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Although several aspects of the involvement
of the religious groups in Beaver County have already been discussed,
the following brief outline should help to summarize some of this
activity.
Many of the churches in Beaver County appear to have been supportive
of the abolitionist movement. Many believed that the Reformed
Presbyterians (Covenanters) may have been some of the earliest
abolitionists in the area. Also, the Quakers were united against
slavery and were extremely active in operating the Underground
Railroad. The Presbyterians and Methodists were also opposed to
it despite the rulings of their national organizations. For example,
the First Presbyterian Church in New Brighton was very active.
Ministers other than Arthur Bullus Bradford who preached against
slavery included William McElwee of Frankfort Springs, James Haggerty
of Hanover, and Marcus Ormond of Hookstown and Tomlinson's Run
(United Presbyterians) and the itinerant Methodist preachers in
the larger Beaver Valley towns.