News that Purvis was sheltering refugees caused mobs to gather about his house on several occasions. In 1842, when the city was rocked by its worst race riot in history, an angry crowd surrounded his house for forty hours.
Purvis was a close friend of famous abolitionists Lucretia and James Mott. He was a founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society and of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, serving as its president for five successive terms. After the Civil War, he worked on reconstruction in Washington for some years, then took an active role in Philadelphia reform politics.
News that Purvis was sheltering refugees caused mobs to gather about his house on several occasions. In 1842, when the city was rocked by its worst race riot in history, an angry crowd surrounded his house for forty hours.
Purvis was a close friend of famous abolitionists Lucretia and James Mott. He was a founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society and of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, serving as its president for five successive terms. After the Civil War, he worked on reconstruction in Washington for some years, then took an active role in Philadelphia reform politics.
Bio by: Ray Rauanheimo
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President of the Underground Railroad
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