USA > Maryland > Talbot County > Easton > Commemorative exercises of the two-hundredth anniversary of the Friends' Meeting-House at Third Haven. Including an account of the settlement of Friends in Talbot County, Maryland, from the year 1657 to the present time > Part 2
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This Quarterly Meeting at one time comprised eight preparative meetings, namely : Cecil, Chester, Choptank, Tuckahoe, Bay-side, Transquaking (in Dorchester County), and, later, one in Queen Ann's and Marshy Creek, also an in- dulged meeting at Greensborough. The names of some of the members who composed this particular meeting were the Coles, Richardsons, Cleeves, Taylors, Fishbournes, Powells, Harwoods, Pitts, Edmondsons, Sharps, Berrys, Dixons, Ncalls, Kemps, Williams, Atkinsons, Bartletts, Needles, Moores, Dickinsons, Hopkins, Wilsons, Wickershams, Cockaynes, Wainrights, Fairbanks, Sherwoods, Troths, Parrotts, Bowers, Dawsons, Bruffs, Maloneys, Atwells, Yeos, and many others, beside the Nicholite Friends and the late settlers here.
Many of the descendants of the above are active members at this time.
In 1682 two representatives from each meeting were appointed to give an account of the business transactions and report the condition of each meeting.
Printed queries were introduced in 1725. Select meetings organized in 1699.
For several years monthly meetings were held two days in succession. The reports varied but little in expression, but it is evident, from their length, that considerable business was accomplished. As the smaller meetings declined, others were established elsewhere. Some resigned, or suffered themselves to be disowned on account of the slavery question, which agitated the minds of Friends at an early date; and many were disowned for marrying those not in membership with us, in consequence of the ceremonies being performed by a min- ister or priest (for they styled all by that appellation), because tortures had so frequently been inflicted through their instru- mentality ; therefore, a breach of the discipline in that respect
was deemed almost an unpardonable offense; but from a decrease of members, and a more charitable spirit toward all Christian denominations (which promotes influence and the growth) rules of discipline in this particular (as in others) have relaxed very greatly.
Marriage intentions in those days were announced in the meeting by the parties themselves, in both the men's and women's meetings, on two separate occasions, and thirdly, in a written form, together with the written consent of the parents of both, consequently it embraced three months before the ceremony was accomplished.
At the present epoch the "passing," as it is termed, is settled in writing. The first marriage on our meeting records bears the date of 1668, and was more concise than the present form. It reads as follows :
"William Southbee, of Talbot Co., in the province of Maryland, the 29th day of the First Month (O. S.) and in the year 1668, in an Assembly of the people of God, called Quakers, at their meeting, at the house of Isaac Abrahams, solemnly in the fear of God, took Elizabeth Read of the afore- said county and province, spinster to be his wife; and she, the said Elizabeth Read, did then and there, in like manner, take the said William Southbee to be her husband, each of them promising to be faithful to each other. To which the meeting now witnesseth, by signature."
A regular record of marriages, births and death has been kept since 1698, and it appears even earlier than that, by thic date of the above certificate.
In 1695 this meeting recommended that all of its con- stituent branches in Talbot and other counties should be tran . scribed on the county records in which the meetings were located.
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Settlements of estates, contracts (either legal or otherwise), all disagreements, also consent asked for certificates of removal, and for traveling Friends and ministers, as well as for approval of marriages, were submitted to the meeting, and committees appointed to investigate the clearness of the cases.
Tobacco being the currency for many years, all collections and business transactions of the church were made in that way, except in occasional donations of grain, produce, furni- ture, cattle, etc., though the English currency of £. s. d. was introduced later. The first collection in money was made in 1713.
In that era* tobacco seemed to be the staple crop. The Indians considered it a sacred herb, a precious gift of the Great Spirit to his children, and the act of smoking (with them) has always something of a ceremonial or even a religious character.
Friends were conscientiously opposed to paying tithes ; but their personal effects and slaves were often seized to the amount equivalent to the assessment, though they were com- pensated out of the meeting's fund for their loss.
The records show that care has been exercised in pro- viding for indigent members when afflicted or unable to support themselves, and assistance rendered to fit others for business.
