The Friendly Moralist Society was a benevolent society for free brown (mulatto or mixed race) men established in Charleston, S.C. in 1838. The group provided burial aid and purchased plots for those in need and provided charitable assistance to widows and orphans of deceased members. This Proceedings section consists of minutes taken at organizational meetings from 1841 to 1856. These minutes offer insight into the conflict between free black and brown individuals at this time. Monthly minutes of May 1844 and Oct. 1848, for instance, detail the exclusion of prospective members for being black rather than brown and the Annual Day speech of 1848 addresses the issues of being colored versus black or white. This conflict and frequent issues with finances resulted in several schisms and mass resignations in the society and is mentioned in a brief history of the society in the Annual Day address of 1853. 398p.
An account of the Hardscrabble plantation that details concerns over frost threatening the crops of the plantation and the capture of runaway enslaved people.
An account of the Hardscrabble plantation that describes a scene of frost threatening the crops of the plantation and the capture of runaway enslaved people.
This "Absentees Book" of the Friendly Moralist Society details member attendance from 1842 to 1849. Many of the entries are annotated frequently in pencil, providing explanation for member absences such as "sick", "out of town", or "not summoned", etc. It also notes fines levied for unexcused absences per society rules. 38p.
Note to William Craft requesting his company at a meeting on the 30th of June, 1859. Signiture of Sender unknown. Location of meeting not stated. 7in.x 4.5in.
Copy of the Act of Procuration of Mrs. Stilwell to her attorney, Hudson English regarding the death of her husband. Stilwell grants English full power of attorney over the entire estate of her deceased husband.
The estate of William A. Barton consists of eight entries including the hiring out of two enslaved people and a value estimation of the enslaved people.
