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THERE IS DEATH IN THE POT - The University of Texas at Arlington

THERE IS DEATH IN THE POT - The University of Texas at Arlington

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enevolent associ<strong>at</strong>ions in this period. Male auxiliaries did not use this method to<br />

distribute inform<strong>at</strong>ion or solicit support for the anti-slavery cause. 38<br />

In addition to neighborhood canvassing, British anti-slavery women made use <strong>of</strong><br />

traditional female networks. For example, the Female Society for Birmingham made<br />

work-bags for sale to “the affluent and influential classes <strong>of</strong> the community,” as the<br />

women noted in their meeting minutes. 39 Work-bags, which were generally used to store<br />

embroidery and other needlework, were made from free-labor East India cotton, silk, or<br />

s<strong>at</strong>in by the women <strong>of</strong> the organiz<strong>at</strong>ion. One side <strong>of</strong> the bag fe<strong>at</strong>ured an image <strong>of</strong> a slave<br />

woman; on the reverse a label admonished the slave woman to “call upon [God] from<br />

amidst thy bonds, for assuredly he will hear thee.” <strong>The</strong> bags were then filled with anti-<br />

slavery liter<strong>at</strong>ure along with a note explaining the contents <strong>of</strong> the bag. 40<br />

<strong>The</strong> work-bags were a significant fundraiser and form <strong>of</strong> outreach for women’s<br />

associ<strong>at</strong>ions; indeed, the work-bags produced by British women drew the <strong>at</strong>tention <strong>of</strong><br />

American editor Benjamin Lundy, who noted in the pages <strong>of</strong> the Genius <strong>of</strong> Universal<br />

Emancip<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>at</strong> the project was worthy <strong>of</strong> “particular notice.” 41 In 1827 the<br />

Birmingham society reported th<strong>at</strong> during the preceding two years, the associ<strong>at</strong>ion had<br />

38 C<strong>at</strong>herine Hutton Beale, C<strong>at</strong>herine Hutton and Her Friends (Birmingham, U.K.: Cornish<br />

Brothers, 1895), 206.; Report <strong>of</strong> the Sheffield Female Anti-Slavery Society (Sheffield: J. Blackwell, 1827),<br />

3. See also Midgley, Women against Slavery, 58-59. Heyrick and W<strong>at</strong>ts edited <strong>The</strong> Humming Bird, a shortlived<br />

literary public<strong>at</strong>ion, which included anti-slavery articles.<br />

39 As quoted in Midgley, Women against Slavery, 57.<br />

40 Genius <strong>of</strong> Universal Emancip<strong>at</strong>ion, October 20, 1827. See also Midgley, Women against<br />

Slavery, 57. Swarthmore College has an example <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> these bags with this particular image and verse.<br />

See “Anti-Slavery Bag,” Relic 295, John Greenleaf Whittier Manuscripts, Friends Historical Library <strong>of</strong><br />

Swarthmore College.<br />

41 Genius <strong>of</strong> Universal Emancip<strong>at</strong>ion, October 20, 1827.<br />

67

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