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The
Kingwood
Records.
RECORDS
OF THE
Friends, Society of KINGWOOD MONTHLY MEETING OF FRIENDS.
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
COMPILED FROM THE MINUTES AND OTHER MANUSCRIPTS BEGINNING IN 1744
BY
JAMES W. MOORE,
LAFAYETTE COLLEGE, EASTON, PA.
FLEMINGTON, NEW JERSEY, H. E. DEATS. 1900,
Library of Congress
TWO COPIES RECEIVED FEB 21 1901 Copyright entry July 9, 1900 a16837 SECOND COPY
-144 . KAF5
Copyright 1900, by James W. Moore.
Printed for the Publisher by Geo. W. Burroughs, Cranbury. N. J.
Having had occasion about five years ago to investigate some points in the early history of New Jersey Dr. Henry Race, of Pittstown, directed me to the Kingwood Records. Through the kindness of the Custodian, Mr. Abram R. Vail, of Quakertown, unfortunately recently deceased, free access to them was given me. So much of interest to so many people was discovered that the notes then taken were regarded of sufficient value to publish. Every effort has been used to avoid errors but the nature of the work was such that some minor ones may not have escaped notice. The work has been a labor of love upon the part of both the compiler and publisher.
Jan. 1. 1900.
J. W. M.
A HINT ON DATES.
OLD STYLE.
Before 1752 the year began March 25th.
NEW STYLE. The Year 1752 began January 1st.
March
1st month
January.
April
3rd month
March.
May
4th month
April.
June
5th month
May.
.July
6th month
June.
August
7th month
July.
September
August.
October
-th month
September.
November
9th month
October.
December
10th month
November.
January
11th month
December.
February
12th month
February.
2nd month
GILBERT COPE,
West Chester Pa.
HE region about Quakertown, New Jersey, was settled by Friends at an early date, how early it is impossible now to deter- mine with exactness. A few old deeds which have escaped the ravages of time indicate that some of the families were there about 1726 or 1727. The Friends who were early settlers were members of Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, of Bur- lington County. In the minutes of that Meeting, under date of 10th. 4, 1729, the following minute is found : "Thomas Williams, Samuel Schooley and others made application to this meeting that, whereas, their settlement being remote from Friends, they request Friends approbation and consent to meet together at one of their houses every First day of the week to worship God ; whereupon this meeting, well knowing the advan- tage the people of God have in meeting together in His name, approve of their so doing until there be an established meeting nearer to them, or until Friends see some inconveniency in their so doing." This is supposed to be the authority for the estab- lishing of the Bethlehem Monthly Meeting, which afterwards became the Kingwood Meeting, the name of the township having been changed to the latter. In the act itself it will be noticed that the location of the settlement is not given. There is no evidence of the appointment of overseers until 1731, when a proposition was brought out "to appoint overseers for Bethlehem."
In 1733 Samuel Large, Samuel Willson, Jolm Stevenson, Edward Rockhill and Joseph King act as trustees for four acres of land for the use of the meeting, which are deeded by Jacob Doughty. Nothing is known of the date of the erection of the original meeting-house. It is said to have been a log house, and to have stood about thirty yards southwest of the present building".
The establishment of a business meeting in 174.4 is indicated by the following extract from the minutes ; John Simcock is supposed to have been the clerk.
BOOK A VOL: the 1st.
Containing
The Proceedings of the Monthly Meeting at King- wood, formerly called Bethlehem, according to the Minutes here-in-after Recorded At our Monthly Meeting held at Bethlehem the 10th. Day of the 7th. Month 1744 This being our first Monthly Meeting of Friends here, friends think it requisite that the copy of the Last Quarterly Meetings Min- utes whereby Liberty was granted that we Should hold a Monthly Meeting here, Should be Entered at large, which is as followeth, vizt. At our Quarterly Meeting held at Burlington the 27th. day of the 6th. Month 1744, This Meeting again considering the application of Friends of Bethle- hem Meeting who have again renewed their re- quest, and after deliberate and weighty considera- tion of the matter, Do now consent and agree that as they live very remote from any Monthly Meet- ing which must needs be on Several accounts inconvenient to them. They have Liberty to hold a Monthly Meeting among themselves, and it is Agreed that the said meeting be held the Second day in each Month : And the Clerk is desired to give them a copy of this Minute.
A true Copy pr. Caleb Raper Clerk.
