Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
The Abyssinian Religious Society was formed after African American parishioners of the Second Congregational Church in Portland refused to be segregated on balcony seating, and experienced animosity by White members who discouraged their attendance.
Grievances were published in an 1826 letter to the Eastern Argus by six cosigners: Christopher Christian Manuel, Reuben Ruby, Caleb Jonson, Clement Thomson, Job L. Wentworth, and John Siggs. In 1828 they joined 22 Black residents who petitioned the state Legislature for authority to incorporate the Abyssinian Religious Society.
The articles of creation were recorded in the Meeting House records on July 27, 1835 "for the purpose of organizing a Church among the people of Coulour of this City."
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Creation of the Abyssinian Congregational Church, Portland, 1835
- Creator: Second Church in Portland, Maine
- Creation Date: 1835-07-27
- Subject Date: 1835-07-27
- Location: Portland, Cumberland County, ME
- Media: Ink on paper
- Local Code: Coll. 723, vol. 1
- Collection: Abyssinian Congregational Church and Society records
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Abyssinian Congregational Church (Portland, Me.)
- Churches--Maine--Portland
- Congregational churches--Maine--Portland
- Manuscripts
- Second Church (Portland, Me.)--Records
People
- Ball, Eunice
- Bradley,
- Clark, Mary
- Dickson, Victory Elira
- Hammot, William
- Johnson, Mary Mur
- Johnson, Mary Mur
- Johnson, Rebeca
- Lord, William
- Marten, Phebe
- Murry,
- Niles, Abraham W.
- Niles, Abraham W.
- Niles, Harriet L.
- Panet, Louisa Stevenson
- Pear, Elizabeth
- Phillips, Charlotte Hammot
- Reuben, Margaret Driver
- Richardson, Lucy
- Samuel, Margret
- Samuel, Margret
- Skilling, Ruby Doreus
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
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