Alice of Dunk's Ferry (ca. 1694-1802) is a rarity: an enslaved woman who achieved some celebrity in early America.  A brief biography of Alice was published in a Philadelphia newspaper shortly after her death and recorded her memories of early Philadelphia and a very few details of her experiences.  This short account-only eighteen sentences long--quickly captured the public's attention both in the United States and in Britain and was widely reprinted.  It was soon accompanied by her portrait, engraved in London based on a now-lost American sketch. 

Versions of the biography have appeared in newspapers, magazines, schoolbooks, and scientific publications from her death through the present.  Aspects of her life story, or at least her name, are included in virtually every recent compilation of African American achievements. Yet we have known very little of her life. This presentation uncovers new information on Alice, her sufferings and her achievements.

Dr. Klepp is Professor of History, emerita, at Temple University. She has published many books and articles on 18th-century American history. Her recent book, Revolutionary Conceptions: Women, Fertility and Family Limitation in America, 1760-1820 was awarded the Kelly Memorial Prize in Women's History by the American Historical Association for 2010.

Event Information:

Location: Second Bank of  the United States

425 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

Time: 7:00 PM

Cost: $10 for members, $15 for General Public

Pre-registration is required to attend the Speaker Series programs. 

The 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia was one of the most terrifying events in our nation's early history.  Many of the people and buildings involved are now part of INHP.  Ms. Jenkins's presentation will discuss how the episode demonstrated the value of volunteer efforts to achieve important goals.  People devoted their time, and in some cases, their lives to caring for the sick, burying the dead and running the city during the epidemic. 

Come learn about heroes such as Bishop White, Stephen Girard and Richard Allen.  Find out how the survivors, such as Dolley Todd built new lives, and the city built new institutions like the Philadelphia Waterworks. 

Ms. Jenkins, who recently retired after 35 years at Independence Park, first learned about the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in 1983 as she was giving tours of the Todd house.  Since then, she included this period of history as a focus of her work, helping to put together the Bicentennial commemoration in 1993.  

Event Information:

Location: Second Bank of  the United States

425 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106

Time: 7:00 PM

Cost: $10 for members, $15 for General Public

Pre-registration is required to attend the Speaker Series programs.