19 Facts About Bartholomew Fussell

Bartholomew Fussell was an American abolitionist who participated in the Underground Railroad by providing refuge for fugitive slaves at his safe house in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and other locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Bartholomew Fussell aided an estimated 2000 slaves in escaping from bondage.

Bartholomew Fussell was a founding member of the American Anti-Slavery Society.

Bartholomew Fussell worked as a practicing physician, including providing medical services for fugitive slaves.

Bartholomew Fussell moved to Maryland as a young man where he perceived he had better educational opportunities.

Bartholomew Fussell opened a Sunday school in Bush River Neck, Maryland, for African-American slaves, teaching them to read the Bible.

Bartholomew Fussell himself began to speak out against the institution of slavery, for which he was criticized by local slaveholders.

Bartholomew Fussell purchased The Pines from Jonathan and Ann Thomas who were already active in the Underground Railroad, having used the home as a refuge for runaway slaves from 1805 to 1830.

Bartholomew Fussell was notable as an educator, nurse in the United States Civil War, and a philanthropist.

In Pennsylvania, Bartholomew Fussell developed a working relationship with local abolitionist Thomas Garrett.

At that time, Bartholomew Fussell began sheltering fugitive slaves brought to his home from prior refuge with Garrett.

Bartholomew Fussell's home was approximately 1 mile east of the historical village of Kennett Square, which was a center point of the abolitionist movement in southeast Pennsylvania.

In 1833, Bartholomew Fussell was an original signer of the Declaration of Sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Society, a manifesto that stated anti-slavery principles of the organization.

Bartholomew Fussell remained an active member of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society up until the end of the United States Civil War.

Bartholomew Fussell recognized the limited opportunities that women of his time faced in the field of medicine because of his sister Ester's stymied efforts to pursue a career in medicine.

In 1840, Bartholomew Fussell began classes to teach women the basics of medicine.

Bartholomew Fussell subsequently began a campaign to advance the cause of women as physicians.

In 1846, Bartholomew Fussell organized a meeting of five local physicians and his niece Graceanna Lewis to discuss the desirability of women's careers in medicine.

Bartholomew Fussell is buried alongside his wife Lydia at the Pikeland Friends Burial Ground in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.