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Hetty Burr

1795 – 1862

American abolitionist

Activist Abolitionist
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About Hetty Burr

Lived 1795 – 1862 (aged 66–67). Hetty Burr was an activist and abolitionist.

Hester "Hetty" Elizabeth Burr (née Emery) (c.1796-1862) was an abolitionist and clubwoman in early America.

Biography Hester Emery was born to Sarah Emery and John Emery, a free Black man who served as a private in Pennsylvania's Fifth Regiment during the Revolutionary War. Hetty was born in about 1796. Her father died on January 19, 1809, when Hetty was about fourteen.

Hetty Emery was a dressmaker or hairdresser by trade.

On May 15, 1817, Hetty married John Pierre Burr at African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas. They had ten children together. This organization promoted purchasing goods produced by free labor. In 1838, the Female Vigilant Association was founded, with Burr as a member, as an auxiliary to the Vigilant Association of Philadelphia, an underground railroad organization led by black Philadelphians. The Female Vigilant Association raised money to clothe, feed, and shelter runaways. and was friends with abolitionists Sarah Moore Grimké and Angelina Grimké. She also was president of one of Philadelphia's female literary societies.

In 1849, Burr co-founded the Woman's Association of Philadelphia.

Burr died around 1862.

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Important facts

Born
1795
Birth century
Died
1862
Also known as
Hester Elizabeth Burr, Hester Elizabeth Emory, Hetty Emory

People in Hetty Burr's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Hetty Burr's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Hetty Burr?

American abolitionist

When was Hetty Burr born?

Hetty Burr was born in 1795.

When did Hetty Burr die?

Hetty Burr died in 1862.

What was Hetty Burr's occupation?

Hetty Burr was an activist and abolitionist.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Hetty Burr

· Wikidata: Q123012689

· DBpedia: Hester "Hetty" Burr

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hetty Burr. https://biography.guide/hetty-burr/

MLA: "Hetty Burr." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hetty-burr/.

Chicago: "Hetty Burr." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hetty-burr/.

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