Plaque marking site of 1688 protest against slavery, erected by Site and Relic Society
Entry/Object ID
2001.002.00112
Description
Urban Archives Exhibit Ex38
Label: This marker stood at the location where, in 1688 four Germantown residents drew up the first written protest in North America against slavery. A marker erected at Freedom Square in 1988 currently commemorates the event. Signed by four of Germantown's residents, the document was presented to the Friends meeting. The writers empathize with the plight of enslaved people. The protest begins, "These are the reasons why we are against the traffick of men... Is there any that would be done or handles at this manner? Viz., to be sold or made a slave for all the time of his life?" (16)
