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Quakers, Abolitionists, and the Free African Society
How Philadelphia became a hub for free blacks
What is now Pennsylvania was originally settled by Dutch and Swedish migrants. They imported African slaves as early as 1639.
In 1681, William Penn obtained a charter from King Charles II to establish the colony of Pennsylvania. As a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) he wanted a place where all races and religions could co-exist.
At the time, European Protestants and Catholics persecuted each other, and both groups persecuted the Jews. Quakers were unpopular because they spoke out against this, as well as advocating for the equal rights of women.
Penn put his words into action by insisting on the fair treatment of Native Americans in Pennsylvania. Land could not be stolen from them and they were to be given equal rights.
Penn wrote a constitution that limited government power and ensured many fundamental liberties.
Yet he did not ban slavery, though many Quakers had spoken out against it as early as the 1600s. In fact, in Pennsylvania, even some Quakers initially owned slaves.
