In the 1820s and 1830s, there was a renewed campaign for the abolition
movement, which the people of Swansea espoused. When abolitionist Thomas
Clarkson visited Swansea in 1824, he received “£24 in hand,” which suggests that
Swansea was more devoted to the cause of anti-slavery than other Welsh towns as it was the only place to collect money in advance. 88 This growth in support is
not surprising considering that the Swansea and Neath Anti-Slavery Society was
established two years prior, which was led by prominent industrialists such as Joseph Tregelles Price and Lewis Weston Dillwyn. 89 The series of petitions sent
to the House of Parliament between 1823 and 1833 by Swansea and Neath were
prompted by Dillwyn, who became an MP for Glamorgan following the Reform Act in 1832. 90 The reformed House welcomed abolitionist proposals, which ultimately led to the passing of the Abolition of Slavery Act in 1833 that emancipated slaves in the British overseas colonies in 1834. 91 There is no doubt
that this support and lobbying by prominent male figures was significant for the
anti-slavery movement, but what is not as well-documented is the role of
women. In 1830, The Cambrian noted that the Ladies Anti-Slavery Association
was established to encourage support for abolition, and they continued to promote the cause by attending meetings throughout the early 1830s. 92 Although not much is known about the members of this group, it likely involved Jessie Donaldson, who previously operated a safe house for slaves in America. 93
The presence of both women and men suggests that a significant proportion of
88 Jen Wilson, ‘Jessie Donaldson (1799-1889), Swansea Abolitionist’, Minerva transactions of the Royal Institution of South Wales, 12 (2004), 41-50 (pp. 43-4). 89 Evans, Slave Wales, p. 111 cited in Richard C. Allen, ‘‘An Indefatigable Philanthropist’: Joseph Tregelles Price (1784-1854) of Neath Wales’, Quaker Studies, 23.2 (2018), 219-237 (p. 235); Evans, Slave Wales, p. 78. 90 Evans, Slave Wales, pp. 78-80. 91 Ibid. 92 The Cambrian, 13 November 1830. The National Library of Wales <https://newspapers.library.wales/> (p. 3); The Cambrian, 13 April 1833. The National Library of Wales <https://newspapers.library.wales/> (p. 4). 93 The Cambrian, 13 September 1889. The National Library of Wales <https://newspapers.library.wales/> (p. 5).
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