The reports, minute books, cash books and illustrated albums of Birmingham’s ‘Female Society for the Relief of the Negro Slave’ show just how organised, determined and creative its members were in their resistance to the slave trade. Their records make a vital addition and contrasting viewpoint to the minutes and reports of the Birmingham Anti Slavery Society.

Their archives include information on specific cases that the Ladies Society sought to aid, including: the female West Indian slave Mary Prince (who went on to publish her own account of the trade); the African-American abolitionist, Amanda Smith (who created schools for uneducated black children); and the New England antislavery novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe(of Uncle Tom’s Cabin fame). See related links below for more information.

Perhaps one of the most startling and dramatic of the artifacts is the fascinating ‘antislavery album’ produced by the women. This contains a diverse collection of abolitionist poems, newspaper reports, engravings and illustrations. The combined effect was intended to rouse sympathy, awe, horror and, ultimately, public support for the cause. This image on this page is taken from this album.