Abolition
Anti-Slavery in Worcester
Worcester's citizens were, on the whole, vehemently
against slavery. The Free Soil (anti-slavery) Party was founded here in 1848.
The Butman riot in 1854 is another example of the strong sentiment of the
times. Asa O. Butman was a slave hunter, paid to find fugitives in the North.
Through deceit he managed to gain custody of two fugitive slaves in Boston
and, despite violent mob protest, he was successful. As a participant later
related:
| Crowds assembled from every quarter, the Court House was chained up to keep them out, the United States military guarded the prisoners, and they were sent back to slavery at an expense of about $15,000. |
Word got out that Butman was coming slave hunting in Worcester. The Massachusetts Spy posted notices that Butman, the kidnapper was in town and citizens formed a vigilance committee to watch the Temperance Hotel where he was staying. In fear of the mounting rage, Butman pulled a pistol out of his pocket, whereupon a warrant was issued and he had to appear in court the next day. By morning the crowd was huge and furious. Fearing for his life, Butman asked for protection. It was granted, after he promised never again to come to Worcester. As anti-slavery men escorted him out of town, he suffered punches, kicks and a lot of well-deserved verbal abuse and assault with eggs and other objects. This was the last attempt to execute the Fugitive Slave Law in Massachusetts.
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(click on a name below to read their bio) |
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Former Slaves in Worcester |
| Bethany Veney, former slave (1812-1915) |
| Isaac Mason, former slave (1822-1898) |
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| Important Abolitionists with Worcester Connections |
| William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879) |
| Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1823-1906) |
| Stephen Symmonds Foster (1809-1881) |
| George Allen (1792-1883) |
| John Milton Earle (1794-1874) |
| Sarah Hussey Earle (1799-1858) |
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