USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Richmond > Memoirs of Wayne County and the city of Richmond, Indiana; from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Wayne County, Volume I Pt. 1 > Part 16
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The following are names of members who brought their right of membership from some Monthly Meeting in North Carolina to New Garden Monthly Meeting, located about a mile south of Newport, or Fountain City: From Alexandria Monthly Meeting, to New Garden, 1833-39, Myers, Janney, and Davis; from Core Sound Monthly Meeting, 1832, Davis, Harris, Hubbard, Perisho, Wilson, Macy, and Fodra; from Contentnea Monthly Meeting, 1822-32, Arnold, Fulghum, Horn, Woodard, Barker, Bogue, HIall, and Harris; from New Garden, N. C., 1820-55, Jessup, Baldwin, Evans, White, Coffin, Unthank, Clayton, and Wilson ; from Dover Monthly Meeting, 1831-38, Meredith, Evans, Gurley, and Horney ; from Westfield Monthly Meeting, 1819-20, Puckett and Jackson. Some came in 1806, and others in 1816 to 1819. "After the agita- tion and settling of the Missouri Compromise, thousands left the State (North Carolina), a very large per cent. being Quakers.
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Again, as a result of the South Carolina Nullification frolic, other thousands left; then, when the legislature disfranchised the free colored men (by revision of the State Constitution in 1835) and forbade masters from educating their slaves (law of 1830-31) the tide of emigration increased and flowed without ceasing till the Re- bellion."
New Garden, Ind., indulged meeting (given permission to hold meetings) in 1811; preparative meeting in 1814, and Monthly Meeting in 1815. The following meetings are the Monthly Meet- ings making up the Newport Anti-Slavery Yearly Meeting: New- port, Springfield, Cherrygrove, Dunkirk, Duck Creek, Westfield, Salem, Elk, Deer Creek, Prairie.
Most of the immigrants came from North Carolina and the largest number came between the year 1815 and 1860. However, they continued to come until after the war. With the above facts in mind it is not difficult to understand why Newport became such a prominent place during the anti-slavery times.
Some Friends believed in the immediate and unconditional emancipation, while others believed in a gradual emancipation or colonization. However, they were agreed on one thing, and that was, that the negro should be freed.
It is interesting to observe the different ways different indi- viduals went about to accomplish their purpose. Some went about organizing societies; others worked through the press, while a third class presented their ideas from the platform. There was in the East an organization known as the Anti-Slavery Society. Friends at Newport felt the need of something of this kind. In 1838 they held a conference and decided to organize an Anti- Slavery Library Society. All the books, tracts, and other publica- tions on the subject were to be collected and distributed among the people. At that time there was a depository of anti-slavery publications at Cincinnati and $25 were subscribed with which to purchase some of these publications. Levi Coffin was appointed to get the needed copies. Afterwards, he bought others with his own money and kept up the supply. These were not sold, but were given away and loaned until worn out. They often held library meetings, as they called them, for in those days they did not dare to call themselves "Abolitionists" or speak of "abolition societies." It was about this time (1838) that a number of Friends who were in favor of immediate and unconditional eman- cipation joined with others in the formation of the State Anti- Slavery Society of Indiana, which was organized at Milton, Wayne county. See "Reminiscences of Levi Coffin," p. 226.
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"It tried a man's soul to be an Abolitionist in those days, when brickbats, stones and rotten eggs were some of the arguments we had to meet."! It was during such times that Arnold Buffum made his first visit to Newport. His lectures set the people think- ing and reflecting more on this subject of "slavery" than they had ever done before. Buffum was followed by Lewis Hicklin, of Madison. Ind., a Methodist minister, who also lectured on the same subject, but went a step farther and organized several anti- slavery societies. Later, a State anti-slavery convention was held here and resulted in stirring things up generally. Charles Burley and Frederick Douglass were the speakers from the East, while the politicians and other pro-slavery men were the opposing force. This gave the mob spirit a better working basis. Newport was known by the pro-slavery element as the "hot bed of abolition." The anti-slavery sentiment steadily grew throughout the Nation, but the pro-slavery element or rather party still held the reins of government.
Dr. O. N. Huff says, "There was a sewing society organized, where the good women met to prepare clothing for the fleeing fugitives."2
There was an organization of young men, "who obligated them- selves for certain duties in aid of the colored people. They some- times would hire speakers. Another duty, which must have re- quired much fortitude, was to take regular turns and ride to the "settlement" beyond Spartanburg to teach in the Sabbath school. Among their number were Zeri and Moses Hough, Daniel and Jesse Ilill, Thomas and Isaac Woodard, Ira Marine, Calvin Thom- as, Daniel Thomas, and others."?
