Abigail Goodwin: keeping clothes ready for freedom seekers

A proposal sent with five dollars

Writing to William Still on August 1, Goodwin proposed a dozen women sewing for a day or half-day each week. Merchants might provide inexpensive material; Still could ask his wife about organizing the group. Goodwin enclosed five dollars and offered help from Salem. The letter describes a proposed arrangement, not proof that this particular committee subsequently formed. Dickinson’s transcript of Goodwin’s letter.

She wanted Still to inspect conditions in Canada himself. Her questions concerned life after escape as well as the immediate need for assistance. Dickinson’s transcript of Goodwin’s letter.

Local organizing carried risks

The county’s history places Abigail and her sister Elizabeth within Salem’s Female Benevolent Society. It reports that an anti-abolition mob stoned their house when they hosted lecturer James Miller McKim, and describes Abigail’s cooperation with Amy Reckless in gathering assistance. These public and household activities connect the private letter to sustained local organizing. Salem County’s Goodwin history.

An estimated year stays estimated

Dickinson assigns an estimated year of 1855; the reproduced dateline has only a month and day. The transcription comes through Still’s 1872 book. Neither the catalog date nor the later printing is the original dispatch. Dickinson’s transcript of Goodwin’s letter.