Proceedings of the New York Anti-Slavery Convention, Held at Utica, October 21, and New York Anti-Slavery Society, Held at Peterboro, October, 22, 1835
(Utica, 1835).
In the 1830s, abolitionist movements rose to national prominence and adopted more urgent approaches to ending slavery. They also drew sharp opposition. At the first New York State Anti-Slavery Convention, held in Utica on October 21, 1835, an angry local mob drove the conventioneers from the Bleeker Street Presbyterian Church. The attendees then travelled 27 miles to Peterboro, New York, where perhaps 1,000 held the meeting the next day.
In our copy of the pamphlet a penciled note (perhaps by the minister’s daughter or son) indicates that a Utica mob "broke up the meeting" and later notes the change of venue. The Smithfield Presbyterian Church, which hosted the Peterboro meeting, today houses the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum.
