North Star Fair in New York.

New York, Feb. 23, 1850.

Dear Sir: The ladies of New York, anxious for the Emancipation of their oppressed race, and being well assured that an organ through which to make known their grievances and plead for their redress is necessary; feeling convinced that the "North Star" from the very able manner in which it is conducted, and its wide circulation, is one of the most efficient instrumentalities for the accomplishment of that end, purpose emulating the noble example of their sisters in Philadelphia, by holding a Fair for the benefit of said paper, during the anniversary week in May next, and have formed an Association for the futherance of that object.

You would confer favor on the ladies by making known their intention through the columns of your valuable paper, by soliciting for them the aid of all who are friendly to their object, and by receiving for, and forwarding to them all contributions which may be obtained from your section of country.

Very respectfully yours,

Fanny TompkinsTompkins, Fanny

Fanny Tompkins (c. 1810–71) was an African American teacher and abolitionist in New York City in the mid-nineteenth century. As early as 1833, Tompkins was an assistant teacher at African School No. Four in New York City. In 1841, she took charge of the African American seminary on Canal Street, teaching a variety of subjects and teaching morals. This school, however, did not last long. Tompkins continued to work in various schools in the city, earning an exemplary reputation as a devoted and determined educator. Along with several other women, she established the North Star Fair Association in New York City in the early 1850s. 1860 U. S. Census, 2nd District 8th Ward, New York, New York; “Fannie Tompkins,” New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795–1949, Familysearch.com; Kabria Baumgartner, In Pursuit of Knowledge: Black Women and Educational Activism in Antebellum America (New York: New York University Press, 2019), 79, 83–84, 97–98. , Sec'y.