Beschreibung:

Lot of 13 items. Anna Almy Jenkins (1790-1849) was granddaughter of Moses Brown (1738-1836) of Providence RI, one of the wealthiest men in the US who helped found Brown University. His home remains a great tourist attraction in Providence. His uncle, Obadiah, was a slave trader, but Moses was an abolitionist. The archive includes letters, wills, and other pieces related to Anna Jenkins' estate and work in improving Providence. Most of the Brown family were Baptists, but Moses Brown converted to Quakerism, and two large documents introducing Anna Jenkins to the international Friends (Quaker) gathering in England in 1841 and 1843 are included in the collection. It was highly unusual for a woman to be appointed to attend that meeting. A sweet note from Alma to her grandfather requesting he send her cloth for her dress (1799) and a handwritten copy of Moses Brown's will are also offered here. Moses Brown married Anna Brown, his cousin (Obadiah's daughter). They had one daughter who died young, another, Sarah (1764-1794) married William Almy and a son, also named Obadiah (1771-1822), who married but had no children. Anna Almy, the focus of this archive, was Sarah's daughter. Anna Brown died in 1773, and Moses Brown married Mary Olney in 1779. They were married for 18 years but had no issue. Mary died in 1798 and the following year Moses married Phoebe Lockwood, and this marriage was also childless, but Phoebe had four grown children from a previous marriage. He did not remarry after Phoebe's death in 1809. He did leave much of his estate to the children of Phoebe's daughter, Sarah, in addition to Anna Almy. Among other ventures, Moses Brown is credited with establishing the first water-powered spinning mill in America, signalling the beginning of the Industrial Revolution here. He experimented with agricultural products, and helped found the Rhode Island Agricultural Society. He later founded the Rhode Island Bible Society, Rhode Island Peace Society and the Rhode Island Historical Society, the latter receiving most of his papers at his death. He also founded schools, both for Quakers and for African Americans. Moses Brown was one of sixty signers of the Rhode Island College charter, along with his brothers John and Nicholas. The Browns were instrumental in getting the College moved from Warren to Providence. Members of the family served as professors (Joseph), treasurer (John) and several contributed endowments. The school was renamed Brown University after Nicholas Brown, Jr. contributed $5000 toward an endowed professorship. A research library was named for John Carter Brown and his son (John Nicholas Brown). The entire archive, 13 items, includes: Manuscript copy of the Last Will and Testament of Moses Brown, 10.25 x 16 in., 11 pp, bound by blue ribbon, dated 1834-1835. The primary will is the first 10 pages. The last page is a codicil to be annexed to his will, dated June 5, 1835. One of the changes that prompted this was the birth of his great-grandson, Moses Brown Jenkins to Anna Almy Jenkins. Brown leaves his great-grandson the house and farm when his mother dies or otherwise leaves the property. He also expands another item: "And whereas in item 33 of my said will I have given one share in Providence Bank t the Society for abolishing the Slave Trade &c., as by charter established and it not appearing probable that there may be another meeting of said society legally convened, I do therefore hereby make null and void that particular Legacy as therein bequeathed. And do hereby give unto my trusty friends George W. Bonson and Hugh H. Brown in trust for the use of the Providence Anti-Slavery Society the said one share in Providence Bank; and as much money as shall make up, with the said share, the sum of five hundred dollars, to be applied by the said Society to the printing of such manuscripts and pamphlets as the Society may judge most useful for abolishing Slavery, Establishing their freedom and promoting their education, a