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The Vigilant Association of Philadelphia was an abolitionist organization founded in August 1837 in Philadelphia to "create a fund to aid colored persons in distress".[1] The initial impetus came from Robert Purvis,[2] who had served on a previous Committee of Twelve[clarification needed] in 1834, and his father-in-law, businessman James Forten.[3][4]
Up and running by 1838, the committee had begun to break down in 1852. William Still was an important conductor along the railroad and a founder of the vigilance committee in Philadelphia.[5]
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Its executive was the Vigilant Committee of Philadelphia and its first president was a black dentist, James McCrummell. Other abolitionists who helped included John Greenleaf Whittier, who helped form the committee and promoted the association in his newspaper Pennsylvania Freeman.[3][4]
There were five members of the acting committee for the Vigilant Association of Philadelphia, which included Nathaniel W. Depee, William Still, Jacob C. White, Passmore Williamson, and Charles Wise.[6][7][8]
In June 1842, future writer Harriet Jacobs was among the fugitive slaves who were aided by the Association.[9]
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