April 14, 1775 – The Society For The Relief Of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held In Bondage Established
1850 Illustration of Anthony Benezet Teaching African American children
The first American abolition society (The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held In Bondage) was established on April 14, 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Quakers were the majority of the 24 men led by Anthony Benezet who originally founded the organization Thomas Paine also was one of the founders; the organization was eventually led by Benjamin Franklin.