Another means of getting the people to see the evils of slavery was, as stated before, through the press. In 1841 a press was established, issuing a weekly paper known as the "Protectionist." This was the organ of the Liberty party and the advocate of peace- able abolition of slavery, which was the doctrine of the party. This paper favored high tariff. In 1843 the "Free Labor Advo- cate,"3 was established, with Benjamin Stanton as the editor. This paper advocated free labor and was published for years, until the tide of public sentiment changed and the editor died.
From Volume 1, No. 1, of a bound copy of the "Protectionist," bearing the name of Billy Willcuts, and now the property of the Wayne County Historical Society, it is learned that the nature of
1. See p. 227 of "Reminiscences of Levi Coffin."
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that paper was first "to awaken the slave holding States to a sense of their danger, and of the necessity for a remedy; to exhibit the progressive infringements of the slave power upon our rights, our liberties, and our prosperity ; to demonstrate that slavery and liberty, being diametrically opposed to each other, can never harmonize or long co-exist under the same government; and finally, to show the abomination of the sin of slavery, and that in all its features it is opposite to that of righteousness which exalteth a Nation. Second, to give brief sketches of the most interesting foreign and domestic intelligence, together with extraets and es- says on subjects of a moral and religious nature. In short, it is intended to make the 'Protectionist' a welcome visitor to every family where human liberty is regarded as the unalienable right of man; and that its columns shall be exclusively occupied with such matter as is useful to those who are desirous of walking in the ways of wisdom and truth.
"The character of the paper will be essentially different from that of any now published ; its first object being the vindication of the rights of the people of the non-slaveholding States to PRO- TECTION against the possibility under any circumstances of be- ing claimed by mortal men as an article of property-PROTEC- TION against every encroachment of that spirit of despotism which naturally springs up and is fostered to giant growth in a slaveholding community. *
"This Journal will vindicate the cause of the people, whose rights have been basely surrendered by political demagogues to the domination of the aristocracy of the South. It will plead the rights of the people, North and South, East and West, to be equally protected in all their natural rights, by wholesome, just and efficient laws. * * *
"Such being our principles, we anticipate a very extensive cir- culation for our humble sheet in every State of the Union.
"In the next number (No. 2) we intend publishing our political creed, which we trust will commend itself to the common sense of every intelligent mind."
Under the heading, "Convention at Economy," the announce- ment is made that "The first District Convention of Indiana Aboli- tionists held its adjourned meeting in the Friends Meeting House, near Economy, on the 9th and ioth days of the 11th month, 1840."
2. These two quotations are taken from a paper written for the Wayne County Historical Society, 1905, entitled the "Unnamed Anti-Slavery Heroes of Old Newport," by Dr. O. N. Huff, of Fountain City.
3. Elizabeth Nicholson, 1217 Broadway, Indianapolis, has a bound volume of copies of this paper.
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Under the head of "Political," the announcement was made that "William 11. Harrison is to be our next President."
The following announcements were also published in the first issue of this paper :
"The Anniversary meeting of the State Society will be held at New Garden (one mile south of Newport ), Wayne county, on 2nd day of the eigthh and second month ( February), 1841, at 10 o'clock A. M."
"A general convention of Friends of Indiana Yearly Meeting, who are favorable to the formation of Anti-Slavery Societies, to be conducted in all respects in accordance with the peculiar principles and testimonies of Friends, will be held at New Garden, Wayne county, on 2nd day after the second 7th day in the Ist month, 1841."
Under the heading, "Books," it is stated that "An assortment of the most interesting Anti-Slavery publications have just been received from New York-for sale at the New York prices, at the office of the 'Protectionist,' over Levi Coffin's store, by Arnold Buffum."
An "Apology for the press not being set up as yet and for the cheap paper," was made.
"The Slave," a poem, and "I Hear the Bondman's Sigh," an- other poem, were published.
It was stated that "All communications to be addressed to Joel Parker, publishing agent, New Garden, Wayne County, Ind."
In No. 4 of the "Protectionist," under the heading of "Jubilee," is found this statement: "The Newport Anti-Slavery Tract So- ciety issued the first number of a periodical by the above title. It is published monthly at twenty-five cents per annum and will con- tain a selection of the choicest articles from all the anti-slavery publications in the world. Anti-slavery societies and individuals engaged in the cause can be supplied with any quantity, either by the year or in single numbers, at two dollars a hundred, always in advance."
