehaffy for " the use of Donegal church at Bassa Cove. "
Mrs. Sarah Galbraith gave five dollars to the same object.
(119)
Mrs. Eliza Jane Davie, of Lancaster, Penna., another ardent support¬
er of colonization, is credited with another donation of ten dollars about
this time.
At the meeting held in Lancaster, Penna., on Washington's birthday.
1837, it was agreed to "raise a sufficient sum of money to send twenty
free persons of color to Liberia. " The time had now expired but I have
not been able to find any record that the society accomplished its under¬
taking.
In August, 1838, William Kirkpatrick, Esq., president of the Lan¬
caster County Colonization Society and one of the vice-presidents of the
Pennsylvania Colonization Society, died in this city. He was a member
of the First Presbyterian church, and extensively known throughout the
State as an upright man, a devout and consistent Christian, and a liberal
philanthropist. In his will among other things he bequeathed " to the
treasurer, for the time being, of the Young Men's Colonization Society
at Bassa Cove, for use of the said society, two hundred and fifty dollars. "
William Kirkpatrick's will is a Avonderful document, full of various
details on many subjects. It reflects the benevolent character of the
man, and reveals how great and varied his philanthropy really was.
He mentions a portrait of himself, painted when he (Kirkpatrick)
was in his thirty-ninth year, by the celebrated Stuart. To his nephew,
James Espey, he bequeathed a portrait of himself, painted by Jacob
Eicholtz, when William Kirkpatrick was 79 years of age.
In that very excellent monograph of " Jacob Eicholtz, Painter, "
written by the late W. U. Hensel, and printed in volume 16, number 10,
of the proceedings of this honorable society, appears a partial list of the
portraits and miscellaneous works of Jacob Eicholtz. The list is quite a
lengthy one and includes almost every picture Eicholtz painted. No
mention is made, however, of a portrait of William Kirkpatrick. This
would, therefore, seem to be the discovery of another Eicholtz portrait.
A colonization society was organized in Elizabethtown, Penna., on
September 6, 183 8, the Rev McKinsely being the president.
In the Colonization Herald, dated December 19, 1838, appears a list
of societies, auxiliary to the Pennsylvania Colonization Society. That of
Lancaster, Penna., is conspicuous by its absence. What had become of
our local society? Its president had passed to the Great Beyond, but
that would not seem to be a good and sufficient reason why the society
should have failed to function.
Some idea may be had of the interest manifested in colonization in
the State of Pennsylvania, when.we take into consideration the number
of auxiliary societies that had sprung up all around U3. Almost every
county had its auxiliary, and many cities had societies independent of
the county associations. We find that at this period, active societies
were established in Carlisle, Harrisburg. Lebanon and York as well as
in the counties of Chester, Berks, Lebanon, York, Cumberland, Dauphin,
etc., etc.
Mr Bowman, an agent of the Pennsylvania Colonization
Society, who had been lecturing in this vicinity, writes encouragingly of
the progress made in York and Lancaster counties. An auxiliary society
had been established, obviously, in Marietta, Penna., during his visit
there or previous to it, for among the collections reported by him on
January 12, 183 9, is one from the Marietta Colonization Society. Collec¬
tions were also reported for Mount Joy, Penna., while an offering was
taken up in the Presbyterian church in Columbia, Penna., about this
time.
(120)
Agent Bowman seems to have visited all the towns of any importance
in Lancaster county, lecturing- and soliciting funds in aid of the cause.
The Colonization Herald of May 15, 1839, acknowledged the receipt of
collections made by him in Mount Joy, Columbia, Paradise, New Holland,
Pequea, Bellevue, Strasburg, Elizabethtown and Lancaster.
William Kirkpatrick's legacy, amounting to two hundred and fifty
dollars, was paid to the Rev. Orson Douglass, an agent of the Pennsyl¬
vania Colonization Society, on September 21, 1839.
