Date

4-7-2026

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)

Chair

Joseph Super

Keywords

Quaker, Abolition, abolitionist, abolitionism, antislavery, slavery, Indiana, Ohio, Underground Railroad, Levi Coffin, Addison Coffin, Vestal Coffin, Society of Friends, Children of Light, Antislavery Society, Liberty Party, Arnold Buffum, Benjamin Lundy, Benjamin Lay, George Fox, John Woolman, Anthony Benezet, William Still, Wilbur Siebert, John Hepburn, Ralph Sandiford, Charles Osborn, Southern Quaker, Southern Abolitionism, Southern Antislavery, Achilles Pugh

Disciplines

History

Abstract

Traditional conceptions of the abolition of slavery in America revolve around notions of the Underground Railroad thriving as a Northern operation, significantly in states such as Indiana and Ohio. While it operated extensively in Northern states, albeit not exclusively, due to the criticality of those states, it is important to understand why it existed in the manner it did in those states. Understanding this requires an analysis of the major proponents of the antislavery movement, the activities abolitionists organized and participated in, the beliefs on which they founded their efforts, the lengths they were willing to go to ensure African Americans found freedom, and the opposition they faced in places like Indiana and Ohio. Gaining this understanding requires examination of the group known as Quakers.

Information regarding Quaker involvement in the abolitionist movement is available in several books and writings, albeit to a lesser extent than what may be necessary. The extent of their involvement in the antislavery movement and the subsequent abolition of slavery is severe and should be considered to a greater extent in the historical narrative. What is certain is that the consideration of Indiana and Ohio Quaker abolitionists and their efforts against slavery has been significantly ignored in the historical record. Quakers do not maintain a perfect record regarding the ownership of enslaved people; however, they were the first and only religious sect to forbid the ownership of enslaved people and did go on to contribute significantly to the abolition of slavery. This dissertation focuses on Quaker involvement in the antislavery movement in America, specifically examining the major contributions of Indiana and Ohio Quakers. To thoroughly analyze Indiana and Ohio Quakers, and understand how they came to their position regarding antislavery, this dissertation focuses on the origins of Quakerism and how Quakers came to their beliefs, their earliest involvement with antislavery efforts, how their doctrinal beliefs brought them to their position on slavery, their migratory patterns, how they came to significantly populate Indiana and Ohio, and their efforts against slavery in those places.

Analyzing the major focal points of Quaker antislavery advocacy provides a more thorough understanding of the overall effort against slavery in America. Quaker antislavery efforts were significant and involved a broad range of methodologies and individuals, which over time evolved into more detailed political efforts against slavery as well as national social movements aimed at inhibiting the transmission of slave-produced goods within the economy. Understanding the involvement of Quakers from Indiana and Ohio in the effort to end slavery in America fills a significant gap in current historiography. It provides a more thorough evaluation of the effort to end one of the worst institutions to ever exist on American soil.

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