In the seventh number of this paper is found the following :
"One Hundred Dollars Reward for Walker, * * signed Henry T. Drewry ;" also, under the heading. "Public Sale of Slaves," is the following :
"In pursuance of the provisions of a deed of trust. executed by James M. Garnet to subscribers, on the 20th of February, 1839. and duly recorded in the clerk's office of Essex county. to secure a debt due to Robert P. Waring, we shall proceed to offer at public sale, at Loretto, in the County of Essex, on Thursday, the 17th day
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of December next, if fair, or on the day thereafter, for cash, the following slaves to-wit : Henry, Harry, Sally, Hannah. Eliza, Jack, Billy, Ben, in which the said James M. Garnet holds an estate for his life only ; together with the increase of the females, or so many of the said slaves as shall be necessary for the purpose of said deed of trust." Signed by Robert W. Latane and Robert M. T. Hunter, trustees.
Upon this notice appears the following editorial comment :
"Holds an estate for his life only; together with the increase of the females! What a thought! Here is offered for sale a title to the unborn children of the wretched victims of slavery. The woman is not only offered for sale, but the vender offers to give a title to her unborn, yea, unconceived offspring. This looks like claiming and selling God's rational creatures before his hand had made them."
In issue No. 7 of the "Protectionist" is found the following, under the head of "Constitution," which was printed in large, bold, black letters :
"Art. Ist .- This Society shall be called the Newport Female Anti-Slavery Society.
"Art. 2nd .- The object of this Association is to promote the diffusion of correct information among our fellow citizens in rela- tion to slavery, showing its repugnance to the principles of justice and religion, and to the happiness and prosperity of the American people.
"Art. 3d .- The design of communicating such information is that the free citizens of the Republic may be influenced by the power of truth, brought to bear upon the understanding and con- science, to abolish that iniquitous institution which they are now leagued together in upholding.
"Art. 4th .- The officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice-President, Corresponding and Recording Secretary and Treas- urer, who, with twelve other persons, shall constitute a Board of Managers.
"Art. 5th .- It shall be the duty of the Board of Managers to meet on the 3d Second day in each month. They shall devise and execute such plans as to them shall seem best adapted to promote the object of the Society, and make an annual report of their doings.
"Art. 6th .- There shall be a meeting of the Society on the first Second day, in the Second month, annually, for the election of offi- cers ; hearing the report of the Managers; and for transacting such other business as may come before it.
"Art. 7th .- Each member of the Society shall lay by and for
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ward to the treasurer at each quarterly meeting the sum of at least one cent for each week, for the benefit of the cause.
"Art. 8th .- The treasurer shall receive all donations, gifts, and legacies and hold the same, subject to the order of the Board of Managers, and shall render an account of receipts and disburse- ments at each annual meeting.
"Art. gth .- The Board of Managers shall in no case involve the Society in debt.
"Art. Ioth .- This Constitution shall be amended at any meet- ing of the Society by receiving a vote of two-thirds of the members present.
Art. 11th .- Any Female approving of our object may become a member of this Society by signing the constitution and comply- ing with its requisitions."
The following names are found in the paper entitled, "Under- ground Railroad," written by Maj. M. M. Lacey, as members of the Women's Anti-Slavery Society, which probably is the same as the Female Anti-Slavery Society: Benlah Puckett, Elizabeth Stan- ton, Rachel Green, Mary Hockett, Edith Osborn, Elizabeth Lacy, Ann Reynolds, Kezeah Hough, Jane Porch, Achsah Thomas, Mary Parker, Mrs. Henry Way, and Cathrine Coffin. These good women nearly all had daughters who assisted in the work. In the same paper is found where this society had joined a like one at Salem, Ind., in giving a fair. The fair lasted two days; the forenoons were given over to speeches on anti-slavery subjects and the afternoons and evenings to the sale of goods. A handsome sum was realized and the Newport women returned home much encouraged. The society also spun and wove a great deal. "The members would be hurriedly notified to meet at some one of their homes and garments would be cut out and made for one or maybe half a dozen fugitives who had been hauled into the neighborhood and must be spirited on as soon as the friendly shades of night would permit. These things had to be done in a quiet way, as there were those who did not view these things with a very friendly eye."