A contribution was received from the Pequea Presbyterian congre¬
gation in September, 1839. The following month a collection was re¬
ceived from Leacock Presbyterian church. In April, 1840, the African
school in Lancaster, Penna, made another donation to the cause.
In May, 1840, a collection was received from the Sabbath school of
the Third Reformed church, Lancaster, P^nna. At the same time Rev.
C. Colton collected twenty-three dollars from the Lutheran churches of
Lancaster county.
During June, 1840, a substantial collection in aid of the cause was
received from the public of Lancaster, Penna. About this time a few of
our more influential citizens donated $57.20 to the cause. On the list of
contributors we find such names as Dr. Samuel Humes, Judge Champ-
neys, Mrs. Mary Dickson, the Misses Catherine and Margaret Yeates, Dr.
John L. Atlee and others.
While the people of Lancaster, Penna., were making donations to
the cause of colonization the citizens of Columbia, Penna., were doing
likewise. Among the list of contributors in that borough we find the
name of Mrs. Samuel Bethel. The Columbia Auxiliary Society turned
over to the treasurer of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society the sum
of Thirty dollars. In July, 1840, collections were lifted in the Methodist
and Presbyterian churches in Columbia, Penna.
During this month, James A. Caldwell, Esq., whose address is given
as Greene, Lancaster, Co., Penna., is credited with a donation of thirty
dollars.
On the 4th of July, 1841, collections for the colonization movement
were made in the Presbyterian church at Pequea, the Methodist church
in Strasburg, and in the Presbyterian church in Columbia, Penna.
On November 13, 1841, the Elizabethtown Colonization Society paid
to the treasurer of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society, the sum of
$14.18.
On June 16, 1842, Mrs. Jane Porter, widow of the Rev. Samuel Port¬
er, Jr., of East Donegal, Lancaster County, Penna., departed this life.
A bequest in her will reads:
" I give and bequeath unto the American Colonization Society the
sum of two hundred dollars, to be paid within one year after my de¬
cease. "
Despite the stipulation so clearly expressed in the will the legacy
was not turned over to Elliot Cresson, a representative of the society,
until May 20, 1846.
On June 12, 1844, a collection amounting to $29.06, was received
from Lancaster, Penna. Included in this was a donation of five dollars
from Thaddeus Stevens.
In September, 1844, collections were made in the Presbyterian
churches in Marietta, Leacock and Octorara.
Among the contributors in Lancaster, Penna., in 1847, we find the
means of Miss Catherine Yeates and the Rev. Samuel Bowman.
In January, 1849, Mrs. Catherine Jenkins, of Windsor, Lancaster
(121)
county, Penna., contributed one hundred dollars to constitute herself and
son, Dr. John C. Jenkins, life members of the Pennsylvania Colonization
Society.
From the time that the first ship was chartered in 1820, which car¬
ried 86 free negroes, emigrants were transported to Liberia at stated
periods of time, or as rapidly as the funds of the Society would permit.
Until 1830, eighteen vessels had carried no less than 1420 free persons of
color and manumitted slaves to the shores of Africa. The population of
Liberia had grown from 36 in 1820, to 2390 in 1843. In 23 years there
had been 4454 arrivals in the colony.
The first negro from Lancaster county to emigrate to Liberia was a
man named Voltaire Green. He sailed from New York on October 2,
1850, for Bassa Cove, He was said to be free; his age was given as
thirty-one; he could read and his occupation was listed " general work. "
On July 20, 1851, a man named Williams, and his wife, from Co¬
lumbia, Penna., aged 41 and 30 respectively, sailed from the port of
Baltimore for Monrovia.
In June, 1852, a collection exceeding thirty-two dollars was taken
up in Lancaster, Penna.
No further collections are reported as having been made during the
next few years. The Lancaster County Colonization Society, which was
so auspiciously organized in February, 1837, and whose president passed
away the following year, seems to have lapsed into a state of inactivity.
