1862-1878
Guide to the Collection
Funding for the digitization of this collection and the creation of preservation microfilm was provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act grant as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Restrictions on Access
Use of the originals is restricted. This collection is available as color digital facsimiles (see links below). Black and white microfilm is also available for use in the library.
Abstract
This collection consists of records of the Freedmen's Aid Society, founded in Boston, Mass. in 1862.
Historical Sketch
The New England Freedmen's Aid Society was founded in Boston, Mass. in 1862 in response to an appeal from Edward L. Pierce on behalf of 8,000 formerly enslaved people at Port Royal, S.C. Originally named the Educational Commission, its mission was to provide teachers and other aid for "the industrial, social, intellectual, moral, and religious improvement" of freedmen. The organization, which changed its name to the New England Freedmen's Aid Society in 1864 to reflect its broader scope, also published a monthly journal called The Freedmen's Record. The society disbanded in 1874.
Collection Description
This collection consists of the records of the New England Freedmen's Aid Society, including one volume of meeting minutes, 1862-1874; four volumes of "Daily Records," 1865-1866, 1868-1869, and 1871-1874; three volumes of Teacher's Committee records, 1864-1876; and one volume listing teachers in southern states, their schools, salaries, supporting societies, and numbers of pupils. Daily records include notes on correspondence with teachers, agents, and others, and copies of letters by the secretary of the Teacher's Committee, Ednah Dow Littlehale Cheney. The collection also contains correspondence between the committee and individuals actively teaching in the southern states, describing the educational needs and the day-to-day treatment and conditions faced by the freedman in the south. Correspondents include Caroline Alfred, Philena Carkin, Arthur Sumner, Lucretia Crocker, and A. D. Holmes.
Item lists of Caroline Alfred and Philena Carkin letters are available in the library.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Ellen Sturgis Hooper, May 1907.
Restrictions on Access
Use of the originals is restricted. This collection is available as color digital facsimiles (see links below). Black and white microfilm is also available for use in the library.
Other Formats
The collection is also available as color digital facsimiles and on microfilm, P-812, 2 reels.
Detailed Description of the Collection
I. Loose papers, 1873-1878digital content
Arranged chronologically.
II. Volumes, 1862-1876digital content
Preferred Citation
New England Freedmen's Aid Society records, Massachusetts Historical Society.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.