New Jersey State Anti-Slavery Society.

The New Jersey State Anti-Slavery Society was formed in 1839 as a state-level chapter of the American Anti-Slavery Society, which was formed in 1833 under the leadership of William Lloyd Garrison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The activities of the group ultimately focused on lobbying state politicians to pass legislation that would abolish slavery, and to keep the institution of slavery from spreading to new states entering the Union. The New Jersey State Anti-Slavery Society's main objective was achieved, at least legally, in 1846, when the state of New Jersey enacted its second abolition law. It was a hollow victory, since the law only formally outlawed slavery in New Jersey. It made the remaining slaves in the state apprentices for life, which, in practice, allowed slavery to exist in an altered fashion throughout New Jersey.