The subject of education claimed their early attention, and several schools have been established under their superinten- dence. A school-house was built on a portion of this ground in 1782, but was removed to Easton in 1791, and taught at different times by Samuel Hutton, James Iddings, Mary Dick- inson, and Thomas Pearsons.
A proposition was made in 1816 to move this. meeting-
* Scharf's History of Maryland.
nouse there ; a lot of ground was purchased, and bricks burned for the purpose, but the matter was reconsidered and thoughit inadvisable.
Friends were much exercised in regard to taking oaths. This meeting applied for an act of the English Parliament on the subject ; and in 1681 Richard Johns and William Berry were requested by the Meeting to appeal to the Maryland Assembly to exempt our society from taking oaths,-which was favorably received by the Lower House, but not by the Upper ; but in 1688 Lord Baltimore published a proclamation,* resolv- ing to dispense with oaths in testamentary cases. Thenceforth, those who had any scruples in the matter were privileged to affirm. The spirit of war has always been denounced by Friends as inconsistent with a Christian life, believing that arbitration is a much more peaceable and satisfactory mode of settling disagreements. Minutes state that collections were made several times for the benefit of their members suffering from the Revolutionary War in this country, and from the effects of the Rebellion in England and Ireland. Though there is but little evidence that the members in this portion of the world were very much disturbed by the commotions in the land. Collections were likewise made for the sufferers of the society, from other causes in Virginia, Barbadoes and other localities.
Much generosity was displayed in that age in assisting those claiming their sympathies, as well as in defraying the various expenses of the meeting.
A testimony has always been maintained against the excessive use of spirituous liquors, and moderation has been observed ; but strenuous exertions are now being made in the Yearly Meetings to discard it even as a medicine. And
* Scharf's History of Maryland.
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perhaps by the combined efforts of the Temperance Union the cause will not be hopeless; thus this country may in future years eradicate one of the greatest evils in our land.
The feelings of triumph and gratitude are mingled in regard to the advanced movement of Friends in the emanci- pation of their own slaves. Yet it is difficult to reconcile the fact that they ever should have indulged in a practice so inconsistent with their humane and Christian principles as that of holding fellow-beings in bondage; not only the colored race, but white "redemptioners," as they were termed (be- cause they were held for a sufficient time to insure remunera- tion for their emigration).
We are informed that it was a usual custom with Friends, after attending the sessions of West River Yearly Meeting, to go on board of the slave-ships (lying near by) and select their slaves. In one instance a slave was sold, and the money in- vested, the interest of which was given towards paying the expenses of traveling Friends. The subject was agitated for a number of years before a definite action was taken.
In 1759 the Yearly Meeting of Maryland advised care in importing and buying negroes; in 1760 condemned importa- tion ; in 1702 condemned importing, buying or selling slaves without the consent of the meeting; but in 1777 slave-holding was made a disownable offense.
The first William Dixon freed and provided for a number of his slaves long before the consciences of others had been moved in the matter.
Some voluntarily manumitted theirs. Isaac Dixon, James and Benjamin Berry, Sarah Powell, Benjamin Parvin, John and Sarah Register, John and Magdaline Kemp and James Turner, were a few of the number.
Schools were afterwards provided for the benefit of these
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colored people; and their efforts were unceasing until the general manumission occurred in 1864.
In 1797* the Nicholite Friends (so called because they were followers of Joseph Nichols) located in Caroline County, Maryland. After existing as a separate society for twenty years, finding that the vital and fundamental principles of our societies were alike, concluded that a union might prove of mutual advantage, therefore applied, and were accepted as members of Third Haven Meeting.
Their rigid rules of discipline, especially in dress, being · very objectionable to their young people, made them anxious for a little more liberty,-one of their points of self-denial being in regard to wearing dyed garments, and cultivating bright-colored flowers. Prior to the dissolution of their society, they generously transferred to this meeting their three meeting-houses in Caroline County, namely : Centre, Tucka- hoe Neck (near Denton) and Northwest Fork (now Pine Grove). About four hundred persons became incorporated with our society, though some afterwards emigrated to Canada and the Western States. Among those who remained here were Elisha Dawson, Elizabeth Twiford, and James Harris, all ministers in much esteem. Dennis Kelley and family, Levin Pool and family, John Wright and family, Preston Godwin and family, Samuel Emerson and family, Wm. Maloney and family, Willis Charles and family, Jonathan Shannahan and family, and Anthony Whitely, were some of the most prominent members who connected themselves with this meeting.
