Black Abolitionists' Activism in Lowell
Documents

Lowell’s Black population – many of whom were active in the abolitionist cause – included native-born, immigrants from the Caribbean, and self-emancipated people who escaped bondage on southern plantations. These documents show how they engaged in the radical abolition movement, including writing articles for prominent abolitionist newspapers, convening antislavery society meetings, harboring self-emancipated people, and raising funds to purchase the freedom of people who ran from enslavement – all in service to immediate abolition of and equality for people of African descent.

What were the various tactics that Lowell’s Black abolitionists used to fight for freedom and equality? What risks did they face? How did other people respond to their efforts?

Document 19: "H.W. Foster" Barbershop Advertisement, The Lowell Advertiser, 1838

Document 20a: Letter from Horatio W. Foster, Lowell, [Mass.], to Maria Weston Chapman, April 18, 1843

Document 20b: “Constitution of the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society,” 1834

Document 21a: Letter from John N.H. Fountain to J.G. Whittier Thanking Lowellians for their Contributions to his Wife’s Liberation, The Middlesex Standard, September 20, 1844

Document 21b: “A Wife Redeemed,” Letter from John N.H. Fountain, The Middlesex Standard, January 2, 1845

Document 22a: “Manstealers in Lowell!”, Lowell Tri-Weekly American, October 2, 1850

Document 22b: “Manstealers,” Lowell Daily Journal and Courier, October 4, 1850

Document 22c: “Purchase of a Slave’s Freedom,” Lowell Daily Journal and Courier, April 7, 1851

Document 23: List of Hairdressers (barbers), Lowell City Directory, 1851

Document 24a: “A Dred Scott Case in Lowell!,” The Liberator, 1858

Document 24b: Elizabeth (Betsy) and Caroline Cornwell Census Record, Lowell, 1860

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Black Abolitionists' Activism in LowellDocuments