One of the early champions of the abolition of slavery was a Virginian. Edward Coles (1786-1868) hailed from a wealthy family, and upon the death of his father in 1808 he inherited land and a dozen enslaved people. He eventually moved with his slaves to Illinois, where he freed them. He went on to become the second governor of Illinois and lived to see his abolition dreams realized. In 1814, Coles wrote to Thomas Jefferson, inviting the venerable author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States to join him in speaking out against the evils of slavery. Here's the letter.

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Image: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum

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