The voices of valued Friends have resounded in this ancient building. proclaiming the word of God in earnest ap- peals for the salvation of our immortal souls, entreating all to follow the Christ-like examples of our blessed Saviour, and
* Janney's Life L'on.
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could these walls but speak, they would echo the names of Ralph Fishbourne, Richard Johns, Stephen Keddy, Elizabeth Webb, Daniel Gould, Mary Rogers, Richard Townsend, Francis Howgill (who died a martyr to his faith in Appleby Jail, London); Joshua Healding, William Penn, Joshua Evans, Robert Jordon, Joshua Lord, Thomas Chalkly, Aaron Atkin- son, John and Samuel Fothergill, John Sykes, John Sleeper, John Woolman (the latter two made a pedestrian tour here, and to the various meetings in America), John Churchman, Thomas Thompson, Ezra Comfort, Susanna Lightfoot, Grace Fisher, Joshua Sharpless, Benjamin Ferris, Abraham Gibbons, Eli Yarnell, John and Joseph Richardson, John Register, Mary Berry, Susanna Needles, James Fairbanks, James Cockburn, Elias Hicks, Sarah Turner, John Comly, Philena Lay, Debbie Mifflin, Sarah Cowgill, John Needles, Daniel Bowers, Lucretia Mott, Samuel M. Janney, Hannah Leverton, Elizabeth New- port, Deborah Wharton, Joshua Noble, Mary S. Lippincott, John Parrish, Samuel Levick, Jonah Kelley, Lydia Price, Robert Hatton, Patience H. Jenkins and a multitude of others. The carthly pilgrimage of a majority of these is o'er, and doubtless they are enjoying the reward of the faithful ; but of the number, none are more lamented, or the memory of any more cherished, than our lately deceased friend, Patience HI. Jenkins. May the few who are surviving be encouraged in their exalted mission !
John Richardson gives the following account, in his Journal, of William Penn's visit here, in 1700. "We were," said he, "at a Yearly Meeting at Tredhaven, in Maryland, upon the Eastern Shore, to which meeting for worship came Wni Penn, Lord and Lady Baltimore, with their retinue ; but it was late when they came, and the strength and glory of the heavenly power of the Lord was going off from the meeting ;
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so the lady was much disappointed, as I understand from Wm. Penn, for she told him she did not want to hear him, and such as he, for he was a scholar and a wise man, and she did not question but he could preach ; but she wanted to hear some of our mechanics preach, as husbandmen, shoemakers and such like rustics, for she thought they could not preach to any pur- pose. William Penn told her ' some of these were rather the best preachers we had among us.'"
Letters and epistles were received and read in this meeting from William Penn as well as George Whitehead, Daniel Gould, and other prominent Friends.
An interest has always been manifested in the welfare of the Indian race. The mild and persuasive treatment of George Fox, William Penn and others, seemed to insure their respect and confidence through succeeding generations. Therefore, credit is due the society for the primary step towards their promotion.
So little did our early predecessors appreciate one of the comforts of life (as well as health), that for almost a century they had no means of heating this building (foot-stoves, filled with hot embers, were sometimes used by woman Friends). Some opposition was offered when a stove was proposed, and afterwards bought (in 1781), declaring that their religious zeal ought to be sufficient warmth.
It is traditional (as well as authentic), that one of the members was so unyielding, that, to show his disapproval, he called it a " dumb idol," and made it a receptacle for his over- coat, but as there was no fire, no damage was done; the follow- ing Sabbath he repeated the act without noticing the fire, and the odor arising from the smoking garment attracted his atten- tion (much to the amusement of the witnesses, especially the children), and Friend Parvin had the humiliation of going to its rescue-convinced, we hope, of his error.
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This house was saved, twice, from being destroyed by fire ; once by a Friend, whose name was Sarah Berry (about the year 1810) ; she extinguished the flame by rubbing it with a stick, not having time to obtain water, or give the alarm for assistance.
This meeting sustained but little loss in numbers by the separation which occurred in 1828. But discouragements have arisen very often since, on account of a decrease, and apparent apathy, in upholding the many beautiful and living testimonies originated by our predecessors. But the recent addition of members from convincement, also from the North and West, since the causes of our Civil War have ceased, and this coun- try has assumed a tranquil and prosperous condition, has been very encouraging ; and we entertain a hope that the interest in these noble principles, may be perpetuated by the youth, as well as the older ones, in the establishment of the First-day schools and Bible classes.
