Begin Again Slavery anti-Slavery


Will of Charles Frost, 1724

Will of Charles Frost, 1724
Item 9270   info
Maine Historical Society

Last will and testament of Charles Frost, 1678-1724 laying out the properties around the towns of Kittery and Berwick. This will also transfers ownership of four "negro men" (slaves) to Charles Frost's children. The slaves' names are Hector, Peince, Pompey, and Cesar.

Creation of the Abyssinian Congregational Church, Portland, 1835

Creation of the Abyssinian Congregational Church, Portland, 1835
Item 9245   info
Maine Historical Society

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."

"The Meeting House 2; All Present" by Daniel Minter, Portland, 2020

"The Meeting House 2; All Present" by Daniel Minter, Portland, 2020
Item 108716   info
Maine Historical Society

Artist Daniel Minter has helped highlight African American history, the Underground Railroad, and the abolitionist movement in New England, particularly through images of the Abyssinian Meeting House in Portland, since his move to Maine in the early 2000s.

This artist print relief print titled "The Meeting House 2; All Present" shows the Abyssinian Meeting House full of life, along with items like shells, combs, and brooms relating to the history of Black communities in Maine. 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. The Meeting House, located at the corner of Mountfort and Newbury streets, was a stop on the Underground Railroad and operated until 1916.

The Abyssinian Meeting House, as of 2021, is undergoing an extensive renovation to preserve the original character and intention of the building.

"The Meeting House" by Daniel Minter, 2020

"The Meeting House" by Daniel Minter, 2020
Item 108737   info
Maine Historical Society

Artist Daniel Minter highlights African American history, the Underground Railroad, and the abolitionist movement in New England, particularly through images of the Abyssinian Meeting House in Portland, since his move to Maine in the early 2000s.

This artist print relief print titled "The Meeting House" shows the Abyssinian Meeting House much as it appears in 2021, undergoing an extensive renovation to preserve the original character and intention of the building.

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. The Meeting House, located at the corner of Mountfort and Newbury streets, was a stop on the Underground Railroad and operated until 1916.

Maine Anti-Slavery Society report, 1836

Maine Anti-Slavery Society report, 1836
Item 7346   info
Maine Historical Society

Although owning enslaved people was outlawed in Maine in 1783, broader American slavery faced little opposition in Maine until the formation of the Anti-Slavery Society in 1833. The Anti-Slavery Society's Portland group was integrated with Black and White members and included both men and women, unusual for the time period.

The Anti-Slavery Society believed slavery was a crime against humanity and a sin against God. Their moral position on abolition alienated those whose livelihoods hinged on the Atlantic slave trade, including merchants, shipping, distilleries, and mills.

In this letter, Samuel Fessenden and David Thurston recounted Portland mayor Levi Cutter's response to the Anti-Slavery Society's request for police protection during an upcoming meeting. The Mayor was willing to help, but felt police presence would, "only increase the evil, & that it was his settled belief that we could not be protected."

Letter from Ambrose Crane about stolen slave, 1835

Letter from Ambrose Crane about stolen slave, 1835
Item 7345   info
Maine Historical Society

Ambrose Crane of St. Marks, Florida, wrote this letter in November 1835 to "Deacon Dowle" (Ebeneezer Dole of Hallowell) accusing him of stealing his wife's property—a young Black girl:
On a visit to Hallowell, her servant, a Negro girl who she took with her to take care of her children was stolen— Since her return she states that in searching for the girl, you acknowledged to some of her friends, your participation in the theft—

Crane threatened Dole and demanded return of the girl or suffer degradation and financial ruin,
Now Sir I have only one word to say (at present) on the subject that is, to return my property to me without delay or expense, or I pledge you my word it shall cost you 3 times the value of the girl, besides I will advertise you & your compatriots in this nefarious transaction in every state in the union & offer such a reward as will probably give me the pleasure of seeing you here when I could get more for exhibiting you a month than you have made all your lifetime—

Dole was a founding member of the Maine Anti-Slavery Society in 1833, and a supporter of abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. Before the Underground Railroad, some who supported abolition worked to free enslaved people travelling in the North, by assisting their escape when in places like Maine.

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