The Hallowell family is an American family from Boston and Philadelphia, notable for their activism in the abolitionist movement and for their philanthropy to various universities and civil rights organizations. Two branches of the Hallowell family exist, both originating in England. The cities of Hallowell, Maine and Hallowell, Ontario, as well as Boylston Street in Boston were named for members of the Boston Branch. The Hallowell's are frequently associated with Boston Brahmin culture. It has been said that in Boston, the Lords prayer includes the phrase, Hallowell be thy name, instead of hallowed be thy name.
Notable members of the Philadelphia branch
Morris Longstreth Hallowell was born in Pennsylvania where he inherited and successfully ran a China import trade business. In 1831 he married Hannah Smith Penrose. Morris became a director of the Pennsylvania Railroad and the First National Bank. His summer home was a stop on the underground railroad, and he gave much of his wealth to the Union. He was a founding member of the Union League of Philadelphia. Benjamin Hallowell May Hallowell Loud: Artist, suffragist and great granddaughter of Lucretia Mott. Sarah Tyson Hallowell Sarah Catherine Fraley Hallowell Sarah Tyson Hallowell: An American art curator, quaker, and granddaughter of colonial millionaire and abolitionist Elisha Tyson. Harriet Hallowell Edwin Hallowell Norwood Penrose Hallowell: A colonel in the 54th Massachusetts regiment. He famously left the Somerset Club, upon noticing that the curtains were closed during the 54th's victory march. In the Civil War Film, Glory, Norwood Penrose Hallowell was recreated as the fictional character, Major Cabot-Forbes, portrayed by actor Cary Elwes. Edward Needles Hallowell: An officer in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The children of Edward Needles Hallowell and Richard Price Hallowell contributed time and money towards African American advancement societies, including the NAACP, of which many were founding members. Richard Price Hallowell: Director of the National Bank of Commerce. Hallowell was a trustee, vice president, and president, of the Medford Savings Bank. He campaigned for the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution granting African American men the right to vote. He helped to establish schools for freed slaves in the South and served as manager of the "Home for Aged Colored Women" in Boston. He also acted as a financial agent of the Tuskegee Institute in Boston and served as a trustee of the Calhoun Colored School in Alabama. At the request of Booker T. Washington, he solicited funds to pay legal fees to test Jim Crow election laws prohibiting African Americans from voting in Louisiana and Alabama. He also helped raised $30,000 to support the New Century Cotton Mills, which was to be an "all-black cotton mill" owned and operated by Africans Americans. He served as Vice President of the Women's Suffrage Association, and was a founding member and treasurer of the Free Religious Association. John Hallowell
