[On Letterhead of National Woman Suffrage Association] (Page 1
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[On letterhead of National Woman Suffrage Association] (Page 1) Tenafly, N.J. Jan. 2, 1881 Dear Rachel That business of Penna Hall by the mob was I think in 1837—or 39—Robert Purvis was doubtless in it—It was there that dear Lucretia took the arm of one of the mobocrats for her protection!!—I have been over all of yours & Julia’s patient copying—am sorry you took the trouble to copy from two different papers (Page 2) for it is fearfuly [sic] tedious and tiring work—yours is nicely done— I wrote Mr [Bone?] I couldn’t go on to Phila [sic] to the Peace meeting tomorrow night—But I shall be with you all then—though in spirit— Well, our days are few, now, before the Wash. Con.— If we can a carpet & some easy chairs on the platform of Lincoln Hall—we shall (Page 3) do very well—even without the Flags poor Phoebe had planned for—Doesn’t she say a word of hope of coming on to you? I am sure she would— & so would May Wright Thompson, if we would but say that we would pay her their expenses!! But how dare we say we will?— It is too bad that every woman uses all her money up to the ______ every time, and saves none for “The Cause”—Even Rachel (Page 4) this time—talks about having dipped a little too deep!! And Susan B. has mortgaged all on the History—not on clothes, nor pleasure excursions—but even that is pretty nearly [unfordoriable?]--- Well good night—Don’t make yourself sick hunting up any more for us--but if it comes easy—go ahead— Do you think we should get out cards of invitation specially for our memorial eve[in?]g= at Washing[ton?]—What is your plan? Affectionately yours Susan B. Anthony Pennsylvania Hall: built by the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, it opened on May 14, 1838 with a meeting that included white and black men and women. The interracial and mixed gender gathering aroused great animosity. When a mob gathered and threatened violence, Lucretia Mott and Angelina Grimké linked arms with the African American women to protect them as they left the Hall. On May 17, 1838 the mob burned Pennsylvania Hall to the ground. Robert Purvis (1810-1898): African-American abolitionist; served as the president of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society; allied with Lucretia Mott in the anti-slavery and women’s rights movements. Lucretia Mott (1793-1880): Philadelphia Quaker; founder of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, which included both white and black members. Julia T. Foster (c.1849-1890): Philadelphia suffragist; sister of Rachel Foster Avery Washington Convention: the National American Woman Suffrage Association held its 1882 annual meeting in Lincoln Hall History of Woman Suffrage: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Matilda Joslyn Gage published volume 1 in 1881, volume 2 in 1882, volume 3 would be published in 1886 Phoebe, perhaps Phoebe Wilson Couzins (1839-1913): St. Louis suffragist; graduated from Washington University law school May Wright Thompson, later May Wright Sewall (1844-1920): co-founder of the Indianapolis Equal Suffrage Society and delegate to the annual conventions of the National American Woman Association .