British politician, evangelist, and philanthropist (1759-1833) who played an important role in the movement to abolish slavery. Hand-addressed mailing envelope panel, 4.75 x 3, addressed by William Wilberforce to “The Rev’d Archdeacon Plymley, Longnor, Salop,” who adds the date and his franking signature above, “London Dec’r twelfth 1795, W. free Wilberforce.” In fine condition. An uncommon signed format from the great British abolitionist.



Archdeacon Joseph Plymley of Shropshire was an advocate of Thomas Clarkson, a leading campaigner who had helped to form the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade in 1778. Clarkson, in turn, was a close friend and ally of William Wilberforce whose first Bill to abolish the slave trade had been defeated in April 1791. On more than one occasion did Plymley chair a meeting to promote the Committee’s campaign. Plymley's sister, Katherine, was likewise an ardent abolitionist, and her prolific diaries, over 200 small notebooks, are held at the Shropshire Archives. Her writings provide a fascinating insight into Shropshire society and the progress of the anti-slavery campaign.