Jane and William Pease papers

The collection consists of research material created and collected by the Peases for numerous projects, such as Bound With Them in Chains, 1972 and They Who Would be Free, 1974. The materials document slaves and free blacks in Charleston, South Carolina, national abolition societies, disunion addresses and pamphlets and writings from figures prominent in the abolition movement, including a memoir and other materials regarding abolitionist Samuel J. May, materials by and about Joshua R. Giddings, an antislavery congressman, and abolitionist Stephen S. Foster. The collection contains cards abstracting information on Charleston slaves and free blacks, and abolitionists and their societies; with many bibliographic entries on these and other subjects as well. The collection also contains a statistical database of Charleston free people of color (circa 1830-1840), with a code partially explaining the database and what various columns report. The microfilm reels include information regarding abolition societies and their activities (circa 1820s-1860s), newspapers (circa 1826-1868), correspondence of abolitionist figures, and various records from government and private sources regarding black labor and education during the Civil War, especially in the Port Royal region of South Carolina. Of note is the minute book of Vigilant Committee of Philadelphia (1839-1844), arm of the Vigilant Association that provided aid for runaway slaves. Also worthy of mention is the William F. Allen diary (1863-1865); Allen, a southern agent for the Freedmen's Aid Commission, describes his trip from New York to Port Royal, commenting on freedmen, the Union Army, and the War. Also includes is the partial papers of William F. King (circa 1830s-1850s) an abolitionist minister and founder of Elgin Society and settlement in Canada, for free blacks and slaves.