Born: 1810 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Died: June 11, 1875
Biography:
Harriet Forten Purvis (1810 – June 11, 1875) was an African-American abolitionist and first-generation suffragist. With her mother and sisters, she formed the first biracial women’s abolitionist group, the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. She hosted anti-slavery events at her home and, with her husband Robert Purvis, ran an Underground Railroad station. Robert and Harriet also founded the Gilbert Lyceum. She fought against segregation and for the right for Blacks to vote after the Civil War.
Early Life:
Harriet Davy Forten was born in Philadelphia in 1810. She was one of eight children of James Forten and Charlotte Vandine Forten, who lived at 92 Lombard Street. James Forten was a wealthy inventor, businessman, and abolitionist who was born free in 1766. He had been a powder boy and was taken prisoner from the Royal Lewis during the Revolutionary War. Harriet was named after one of her father’s benefactors, Robert Bridges, a white sailmaker. The Forten family was the most well-known Black family in Philadelphia. They were noted for their gentility and hospitality. William Lloyd Garrison, a prominent abolitionist, wrote of the Forten family, who have few superiors in refinement, in moral worth, in all that makes the human character worthy of admiration and praise. James and Charlotte Forten helped found and fund six abolitionist organizations. Many abolitionists who visited Philadelphia stayed in the Forten house.
Education and Interests:
Harriet and her siblings attended a private school established by her father and Grace Douglass. They were also taught foreign languages and music by private tutors. Harriet read a wide range of literature, including novels, religious works, literary criticism, antislavery literature, and William Shakespeare. She had a passion for debate and enjoyed reading aloud with a clear speaking voice. Harriet was a member of the Black Female Literary Association, Edgeworth Literary Association, and Female Minervian Association. She sought companionship with people who shared her interests in music, art, and literature.
Marriage and Family:
On September 13, 1831, Harriet married Robert Purvis in her family’s home. Robert Purvis, originally from South Carolina, was a mixed-race American. Like her father, Robert was actively involved in the abolitionist movement. The couple had nine children together: Mary Isabella, Charlotte, Robert Jr., Josephine, Harriet, William, John, Charles, and Edward. Harriet’s strong connection to her family and her dedication to the abolitionist cause shaped her life’s work.
Activism and Accomplishments:
Harriet Purvis was a founding member of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, which was the first biracial abolitionist organization in the country. Alongside her mother, sisters, and Lucretia Mott, she played an instrumental role in its establishment. The Forten women were active members and officers within the organization.
Harriet and Robert Purvis also opened their home as an Underground Railroad station, providing a safe haven for escaping slaves. They risked their own safety to shuttle slaves along the network to freedom. Their dedication to the cause extended beyond their home, as they hosted anti-slavery events and fundraisers, using their influence and resources to advance the abolitionist movement.
In addition to their activism in the fight against slavery, Harriet and Robert Purvis founded the Gilbert Lyceum, a literary and educational organization. The Lyceum served as a meeting place for members of the African-American community and provided a platform for discussing important social and political issues of the time.
Harriet Purvis continued her activism after the Civil War, fighting against segregation and advocating for the right of Blacks to vote. She recognized that the end of slavery was just the beginning of the struggle for equality and continued to work tirelessly for the rights of all African Americans.
Legacy:
Harriet Forten Purvis’s dedication to the abolitionist movement and her pioneering role in the fight for women’s suffrage cannot be overstated. She played a crucial part in establishing the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, one of the first organizations to advocate for the rights of both Black and White women. Harriet’s work with the Underground Railroad and her continued activism after the Civil War solidify her place in history as an influential figure in the fight for racial equality and social justice.