Tappan, Lewis, 1788-1873

Merchant and antislavery leader.

From the description of The papers of Lewis Tappan [microform], 1809-1903. (Washington State University). WorldCat record id: 29852969

Abolitionist from New York State; assisted the Amistad slaves; among the founders of the American Missionary Association in 1846, which began more than 100 anti-slavery Congregational churches throughout the Midwest, and after the American Civil War, founded numerous schools and colleges to aid in the education of freedmen.

From the description of Lewis Tappan scrapbooks, 1847-1860. (Moorland-Spingarn Resource Center). WorldCat record id: 727069401

Abolitionist, merchant, and publisher.

From the description of Lewis Tappan papers, 1809-1903 (bulk 1809-1872). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71061361

Lewis Tappan (1788-1873) was a merchant and abolitionist.

From the description of Scrapbooks, 1835-1858. (American Antiquarian Society). WorldCat record id: 191276833

American merchant and abolitionist.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Brooklyn, to Horace Greeley, 1867 Nov. 9. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270574547

Founder of Mercantile Agency (now Dun and Bradstreet), among the founders of New York Journal of Commerce, Amistad Committee, American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, American Missionary Association.

From the description of Collection. 1845-46. (Ascension Parish School). WorldCat record id: 20312276

Lewis Tappan (1788-1873) was an American abolitionist. He was the brother of Ohio Senator Benjamin Tappan and abolitionist Arthur Tappan. Sir James Ross (1800-1862) was a British naval officer and explorer.

From the guide to the Lewis Tappan Letter, 1844, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

Biographical Note

• 1788, May 23: Born, Northhampton, Mass.
• 1813: Married Susan Aspinwall (died 1853)
• 1828 - circa 1837 : Partner with brother Arthur and credit manager, Arthur Tappan & Co., silk jobbers in New York, N.Y.
• 1828 - 1831 : Owned and published Journal of Commerce, New York, N.Y.
• 1833: One of the founders of the New York Anti-Slavery Society and the American Anti-Slavery Society
• 1839 - 1841 : Member of the committee that undertook to secure the freedom of the captives on the slave ship Amistad
• 1840: Founder and first treasurer, American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society
• 1841 - 1849 : Established and operated the Mercantile Agency, the first commercial credit-rating agency in America, under the firm name of Lewis Tappan & Co.
• 1843: Attended General Anti-slavery Convention, London, England
• 1846: A founder of the American Missionary Association
• 1850, ca.: Participated, after passage of the Fugitive Slave Law, in “underground railroad” activities
• 1854: Married Mrs. Sarah J. Davis
• 1855: Joined the American Abolition Society
• 1870: Published The Life of Arthur Tappan. New York: Hurd and Houghton
• 1873, June 21: Died, Brooklyn, N.Y.

From the guide to the Lewis Tappan Papers, 1809-1903, (bulk 1809-1872), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

• 1788 May 23: Born in Northampton, Ma., son of Benjamin and Sarah (Homes) Tappan.
• 1813 Sept. 7: First marriage to Susanna Aspinwall, union produced six children.
• 1823 - 1837 : Merchant in various capacities. Enters into partnership with his brother Arthur.
• 1833: One of the founders of the New York Anti-Slavery Society.
• 1839 - 1841 : Leader in the movement to secure the freedom of Joseph Cinque and the Amistad captives.
• 1840: With the split in the American Anti-Slavery Society, Tappan led the formation of the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society and served as its treasurer.
• 1841 - 1849 : Established The Mercantil Agency as the first successful commercial credit rating agency in the country under the name Lewis Tappan and Co.
• 1843: Attended international Anti-Slavery convention in London at the suggestion of John Quincy Adams.
• 1846: Helped in the founding of the American Missionary Association and served as its treasurer.
• 1849: Retired from his enterprise to devote his life to humanitarian causes.
• 1854: Second marriage, to Mrs.-Sarah J. Davis.
• 1855: Resigned as Correspondence Secretary of the American and Foreign Anti-Slave Society to accept office in the more militant Abolition Society.
• 1873 June 21: Died in Brooklyn, New York.

From the guide to the Lewis Tappan Collection, 1847-1860, (Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University)