Abel James (152)

Abel James (1724–c. 28 October 1790) was a wealthy merchant, Quaker leader, and public officeholder, and a member of the American Philosophical Society via his 1768 election to the American Society. Born in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, he relocated to Philadelphia in early adulthood and formed a mercantile partnership with APS member Henry Drinker that would become one of the most prosperous in the city. Keen to improve trade and advance American manufacturing, James was a manager of the Silk Society, a subscriber to a linen factory, and a proponent of the Delaware-Chesapeake canal. He was also a donor to the Pennsylvania Hospital, a director of the Philadelphia Contributionship, and a director of the Library Company. And he served as a manager of the Bettering House, a warden of the port of Philadelphia, and a street commissioner. Long active in Quaker affairs, James was treasurer of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting in 1780, collected subscriptions for the publication of John Woolman’s journal, and served for almost thirty years as an overseer of Friends schools. He was twice elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly as a member of the anti-proprietary party and in 1756 worked with the Friendly Association for Regaining and Preserving Peace with the Indians. During the Revolution, he was briefly jailed as a suspected Loyalist but quickly released. In 1782, he came into possession of a partial autobiography manuscript written by his friend Benjamin Franklin, which he forwarded to the author with a note encouraging its publication. The note seems to have made an impression. (PI)