Abolitionists
History of Abolitionists
There were many abolitionists but only a few were well known:
John Brown | William Lloyd Garrison | Frederick S. Douglass | Harriet Tubman | Harriet Beecher Stowe | Combs Letter
John Brown was a radical abolitionist who believed in the violent overthrow of the slavery system. During the Bleeding Kansas conflicts, Brown and his sons led attacks on pro-slavery residents. Justifying his actions as the will of God, Brown soon became a hero in the eyes of Northern extremists and was quick to capitalize on his growing reputation. By early 1858, he had succeeded in enlisting a small “army” of insurrectionists whose mission was to foment rebellion among the slaves. In 1859, Brown and 21 of his followers attacked and occupied the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry. Their goal was to capture supplies and use them to arm a slave rebellion. Brown was captured during the raid and later hanged, but not before becoming an anti-slavery icon
Some abolitionist favored “colonization:” moving free blacks away from the white society. William Lloyd Garrison adopted a militant tone which differed strongly. He demanded the immediate end of slavery without any payment to slave owners and equal rights within society for everyone, regardless of race.
He was the publisher of The Liberator, an anti-slavery publication first printed in 1831, that reached thousands of people around the world. Approximately 75% of its subscriber were free blacks.
Garrison’s efforts led to the formation of the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833
Frederick Douglass was one of the most famous leaders of the abolitionist movement. Born a slave, he was sent to Maryland at age 8 to work. He taught himself to read. A brilliant speaker, Douglass was asked by the American Anti-Slavery Society to engage in a tour of lectures about his experience as a slave, and became so recognized as one of American’s first great black speakers. He won world fame when his autobiography was publicized in 1845. Two years later he began publishing an antislavery paper called the North Star. His home was a station in the Underground Railroad.
Douglass served as an advisor to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and fought for the adoption of constitutional amendments that guaranteed voting rights and other civil liberties for blacks. Douglass provided a powerful voice for human rights during this period of American history and still honored today for his contributions against racial injustice.
Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union spy. After escaping from slavery in 1849, she put herself in danger by rescuing over 300 slaves, including her family and relatives. The intricate network she used to take them to freedom was known as the Underground Railroad. She was quoted as saying: “I never ran my train of the track, and I never lost a passenger.” During the Civil War Harriet worked as a cook, a nurse, a scout, and a spy. She was also the first woman to lead an armed expedition and was responsible for the Combahee River Raid that liberated over 700 slaves in South Carolina. There was a $40,000 reward for her capture, but she was never caught. She lived to see the passage of all the amendments that freed slaves and granted them rights.
Harriet Beecher Stowe published the first installment of Uncle Tom’s Cabin on June 5, 1851 in the anti-slavery newspaper, The National Era. Stowe enlisted friends and family to send her information and scoured freedom narratives and anti-slavery newspapers for first-hand accounts as she composed her story. In 1852 the serial was published as a two volume book. Uncle Tom’s Cabin was a best seller in the United States, Britain, Europe and Asia, and was translated into over 60 languages. In the first year alone, 300,000 copies were sold in the United States.
QUESTION: These men and women chose to become involved for different reasons. Choose one person and discuss why you think they choose to a path of an abolitionist. Additional research may be required. How did it affect fellow citizens throughout the country?
This transcription was copied from the original document and is representative of all spelling, punctuation, and grammar as written by the creator. The original document is housed in the Pearce Civil War Collection, Pearce Collections Museum, Navarro College, Corsicana, Texas. https://www.PearceMuseum.com
Bosqueville Texas Dec 1st , 60
Dear Brother
I received your letter yesterday and was very glad to hear from you, and tat all were in good health, We are in fine health, No sickness in the country Scarcely, Well Kess perhaps when whis comes to hand Christmas will be neare, a few more weeke and another year has gone. One lot which has oceupied a memorable, and perhaps fatal space, in the history of the Union. We have every reason to believe that the Union of the States, will soon be divided and two or more Governements, built up on the ruins of our nation.
News has came to Waco, that the Abolitionist have invaded Missouri, and war has commensed, but I cannot say for certain that it is true.
There is nothing of interest in sirculation here I believe, more that the Excitement about the Election, of Lincoln, and the Dessolution of the Union.
I suppose Joe has bought a canyard, you said you had quit Schol and gone to work, going to make a big crot next year, I hope you will be well paid for your labor,
We have to Speak this morning and I have not much time to write and not much to write if I had time So you will not be Supprised at the Shortness of this Epistle.
Charley Mcgeehee Staid with us a few nights ago, he was orse hunting I believe, it was quite a treat to learn all were getting along in and bout San Marcos, he says there will be a good School in Sen Marcos next year, I suppose you intend going there as you have quit work ,
Well Kess I must close as it time to go to Meeting,
So write Soon and tell Jack and the rest to do the Same
As ever Your Brother
J.H. Combs,
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