ll from the top of a high flight of steps to the
ground, and received an injury of the head, followed by convulsions,
which continued at intervals for a considerable time, and rendered him
incapable of any effort of mind or body.

He was, during childhood, remarkably fond of reading, and was
distinguished among his friends and associates for uncommon perseverance
in accomplishing anything he undertook, a trait which peculiarly marked
him through life; his disposition is said to have been unusually amiable
and docile, so as to endear him very strongly to his relatives and
friends.

After his removal from Westtown, he was again taken into the family of
his brother-in-law, and remained under the care of his sister, who was
very much attached to him, until he was placed as an apprentice to the
hardware business. While here, he was entirely relieved of the
affliction caused by the fall, and was restored to sound health. About
the age of twenty-one, he entered upon the pursuits of the business he
had selected.

The exact time at which his attention was turned to the subject of
slavery cannot be ascertained, but it is probable that a testimony
against it was among his earliest impressions as a member of the
religious Society of Friends. He joined the "Pennsylvania Society for
the Promoting the Abolition of Slavery," etc., in 1817, and the ardent
interest which he took in its objects, was evinced on many occasions
within the recollection of many now living. He was for many years an
active member of its Board of Education, and took a prominent part in
extending the benefits of learning to colored children and youth.

The career of Thomas Shipley, as it was connected with the interests of
the colored community, abounds in incidents which have rarely occurred
in the life of any individual. Being universally regarded as their
adviser and protector, he was constantly solicited for his advice on
questions touching their welfare. This led him to investigate the laws
relating to this class of persons, in all their extended ramifications.
The knowledge he thus acquired, together with his practical acquaintance
with the business and decisions of our courts, rendered his opinion
peculiarly serviceable on all matters affecting their rights. Never did
a merchant study more closely the varied relations of business, and
their influence on his interests, than did Thomas Shipley all those
questions which concerned the well-being of those fo