No better history of Kingwood Meeting can be written than that which is contained in the Min- utes. The following quotations, in their quaint language, tell the story :
11 1 1744 | 5. "Jeremiah Williams reports that he carried Seventy shillings which was col- lected at our last Monthly Meeting to the Quar- terly Meeting and paid it to Caleb raper (the Treasurer ) towards the Yearly Meetings Stock."
11 12 1714. " This meeting taking into con- sideration the necessity of Building a new Meet- inghouse in this place have Unanimously agreed to lay the necessity thereof before the next Quar- terly Meeting in order to their Approbation therein."
11 1 1744 | 5. "Samuel Large & Jeremiah Williams who were appointed to Attend Last Quarterly Meeting Report that Agreeable to the
* The writer wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness for the preceding information to a paper by Mrs. Mary C. Vail.
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request of our last Monthly Meeting they made Application for Building a New Meetinghouse here, and they have brought a Copy of the Minute made there on that occasion which is Entred at large as followeth vizt. At our Quarterly Meet- ing held at Burlington the 25th. day of the 12th. Month 1744. The Monthly Meeting of Friends at Bethlehem having made application for liberty to build a Meetinghouse there, that they already have there not being large enough, this Meeting consents to their proposal, And that the said House be built according to the directions of the said Monthly Meeting. To witt, about thirty Six feet long and twenty Six feet wide.
A Copy of the Minute Cabel Rapor Clk.
And this Meeting agrees that the said Meeting- house Shall be Built according to the above Demen- tions in the Clear, and that it Shall be Built of Stone."
13 3 1745. "Friends of the Great Meadows having made Request for holding a Meeting of Worship there, This Meeting leaves it to further Consideration until the next Monthly Meeting."
Sth 5 1745. "Friends of Great Meadows re- newed their request for holding a Meeting of Worship there every First day of each week which this meeting grants and appoints Samuel Willson Junr. shall serve in the place of an overseer at particular Meeting."
12 6 1745. "This meeting taking into consid- eration that it woukl answer much better both in respect of our own affairs and also because our Monthly Meeting interferes with some other adja- cent meetings so that both eannot both be so well attended as otherwise they might be if our Monthly Meeting were settled on the Second Fifth day in every month wherefore it is concluded that . those Friends who shall be appointed to attend next Quarterly Meeting do make request accord- ingly and that our request be inserted in our report to the next meeting. This meeting agrees and it is Concluded that our Monthly Meetings and Meetings of Worship both on First days and Week days shall begin at Eleven o'Clock in the morning for the future."
12 7 1745. Upon the Request of our last Monthly Meeting to the Quarterly Meeting for holding our Monthly Meeting on the Second Fifth day in every month which was granted as appears by the Quarterly Meetings minute entered at large as followeth vizt The Friends of Bethlehem Monthly Meeting requested that their Monthly Meeting might be held for the future on the Fifth day of the second week in every month which after due consideration was granted by this meet-
ing Copy per Richard Smith Clark of Q. M. for this time.
'2 12 1746. This Meeting orders the sum of four pounds to be collected in order to send to the next Q. M. to help to defray the charges of the repairing the two meeting houses in Burlington.
14 3 1747. Jeremiah Williams and Daniel Doughty to attend the next Q. M. and to report in addition to the usual matters " We are build- ing our new Meetinghouse here thirty nine feet long & twenty seven feet wide and we expect by compu- tation that the cost will amount to one hundred and fifty pounds and have but yet one hundred pounds subscribed towards dischargeing the same ;"
16 9 1748. At this meeting Friends at the Great Meadows requested liberty of holding a meeting of worship on the Fourth day of every week which request was granted by this Meeting.
17 7 1749. The Quarterly Meeting at Burling- ton paid to Jeremiah Williams the sum of three pounds fifteen shillings towards building the meet- ing house.
8 12 1749. "At the request of Friends at the Meadows for a committee for fixing upon a place for building a Meeting House this Meeting appoints Jeremiah Williams, Joseph King Senior, Joseph Webster, Joseph King Junior, and Wil- liam King a committee to assist Friends at the Meadows as soon as they conveniently may."
8 1 1750. "The comittee appointed to fix upon a place at the Meadows to set their Meeting- house desire some more friends of this Meeting be appointed to assist them. John Emley, Peter Schmuck, Jacob Simcock and William Emley are added to the committee for their assistance."
