Read Part One HERE
In this post I will focus on a woman named Sophia Sturge. She lived from 1795 - 1845. She was born in Elberton, Gloucestershire, UK. She was the fifth child of Joseph Sturge, a farmer, and his wife Mary Marshall. The family belonged to the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers.
The abolitionist Joseph Sturge was Sophia's brother. She and her siblings were taught by tutors but their mother had to decide what could be afforded and Sophia's request for drawing and French had to be refused. However, the children taught themselves by correspondence. Sophia read well and would discuss ideas by letter. She attended a school in Wellington at some point, but did not enjoy it.
In 1815, Sophia became housekeeper for her brother Joseph Sturge. The big debate at that time was not just when, but how, to end slavery. Sophia and Joseph wanted it to end quickly and completely. Sophia founded the Birmingham Ladies Society for the Relief of Negro Slaves, which although based in Birmigham, had national influence. She called on 3,000 households to ask for their support in boycotting sugar because of its link to slavery.
Sophia died in 1845.
Read Part Seenty-Eight HERE
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