In 1794, black children received permission to enroll in the primary or so-called dame schools which offered a smattering of basics, but they failed to obtain admission to the far superior public grammar schools. By 1807, however, white unrest led to a decision to open a separate "African school" which, by 1826, enrolled some fifty blacks. Four years later, black unrest mushroomed when a black girl passed the high school entrance examinations, enrolled under protest, then withdrew under pressure. An agreement to provide a classroom for blacks in the boys Latin school alleviated the tension until 1843 when black parents withdrew their children in protest of the patent discrimination. The school board reluctantly agreed to integrate the schools.

At the same time, Salem enjoyed its reputation as the mother of cultured men whose family wealth came from the great days of maritime commerce and from newly founded entrepreneurial ventures. Well-lettered but often socially conservative, a few nevertheless formed a nucleus of sympathizers with the anti-slavery movement. The city early became a stop on the "underground railroad," spiriting escaped slaves to freedom in Canada. Much of the local interest in this cause resulted from the influence of the Remond family, prominent blacks with close ties to the Fortens.

Charles Remond, the son of a prosperous Chestnut Street caterer and merchant, grew up in the tradition of service, especially to his own race.2 He married a widow, Amy Williams, a former neighbor of the Philadelphia Fortens who shared their ideology. In May of 1854, Charlotte Forten arrived to live with the Remonds. Amy Remond welcomed her as a daughter and the girl later referred to Mrs. Remond as "the loveliest of women, the best and kindest of friends."

Upon her arrival at the Remonds, Charlotte enrolled in the Higginson Grammar School for Girls under its principal, Mary L. Shepard, a gifted teacher and caring mentor. Raised in an anti-slavery home and now in the heady atmosphere of the Remond residence where leaders like Garrison and John Greenleaf Whittier frequently visited, Charlotte thrived under the tempering inspiration and care of Shepard, her "dear and kind teacher."