12 2 1750. "The Committee appointed at the last monthly meeting for settling and fixing a place for building a Meetinghouse at the Great Meadows return it as their opinion and judgment that the Meetinghouse shall be built at the same place where the graveyard is made there it being the same place as they agreed upon and subscribed to themselves before this committee was chosen which this Meeting agrees to. Friends of the Great meadows not acqu, ing with the judgment of the committee in affixing the place for building the Meetinghouse request an appeal to the next Q. M. which this meeting granted."
10. 3. 1750. " Those friends that are dissatis- fied at the Great Meadows respecting the Commit- tee's setting a place for building a Meetinghouse there continue their request for an appeal to the Q. M. and it is agreed that they have copies of the Minuts."
13 7 1750. "Samuel Stevenson one of the friends appointed to attend the last Q. M. (the
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other friend being sick could not attend ) reports that he attended the same and the Q. M. sent a copy of their minut by him whereby they con- firmed the judgment of this Meeting in affixing the place where the Meetinghouse ought to be built at the Great Meadows."
13 2 1752. "This Meeting appoints Jeremiah Williams, Jonathan Robeson, Joseph King Sen. and Thomas Atkinson to agree with suetable workmen to repair the Meetinghouse of Friends in Kingwood (known by the name of Bethlehem Meetinghouse) in such sort manner and form as they think best."
14 5 1752. Samuel Large and John Emley are appointed to carry the report to Q. M. at Chesterfield to which is added the following :
14 5 1752. " We have had under our consid- eration the visiting of families and tho we are sen- sible that it is a good work where it is rightly performed yet we are under some difficulty to get such among us as are suetable and willing to undertake it being a small Meeting and few of us looking upon ourselves sutable for that weighty service. And we have likewise considered the proposal for settling a school. but being few of us and so remote from each other and some of us under low circumstances so that it seems unlikely to us that we shall be able to raise a sufficient sallary to support such a school. Otherwise we should be very free and heartily join with the proposal believing it would in some degree answer the good purpose intended."
11 4 1754. Samuel Large, Gershom Mott Junior and Robert Large are appointed to visit the families of Friends at Kingwood and else- where belonging to that Meeting and Josiah Dyer, Richard Lundy Senior and Samuel Schooley are appointed to the same service for Hardwick Meet- ing and they are desired to accomplish their visits as soon as they conveniently may and when aecom- plished to make report to our monthly Meeting.
11 6 1752. "The Clerk is desired to draw an order for John Emley to receive of the Treasurer of the Q. M. at Burlington that money which given by the said Q. M. towards repairing our Meetinghonse in Kingwood and to sign the same in behalf of this Meeting."
21 9 1752. " Pursuant to the order of the last Q. M. held at Burlington the Clerk of the said Meeting sent a copy of a Minute made at the said Meeting which is as followeth vizt. "At a Q. M: held at Burlington the 31st of the 8th month 1752 This meeting observing something slender in the report from Bethlehem and being disatisfied with it was informed by some Friends not of that Meeting that a difference was among them relat-
ing to the rebuilding the roof of the Meetinghouse this Meeting therefore for the sake of peace and to prevent further contention thought it necessary to consider the conveniency and inconveniency of both proposals and upon the whole is of opinion that the form the roof of the said Meetinghouse was before built in is much the best both as it regards the conveniency of the women friends and the conveniency of galleries and the Clerk is ordered to send a copy of this minute to the said Meeting. By order of the Q. M. Sanı'l. Smith Clerk."
21 9 1752 N. S. " Eleven nominal days of this month being omitted between the second and fourteenth days in compliance to the late Act of the Parliament and pursuent to the advise and direction recommended to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of Friends by the London Year- ly Meetings epistle of the seventh month 1751."
9 11 1752. " The Clerk is desired to write to the Overseers of Hardwick Meeting and to the Meeting also to let them understand that this Meeting looks upon it that they are remiss in their duty in neglecting to make due report of the state of their Meeting and to desire them to be more careful to attend at our Monthly Meeting more frequentily, or at least to send a report of the state of their Meeting to the Monthly Meeting next before every Quarterly Meeting.
8 2 1753. Samuel Smith's request for having a meeting of worship settled at his house in Green- wich hath been deliberately considered and foras- much as he lives very remote from any meeting of Friends it is concluded and agreed on by this Meeting that they shall have privelege to hold a meeting there the Second First day in every month so long as Friends of this Monthly Meeting may see a service in continuing it for the promul- gation of the truth.
