Friendly Moralist Society Records


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Friendly Moralist Society Records, 1841-1856

Avery Manuscript Number 1009
Biographical Note: The Friendly Moralist Society was a benevolent society for free “brown” (mulatto or mixed race) men established in Charleston SC, 1838. The group served the community by providing burial aid, purchasing plots and assisting during funerals, for those in need. The organization also worked to provide charitable assistance to needy widows and orphans of deceased members. Each member was entitled to certain rights of membership, namely financial assistance in times of illness or financial strain. Among the group’s most prominent members were men from the Holloway (Edward, Richard, Charles, and Samuel), Sasportas, and Wilkinson families.

Scope and Content: 1 vol. (1841-1856)

Description: The records of the Friendly Moralist Society contain one laminated rebound volume of minutes highlighting the Society’s mostly monthly meetings from 1841 to 1856. The volume is divided into two sections: “Absentees Book” (1842-1849) and “Proceedings Book” (1841-1856). “Absentees” details member attendance from May 9, 1842 to February 12, 1849. Many of the entries are annotated frequently in pencil, providing explanations for member absences. Notations are also made of those members fined for non-attendance, along with quotes on amounts levied. The “Proceedings” section consists of minutes taken at the group’s organizational meetings from August 9, 1841 to November 1856. The meetings consist of opening prayer, collection of dues and arrears, followed by new business. Among the important events documented are the group’s Annual Day meetings in June, with copies of two annual meeting speeches (for 1848 and 1853) copied in, elections of new members and officers, as well as resolutions approved to dedicate memorial pages to several deceased members (C.Henry Wood, Henry F. Moon, and Edward Cotton). The minutes also highlight the financial affairs of the Society, namely its investment of member funds into local businesses and the eventual financial pains stemming from the departure of several members including the board of trustees (Feb.-Mar. 1849). The records also provide insight into conflict between free black and “brown” (mulatto) individuals in this period. There are several incidents of exclusion of prospective members due to their being black rather than “brown”. (May 1844, Oct 1848). One member’s definition of “brown” is also provided (Oct 1848). The annual meeting speech for 1848 addresses the issues of being colored versus being black or white; and the speech for 1853 gives a history of the Society.


Inventory

I.	Organizational Papers	Box 1/ Folder 1

1	The Friendly Moralist Society Minute book consists of two sections: "Absentees Book" (1842-1849) and "Proceedings" documenting monthly and other meetings, 1841-1856. The "Absentees" sections notes member attendance and reasons for missing meetings, such as "sick", "out of town", etc. It also documents amount fined members for being absent. "Proceedings", recorded by the elected secretaries, detail the mostly monthly meetings; highlights include Annual Day festivities, induction of new members, and meetings; highlights include Annual Day festivities, induction of new members, and Henry Wood (1844), and Edward Cotton (1846), are also noted. Minutes reveal the working of the Society and its role in providing burial aid and financial support to widows and orphans. Also explored is the intra-racial strife between free blacks and those of mixed parentage ("browns"); minutes from May 1844 and October 1848 show the exclusion of free blacks from membership. In addition, the minutes chronicle the financial affairs of the group, with many references to the Society's investment practices and financial troubles in the late 1840s. Of note are two June annual meeting addresses (1848 & 1853), the former discussing the status of mulattos caught between black slave and white populations, and the need for education and banding together for the benefit of all of their class; and the latter giving a history of the society and the various schisms.