Here he witnessed the horrific treatment of enslaved Africans, which instilled in him his lifelong abolitionist principles. Lay later settled in Philadelphia, and was made unpopular among his fellow Quakers by his confrontational anti-slavery stance.
Near where he observed the harsh treatment of enslaved Africans, this event solidified his resolve to fight for abolition throughout his life. Lay eventually settled in Philadelphia and faced opposition from his Quaker community because of his strong anti-slavery beliefs.