Summary of Content: Date written as ”4 mo., 26th, 1887.” Contains an extract from the Philadelphia Inquirer regarding the death of Henry Franklin’s son. The extract is included as a reflection of the lack of racial prejudice in France, where Franklin’s son died. Includes a biographical description of Franklin, described as ”the venerable colored janitor of the Academy of Fine Arts.” Reports that Franklin’s slave name was Bill Budd. States that Franklin serves as Treasurer of the Colored Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Also mentions his activism on behalf of fugitive slaves and his special invitation to meet with noted abolitionist Gerrit Smith.
Background: The sketch mentions that Henry Franklin’s father, Jared, was born as a slave to attorney John Ross Key (1754-1821), whose son was Francis Scott Key (1779-1843), author of ”The Star-Spangled Banner,” the United States national anthem.