Protestant Episcopal Freedman's Commission. Occasional Paper, January, 1866.

Boston, MA: Press of Geo. C. Rand & Avery, 1866. First edition. 8vo. 29 pp. Includes "Address by the Rev. Francis Wharton, LL.D., delivered in St. Paul's Church, Brookline, and other Churches, During the Month of December, 1865," with a first running title "Education of Freedmen Needed by the Whole Nation" (pp. 6-16) and an appendix containing other thoughts on the education of the Freedmen. LCP/HSP Afro-Americana 8525. Not in Blockson catalogue. OCLC locates 31 copies, almost all in the North. Ex-Fiske University Library, with accession number and blindstamp on title page, accession number on title page verso stamped "Withdrawn"; title page nearly detached. Lacking original printed front wrapper. (8636). Item #61605

The pamphlet is accompanied by the leaflet "Protestant Episcopal Freedman's Aid Commission" (8vo, 3-pages; Philadelphia, December 1865), issued as a fund raiser for the "four millions of men, lately held in bondage at the South." Of particular need were clothes and food to see the freedmen through the winter, and then books and teachers for both secular and religious instruction. An eight-member executive committee for the organization is named with "Rev. Dr. Wharton" serving as corresponding secretary; the plea is signed in typed by William J. Harris of Philadelphia. LCP/HSP Afro-Americana 8519 (dated "1867?"). OCLC locates three copies, two dated "1863-1872" (U. of the South, Pennsylvania Historical Society), one dated "1867?" (Library Company).

Price: $275.00