New York City

13065.

Friends Meeting House, East 15th St. The history of Fifteenth Street Friends Meeting begins in the 19th century, with the construction of the Meeting House in 1861 to serve Manhattan’s Quaker community, particularly those from the “Hicksite” branch of Quakerism. By the late 1700s, all Quaker meetings in North America had united in their opposition to slavery. Some New York City Friends played key roles in the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movements, while others, though against slavery, were hesitant to publicly oppose it. Isaac Hopper (1771–1852), a prominent abolitionist and philanthropist, was disowned by New York City Friends for his outspoken activism, yet continued attending Quaker worship. Lucretia Mott (1793–1880), an abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, delivered a notable speech at Fifteenth Street Meeting House on November 11, 1866, advocating for women’s rights.