The Underground Railroad
cause, never omitting in a fearless manner, to embrace an opportunity to
protest against the encouragement of a pro-slavery spirit.
Returning to Pennsylvania, to practice his profession, his home became
one of the havens where the hunted fugitive from Slavery found food,
shelter and rest. Laboring in connection with the late Thomas Garrett,
of Wilmington, Del., and with many others, at available points, about
two thousand fugitives passed through his hands, on their way to
freedom, and amongst these, he frequently had the delight of welcoming
some of his old Sabbath-school pupils. The mutual recognition was
sometimes touching in the extreme.
In later life, his anecdotes and reminiscences, told in the vivid style,
resulting from a remarkably retentive memory, which could recall word,
tone, and gesture, brought to life, some of the most interesting of his
experiences with these fleeing bondmen, whose histories no romance could
ever equal.
Being one of the signers of the "Declaration of Sentiments," issued by
the American Anti-slavery Society in 1833, he had also the gratification
of attending the last meeting of the Pennsylvania Anti-slavery Society,
called to celebrate the downfall of Slavery in America, and the
dissolution of an organization whose purpose was effected. There are
those, who may remember how at that time, in perfect forgetfulness of
self, the relation of the heroism of his friend, Elisha Tyson, seemed to
recall for a moment, the vigor of youth to render the decrepitude of age
almost majestic.
But it was not Slavery alone, which occupied the thoughts and attention
of this large-hearted man. He was well known as an advocate of common
school education, of temperance, and of every other interest, which, in
his view, pertained to the welfare of man.
Unfortunately, he was addicted to the use of tobacco from his youth.
Having become convinced that it was an evil, he, for the sake of
consistency and as an example to others, resolutely abandoned the habit,
at the age of seventy. He was fond of accrediting his resolve to a very
aged relative, who, in remonstrating with him upon the subject, replied
to his remark, that a sudden cessation from a practice so long indulged
in, might result in his death: "Well, die, then, and go to heaven
decently."
As a practitioner of medicine, he was eminently successful, his intense
sympathy with suffering, seeming to elevate his faculties and give them
unwonted vigor in tracing the hidden causes of disease, and in
suggesting to his mind alleviating agencies. His patients felt an
unspeakable comfort in his presence, well knowing that the best possible
remedy which his knowledge, his judgment or his experience suggested,
would be selected, let the difficulty and inconvenience to himself be
what it would. In cases where life hung trembling in the balance, he
would watch night after night, feeding the flickering flame until he
perceived it brighten, and this in the abode of misery just as freely as
in the home of wealth. The life-long affection of those whom he
recalled, was his reward where often none was sought or expected.
He believed in woman as only a thoroughly good man can, and from early
youth, he had been impressed with her peculiar fitness for the practice
of medicine. The experience of a physician confirmed him in his
sentiments, and it became one of his most earnest aspirations to open to
her all the avenues to the study of medicine. In the year 1840, he gave
regular instruction to a class of ladies, and it was through one of
these pupils, that the first female graduate in America was interested
in the study of medicine. In 1846 he communicated to a few
liberal-minded professional men, a plan for the establishment of a
college of the highest grade for the medical education of women. This
long-cherished plan, hallowed to him by the approbation of a beloved
wife, was well received. Others, with indomitable zeal, took up the
work, and finally, after a succession of disappointments and
discouragements from causes within and without, the Woman's College, on
North College avenue, Philadelphia, starting from the germ of his
thought, entered on the career of prosperity it is so well entitled to
receive. Though never at any time connected with the college, he
regarded its success with the most affectionate interest, considering
its proposition as one of the most important results of his life.
Happy in having lived to see Slavery abolished, and believing in the
speedy elevation of woman to her true dignity as joint sovereign with
man, and in the mitigation of the evils of war, intemperance, poverty,
and crime, which might be expected to follow such a result, he rested
from his labors, and died in peace.
THOMAS SHIPLEY.[A]
Thomas Shipley, one of the foremost in the early generation of
philanthropists who devoted their lives to the extinction of human
slavery, was born in Philadelphia on the second of Fourth month, 1787.
He was the youngest of five children of William and Margaret Shipley,
his father having emigrated from Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire, England,
about the year 1750. From a very early period in the history of the
Society of Friends his ancestors had been members of that body, and he
inherited from them the strong sense of personal independence, and the
love of toleration and respect for the rights of others which have ever
characterized that body of people.
Soon after his birth, his mother died, and he was thus early deprived of
the fostering care of a pious and devoted parent, whose counsels are so
important in forming the youthful mind, and in giving a direction to
future life.
