James Pemberton (79)

James Pemberton (26 August 1723–1809) was a merchant, philanthropist, activist, diplomat, and public official, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1768. Born into an wealthy and influential Philadelphia family, he joined his father in the shipping and mercantile business. He was also active in Quaker affairs, succeeding his brother (and fellow APS member) Israel Pemberton as clerk of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. In addition to holding that post for over thirty years, he was appointed an inaugural member of the Quaker Meeting for Sufferings, which would become the functional governing body of the Yearly Meeting. Pemberton was elected to the Provincial Assembly in 1755 and again a year later, but the Quakers’ pacifist position during the French and Indian War compelled him to resign in 1756. Following his departure, he and his brother co-founded the Friendly Association, an organization dedicated to brokering peace between Quaker representatives and Delaware Indians. He remained active in politics and in 1765 was re-elected to the assembly to better represent Quaker interests. Although he and his brother signed the Non-Importation Agreement, he remained opposed to separation from Great Britain. For this view (but not on any official charges), the revolutionary government arrested and then banished him to Virginia along with other Quaker leaders, including his brothers. Following his release and return to Philadelphia, he eschewed politics for philanthropy, serving on the board of the Pennsylvania Hospital, becoming the second president of the Abolition Society after Benjamin Franklin stepped down, and championing Quaker education.