In issue No. 9 is found the following :
"An independent press has been established at New Garden, in this county, from which are issued the 'Protectionist,' the 'Free Labor Advocate and Anti-Slavery Chronicle,' and the 'Jubilee'."
In No. 10 is the following :
"Notice .- The New Garden Young Men's Anti-Slavery So- ciety will be held on 2nd day, 24th, instant, at 10 o'clock a. m., in Friends' School House at Concord, Wayne county, Ind. A general attendance of both male and female is requested. Daniel Hill, Sec."
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In issue No. 13 is found the following Liberty ticket for Wayne county: For Senators-Silas 11. Bunson, of Franklin, and Pusey Graves, of Richmond. For Representatives-Josiah Bell, New- port ; Samuel Johnson, Williamsburg : Daniel Winder, Centerville.
In No. 14 appears the following notice :
"Steam Mill For Sale .- Notice is hereby given that on the 7th day (Saturday ), the 7th of next month, the undersigned will expose to public sale the undivided half of the Steam Mill at New- port, Wayne Co., Ind., consisting of two runs of stone, two double- carding machines and double-fulling mill. All in good repair and in full operation ; also one or two adjoining lots, with good dwell- ing houses on them; also some other property. A liberal credit will be given." Signed David Willcutts, trustee.
No. 17 is found quite an article concerning the condition of affairs as regards slavery in the Methodist church. Here they suc- ceeded in getting the pro-slavery element at the head of affairs, i. c., the bishops, elders, and ministers were from this class. It is prob- able that the Methodist church at Newport also divided on the question of slavery. The Wesleyan church was also agitating this great question. In the same number, under the heading, "Indi- ana State Wesleyan Anti-Slavery Society," is found this: "There will be a meeting of the above named society held in the town of Newport, Wayne Co., on Wednesday, the 29th of September next. Services to commence at HI o'clock a. m. for the purpose of ap- pointing a delegation to attend the great Western Convention, to be holden at Cincinnati on the third Wednesday in October next, and to transact such other business as may come before the society. A general attendance is requested." Dated August the 18th, 1841, and signed, John A. Morman, Recording Secretary.
This was a day of public speakers as well as writers. Men were feeling deeply and a few of them were able to present their thoughts in a very forceful way to others.
Some of the public speakers came from a distance and others were home men. Probably the first was Arnold Buffum, who was the first president of the Anti-Slavery Organization Society. His home was in the East, but he had started West on a lecturing tour and, finding Newport very fertile soil, tarried awhile to sow his seed of abolition. Hle lectured a great deal through this part of the country. This course of lectures on slavery stirred all the political parties to a white heat. Buffum was followed by Louis Hicklin, also mentioned above, who also lectured and then formed anti-
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slavery societies over the same territory in which Arnold Buffum had lectured.
Doctor Bennett, a citizen of Newport, sustained Buffum in his work. Not only did Mr. Bennett lecture at home but "gave up his profession to accept the position of lecturer for the first anti- slavery society formed in the State, at a salary of $500 a year. He was an excellent speaker, traveled over a large territory, and like all speakers against slavery, suffered much persecution and opposition."1
Daniel Worth,2 a prominent Wesleyan minister, was a very active member of the Anti-Slavery Society. He was at one time the president of the State Anti-Slavery Society, several conventions of which were held at Newport.
In IS43 C. C. Busley lectured through this part of the coun- try, and in 1844 Henry Clay lectured at Richmond (eight miles south of Newport), giving his famous Mendenhall speech, which caused much excitement at Newport. The famous Fred Douglass3 lectured at Newport in 1844. He, too, stirred things to a white heat. Mrs. Price, Dr. Bennett's daughter, says that once, when there was an Abolition convention held where the city building now stands at Richmond, Ind., Dr. and Mrs. Bennett, with Fred Douglass, started down the street to this convention, but the Doc- tor forgot some of his papers and had to go back for them while Mrs. Bennett walked on with Mr. Douglass. Mrs. Bennett was afterwards greatly scandalized for this act. Fred Douglass spoke at Fountain City twenty or twenty-five years ago. Although he had not seen Mrs. Price since she was a little girl he recognized her at this time.
In the book entitled "Reminiscences of Levi Coffin," is found the account of Sam, the Eloquent. This is the way the story goes : Sam was making for freedom and was captured, but made a second attempt. This time he reached Newport. He was staying with Levi Coffin. While there the time for the monthly prayer meet- ing, held at the Wesleyan Chapel, came round. It was with a great
1. From Dr. Huff's paper. He was the father of Mrs. Ed. Price and Mrs. Loven, of Fountain City.
2. For a full account of his life see a paper written for the Wayne County Historical Society by Sol. Woody, a former citizen of Fountain City, now deceased.
