Promoting the Abolition of Slavery
On April 21, 1790, nearly 20,000 African and white Philadelphians lined the streets to view the funeral procession of Benjamin Franklin. Once a slave owner, Franklin was president of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society at the end of his life and sent a biting parody attacking slavery to the press as his last words on the subject.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Government & Politics • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is April 21, 1790.
Location. 39° 57.032′ N, 75° 9′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. It is at the intersection of Market Street and South Independence Mall West (6th Street), on the right when traveling east on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Death Carts (here, next to this marker); Refuge in the country (here, next to this marker); A Day of Reciprocity (here, next to this marker); The opener of the Way (here, next to this marker); "Burn this treaty to Hell!" (here, next to this marker); "We shall come to a civil war" (here, next to this marker); "An Act respecting fugitives from Justice" (here, next to this marker); Suppressing the Opposition (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Executive Branch (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); "I am free now" (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The marker is highly reflective and difficult to photograph straight on.
Also see . . .
1. Benjamin Franklin Petitions Congress [for the Abolition of Slavery].
2. Citizen Ben: Abolitionist (PBS). (Submitted on March 24, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. (Submitted on March 24, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