A few years after the death of his mother, his father was removed, and
Thomas was left an orphan before he had attained his sixth year. After
this affecting event he was taken into the family of Isaac Bartram, who
had married his eldest sister. Here he remained for several years,
acquiring the common rudiments of education, and at a suitable age was
sent to Westtown school; after remaining there for a little more than a
year, he met with an accident, which rendered it necessary for him to
return home; and the effects of which prevented him from proceeding with
his education. He fell from the top of a high flight of steps to the
ground, and received an injury of the head, followed by convulsions,
which continued at intervals for a considerable time, and rendered him
incapable of any effort of mind or body.
He was, during childhood, remarkably fond of reading, and was
distinguished among his friends and associates for uncommon perseverance
in accomplishing anything he undertook, a trait which peculiarly marked
him through life; his disposition is said to have been unusually amiable
and docile, so as to endear him very strongly to his relatives and
friends.
After his removal from Westtown, he was again taken into the family of
his brother-in-law, and remained under the care of his sister, who was
very much attached to him, until he was placed as an apprentice to the
hardware business. While here, he was entirely relieved of the
affliction caused by the fall, and was restored to sound health. About
the age of twenty-one, he entered upon the pursuits of the business he
had selected.
The exact time at which his attention was turned to the subject of
slavery cannot be ascertained, but it is probable that a testimony
against it was among his earliest impressions as a member of the
religious Society of Friends. He joined the "Pennsylvania Society for
the Promoting the Abolition of Slavery," etc., in 1817, and the ardent
interest which he took in its objects, was evinced on many occasions
within the recollection of many now living. He was for many years an
active member of its Board of Education, and took a prominent part in
extending the benefits of learning to colored children and youth.
The career of Thomas Shipley, as it was connected with the interests of
the colored community, abounds in incidents which have rarely occurred
in the life of any individual. Being universally regarded as their
adviser and protector, he was constantly solicited for his advice on
questions touching their welfare. This led him to investigate the laws
relating to this class of persons, in all their extended ramifications.
The knowledge he thus acquired, together with his practical acquaintance
with the business and decisions of our courts, rendered his opinion
peculiarly serviceable on all matters affecting their rights. Never did
a merchant study more closely the varied relations of business, and
their influence on his interests, than did Thomas Shipley all those
questions which concerned the well-being of those for whom he was so
warmly interested. He had volunteered his services as their advocate,
and they could not have been more faithfully served had they poured out
the wealth of Croesus at the feet of the most learned counsel.
On every occasion of popular commotion where the safety of the colored
people was threatened, he was found at his post, fearlessly defending
their rights, and exerting his influence with those in authority to
throw around them the protection of the laws. In the tumultuous scenes
which disgraced Philadelphia, in the summer of 1835, in which the fury
of the mob was directed against the persons and property of the colored
inhabitants, he acted with an energy and prudence rarely found combined
in the same individual.
The mob had collected and organized to the number of several hundred,
and were marching through the lower part of the city, dealing
destruction in their course; the houses of respectable and worthy
colored citizens were broken in upon, the furniture scattered to the
winds, all they possessed destroyed or plundered, and they themselves
subjected to the most brutal and savage treatment. Defenceless infancy
and decrepid age were alike disregarded in the general devastation which
these ruffians had decreed should attend their course. The color of the
skin was the mark by which their vengeance was directed, and the cries
and entreaties of their innocent and defenceless victims were alike
disregarded in the accomplishment of their ends. Already had several
victims fallen before the fury of the ruthless band. Law and order were
laid waste, and the officers of justice looked on, some perhaps with
dismay, and others with indifference, while the rights of citizens were
prostrated, and their peaceful and quiet homes invaded by the hand of
violence. At such a time the voice of remonstrance or entreaty, would
have been useless, and had the avowed friends of the colored man
interfered in any public manner, the effect would probably have been to
increase the fury of the storm, and to have directed the violence of the
mob upon themselves.
Under these perilous circumstances, Thomas Shipley was determined to
attempt an effort for their relief. He could not look on and see those
for whom he was so deeply interested threatened almost with
extermination without an effort for their preservation, and yet he was
aware that his presence amongst the mob might subject him to
assassination, without adding to the security of the objects of his
solicitude. He, therefore, determined to disguise himself in such a
manner as not to be recognized, and to mingle amongst the rioters in
order to ascertain their objects, and if possible to convey such
information to the proper authorities as might lead to the arrest of
those most active in fomenting disorder. Accordingly he left his house
late in the evening, attired so as to be completely disguised, and
repaired to the scene of tumult. By this time much mischief had been
done, and to add fresh fury to the multitude, and to incite them to new