Ours at present promises to be the means of nourish- ing our little meeting for many future years; and whilst we cannot, in this progressive age, adhere to all of the peculiari- ties of our former worthies, let us not neglect the vital foun- dation points that they so valorously maintained, but endeavor to sustain ourselves as a society, which to-day has more influence in the religious world than it has ever done, because the revolutions of time have wrought its changes upon this enlightened age (our sect included), and some of the advanced views of our founders have been diffused throughout the Christian community.
This ancient building brings many memories. Since its erection, great progress has been made in the arts and sciences -nations have been formed, and fallen asunder ; and now this house is following the course of all terrestrial things; and will
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soon be only a memory. Surely we may learn many lessons from these reflections.
Let us then, with renewed zeal, strive for an enduring heavenly home.
"Oh! then, that wisdom may we know, Which yields a life of peace below ; So in the world to follow this, May each repeat in tones of bliss, ' We're all-all-here.'"'
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Lines, Written for the 200th Anniversary of Third Haven Meeting.
By Susan E. Dickinson. Read by I. A. Barber.
Across the perilous sea, Seeking a land where free From persecution they might worship God, Whose inner Spirit's word They hearkened for and heard
In solemn stillness-lo, upon this sod,
This fair peninsula, they forebore to roam,
And 'mid the ancient forests made their home.
Fair was the land that lay By Chesapeake's broad bay ;
Tred Avon's waters laughed to see the sun Where'er the woods' thick shade Gave way to grassy glade ;
There paused the wanderers ; there their rest was won From the oppressor's hand, -- and, landing there, Built 'mid their cabin homes a place of prayer.
They felt God's blessing rest Upon their ended quest, .
They felt his presence in the hush draw near, Or when his solemn word Some waiting spirit stirred
To utterance in accents calm and clear. - His ble sing prospered them, and from the strand Their homesteads stretched across the fertile land.
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Thanking the Lord, whose grace Had made for them a place So broad and fair, they chose its fairest plot, Where on the higher ground The mighty oaks around Sheltered with sturdy arms the pleasant spot. Hard by, the forest spaces knew erelong The broad axe sounding o'er the wild-birds' song.
Two years, with steadfast will, Our fathers wrought until Third Haven meeting-house they saw uprise Complete ; and, entering there While the soft summer air
.Breathed round them like the breath of Paradise, They waited on the Lord with reverent care Till silence trembled into praise and prayer.
Yet, while each circling year Made the new home more dear, Doubtless each true heart oft and deeply yearned For faces far away, For tones from childhood's day Familiar- and in dreams of night returned To tread again the scenes long loved before They sought a refuge on the new world's shore.
How full of fervent praise, Through all those early days, Was there rejoicing o'er the Friends who came Across the severing sea, In tenderest sympathy, With their hearts touched by Pentecostal flame. They brought the breath of home, which made the hour Of solemn meeting deeper in its power.
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Here, too, the written word Full often thrilled and stirred The hearts of those who listened ; many a day These walls have echoed clear The message of good cheer, Of God's great love which knows not let or stay A message writ by Fox or Whitehead's hands To this beloved church in distant lands.
The swift years will not bide ! Friends grew and multiplied, Great tents were spread beneath the ancestral trees When Half Year meeting's call Gathered in, great and small, The church's members. Yet, behold, of these Were none of those, the builders! Fallen asleep In Christ,-their dust yon burial acres keep.
New generations came And went-but many a name Well known in ancient records vanished quite. The sin of ancient day- By Friends first put away- Darkened the land still. Fleeing from its blight Many had gone, as went their sires before From their old homes on England's distant shore.
And in our modern times With their unrest, new climes Have beckoned many from our shores away. But we, who still remain, With loving heart are fain To keep the memory of that elder day, And honor those whose zeal and faith we know Builded this ancient fane so long ago.
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Nor we alone. There are Not a few, scattered far, Some who ne'er looked upon this pleasant land, Who hold in reverent thought What their ancestors wrought In distant days on Chesapeake's green strand, And on Third Haven's anniversary day Greet it in loving thought, though far away.
