In the North, where the Negroes had been largely menial servants, adequate industrial education was deemed necessary for those who were to be liberated.[1] Almost every Northern colored school of any consequence then offered courses in the handicrafts.

In 1784 the Quakers of Philadelphia employed Sarah Dwight to teach the colored girls sewing.[2] Anthony Benezet provided in his will that in the school to be established by his benefaction the girls should be taught needlework.[3] The teachers who took upon themselves the improvement of the free people of color of New York City regarded industrial training as one of their important tasks.[4] [Footnote 1: See the _Address of the Am.Conv.of Abolition Societies_, 1794; _ibid._, 1795; _ibid._, 1797 _et passim._] [Footnote 2: Wickersham, _History of Ed.

in Pa._, p.

249.] [Footnote 3: _Special Report of the U.S.Com.

of Ed._, 1869, p.