signalofliberty.aadl.orgSignal of Liberty | Ann Arbor District Library

Skip to main content In the Interest of Public Health, All AADL Locations are closed indefinitely. More info . CALL TEXT EMAIL GET A CARD SIGN IN Ann Arbor District Library About Us Collections Events Services Search: Catalog Author Title Subject Call Number Community Collections Website for: All Formats Books Video Music Audiobooks Magazines Downloads Tools Art Prints Photos Articles Issues Documents Media Events Staff Posts Pages Media Press enter after choosing selection Signal of Liberty The Signal of Liberty newspaper On November 10, 1836, delegates from southeast Michigan gathered at the First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor for an ‘Anti-Slavery State Convention.’ After two days, delegates established the Michigan State Anti-Slavery Society , adopted resolutions denouncing slavery, and decided to publish an antislavery newspaper. Purchasing a printing press and selling subscriptions in the Michigan Territory was challenging – and risky. In the fall of 1837, newspaper publisher Elijah Lovejoy was attacked by a pro-slavery mob in Alton, Illinois. Lovejoy was shot and killed when he refused to give up his printing press. Antislavery lecturers in Michigan faced angry crowds throughout the 1830s. In spite of the difficulties, brothers William and Nicholas Sullivan published the first antislavery newspaper, American Freeman , in 1838 in Jackson, Michigan. The following year, Seymour Treadwell agreed to act as the editor and publisher of the Michigan Freeman . Both newspapers were issued only sporadically. Theodore Foster and Rev. Guy Beckley launched the Signal of Liberty in April 1841 and managed to go to press nearly every week. The printing office was located on the second floor of Josiah Beckley’s mercantile shop on Broadway Avenue in Ann Arbor. Guy Beckley helped in his brother’s store and worked tirelessly to promote the newspaper. Theodore Foster was co-editor and publisher of the Signal of Liberty until 1848. Foster and Beckley were strong abolitionists who wrote in the Signal of Liberty of helping people escaping from slavery. The editors interviewed self-emancipated men and women, hoping to arouse sympathy for abolitionism. They published the story of Robert Coxe , helpless to stop the beatings of his sister and mother, grief-stricken as his family was sold and separated. The newspaper covered the “kidnapping outrages” of African Americans in Detroit, Marshall and Cass County, Michigan. The Signal of Liberty achieved its goal of bringing the issue of slavery into the hearts and minds of the people. Nearly every issue included an antislavery poem , national news , and local notices . Minutes from antislavery meetings reveal a proliferation of organizations across the state and a growing desire to see slavery end in America. The events and movements described in the Signal of Liberty help us understand the issues that led people to resist slavery, change their churches and political parties, and fight for freedom. ~ Carol E. Mull Old News has digitized issues and articles of the Signal of Liberty and Michigan Liberty Press from 1841-1848. Browse Signal of Liberty & Michigan Liberty Press issues and articles. + Quick Links Library News Locations & Hours Support AADL Friends Bookshop Employment Volunteering Contact Us Annual Reports Building Projects Partnerships Library Board Strategic Planning AADL Policies WLBPD See Also Services Ask Us Library Cards Meeting Rooms Events Classes & Workshops Lectures & Panels Storytimes & Playgroups LET'S CONNECT! News & Reviews Twitter YouTube Instagram Facebook + About Us Locations & Hours Downtown Malletts Creek Pittsfield Traverwood Westgate Contact Us (734) 327-4200 343 South Fifth Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Library Director Employment Library Board Partnerships Friends Bookshop Support AADL + Collections Catalog Books Audiobooks Movies & TV Music & Sound Tools Downloads Databases Community Local History Pulp Podcasts + Events Upcoming Events Author Events Computer Classes Contests Baby Playgroups Preschool Storytimes Exhibits VIEW ALL + Services Ask Us Public Computers Digitization Homework Help Job Search Library Cards Meeting Rooms WLBPD Fifth Avenue Press VIEW ALL + My Account Sign In Get a Card Ann Arbor District Library , 2020. All content CC-by-NC unless otherwise specified. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy...