Society Hill in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Free African Society

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, March 30, 3008

1. Free African Society

Inscription. Established in 1787 under the leadership of Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, this organization fostered identity, leadership, and unity among Blacks and became the forerunner of the first African-American churches in this city.

Erected 1991 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1787.

Location. 39° 56.588′ N, 75° 9.114′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Society Hill. Marker is on South 6th Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in the parking area at the southwest corner of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, north of Lombard Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 South 6th Street, Philadelphia PA 19147, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Tribute to the Emanuel Nine (here, next to this marker); The Richard Allen Statue and Memorial Courtyard (here, next to this marker); Richard Allen

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(here, next to this marker); Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church (a few steps from this marker); The Philadelphia Tribune (a few steps from this marker); Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (a few steps from this marker); Lombard Street Riot (within shouting distance of this marker); Mother Bethel (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other markers related to Absalom Jones

Also see . . .
1. Absalom Jones at findagrave.com. (Submitted on April 8, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Free African Society. (Submitted on April 8, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
3. Free African Society - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1.
PREAMBLE OF THE FREE AFRICAN SOCIETY

"Philadelphia" [12th, 4th mo., 1778] --

Whereas, Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, two men of the African

Free African Society Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Charles Martienssen, June 27, 2015

2. Free African Society Marker

race, who, for their religious life and conversation have obtained a good report among men, these persons, from a love to the people of their complexion whom they beheld with sorrow, because of their irreligious and uncivilized state, often communed together upon this painful and important subject in order to form some kind of religious society, but there being too few to be found under the like concern, and those who were, differed in their religious sentiments; with these circumstances they labored for some time, till it was proposed, after a serious communication of sentiments, that a society should be formed, without regard to religious tenets, provided, the persons lived an orderly and sober life, in order to support one another in sickness, and for the benefit of their widows and fatherless children."

ARTICLES.

"[17th, 5th mo., 1787] -- We, the free Africans and their descendants, of the City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, or elsewhere, do unanimously agree, for the benefit of each other, to advance one shilling in silver Pennsylvania currency a month; and after one year's subscription from the date hereof, then to hand forth to the needy of this Society, if any should require, the sum of three shillings and nine pence per week of the said money: provided, this necessity is not brought on them by their own imprudence.

And it is further

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agreed, that no drunkard nor disorderly person be admitted as a member, and if any should prove disorderly after having been received, the said disorderly person shall be disjointed from us if there is not nit amendment, by being informed by two of the members, without having any of his subscription money returned.

And if any should neglect paying his monthly subscription for three months, and after having been informed of the same by two of the members, and no sufficient reason appearing for such neglect, if he do not pay the whole the next ensuing meeting, he shall be disjointed from us, by being informed by two of the members its an offender, without hiving any of his subscription money returned.

Also, if any person neglect meeting every month, for every omission he shall pay three pence, except in case or sickness or any other complaint that should require the assistance of the Society, then, and in such a case, he shall be exempt from the fines and subscription during the said sickness.

Also, we apprehend it to be just and reasonable, that the surviving widow of a deceased member should enjoy the benefit of this Society so long as she remains his widow, complying with the, rules thereof, excepting the subscriptions.

And we apprehend it to be necessary, that the children of our deceased members be under the care of the Society, so far as to pay for the education of their children, if they cannot attend the free school; also to put them out apprentices to suitable trades or places, if required.

Also, that no member shall convene the Society together; but, it shall be the sole business of the committee, and that only on special occasions, and to dispose of the money in hand to the best advantage, for the use of the Society, after they are granted the liberty at a monthly meeting, and to transact all other business whatsoever, except that of Clerk and Treasurer.

And we unanimously agree to choose Joseph Clarke to be our Clerk and Treasurer; and whenever another should succeed him, it is always understood, that one of the people called Quakers, belonging to one of tile three monthly meetings in Philadelphia, is to be chosen to act as Clerk and 'Treasurer of this useful Institution.

The following persons met, viz., Absalom Jones, Richard Allen, Samuel Baston, Joseph Johnson, Cato Freeman, Caesar Cranchell, and James Potter, also William White, whose early assistance and useful remarks we found truly profitable. This evening the articles were read, and after some beneficial remarks were made, they were agreed unto."

Annals of the First African Church in the United States of America Now Styled the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Philadelphia..., by the Rev. Wm. Douglass, Philadelphia: King & Baird Printers, 1862

[Extracted from <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3h465t.html>, PBS' "Africans in America."]

— Submitted April 8, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.

Additional keywords. The African Church of St. Thomas; Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church; Black Methodism.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 6,054 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on December 28, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on April 8, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2. submitted on August 16, 2015, by Carolyn Martienssen of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.