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George Boyer Vashon

Name: George Boyer Vashon

Birthplace: Pittsburgh, PA

Occupation/Training: Organizer, Speaker

Residence: PA



Abolitionist Involvement: Beginning about 1834, youth antislavery groups began to be organized. The children would meet weekly to read and discuss antislavery materials. Sometimes the girls would sew items to be sold to help raise funds for the national society. One such group formed a Junior Choir, which gave concerts at antislavery events. George Vashon was a leader of the Pittsburgh Juvenile Anti-Slavery Society, which was the first dues paying youth group west of the Alleghenies. Their dues were one-cent each per week.

By 1842, when he was a college sophomore, Vashon was already an accomplished speaker. He gave a presentation at Oberlin, OH at their annual August 1 Celebration of the emancipation by England of slaves in the West Indies.





December 2nd was considered Martyr Day in commemoration of the execution of John Brown for his raid at Harper's Ferry. Many abolitionists throughout the country observed this day by closing their businesses, wearing black armbands, having prayer meetings, and listening to speakers. In 1859, Vashon was one of the featured speakers on this occasion at a meeting in Pittsburgh.



Family: related to John B. Vashon

Reference: Black Abolitionists, by Benjamin Quarles.

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