Purvis's Involvement with Abolition 

Robert and Harriet Purvis were leading abolitionists during the nineteenth century.  Harriet was a founder Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society and the Colored Free Produce Association, an organization the boycotted good produced by enslaved people. Additionally, she was a member of the Anti-Slavery Women, Free Produce Society, Pennsylvania State Equal Rights League and American Equal Rights Association, and the National Woman Suffrage Association.

Robert served as an officer of the American Anti-Slavery Society and the president of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. In 1837, he founded the Vigilant Association of Philadelphia (Harriet founded the Female Vigilant Association), and its secret branch, Vigilant Committee of Philadelphia. While the Vigilant Association promoted abolitionist ideals and raised money for the cause, the Committee directly assisted escaped slaves reach freedom, it is considered the start of the underground railroad. 

Racial tensions in Philadelphia exploded into race riots in the late 1830’s.  The Purvis’s were regular targets of these.  One of the most famous riots, the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, was blamed by the pro-slavery crowd on the fact that a mixed race couple had attending the lecture.  The couple was actually the Purvis’s; Robert was very light-skinned and Harriet was not.  At least twice the mobs went directly to the Purvis residence, threatening to burn it down with occupants inside.  After this happened two nights in a role in 1842, Robert took his family and moved to the country for safety. 

destruction by fire of pennsyl

Destruction by Fire of Pennsylvania Hall, May 17, 1838
Illustration by J. C. Wild, Courtesy Library of Congress (2014645336)
 

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Planning your Visit

 

New to Meeting for Worship? 


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If you've never attended a Meeting for Worship, we hope you will come worship with us -- give it a try.   

Many have found help in viewing the "introductory" videos (below) to answer questions that might arise in expectation of a Quaker Meeting for Worship.   



Most Quaker meetings, at least in this part of country, are so-called "unprogrammed" meetings.
This means that our meetings for worship are not led by a minister, but are largely conducted in silence.  Typically, a Clerk or other Member of the Meeting will close worship with a simple "Good morning friends" but otherwise the meeting may be completely silent. 

Members and attenders are always invited to speak out of the silence with a message about their spiritual journey, although messages are not responded to directly .

ripples

A message has been described as a pebble tossed into a pond.  The resulting ripples are received by others in the meeting and may contribute to their own spiritual journeys. 



Videos for Newcomers


 

Glossary of Common Terms
https://youtu.be/QnmvTa8HPpg quaker-glossary-terms-FB3
9 Core Quaker Beliefs    https://youtu.be/3H08cyXVYDw 9-core-quaker-beliefs-TITLE
The Difference Between Quaker Meeting and other Services     https://youtu.be/sfK3z481jvE difference-between-quaker-meet
What Attracts Newcomers to Quakerism     https://youtu.be/eQeWrvhRIVI what-attracts-newcomers-quaker
What Do Quakers Believe     https://youtu.be/YyTP512bEQk what-do-quakers-believe-FB3
Leaving Quakerism Better Than We Found It    https://youtu.be/5azFBqyEthQ leaving-quakerism-better-FB3





 

Hubb Manager, 10/15/2019