No. 1326 Arch St.

Phila. June 7, 1874

Dear Frederick Douglass,

Need I say how glad
I am, to write you a
word of thanks, for
your exceedingly kind
offer made to Mr. PurvisPurvis, Robert

Robert Purvis (1810-98) was a prominent leader of antebellum Philadelphia's black community and one of the most influential African Americans in the Garrisonian wing of the abolitionist movement. He was the son of Harriet Juda, a free black woman, and William Purvis, a white cotton broker of Charleston, South Carolina. In 1819 Robert moved north with his family to be educated. Upon his father's death in the mid-1820s, Purvis inherited a substantial fortune, which he used to support a wide array of benevolent causes, including temperance, women's rights, penal reform, and integrated education. He helped launch the Liberator in 1831, became a charter member of the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833, and served as both president and vice president of the Pennsylvania Anti- Slavery Society. From the 1830s onward, he actively assisted fugitives to escape slavery. Still, Underground Rail Road, 711; Quarles, Black Abolitionists, 24-25, 55-56; Joseph A. Borome, "Robert Purvis and His Early Challenge to American Racism," NHB, 30:8-10 (May 1967); Pauline C. Johnson, "Robert Purvis," NHB, 5:65-66 (December 1941); NCAB, 1:413.
for me.

I am half inclined
to be sorry that something

from Mr. Mr. Turner's house had already been secured, since I should have had added pleasure in associating you with the possession.

I wonder if your friendly generosity will stand towards me, by proxy?—Mr. PurvisPurvis, Robert

Robert Purvis (1810-98) was a prominent leader of antebellum Philadelphia's black community and one of the most influential African Americans in the Garrisonian wing of the abolitionist movement. He was the son of Harriet Juda, a free black woman, and William Purvis, a white cotton broker of Charleston, South Carolina. In 1819 Robert moved north with his family to be educated. Upon his father's death in the mid-1820s, Purvis inherited a substantial fortune, which he used to support a wide array of benevolent causes, including temperance, women's rights, penal reform, and integrated education. He helped launch the Liberator in 1831, became a charter member of the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833, and served as both president and vice president of the Pennsylvania Anti- Slavery Society. From the 1830s onward, he actively assisted fugitives to escape slavery. Still, Underground Rail Road, 711; Quarles, Black Abolitionists, 24-25, 55-56; Joseph A. Borome, "Robert Purvis and His Early Challenge to American Racism," NHB, 30:8-10 (May 1967); Pauline C. Johnson, "Robert Purvis," NHB, 5:65-66 (December 1941); NCAB, 1:413. in his zeal in my behalf, did quite ignore himself, & tho' he went to Washington for the express purpose of securing something from this precious collection, has returned empty handed.

If you were willing to let me have one of your acquisitions will you grant me the favor of an interest in it, & the transferring of that

interest to my friends?

In other words, if you will part with chair or table to Mr. Purvis I shall be as heartily your debtor as tho' it were spared to myself.

I hope that you are well, & happy—& that the sun shines on you—(tho' you never do come to see me any more)—& am always

Sincerely your friend

Anna E. Dickinson.