9, 5, 1754. In addition to the usual report to Chesterfield Q. M. taken by Samuel Large and Jacob Burdsal the following :
We have to general satisfaction finished rebuild- ing our Meetinghouse according to the former model as we were advised by the Quarterly Meet- ing so far that we hold our meetings there, it being about as near completion as it was before it was burnt the whole cost of rebuilding amounts to upwards of one hundred and seven pounds and we fall short in payment about twenty three pounds which is disbursed to the workmen by one of the managers in behalf of this Meeting and we are but a small number and several of us not of ability to pay much more than what they have lately paid towards building and rebuilding of it. We desire that Friends of the Quarterly Meeting will be pleased to help us once more therein.
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12 9 1754. Jeremiah Williams reports that he has been reimbursed for the money he ad- vanced to pay the workman-£25, 5s, 5p.
13 5 1756. It is concluded that those Friends belonging to Hardwick Meeting shall hold a Preparitive Meeting there every fourth day of the week next but one before every Monthily Meeting and they shall make report of their pro- ceedings therein to the Monthly Meeting here successively if required by this monthly meeting.
Idem. It will be most convenient for us he- cause we live remote from each other that the Select Meeting shall be held at our Meetinghouse in Kingwood the sixth day of the week next succeeding the monthly meeting before every Quarterly meeting.
10 6 1756. It is concluded by this Meeting that Friends belonging to Kingwood Meeting shall hold a Preparitive meeting there the Fifth day of the week next before every Monthly Meet- ing and they shall make report of their proceedings therin successsively to the M. M. if required.
10 3 1757. An extract from the Minutes of the last Q. M. held at Burlington concerning sneh as make profession with us that pay fines to screen themselves from distress for their neglect or refusal to aet in military services was read and the clerk is desired to enter the same at large in the Month- ly Meetings books of Minutes which is as follow- eth vizst. At a Q. M. held at Burlington the 28th of the 2d month 1757 as to that part of the report from the Bethlehem requesting the advice of this meeting touching those that pay fines to screen themselves from distress when it is likely to come among them through their neglecting military service after weighty consideration it is the judgment of this meeting that such ought to be tenderly but earnestly laboured with to convince their judgments of the manifest breach of our ancient Christian testimony such a conduct must always make as well as the inconsistency of it with our profession and after a suitable labour and Christian forbearance it appears there is no hope of such being reclaimed judgment is to be placed upon them in the manner prescribed by the discipline."
12 5 1757. The clerk is desired to enter the extract of the Q. M's minute concerning settling a youths meeting at Kingwood which is as fol- loweth vizt.
At a Q. M. held at Burlington on the 25th. day of the 2d. month 1757 the meeting took into con- sideration that part of the report from Kingwood respecting the appointment of a youths meeting do order that a youths meeting be held there the 5th day immediately following the Q. M. in the
5th. month every year. The proposal concerning a youths meeting at Hardwick is left for further consideration.
10 11 1757. Hardwick desires a youths meet- ing on the 3d. day of the same week as our M. M. is held in the 9th. month every year.
10 5 1759, We have considered the request of Hardwick Friends for holding our M. M. there sometimes and for their ease and to bear part of the burden with them do condescend that it may be held there at present alternately vizt. every other month and to continue so till Friends of this Meeting may see cause to order it other- wise and begin there the first time at the same time as as our next M. M. falls in course.
13 10 1763. Friends have concluded to build their Meetinghouse at Hardwick 40 feet long and 25 feet wide in the clear with one chimney and a eoal hearth.
10 2 1763. Agreeable to the direction of last Q. M. we have appointed Peter Schmuck and Jacob Lundy to attend the committee who are to consider the rebuilding of Hardwick Meeting- house in order to inform of our agreement con- cerning the plan of the said house which is as fol- loweth vizt. 40 feet long and 25 feet wide in the elear and one story high. We have raised by subscription at Hardwick and Kingwood the sum of 80 pounds.
10 11 1763. At the request of friends at Paulinskiln a meeting is allowed to be held there on the first day of the week once a month from this time until the third month next on each third first day in each month at the house of Avee Schooley.
12 10 1769 at the request of Friends at Paul- inskiln and Drowned Lands liberty is granted them to hold first day meeting two first days at Panlinskiln and the third day at the Drowned Lands so long as they are held respectable.
12 10 1775. The Meeting at Paulinskiln di- rected to be held at the house of Benjamin Schoo- ley.
12 1 1764. Jacob Birdsall requests a meeting to be held at his house Quarterly to begin the last first day in the first month.
