Preamble and Articles of Association for the Free African Society

This transcribed copy of the "Preamble and Articles of Association" appeared in Reverend William Douglass's 1862 publication of "Annals of the first African Church, in the United States of America, now styled the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia..." The book is digitized on the Internet Archive.

Public Domain

Title: Preamble and Articles of Association for the Free African Society
Date: 1787
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Object Information: Paper document
Repository: Douglass, William. Annals of the first African Church, in the United States... Philadelphia: King & Baird, 1862. Wellesley College Library, Elbert Collection via Internet Archives. https://archive.org/details/annalsoffirstafr00doug/page/14/mode/2up (accessed April 10, 2024).

Description:
In April 1787 Richard Allen and Absalom Jones formed the Free African Society, a mutual aid organization to service the Black American community of Philadelphia—they received little help from other sources. It was established to help care for the sick and infirmed, provide financial assistance for the families of the deceased, and find apprenticeships for children. The society supported the moral and family life of the community, and by 1791, became an independent nondenominational church to the community. Absalom Jones formed the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in 1793, and the Friendly Society of St. Thomas Church soon took over the role of the Free African Society. Richard Allen continued to minister to the community through his formation of (Mother) Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1794. Read more about the free Black community in Philadelphia.

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TRANSCRIPT

PREAMBLE OF THE FREE AFRICAN SOCIETY
"Philadelphia"
"(12th, 4th mo., 1778]* -- Whereas, Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, two men of the African race, who, for their religious life and conversation have obtained a good report among men, these persons, from a love to the people of their complexion whom they beheld with sorrow, because of their irreligious and uncivilized state, often communed together upon this painful and important subject in order to form some kind of religious society, but there being too few to be found under the like concern, and those who were, differed in their religious sentiments; with these circumstances they labored for some time, till it was proposed, after a serious communication of sentiments, that a society should be formed, without regard to religious tenets, provided, the persons lived an orderly and sober life, in order to support one another in sickness, and for the benefit of their widows and fatherless children."

ARTICLES.
"[17th, 5th mo., 1787] -- We, the free Africans and their descendants, of the City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, or elsewhere, do unanimously agree, for the benefit of each other, to advance one shilling in silver Pennsylvania currency a month; and after one year's subscription from the date hereof, then to hand forth to the needy of this Society, if any should require, the sum of three shillings and nine pence per week of the said money: provided, this necessity is not brought on them by their own imprudence.

And it is further agreed, that no drunkard nor disorderly person be admitted as a member, and if any should prove disorderly after having been received, the said disorderly person shall be disjointed from us if there is not nit amendment, by being informed by two of the members, without having any of his subscription money returned.

And if any should neglect paying his monthly subscription for three months, and after having been informed of the same by two of the members, and no sufficient reason appearing for such neglect, if he do not pay the whole the next ensuing meeting, he shall be disjointed from us, by being informed by two of the members its an offender, without hiving any of his subscription money returned.

Also, if any person neglect meeting every month, for every omission he shall pay three pence, except in case or sickness or any other complaint that should require the assistance of the Society, then, and in such a case, he shall be exempt from the fines and subscription during the said sickness.

Also, we apprehend it to be just and reasonable, that the surviving widow of a deceased member should enjoy the benefit of this Society so long as she remains his widow, complying with the, rules thereof, excepting the subscriptions.

And we apprehend it to be necessary, that the children of our deceased members be under the care of the Society, so far as to pay for the education of their children, if they cannot attend the free school; also to put them out apprentices to suitable trades or places, if required.

Also, that no member shall convene the Society together; but, it shall be the sole business of the committee, and that only on special occasions, and to dispose of the money in hand to the best advantage, for the use of the Society, after they are granted the liberty at a monthly meeting, and to transact all other business whatsoever, except that of Clerk and Treasurer.

And we unanimously agree to choose Joseph Clarke to be our Clerk and Treasurer; and whenever another should succeed him, it is always understood, that one of the people called Quakers, belonging to one of tile three monthly meetings in Philadelphia, is to be chosen to act as Clerk and 'Treasurer of this useful Institution.

The following persons met, viz., Absalom Jones, Richard Allen, Samuel Baston, Joseph Johnson, Cato Freeman, Caesar Cranchell, and James Potter, also William White, whose early assistance and useful remarks we found truly profitable. This evening the articles were read, and after some beneficial remarks were made, they were agreed unto."

*NOTE: The correct date is 1787.

Annals of the First African Church in the United States of America Now Styled the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Philadelphia..., by the Rev. Wm. Douglass, Philadelphia: King & Baird Printers, 1862