MORGAN COUNTY

Anti Slavery Movement

In 1840, the Quakers living in the northern part of Morgan County organized the Westfield monthly meeting of anti-slavery friends at the head of which were John DOAN, Robert DOAN, Eli SUMNER, David DOAN, George HADLEY, John B. HADLEY, John PFAFF, William HADLEY, W. E. CARTER, Asa BOLES and many others. The Doans were especially active in the movement.

Before the organization of the meeting, in the early 1830's, strong ground was taken in opposition to slavery. Mr. Sumner claims to have made the first anti-slavery speech in the county. It was a debate in a school house northwest of Mooresville in 1835, with Reverend MITCHELL, a Presbyterian minister who had come from Tennessee. The minister affirmed the right of sllavery and brought forward the Bible to sustain his position.

Mr. SUMNER however, managed to head him off with the same powerful authority and was awarded the victory of the judges. Late in the 1840's and during the 1850's this society helped scores of colored refugees who were traveling by the underground railroad. Many others in different parts of the county were similarly engaged.