1793
1801
1803
1805
1807
1820
Congress bans importation of slaves but domestic slave trade continues
U.S. Population totals 10 million including 1.7 million African- Americans, 1.5 enslaved
Missouri Compromise makes Missouri a slave state and Maine a free state and prohibits slavery in new territory north of 36' 30".
Beginning of Second Great Awakening: religious revival encourages abolitionist and temperance movements.
1821 - 1839
1821
1822
1825
1829
1832-34
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
Slave rebellion led by Denmark Vesey is crushed in Charleston, SC
John Quincy Adams becomes President
"Gag rule" against speaking on slavery is imposed in House of Representatives.
New England Clergy issue Pastoral Letter condemns women's public speaking
Pennsylvania Hall is burned by mob during Anti-Slavery conventions in Philadelphia
American Slavery as It Is sells over 100, 000 copies and influences Harriet B. Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Sarah and Anna Grimke (Frost) move to Philadelphia. Sarah joins Quakers
Angelina objects to Henry's treatment of his slave, soon joins Sarah in` Philadelphia
Sisters are friends with Lucretia Mott, Douglass and Forten women, growing disillusionment with Quakers
Angelina's letter to Garrison is publish, rift with Sarah.
Angelina and Sarah begin writing antislavery tracts.
Sisters go to training in NYC, and start speaking tour in New England.
Sarah writes Letters on Equality of the Sexes. Angelina speaks at MA Legislature.
Theodore and Angelina are wed in PA.
Welds and Sarah move to Fort Lee, NJ and work on ASAII
1840 - 1860
1839
1841
1842
1843
1844
c. 1845
c. 1848
1849
1850
1852
1853
1854
1859
1860
John Quincy Adams defends Africans in Amistad case and wins
J. Q. Adams defends himself agains censure by House and uses it to speak out against slavery
Harriet Tubman escapes slavery and leads 70 other slaves to freedom over next few years
Fugitive Slave Law requires return of slaves to their owners even if they are in a free state
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin sells 300,000 copies in first year.
Kansas-Nebraska Act escalates violent conflict over slavery.
Abolitionist John Brown's raid and plan to lead a slave uprising fails. He and 6 co-conspirators are hanged.
South Carolina secedes from Union in December
Lincoln inaugurated as President
1860 Census counts nearly 4 million slaves in U.S.
The Welds' first son, Charles Stuart Weld, is born.
Second son, Theodore Grimke Weld (Thodie) is born.
Family moves to farm at Belleville, NJ
Theodore recruited to help J.Q. Adams in DC for two winters. After a stillbirth, Angelina bears daughter, Sarah Grimke Weld (Sissy)
Henry's white wife dies.
Henry and Nancy begin relationship in Charleston and soon move to Cane Acre.
Weld opens school at Belleville for their children and others.
Archibald Grimke born to Nancy and Henry.
Francis Grimke born to Nancy and Henry
Henry Grimke dies when Nancy is pregnant with 3rd child. Montague threatens to eventually enslave boys.
Montague makes Archie his house slave. Nancy sent to workhouse when she protests. Frank re-enslaved shortly after.
CIVIL WAR BEGINS
1861-1879
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
I'Fort Sumter fired on and surrenders to Confederates
Emancipation Proclamation in January frees slaves in U.S.
MA 54th Negro Regiment, led by Col. Shaw, attacks Fort Wagner in July 1863 and is repelled.
Liberation of Charleston in February
13th Amendment abolishes slavery.
As household slaves for Montague, Archie and Frank witness bombing of Fort Sumter
Fourth of July cat Eagleswood School. Charlie attends Harvard.
Charlotte Forten and Francs Pillsbury work on Sea Islands.
Frank and Archie separately escape Montague's household and struggle to survive War.
With liberation, Archie and Frank are reunited with Nancy and John, and celebrate their freedom
CIVIL WAR ENDS
1866
1868
1870
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
President Lincoln is assasinated.
Morris Street school for all Charleton students opened by abolitionists there
5th Amendment gives African Americans the right to vote
Reconstruction largely abandoned by Republicans
Economic Depression
Disputed 1976 election leads to compromise. Hayes elected but Reconstruction effectively ends.
Violence against African Americans increases. Lynchings resume, mostly in South and Jim Crow laws passed, requiring segregation
Archie and Frank excel at Morris Street School and Frances Pillsbury arranges for them to get apprenticeships in North.
Boys meet Charlottle Forten in Boston but placements don't work out. Nancy interceds and they are directed to Lincoln University in PA.
Sisters learn of their nephews. Angelina and Charlie visit them at Lincoln, and welcome them to their home in Hyde Park.
Women vote in mock election in Hyde Park. Archie and Frank continue law studies and teachings at Lincoln U.
SARAH DIES, funeral attended by many abolitionists and suffragists.
Archie begins at Harvard Law, Frank at Howard.
Archie and Nellie become close friends.
Frank studies ministry at Princeton Theological seminary. Nancy comes North.
Archie and Sarah Stanley begin romance and soon marry. Frank married Lottie.
ANGELINA DIES after long illness.
1880 - 1899
1880
1882-84
1887
1892
1893
1894
1895
Archibald Grimke appointed U.S. Consul to the Dominican Republic
Angelina Weld Grimke (Nana) born to Archie and Sarah
Frank and Lottie's daughter, Theodora dies in infancy. , At 15th St. Church in DC, Frank hears troubling stories from South
Archie editor of The Hub in Boston
Sarah leaves Archie and goes to Michigan with Nana
Sarah send 7-yr-old Nana beck to Archie.
12-yr-old Nana and Archie spend Cristmas with Welds
THEODORE WELD DIES.. NANCY WESTON DIES.
Nana living with Frank and Lottie in DC, writes poetry and struggles with sexual identity.
1900 - 1958
1901
1903
1909
1911
1913
1914
1916
1919
1920
1930s
1937 - 1958
Theodore Roosevelt becomes U.S. President
The "Boston Riot" of 1903 makes headlines
Conflict between Bookerite faction and W.E.B. DuBois faction intensifies.
NAACP founded with Grimké brothers as founding members
Woman's March for Suffrage in DC shortly before Wilson inaugurated.
Premier of Nana's play "Rachel" in New York City
19th Amendment gives women right to vote.
19th Amendment ratified. Women's suffrage achieved.
Depression. "Great Migration" from South to North and West
Segregation continutes. Redlining common in North. Dawn of Ciivil Rights Era
Archie and Nana live in DC with Frank and Lottie. Nana teaches high school. Archie writes and advocates for civil rights.
Archie and Nana witness "Boston Riot".
Archie and Frank involved in Bookerite /DuBois debates. Frank speaks out against any "cringing attitude" by African Americans.
Nana seriously injuried in train wreck.
Nana, friends and family join March despite discrimination against African American women.
LOTTIE DIES
Nana's play produced in NYC. Beginning of Harlem Renaissance.
ARCHIE DIES (1930). Nana is bereft and soon moves to New York City
FRANK DIES (1837), having servid over 50 years at 15th ST Presbyterian.
NANA DIES (1958)
PERIOD
YEAR(S)
NATIONAL EVENTS
FAMILY EVENTS
1790 - 1820
Sarah Grimke is born
Henry Grimke is born
Theodore D Weld is born
Angelina Grimke is born