Vigilant Association of Philadelphia

[1] The initial impetus came from Robert Purvis,[2] who had served on a previous Committee of Twelve[clarification needed] in 1834, and his father-in-law, businessman James Forten.

William Still was an important conductor along the railroad and a founder of the vigilance committee in Philadelphia.

[5] Its executive was the Vigilant Committee of Philadelphia and its first president was a black dentist, James McCrummell.

[3][4] There were five members of the acting committee for the Vigilant Association of Philadelphia, which included Nathaniel W. Depee, William Still, Jacob C. White, Passmore Williamson, and Charles Wise.

[6][7][8] In June 1842, future writer Harriet Jacobs was among the fugitive slaves who were aided by the Association.