Oh, many a shrine of old Has memories manifold Tender and true and sacred clustered round ! Some falling to decay, Some glorious in array ; But, of the many held as holy ground, To us is none so dear as this we know Built by our sires two hundred years ago.
Then and Now.
Written, by request, for the Two-hundredth Anniversary of the Settlement of Friends at Third Haven by Professor Wilson M. Tylor. Read by Robert B. Dixon.
" Remorseless Time !
Fierce spirit of the glass and scythe ! What power can stay him in his silent course,
Or melt his iron heart to pity ! On, still on he presses, and forever." Prentice.
How great is the mind of man, and how wonderful ! It grapples with complex subjects but to reduce them to compre- hensive simplicity. It measures the length and breadth of our land, and knows the coming of the seasons. It controls the destiny of nations, and penetrates the works of nature. It brings into action latent forces-commands them, and they obey.
Yet how insignificant when it attempts to comprehend the duration of time, and to measure the untold length of the past !
Two hundred years! what is it but a drop in the ocean, but a thought in the history of ages? Yet, short as it is, gen- erations have come and gone, the young have become old and passed away. Sturdy oaks, that withstood the storms of winters, and among whose inviting branches carolled birds for scores of summers, have flourished and fallen.
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In yon silent yard lies entombed the ashes of those whose presence once made glad the heart, whose buoyant steps delighted the ears of loving friends, around whose board echoed the voices of happy children, and from whose gates the stranger turned not away. Those moss-covered stones and sodded mounds reminds us of loved ones whose hearts no longer pulsate with the quickened fire of youth, whose hoary heads no longer bow in humble reverence to the Author of Light. The young and the fair are there ; in the morn of life, Death waved his wand, and they are not. The middle-aged are there; he pointed his pallid finger to the strong man, and his proud form lies prostrate. The aged are there ; he beckoned, and they obeyed his summons. Those lie there whose wel- come voices once sounded within these walls, calling the attentive ones to a higher and better life. Here they were led in childhood, by the hands of faithful parents, tenderly instructed in the path of truth, became in after years expounders of the Word of Life, and, having finished their labors, folded their hands in peaceful rest, long before the recollection of the now living.
We mingle to-day to worship again in this house, whose time-honored walls seem to bid us welcome, and on the face of whose rough-hewn timbers are written, "Passing away, passing away." Its plain, undecorated walls seem to echo the voices of long ago, and humbly call the weary soul to rest. Its unpainted benches remind us of the untarnished lives of Christians. Its unassuming door-ways, low ceilings and unsteepled roof are typical of the meek and lowly who adorn not the exterior, to be seen of men, but who worship God with an humble and contrite heart. No organ peal is heard; but beyond the solemn silence break the heavenly words, " Peace, be still."
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Countless changes have been wrought since these founda- tions were laid. Cities have sprung into existence ; millions of acres, on whose surface civilization had never trod, have become fruitful ; foreign lands have been visited and peopled ; new nations have flourished, and old ones perished. Then, · the forest still resounded to the axe of the settler, and the voice of the engine was unknown ; now, iron wheels thunder through the cleared and fertile valleys. Then, small crafts wandered over the trackless sea, subject to the whims of the wind ; now, iron steamers can stretch their foamy wake from shore to shore, regardless of the weather. Then, months were occupied in communicating with foreign countries ; now, electric cables pulsate with the heart-throbs of continents. Then, persecutions on account of religion were not unfrequent ; now, the glorious liberty of conscience extends throughout our land.
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When this building was erected, the author of Pilgrim's Progress was still preaching the gospel in England; Dryden, the father of modern English prose, was in his glory, and the name of Alexander Pope had not been heard. It had stood thirty-three years before that great man, Joseph Addison, called his dissolute step-son to his bedside, that he might see with what peace a Christian could die. In this room the parents of Washington could have worshiped in childhood, and Peter the Great could have heard with profit the teachings of Jesus.
In reviewing the changes wrought by the works of man, the thoughtful mind marvels with astonishment; but in con- templating the unchangeable laws of the Deity, we are dumb with admiration. During these twenty decades, man's works have. crumbled to dust; but the sun, undiminished in glory, still moves in his mighty course, the King of Day ; while the moon, the faithful watcher of the night, reflects his splendor
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