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Page “Emilie hears Frederick Douglass deliver a keynote address.”

December 3-5, 1863

Thursday, December 3, 1863.

Thursday very Pleasent Nell Mrs Jordan and i went out shoping nell bought herself a coat we went up to harrises then paid several other visits

Friday 4

in the evening we went to hear Fred Duglass yesterday I Paid a visit to the White house i have bin so busy i have not had time to write

Saturday 5

very clear we have not had a clear Saturday for some time i was down town a little while

Annotation 2

George Bustill White had six siblings, all listed as living at home in 1860.  Listed here with their ages in 1863, when Emilie would have visited the household, they are Elizabeth (32 years old), Jacob Jr. (27 years old), Henry (25 years old), Martin (22 years old), Joseph (20 years old), and Sarah (12 years old).  It is not difficult to imagine the White household being the center of much activity during and after the Civil War. Year: 1860; Census Place: Philadelphia Ward 12 Division 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1162; Page: 125; Image: 129; Family History Library Film: 805162.

Annotation 1

Lucretia Mott likely needed no introduction when she spoke at the 30th anniversary of the American Anti-Slavery Society Meeting on December 4, 1863.

To commemorate the society’s thirtieth anniversary, the American Anti-Slavery Society held a convention in Philadelphia’s Concert Hall. William Lloyd Garrison presided, and Lucretia Mott was a featured speaker. Abolitionist luminaries such as Owen Lovejoy and Charles Sumner sent letters attacking slavery and discussing impending Congressional action on abolition. Frederick Douglass was a keynote speaker in the evening session on Friday, December 4. “City Affairs,” North American and United States Gazette (Philadelphia), December 4, 1863; “The Abolition Convention. Meeting Of A Mutual Admiration Club. Semi-Feminine Men And Strong-Minded Women,” The Daily Age (Philadelphia), December 4, 1863.

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