Isaac Hopper
Encyclopedia
Isaac Tatem Hopper was an American abolitionist
who is known as the father of the underground railroad
.
). When he was young, Philadelphia was infested by slave kidnappers. The Pennsylvania Abolition Society, of which Hopper became an active and leading member, was frequently called upon to protect the rights of African-Americans, and in time he became known to everyone in Philadelphia as the friend and adviser of the oppressed race in all emergencies.
Hopper was also an overseer of the Benezet
school for African-American children, and a volunteer teacher in a free school for African-American adults.
He was one of the founders and the secretary of a society for the employment of the poor; volunteer prison inspector; member of a fire company, and guardian of abused apprentices. When pestilence was raging he was devoted to the sick, and the poor called on him to plead with importunate landlords and creditors. He would sometimes exert his influence over the insane, for which he had a peculiar tact. Although he was a poor man with a large family, his house was for many years a home for impoverished Quakers, and he transacted much business for the Society of Friends.
In 1829 he went to New York to run a bookstore established by the Hicksite Quakers. In the autumn of 1830, being called to Ireland on business connected with his wife’s estate, he visited England. In both countries he was at first treated somewhat cavalierly by the orthodox Quakers, and was pointed out as the one “who has given Friends so much trouble in America.” His candor and amiability soon removed these unfavorable impressions, and he had no occasion ultimately to complain of his reception. In the spring of 1841, the demand for Hicksite books having greatly diminished, Hopper became treasurer and book agent for the Anti-slavery society
.
The aged philanthropist frequently visited Albany, New York, to represent the association and to address the legislature. Judge Edmonds says of one of these occasions: “His eloquence was simple and direct, but most effective. If he was humorous, his audience were full of laughter; if solemn, a death-like stillness reigned; if pathetic, tears flowed all around him.” He often pled for the pardon of prisoners, and Governor John Young
, of New York, once told him: “Friend Hopper, I will pardon any convict whom you say you conscientiously believe I ought to pardon.”
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
who is known as the father of the underground railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
.
Contributions to African-Americans
Isaac T. Hopper was a Hicksite Quaker (a follower of Elias HicksElias Hicks
Elias Hicks was an itinerant Quaker preacher from Long Island, New York. He promoted doctrines that embroiled him in controversy that led to the first major schism within the Religious Society of Friends...
). When he was young, Philadelphia was infested by slave kidnappers. The Pennsylvania Abolition Society, of which Hopper became an active and leading member, was frequently called upon to protect the rights of African-Americans, and in time he became known to everyone in Philadelphia as the friend and adviser of the oppressed race in all emergencies.
Hopper was also an overseer of the Benezet
Anthony Benezet
Anthony Benezet, or Antoine Bénézet , was a French-born American educator and abolitionist.-Biography:Anthony Benezet was born in Saint-Quentin, France, on 31 January 1713. His family were Huguenots. Because of the persecution of Protestants after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685,...
school for African-American children, and a volunteer teacher in a free school for African-American adults.
He was one of the founders and the secretary of a society for the employment of the poor; volunteer prison inspector; member of a fire company, and guardian of abused apprentices. When pestilence was raging he was devoted to the sick, and the poor called on him to plead with importunate landlords and creditors. He would sometimes exert his influence over the insane, for which he had a peculiar tact. Although he was a poor man with a large family, his house was for many years a home for impoverished Quakers, and he transacted much business for the Society of Friends.
In 1829 he went to New York to run a bookstore established by the Hicksite Quakers. In the autumn of 1830, being called to Ireland on business connected with his wife’s estate, he visited England. In both countries he was at first treated somewhat cavalierly by the orthodox Quakers, and was pointed out as the one “who has given Friends so much trouble in America.” His candor and amiability soon removed these unfavorable impressions, and he had no occasion ultimately to complain of his reception. In the spring of 1841, the demand for Hicksite books having greatly diminished, Hopper became treasurer and book agent for the Anti-slavery society
American Anti-Slavery Society
The American Anti-Slavery Society was an abolitionist society founded by William Lloyd Garrison and Arthur Tappan. Frederick Douglass was a key leader of this society and often spoke at its meetings. William Wells Brown was another freed slave who often spoke at meetings. By 1838, the society had...
.
Prison reform advocacy
In 1845 he relinquished these offices, and devoted the rest of his life entirely to the work of the Prison Association of New York. In this he was assisted by his daughter, Abby H. Gibbons, who was as vigilant and active in behalf of women discharged from prison as was her father in behalf of men. Through her exertions, an asylum was founded for these unfortunates, which was called the “Isaac T. Hopper Home.”The aged philanthropist frequently visited Albany, New York, to represent the association and to address the legislature. Judge Edmonds says of one of these occasions: “His eloquence was simple and direct, but most effective. If he was humorous, his audience were full of laughter; if solemn, a death-like stillness reigned; if pathetic, tears flowed all around him.” He often pled for the pardon of prisoners, and Governor John Young
John Young (Governor)
John Young was an American politician.He was born in Chelsea, Vermont. As a child, he moved to Freeport , Livingston County, New York. He had only basic schooling but, by self-study accumulated a knowledge of classics and became a law clerk, becoming admitted to the bar in 1829...
, of New York, once told him: “Friend Hopper, I will pardon any convict whom you say you conscientiously believe I ought to pardon.”
External links
- Isaac T. Hopper: A True Life by Lydia Maria Child
- Narrative of the Life of Thomas Cooper New York: Published by Isaak T. Hopper, 1832.