Changes

Many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolitionism abolitionists] believed in freedom for all. According to the Wayne County Anti-Slavery Society meeting briefs, the members defined slavery as a “moral evil”. As many of the abolitionists were [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quakers#:~:text=Quakers%20are%20people%20who%20belong,of%20God%20in%20every%20one%22. Quakers], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesleyan_theology Wesleyans], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodism#:~:text=Methodism%2C%20also%20called%20the%20Methodist,early%20leaders%20in%20the%20movement. Methodists], and other religious groups- many viewed slavery from a religious and humanitarian point of view, and deemed it as wrong as a result. In Wayne County, the Myers were a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mennonites Mennonite] family who were well-known abolitionists. Three of [[Joseph Myers]]’ sons broke their Mennonite vows to join the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Army#:~:text=During%20the%20American%20Civil%20War,as%20a%20working%2C%20viable%20republic. Union Army] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War Civil War], with the drive to abide by their morals of anti-slavery. The abolitionists played many different roles in the [[Underground Railroad]] to fulfill the mission of seeking justice for the African American community. Many of them played the role of conductors where they were directly involved with transporting the fugitives, while others helped with food, shelter, medical treatment, etc.

Many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolitionism abolitionists] believed in freedom for all. According to the Wayne County Anti-Slavery Society meeting briefs, the members defined slavery as a “moral evil”. As many of the abolitionists were [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quakers#:~:text=Quakers%20are%20people%20who%20belong,of%20God%20in%20every%20one%22. Quakers], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesleyan_theology Wesleyans], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodism#:~:text=Methodism%2C%20also%20called%20the%20Methodist,early%20leaders%20in%20the%20movement. Methodists], and other religious groups- many viewed slavery from a religious and humanitarian point of view, and deemed it as wrong as a result. In Wayne County, the Myers were a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mennonites Mennonite] family who were well-known abolitionists. Three of [[Joseph Myers]]’ sons broke their Mennonite vows to join the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Army#:~:text=During%20the%20American%20Civil%20War,as%20a%20working%2C%20viable%20republic. Union Army] in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War Civil War], with the drive to abide by their morals of anti-slavery. The abolitionists played many different roles in the [[Underground Railroad]] to fulfill the mission of seeking justice for the African American community. Many of them played the role of conductors where they were directly involved with transporting the fugitives, while others helped with food, shelter, medical treatment, etc.

Although Ohio was a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_states_and_free_states free state] during the pre-civil war era, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proslavery#:~:text=Proslavery%20is%20an%20ideology%20that,extended%20further%2C%20rather%20than%20abolished. pro-slavery] still existed along with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolitionism#:~:text=Abolitionism%2C%20or%20the%20abolitionist%20movement,and%20liberate%20the%20enslaved%20people. abolitionism]. There are records of slavery as we see mentioned in a 1920 article. Elijah Pocock had freed her slave Joshua from captivity on February 24^th, 1823, resulting in him becoming a free person.<ref>"Wayne Co. Records Show Slave Freed", Wooster Daily Record (Possibly?) 1920. ''Wayne County, OH- African American Underground Railroad Lateral Files.''</ref> This indicates that there were still illegal slave trading going on at that time in Ohio, and many Ohioans believed in pro-slavery or even participated in the slave trade. These people would often clash with the abolitionists, as they did not approve of their beliefs, or the Anti-Slavery Society. As the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugitive_Slave_Act_of_1850 Fugitive Slave Act] was passed in 1850, the underground railroads became more restrictive than ever. Those violators assisting runaway slaves were subject to fines up to $1,000. In addition, slave groups offered rewards for the assassination of those active in helping slaves find freedom. This created an even bigger tension between the pro-slavery people and abolitionists.

Although Ohio was a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_states_and_free_states free state] during the pre-civil war era, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proslavery#:~:text=Proslavery%20is%20an%20ideology%20that,extended%20further%2C%20rather%20than%20abolished. pro-slavery] still existed along with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abolitionism#:~:text=Abolitionism%2C%20or%20the%20abolitionist%20movement,and%20liberate%20the%20enslaved%20people. abolitionism]. There are records of slavery as we see mentioned in a 1920 article. Elijah Pocock had freed his slave Joshua from captivity on February 24^th, 1823, resulting in him becoming a free person.<ref>"Wayne Co. Records Show Slave Freed", Wooster Daily Record (Possibly?) 1920. ''Wayne County, OH- African American Underground Railroad Lateral Files.''</ref> This indicates that there were still illegal slave trading going on at that time in Ohio, and many Ohioans believed in pro-slavery or even participated in the slave trade. These people would often clash with the abolitionists, as they did not approve of their beliefs, or the Anti-Slavery Society. As the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugitive_Slave_Act_of_1850 Fugitive Slave Act] was passed in 1850, the underground railroads became more restrictive than ever. Those violators assisting runaway slaves were subject to fines up to $1,000. In addition, slave groups offered rewards for the assassination of those active in helping slaves find freedom. This created an even bigger tension between the pro-slavery people and abolitionists.

== Abrupt Ending of Anti-Slavery Meetings ==

== Abrupt Ending of Anti-Slavery Meetings ==