ANTHONY
BENEZET. Document Signed, no place, June 1778. 1 page, 3½"
x 6".
One of the first American abolitionists, Anthony Benezet was a French-born
reformer and educator who spent most of his youth in London, where he
joined the Society of Friends. In 1731, at the age of 18, Benezet settled
in Pennsylvania, and after teaching in several Quaker schools, he established
the first secondary school for girls in the colony and later, a school
for African Americans.
In the 1750s, with fellow Quaker John Woolman, Benezet launched a tireless
campaign to end slavery that eventually won the passage of a gradual
abolition law in Pennsylvania in 1780. Recognized "as the most
prolific antislavery propagandist of the eighteenth century" (American
National Biography), Benezet wrote tracts opposing slavery and
the slave trade that proved even more influential in Europe than they
were in America in building abolitionist sentiment. Throughout his life,
Benezet supported an array of other reforms including pacifism, temperance,
fair treatment of Native Americans, and poor relief.
This document is a receipt, signed in full by Benezet ("Anthony
Benezet"), acknowledging the payment by Jeremiah Warder of
money owed by the estate of Richard Parker.
The document is written on a page taken from a receipt book kept by
Warder. The top of the page with other receipts has been cut away, but
the receipt signed by Benezet is complete, and is in very good condition.
Benezet’s autograph is scarce. $500.00
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