Thomas H. Dudley
Thomas Haines Dudley was born in Evesham Township, Burlington County, New Jersey on October 9, 1819 to a Quaker family. He moved to the City of Camden in 1842 and became the City Clerk and City Treasurer. Dudley also studied to be a lawyer and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1845.
Mr. Dudley was a passionate Abolitionist. In 1845, when a free Black family from Burlington County was kidnapped into slavery, the Quakers raised $1000 and Dudley offered to rescue the family. He disguised himself as a slave trader and was able to purchase the family's freedom and bring them north.
Dudley was involved in politics. In 1856, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Chicago. He was very influential in securing the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for President. Mr. Lincoln recognized Dudley's talents of diplomacy and tact and appointed him Consul to Liverpool. Liverpool was an important city in the cotton industry. Mr. Dudley was able to stop the illegal delivery of cotton by many ships from the Confederate states. During this time, he received many death threats and at great risk to his life.
After the war, Thomas H. Dudley was sent to Geneva to serve as an attorney for the United States in the Joint High Commission at the Geneva Tribunals. When he returned to the United States, he was involved in many organizations which worked for the good of all the citizens. Dudley also wrote many articles on agriculture, trade, taxes, politics, and international relationships.
Thomas H. Dudley suffered a heart attack at the Broad Street Station in Philadelphia on April 15, 1893 and died instantly. He is buried near Moorestown, New Jersey.
Mr. Dudley was a passionate Abolitionist. In 1845, when a free Black family from Burlington County was kidnapped into slavery, the Quakers raised $1000 and Dudley offered to rescue the family. He disguised himself as a slave trader and was able to purchase the family's freedom and bring them north.
Dudley was involved in politics. In 1856, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Chicago. He was very influential in securing the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for President. Mr. Lincoln recognized Dudley's talents of diplomacy and tact and appointed him Consul to Liverpool. Liverpool was an important city in the cotton industry. Mr. Dudley was able to stop the illegal delivery of cotton by many ships from the Confederate states. During this time, he received many death threats and at great risk to his life.
After the war, Thomas H. Dudley was sent to Geneva to serve as an attorney for the United States in the Joint High Commission at the Geneva Tribunals. When he returned to the United States, he was involved in many organizations which worked for the good of all the citizens. Dudley also wrote many articles on agriculture, trade, taxes, politics, and international relationships.
Thomas H. Dudley suffered a heart attack at the Broad Street Station in Philadelphia on April 15, 1893 and died instantly. He is buried near Moorestown, New Jersey.
Source: www.dvrbs.com/People/Prom-5/ThomasHainesDudley
