On This Day
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Society of Friends petitions Congress for abolition of slavery

The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage was the first American abolition society. It was founded April 14, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and held four meetings.

The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage was the first American abolition society. It was founded April 14, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and held four meetings. Seventeen of the 24 men who attended initial meetings of the Society were Quakers, that is, members of the Religious Society of Friends, a branch of Christianity notable in the early history of Pennsylvania.

It was reorganized in 1784 as the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, (better known as the Pennsylvania Abolition Society) and was incorporated in 1789.

At some point after 1785, Benjamin Franklin was elected as the organization's president.

Historical Significance

The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage was the first American abolition society.

Events Before

  1. The first American novel, William Hill Brown's "The Power of Sympathy," is published by Isaiah Thomas

    William Hill Brown (November 12, 1765 – September 2, 1793) was an American novelist, the author of what is usually considered the first American novel, The Power of Sympathy (1789), and "Harriot, or…

  2. First US Electoral College chooses George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President

    John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was a Founding Father and the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801.

  3. First US Congress begins regular sessions during George Washington's presidency at Federal Hall, NYC (ends 1791)

    First US Congress begins regular sessions during George Washington's presidency at Federal Hall, NYC (ends 1791)

  4. Fletcher Christian leads a mutiny on HMS Bounty against its captain William Bligh in the South Pacific

    Fletcher Christian leads a mutiny on HMS Bounty against its captain William Bligh in the South Pacific

  5. George Washington is inaugurated as the first President of the United States of America at Federal Hall in NYC

    Federal Hall was the first capitol building of the United States established under the Constitution.

Events After

  1. Long-distance communication speeds up with the unveiling of a semaphore machine in Paris

    Long-distance communication speeds up with the unveiling of a semaphore machine in Paris

  2. Constitution of May 3 is proclaimed by the Great Sejm (Parliament) of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the first mode

    Constitution of May 3 is proclaimed by the Great Sejm (Parliament) of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the first modern constitution in Europe

  3. The new French Constitution, declaring France a constitutional monarchy, is passed by the National Assembly during the F

    The new French Constitution, declaring France a constitutional monarchy, is passed by the National Assembly during the French Revolution

  4. Wolfgang Mozart's dramatic opera "La Clemenza di Tito" premieres at the Estates Theatre in Prague

    La clemenza di Tito (The Clemency of Titus), K. 621, is an opera seria in two acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to an Italian libretto by Caterino Mazzolà, after Pietro Metastasio.

  5. Emma, Lady Hamilton (26) marries Sir William Hamilton (60) at St Marylebone Parish Church in London

    Emma, Lady Hamilton, was an English model, dancer and actress. She began her career in London's demi-monde, becoming the mistress of a series of wealthy men, culminating in the naval hero Lord...

More from the 1790s

Albany replaces New York City as the capital of New York

Albany ( AWL-bə-nee) is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York. It is also the county seat of, and the most populous city in, Albany County.

Russia appoints first Jewish censor to censor Hebrew books

Russia appoints first Jewish censor to censor Hebrew books

First US President George Washington delivers the first State of the Union address

The 1790 State of the Union Address was the inaugural State of the Union address, delivered by President George Washington to the United States Congress on January 8, 1790, at the Senate Chamber of…

French King Louis XVI sentenced to death by the National Convention during the French Revolution

Louis XVI was the last king of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 11, 1790?
The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage was the first American abolition society. It was founded April 14, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and held four meetings. Seventeen of the 24 men who attended initial meetings of the Society were Quakers, that is, members of the Religious Society of Friends, a branch of Christianity notable in the early history of Pennsylvania.
Why is Society of Friends petitions Congress for abolition of slavery significant?
The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage was the first American abolition society.

Explore More

February 11 in HistoryYear 1790