African Benevolent Society Minutes

Fragmented Transcript

"At a general meeting of the Africans of Newport, Rhode Island holden at Newport[,] December 21st, 1807, enquiry was made and conversation was holden upon the expediency of attempting to establish for the benefit of the Africans A Charity School..."

"Whereas the Sovereign Lord of the universe who hath of one blood made all nations to dwell on all the face of the earth..."

"We would humbly bow before him and adore his mysterious justice at the same time sensible of the great defects of school instruction among us and of the numerous benefits which would result from securing the education of our children and friends after us..."

"We form ourselves into a society to be called The African Benevolent Society..."

Fragmented Transcript

"And that our object shall be the establishment and continuance of a free school for any person of colour of this town..."

"Any person of colour whether male or female may become a member of this society by subscribing to the constitution and my paying fifty cents yearly..."

"The President shall act as moderator in the meetings of the Society and in his absence the Vice President shall act in his place..."

"The Secretary shall record in a book kept for that purpose all the acts and doings of the society..."