Whether it had ceased to exist or simply failed to function, I am not
able to state. It was not an incorporated organization. Its chief func¬
tion, so long as it did exist, seems to have been the collection of money,
which it turned over to the parent society to help in the work of col¬
onizing Liberia.
Little interest was taken in colonization in Lancaster county in the
early fifties. Finally in the spring of 1855, efforts were made to inject
new life into the old organization. The officers of the American Coloni¬
zation Society, being cognizant of the indifference towards colonization as
shown by the local organization, sent the Rev. Ralph R. Gurley, whose
reputation as an editor and an orator, and whose influence and leadgr-
ship in the parent society, was greater than that of any single individual,
to Lancaster, Penna., for the purpose of arousing the citizens to a sense
of their duty in supporting the work of this great cause.
A union meeting in behalf of African colonization, composed of sev¬
eral congregations of Lancaster, Penna., was held in the First Lutheran
church, on Sunday evening, March 11, 1855. Prayer was offered by the
Rev. Mr. Quay, the agent of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society. The
meeting was addressed in an eloquent and impressive manner by the
Rev. Ralph R. Gurley, of the city of Washington, D. C., who, as is well
known, had been engaged for more than thirty years laboring faithfully
for the liberation and elevation of the colored race at home and abroad.
The missionary aspect of this enterprise was powerfully dwelt upon
by Mr. Gurley.
The Rev. Messrs. John W. Nevin, G. F. Krotel and John Baldwin
followed Mr. Gurley with brief remarks, expressive of their approbation
of the object, and recommending it to the people of their various charges
as worthy of their liberality. The interesting services of the evening
Were concluded with a prayer by the Rev. Albert Helfenstein.
The collection at this meeting amounted to more than twenty dollars.
(122)
The Philadelphia conference of the Methodist church met in Lancas¬
ter, Penna., on the fifth of April, 1855.
The committee to which was referred the subject of African col¬
onization, reported that it is of the opinion that this noble enterprise is
worthy of the " entire confidence, sympathy and liberal support of this
conference and of our church in general. Therefore be it,
" 1. Resolved, That we entirely approve of the objects and efforts
of the American Colonization Society.
" 2. Resolved, That we will cordially cooperate with the executive
officers of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society and its agents, and that
we bespeak for them and their mission a favorable reception from our
churches and congregations.
" 3. Resolved. That we will cooperate with the Delaware, Mary¬
land and Virginia Colonization Societies in those parts of the conference
which lie within the boundaries of these States.
" 4. Resolved, That we will preach, if necessary, on the Sabbath
immediately preceding, or that immediately succeeding, the 4th of July.
" G. Dixon Bowen
" M. H. Sisty, Committee. "
In the Autumn of 1856, David and George Wallace, executors of the
estate of William Wallace, paid to the treasurer of the American Col¬
onization Society, the sum of one hundred dollars, it being a legacy be¬
queathed to it by the late William Wallace, bachelor, of East Earl
township, Lancaster County, Penna.
During the year 1859, a friend contributed thirty dollars to consti¬
tute D. Hayes Agnew, M. D., a life 'Omber of the American Colonization
Society.
Among the list of emigrants which sailed for Bassa Cove, Liberia,
on November 1, 1860, was one William Gants, a free negro child ten
years of age.
On this same date, two families of free negroes, whicti had resided
in Elizabethtown, Penna., sailed for Careysburg, Liberia. The one family
consisted of a man named James T. Phillips, his wife and six children;
the other consisted of a man named Robert Parker, his wife and six
children.
Thus in a brief way I have attempted to describe the interest which
the good people of Lancaster city and county took in the colonization of
Liberia, and the support they gave to a society whose object Henry Clay
has well stated to be " the colonization of the free people of color and
not the slaves of the country. "
The history of the American Colonization Society covers one hundred
years. The society is still in existence, although since the close of the
Civil War, its influence has' been considerably limited. Its chief function
today is the administration of certain trust funds for educational pur¬
poses in Liberia.