Allowed and to continue until Friends shall be easy and satisfied therewith.
12 12 1771. The Meeting is informed by King- wood Preparitive Meeting that Amwell Friends request a meeting to be held at Joseph Moore's from this time until the fourth first day in the third month next, except the day the meeting is at Jacob Birdsall's.
8 7 1773. Joseph Moore requests an afternoon meeting at this house which the Meeting grants to
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begin the first day in next month and to continue three months at 4 o'clock.
10 3 1774. Meeting continued once a month to begin the first first day in the fourth month next and to continue to the 11th. month inclusive.
9 11 1775. The meeting at Joseph Moore's directed to be continued during the winter as usnal.
12 11 1777. The meeting at Joseph Moore's directed to be continned during the winter as usual.
12 11 1778. The meeting at Joseph Moore's directed to be continued during the winter as nsnal.
Just before the Revolutionary War.
8 9 1774. An epistle of advice was produced from the meeting for sufferings as follows :
A considerable time was spent in this meeting in a weighty consideration of the flnetnating state of peoples minds under the situation of public affairs. It appeared to be the sense of this meet- ing that it would be safest and most consistent for us as a religious society to keep as much as possi- ble from mixing with the people in their human policies and contrivances and to forbear meeting in their publie consultations as snares and dangers may arise from meetings of that kind however well disposed particulars may be to mitigate and soften the violent dispositions to prevalent it being a season in which it is abundantly needful to seek best wisdom to guide and preserve in safety and consistency of conduet with our reli- gions profession.
9 2 1775. Agreeable to the advice contained in the Extract of our Yearly Meeting the following Friends are appointed to visit those who hold slaves, neglect the attendance of meeting for divine worship, those who are subject to Drowsiness and those who violate our testimony against oaths.
11 12 1777. The Extraets coming to hand were read containing advice in regard to the religious education of the youth and dealing justly and to avoid distilling spirits out of grain, tavern keep- ing etc.
× 1 1779. Committee appointed to have over- sight of schools.
10 5 17×1. Lottery, horse racing, drinking to excess condemned.
9 8 1781. Some accounts of sufferings from Kingwood produced amounting to £385 2s.
22 8 1781. Committee on sufferings account at Hardwick £486 | 9 | 4.
MARRIAGES.
The following records of marriages are obtained from two sources. The first group is gathered
from the Minutes. Where there are two names given the date is that of the first declaration of intention to marry. The marriage occurred after the second declaration. Where only one name is given the date is approximate. In such cases the name of the husband or wife is not given in the Minutes. The second group is taken from a book which bears the following title: A BOOK FOR REGESTERING THE NAMES TIMES OF THE BIRTHS OF THE CHILDREN OF SUCH WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIE- TY OF THE PEOPLE CALLED QUAKERS (AND OF SOME BURIALS OF SOME BELONG- ING TO KINGWOOD MEETING ) BELONGING TO THEIR MONTHLY MEETING IN KING- WOOD IN HUNTERDON COUNTY IN THE WESTERN DIVISION OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW JERSEY.
The Kingwood Meeting has passed away but the book has been religiously preserved by its successor, the Quakertown Monthly Meeting. The records are interesting to thousands of persons scattered over the United States in whose veins some of this ancient blood is coursing. Names are found here which have taken a permanent place in the Nation's history; others onee promi- inent have disappeared from this part of the country, are entirely unknown where originally they were a power, but have reappeared in other parts of the country; others again sound strangely and are generally unknown. These records and the minutes represent the everyday life of a sturdy race; there is a vein of sadness running through them and a puritanie idea of life which opens up to us the mental frame of those of our ancestors who came to this country to escape religious persecution.
The cover of the book is an old dred, sewed on with coarse thread and long stitches, the parch- ment having been cut and patched to get the proper size. A great deal of the writing has been obliterated by age and handling but some things can be made out. The deed which was executed in "the Fifth Year of the reign of Queen ANN" is evidently the story of the sale of a piece of land situated "between Ridley Creek and Crum Creek in the County of Chester and in the Province of Pennsilvania." John Wood is the grantor and John FFawcet the grantee; John Dawson's name appears and the dates 1708 and 1710. The writ- ing is so faded that it is impossible to get a con- nected description of the property. John Simeock was Deputy Recorder. Those familiar with the History of the Society of Friends and of Chester County will recognize all these names as belonging to prominent people. The connection between the deed, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the
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