Pioneers of the New South: The Baltimore Association and North Carolina Friends in Reconstruction

Abstract

Throughout the early nineteenth century a migration of Friends from North Carolina westward established new Quaker communities in eastern Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and beyond. Although some Friends left the southeast for the same reason which prompted many non-Quakers to migrate, the availability of free land, many left in order to escape the slave society they firmly opposed, since on the basis of religious principle they could not hold slaves. The Quaker antislavery position and the involvement of some Friends in removing slaves to free territory made the position of those who remained in the south increasingly difficult, thus prompting still greater migrations westward. The coming of the Civil War added to their burden, since they were also conscientious objectors to military service and were consequently subjected to special harassment. Virtually all accounts agree regarding their suffering, although non-Friends also suffered as shortages became more acute and foragers more desperate. The invasion of Sherman's army was particularly devastating to Friends in the Goldsboro, North Carolina, area, many of whom began to flee as refugees to the midwest by way of Baltimore. One Friend who opposed this migration was Francis T. King of Baltimore. King had vowed at an early age to retire from business as soon as he achieved financial success and devote himself to benevo-