Middletown transcript., 1897-07-03
SLAVERY IN PENNSYLVANIA.
A QUARTET OF EARLY ADVOCATES FOR THE
ABOLITION OF sLAyERY-sANDIFoRD,

ABOLITION OF sLAyERY-sANDIFoRD,
| LAY, BEEEzET, WooLMAN.
Ralph Sandiford came to Philadelphia ii
his youth, having been born in England, il
1893. Engaging in some commercial bust
ness, his transactions were SO diversified
that it became necessary for him to visit
some of the other provinces as well as tht
West Indies. He found that slaves re-
ceiyed no kinder treatment abroad than
at home. Indeed he found the lot of the
slave in the islands most wretched. Moved
to compassion for these unfortunate beings
he declared "that the holding of negroes in
slavery is inconsistent with the rights Of
man, and contrary to the precepts of the
Author of Christianity" and with this be-
lief he began one of the noblest reforma-
tions ever undertaken by man.
He wrote book entitled, "The Mystery
of Iniquity. in brief Examination of the
Practice of the Times" which DR.. Frank
lin published. The "chief justice of the
province" threatened the author with 'tse-
we're penalties" should he allow the book
to be circulated Sandiford, however,
paid little he ed to this threat, as he
distributed copies of his work gratuitously.
But his actions created a hostile feeling
against him. and he found it advisable to
leave the city, and reside in the country.
At the early age of forty, this much
abused, but upright and honest man" died.
He may be considered the patriarch for the
abolition of slavery in the province of
Pennsylvania. Benjamin Lay was fifty
four years old when be arrived in Philadel-
phia, after residence of thirteen years in
Barbados. He was born in England in
1877. While residing in Barbados, be wit
messed the intense cruelty of slavery. His
kind feeling led him to do all in his power TO
alleviate the sufferings of these unfortunate
wretches They appreciated his Kindness.
and on Sundays they assembled around
his house in the town, to the number Of
many hundreds" on which occasion, he
gave them suitable advice" and furnished
them gratuitously simple and wholesome
food" This conduct, on his part, was very
displeasing to the slave holders. Lay, OBJ
serving their unfriendly and, even bitter
feelings, came to Philadelphia, where he
continued to cry against the practice of
slave holding.
This excentric, hunch-backed man, with
very thin, i'll shaped legs, on one occasion.
stationed himself at the gate wayAleadine
70 meeting house, having his right foot
and leg entirely uncoYerd. There was a |
deep snow on the ground, and as the peo-
pie passed into the meeting, some remon-
'trated with the half witted old man to
have care for his health" Ahl said Lay,n
you pretend compassion for me, but you
10 not feel for the poor slaves in your fields
who go all winter half clad. His violent
lenunciations of slavery and homely il
ustrations made him q host of enemies.
Ind in order to avoid any unpleasantness,
ne left the city, and built kind of "due
nut" or cave in the country, where he was
Tisited by Governor Richard Penn, DR..
Franklin, his publisher, and other men of
In this unpretentious home,
le thought and wrote. salIying forth at
very opportunity to denounce slavery.
Not long before his death, Lay was in
ormed by friend that the Quakers had
ome to the determination to disown all
nembers who could not be persuaded to
esist from the practice Of holding slaves
his was happy news to the sspoor commonl
ailor and iIliterase man = as he called him
If, who exclaimed. Il can now die IN
eace."
Authony Benezet was Frenchman BY
ir'h, having been born II France u l7ls:s