June 28, 1844
Here is an article about the “proceedings of our coloured fellow-citizens, in regard to their constitutional rights, and to the Smith School and its teacher, Mr. Abner Forbes”.
It expresses “surprise and regret at the recent acquittal by the School Committee of Abner Forbes, Principal of the Smith School, and of our deep concern that he is totally unworthy of his present responsible station, and the coloured parents of this city are recommended to withdraw their children from the exclusive school established in contravention of that equality of privileges which is the vital principle of the school system of Massachusetts.”
Here are resolutions petitioning the School Committee to abolish separate schools for colored children, and asking for the right of colored citizens to send their children to the schools in their district.
Signed by John T. Hilton, President, Henry W. Thacker and Jonas W. Clark, Vice Presidents, Wm. C. Nell, Robert Morris, Secretaries
July 19, 1844
An item from the Christian Watchman expresses hope that there will not be any considerable number of colored citizens who will seek the abolition of schools established expressly for them. It further urges support for Abner Forbes against whom there have not been any substantial charges that can withhold scrutiny.
August 2, 1844
A committee of parents offer a report in which they express a sense that “the relation of Mr. Forbes towards the Smith School should cease….” Signed by Hilton, Thacker, Clark, Nell, Morris
August 30, 1844
Here is a notice that Forbes has been re-appointed to the Smith School by the general school committee; he received 12 votes, while Thomas Paul, had 7 votes, and Isaac Shepherd has 1. Three members of the committee declined voting. Commenting on this vote, the Liberator says: “This is a most scandalous, inhuman, and tyrannical procedure, showing the most sovereign contempt for the wishes and feelings of our colored citizens, on the part of the majority of the school committee.”
August 18, 1848
An article about a meeting at the Belknap St. Meeting House, with a large attendance, on July 31. Resolutions passed include one which says that the Smith School “should be considered as a great public nuisance, and ought to be immediately abolished”, and another which says, “That as we all belong to one common family, having one common cause, it is our belief that separate schools for the education of children are injurious in their effects upon society, and ought to be abolished..” Those present at the meeting include T.P. Smith, J.T. Hilton, B.F. Roberts, Rev. Grimes.
August 10, 1849
July 23 a large number of people were present. Among the resolutions passed: “… that all ‘exclusive schools’ are injurious to the welfare of the community, and therefore should be discontinued.”
Also a resolution which calls the Smith School “a Great Public Nuisance, which should be immediately annihilated.”
The meeting also adopted an “Appeal”, commensurate with those resolutions, to the Colored People of the City, to the Honorable Mayor, and the Aldermen of Said City”
The Appeal was signed by John T. Hilton, B.F. Roberts, and Lemuel Burr
September 21, 1849
An article signed, “W.C.N.”, (William Cooper Nell) regrets the action of the School Committee, which has voted to continue the separate Smith School. They have acted, in “disregard for a people’s earnest and intelligent wishes, …”.and says, that, in spite of this action ” almost the entire mass stand, erect, and will not bow to the dictation, but intend keeping their children at home, or in temporary schools, until, at least, they have better reasons for submitting than up to the present can be acknowledged…..They are grievously indignant that any man, and especially a colored man, could be found willing, in the present crisis, to accept the appointment..” (reference is to Thomas Paul Smith). The article refers to the Sept 17 meeting at the church: “A few persons, known as the advocates of exclusive schools, stationed themselves near the door, and, observing the cue of their leaders, persevered in disturbing the meeting by hisses, and various other demonstrations. The audience was requested to pay no attention to them, but some individuals, on their own responsibility, attempted to secure order, and on the rioters retreating from the building, the windows were immediately assailed by a volley of stones and other missiles, which are preserved as trophies of the prowess of those who resort to such methods of appeal…..To sustain the contest, we must have funds for the payment of tuition fees in the temporary schools….”
February 15, 1850
Here is a letter addressed to the Editor, from Thomas Paul Smith.
Here are excerpts: “We are colored men, exposed alike to prejudice and oppression; our interests are all identical – we rise or fall together. We believe colored schools to be institutions, when properly conducted, of great advantage to the colored people. We believe society imperatively requires their existence among us. ….while those who profess to desire the abolition of colored schools claim such an immense majority, they could show on their petitions only 227 names, according to their own count, including children as young as three years — and that out of a population of 1950! And furthermore, a petition of 170, at least, was presented against them, including some of our clergymen…..”
March 19, 1852
A letter addressed to the Editor, dated March 10, 1852, from Waltham, is signed “J.M.L.” The writer expresses “impatience to see some movement of the colored citizens of Boston, in relation to the Smith School …although .they are extremely indignant at the idea of emigrating to Liberia, they are doing their utmost to colonize themselves in Boston….. it is surprising that any parent will allow his child to enter the Smith School. The present General Court is considered to be favorable to freedom, and I trust that no time will be lost by the colored citizens in making a strong effort for equal school rights.”
November 10, 1854
The Herald reports that “the Smith School is in bad condition -” but little progress, slim attendance and bad discipline are its characteristics. There are eighty scholars belonging to the school, and only thirty-four attended the examination, some of them being restricted from attendance by the prevalence of small pox in the neighborhood.”
