Esther Lewis (abolitionist)

Esther (Fussell) Lewis (March 18, 1782 – February 8, 1848) was a Pennsylvania abolitionist, farmer, school founder, teacher, and nurse.[1] Lewis managed her family farm near Kimberton, Chester County, Pennsylvania,[2] and she was conductor of the north-south line of the Underground Railroad through Pennsylvania.[3]

Early life and education

Esther Fussell was born on March 18, 1782, in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, to Quaker minister Reverend Bartholomew Fussell and Rebekah or Rebecca Bond.[4] She had seven siblings: Bartholomew, Solomon, Rebecca, Joseph, Jacob, Sarah, and William.[2]

Lewis wanted to be a doctor but as a woman was not able to receive professional education.[5]

Lewis would record observations of solar and lunar eclipses and the appearance of comets and meteors, and kept a weather and plant-blooming diary.[6]

Personal life and family

On September 10, 1818, Esther Fussell married John Lewis.[7] They had four children: Elizabeth R. (1824–1863), Graceanna (1821-1912), Mariann (1819–1866), and Rebecca (1820–1893).[8]

Participation in the Underground Railroad

Lewis taught her children to be abolitionists, as their home was a “station” on the Underground Railroad.[9] Their home functioned as “a rehabilitation center for fugitives,” and they burned the clothes worn by people who were enslaved on southern plantations.[10] Lewis’s children continued this work after her death.[11]

References

Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.
"Collection: Lewis-Fussell Family Papers | Archives & Manuscripts". archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu.
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.
"Esther Fussell". www.myheritage.com.
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.
Stroud, Patricia Tyson (February 2013). ""At What do you Think the Ladies will Stop?" Women at the Academy". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 162 (1): 195–206. doi:10.1635/053.162.0116. ISSN 0097-3157.
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.
Lukens, Rob. "HISTORY'S PEOPLE: GRACEANNA LEWIS - ABOLITIONIST TO NATURAL SCIENTIST". www.chestercohistorical.org.
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.
Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.

External Links

Finding Aidfor the Lewis-Fussell Family Papers held at Swathmore College Friends Historical Library.
- Memoir of Esther Fussell Lewis, likely written by her daughter, Graceanna Lewis. (A00185757) From the Lewis-Fussell Family Papers SFHL-RG5-087
- Graceanna Lewis letter to Esther Fussell Lewis. (A00179477) From the Lewis-Fussell Family Papers SFHL-RG5-087
- Esther Fussell Lewis writings and letters from the Lewis-Fussell Family papers

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[1] Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.

[brynmawr.edu-2] "Collection: Lewis-Fussell Family Papers | Archives & Manuscripts". archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu.

[3] Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.

[4] "Esther Fussell". www.myheritage.com.

[5] Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.

[6] Stroud, Patricia Tyson (February 2013). ""At What do you Think the Ladies will Stop?" Women at the Academy". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 162 (1): 195–206. doi:10.1635/053.162.0116. ISSN 0097-3157.

[7] Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.

[8] Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.

[9] Lukens, Rob. "HISTORY'S PEOPLE: GRACEANNA LEWIS - ABOLITIONIST TO NATURAL SCIENTIST". www.chestercohistorical.org.

[10] Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.

[11] Snodgrass, Mary Ellen (2008). The Underground Railroad : an encyclopedia of people, places, and operations. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe. pp. 323–324. ISBN 978-0-7656-8093-8.