abolition in the Archives
A Digital Exhibit
Letterhead of Lewis Tappan (Bowne House Archives)
In 2021 the Bowne House was inducted into the National Park Service’s “Network To Freedom,” in recognition of the site’s ties to the Underground Railroad. This recognition was based on primary source evidence unearthed in our Archives and other local repositories. The following mini-exhibit showcases some of the documents that allowed us to finally substantiate the long-rumored connections of Bowne House and its residents to the Underground Railroad, and piece together a picture of the Bowne and Parsons families’ broader commitment to the abolition movement.
“R.B.P. is a true man…”
Letter of introduction for R. B. Parsons, sent by Lewis Tappan to Garrit Smith [See more…]
2. “Our Vigilance Committee must have money, or give up our business…”
Will Harned to R.B. Parsons [see more…]
3. “I commend unto thee this colored brother…”
Note for a “passenger” on the Underground Railroad [see more…]
4. Obituaries: S.B. & R. B. Parsons
“It was his boast that he assisted more slaves to freedom than any other man in Queens county.” [see more…]
FROM THE BOWNE AND PARSONS LIBRARY:
“Anecdotes and Memoirs of William Boen, A Colored Man” - Booklet, 1834 -View booklet
Anti-slavery pamphlet signed by Samuel Parsons, Clerk of the N.Y. Meeting, 1837 -View pamphlet
“A Christian Philanthropist” - Article on Garrit Smith - Flushing Times, 1949 -View article