3. For a full account of his life, see his book "My Bondage and My Freedom."
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deal of difficulty that Levi persuaded Sam to go with him to meet- ing, because he had at a previous time been captured by being enticed into jail. Finally he consented, and during the meeting he was prevailed upon to relate the account of his life, which was very interesting to the people.
Later it was decided to have him repeat this story at a public meeting so others might hear him. When the friends came to get his consent, again he thought they were enticing him into a trap, but again he was convinced of their sincerity. This time the house was crowded and again he held the audience spellbound. The people were much amazed at his eloquent language, but they understood when they learned that his master was very lenient with him and often, when Sam was at Lexington, he went to hear the public speakers.
The feeling that it was wrong to use anything that had come in contact with slave labor was continually growing stronger. One of the strongest forces to bring such feelings to a focus was Levi Coffin. He says: "About the year 1844 I became so strongly im- pressed with the horrors of slavery and its results, which were before me, that I was lead to reflect more deeply on the subject than I had done before and to view it in all its practical bearings. I read the testimony of John Woolman and other writers and be- came convinced that it was wrong to use the product of slave labor." Ile felt that to condemn the slaveholder and then to use the fruits of his slave's labor was inconsistent. "The Free States furnished a good market for the products of the South and made slave labor valuable to the master." Levi Coffin finally decided to buy and sell, as far as possible, nothing but free labor goods. This meant that prices would be somewhat higher, that the variety of goods would be diminished, and that many of his customers would prefer the slave labor goods; but he was willing to sacrifice all this for what he felt was the right. Such goods, he learned, were being manufactured by associations in Philadelphia and New York. He decided to go to these two cities to find out how this work was carried on and to see whether or not the goods purchased were really the products of free labor.
Of this visit Levi Coffin says: "When I arrived at Philadel- phia and made inquiries I found that the business was conducted by such men as Enoch Lewis, Abraham L. Pennock, Samuel Rhodes, George W. Taylor, James Mott, James Miller McKim, Charles Wise, and others. These were all prominent Abolitionists and
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well known as conscientious men of high reputation; many of them were leading members of the religious Society of Friends. The cotton they were using came from Friends' settlements in North Carolina. Nathan Thomas ta brother of Eli and Axie Thomas), a Newport Friend, traveled in the South collecting cot- ton that was grown by free labor, and sent it to Philadelphia, to George W. Taylor, to have it manufactured." Levi says that after he was satisfied that there was no deception connected with this work he purchased as good an assortment of cotton goods as he could obtain. He then went to New York and found the business there conducted by such men as Robert Lindley Murray, Lindley M. Hoag, and other equally religious and conscientious men. Their line was free labor groceries. He purchased some of these and shipped them to Newport.
There were many away from here who were glad to get free labor goods. Caroline Edgarton says that when a little girl she used to go all the way from Economy to Newport to buy a spool of free labor thread. She was not the only one who came here to buty the same kind of goods, but for miles around others came for the same purpose. This growing demand for free labor goods, and the difficulty in purchasing them, made it necessary to bring about a better state of affairs. As a result, a Union convention was held in the Friends' Meeting House at Salem, Union county, Indiana. It was largely attended by prominent men of Ohio and Indiana. "From Cincinnati came Dr. Brisbane, John Joliff, Edward Har- wood, Thomas Franklin and others." The convention continued for two days and "a resolution was passed to raise a fund of $3.000 to loan for five years, without interest, to some suitable person for the purpose of enabling him to open a wholesale depository of free labor goods at Cincinnati." It was with great difficulty that they succeeded in getting Levi Coffin to take this place. In 1847 he, with his wife, moved to Cincinnati to engage in this wholesale store of free labor goods. Joel Parker, an active anti-slavery man, took charge of the store formerly run by Levi Coffin. Professor Hod- gin, of the History Department of Earlham College, when a boy of thirteen clerked in this store. Customers, when looking at goods they wished to buy, would say: "Is thee sure this is free labor goods?" He would answer that it was. After the opening of this wholesale house in Cincinnati, Newport got her goods from there. There are many interesting stories told of how different men from Newport hauled their produce to Cincinnati and brought back a load of free labor goods, or rather a part of a load of goods with the other part filled with fugitive slaves, seeking freedom.
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