The Pennsylvania Colonization Society still maintains a more or less
nominal existence. It has a small trust from which contributions are
given to Lincoln University graduates who have come from Africa and
who will return to that country to devote their lives to the educational
and spiritual uplift of their people.
Harry Pringle Ford, a historian of note and a man actively identi¬
fied with more organizations for the welfare of society and mankind in
general than any other person alive, is at this present time the honored
president of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society.
Minutes of May Meeting
Lancaster, Pa., May 5, 1922
The Lancaster County Historical Society held its regular monthly meeting
in its room at the usual hour this evening. The President, Mr. H. Frank Eshle-
man presided. The business routine was first in order at which the officers' reports
were read all of which were approved as read. The Librarian, Miss Lottie Bausman,
reported the following gifts and exchanges received during April:
Southern Historical Society Papers, vols. III. and IV. From Mr. A. K.
Hostetter: Pamphlets—American Philosophical Society—2 numbers; Jewish
Historical Society; Catholic Historical Society; Presbyterian Historical Society;
Washington Historical Quarterly; Bulletins included—Grand Rapids Public
Library; Enoch Pratt Free Library; Carnegie Library; New York Public Library.
Special Donations:—Life of Andrew Jackson, 1817; Life of Captain Nathaniel
Fanning; Geography, 1816; Pocket Dictionary for Carpenters, 1797, from Mr.
Harold Diffenderffer; The Town and Country Magazine, London, 1776, from
Mr. A. K. Hostetter; Folio of Photographs of ILarly Lancaster, collected, compiled
and annotated by Mr. George Steinman, for many years President of the Lancaster
County Historical Society. Presented by the Steinman Family.
Four new members were elected:—Naomi Musser (Mrs. Frank C.); Frank C.
Musser, Mayor; Mrs. George Zimmele, Lititz,; Frank P. Black, Hotel Weber,
City.
One new applicant for membership: (Mrs. H. Frank) Margaret Dillon Eshle-
man.
The society voted to accept the invitation to be present at and participate in
the observance of the two-hundreth anniversary of the settlement of the Church-
town section by early Welsh Epsicopalians, which that Church intends to cele¬
brate June 23-25, inclusive, and conduct the historical session as requested, at
2:00 o'clock p. m. of the 23d.
Under "Notes and Queries" of which Mr. D. F. Magee, is Chairman, Geo.
W. Hensel wrote a most excellent short paper on General McMurtrie Gregg,
which was read by Mr. Charles Brown. General Gregg descended from a southern
Lancaster County family.
Mrs. Annie Bosworth read ot Edgar Allen Poe's connection with the Columbia
Spy, revealing that he received five dollars for letters contributed by him to that
paper.
The American Academy of Political and Social Science requesting that the
Lancaster Historical Society send Delegates to its Twenty-sixth Annual Meeting
on May 12 and 13, at Philadelphia, D. F. Magee was appointed, the others to be
optional.
The paper of the evening was prepared and read by Mr. William F. Worner,
entitled "The Lancaster County Colonization Society." The paper was discussed
by the members. The meeting was an unusually interesting one.
Respectfully submitted
AD ALINE B. SP1NDLER, Sec'y.
N. B. The General Gregg article may appear in a subsequent pamphlet.
THE LANCASTER COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOUNDED 1896
Meets monthly, first Friday of each month except July and Aug¬
ust, in Smith Library Building, North Duke Street, Lancaster, Pa.
Holds Spring Social & Literary Entertainments and Summer
Historical Meetings, for the public and friends of this Society.
Membership fee $1.00 with annual dues of $1.00; Life Mem¬
bership, $25.00. Payable to Financial Secretary.
Members are entitled to all the regular publications.
Special papers of historical interest to this locality are desired
to be read before this Society.
In order to obtain a permanent home, a building fund has been
established for that purpose, to which any one, member or friend
of this Society, may contribute. Make checks payable to order of
the Treasurer. j
The public is invited to attend all regular meetings