History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 65

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162

USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches > Part 65

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237

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

John Cadwalader, of " Ywehlan," by deed of June 2, 1715, purchased from David Lloyd, of Chester, 250 acres, and on Jan. 16, 1715-6, sold to Thomas Fell " All that messuage or Tenement and Plantacon where ye sª John Cadwalader Dwells . .. Excepting out of these presents a piece of Ground on ye side of the King's Road which ye sª John Cadwalader allotted for a burying-place, and to set a meeting-house, on for ye use of ye people called Quakers." James Pugh and Samuel John were appointed overseers of the meeting, 8, 29, 1716. The present meet- ing- house was built in 1756, but was remodeled a few years sinee. Isaac Lewis and David Owen each left a small legacy, in 1771, towards walling the graveyard, and the work was commenced on the side next the road in the following year. At the same time Thomas Evans offered some ground to enlarge the graveyard, and Joseph Phipps devised £10 for repairs and improvements thereon. James Speary next bequeathed £60 for the use of wall- ing the ground, which appears to have been completed in 1775, under the direction of Thomas Evans. Other lega- cies are subscquently mentioned in the records, from which the following is also taken :

1, 8, 1778 .- " A few Days ago the Key of the Meeting-house at Uwehlan was demanded by some of the Physicians to the conti- nental Army in order to convert The same into an Jlospital fer their sick Soldiers; the Friend who had the Care of the House and Key refusing to deliver it, forcible Entry was made into the House and Stables and as there is ne Prospect of enjoying the House peaceably from next First day it is agreed that Uwchlan Friends held their meetings at the House of our Friend George Thomas in the Great Valley and that enr preparative and monthly meetings be held at Nantmeal on the usual Days till further Order."

The Monthly Meeting was held at Nantmeal, 8, 6, 1778, but a month later it was again held at Uwchlan.

VALLEY MEETING.

This meeting, in Tredyffrin, was a branch of Haverford Monthly Meeting, from the records of which, as quoted by Dr. Smith, we find that in 1714

"friends inhabiting about Perquaming and this side of Schulkill in ye valley being desirens yt a meeting might be allowed ym every other mº, to be & begin at Lewis Walker's house the first in 2nd mº next and thence every ether month, att Joseph Richardsons house until ye 9th mo. next."

In 1731, Haverford Monthly Meeting, after having ap- pointed a committee to aid the Valley Friends in fixing on a site for a meeting-house, at length leaves them at their liberty to build the said house "at the Grave Yard near Lewis Walker's Decd, which was left by the said Lewis by his last will for that purpose." A temporary meeting was from time to time authorized by Haverford Meeting to be held at Richard Harrisson's school-house, but it does not appear that it ever grew into a regular meeting.

LONDONGROVE MEETING.

At Chester Quarterly Meeting :

12, 7, 1714 .- " Newark mentbly meeting Laid before this meeting a request of some ffriends belonging to their meeting that a meeting be settled at the House of John Smith In Marlborough one first Day in Every month and Every Sixt Day for half a year which Request this meeting orders te be put in practice untill further order."

12, 10, 1717 .- " Marlborengh friends Request that they may have a meeting Every sixth Day of the week Except the week on which

their preparative meeting is on at Newgarden which This meeting allewes of till further order."

3, 11, 1724 .- " The friends ef Marlborough meeting (with the con- sent of newgarden Monthly Meeting) requests of this meeting that they may have liberty to build a meeting house on the Corner of

UWCIILAN MEETING-HOUSE.

Lendengrove township Joining to Marlherough in order to keep a meeting there every first day of the week as alse en week days once every week except that week on which the preparative meeting is at Newgarden this meeting after taking it inte their solid consideratieo de appreve thereof and grant the said friends their request."

In 1743 a larger house was erected, and replaced by the present one in 1818, it being then enlarged for the accom- modation of the Quarterly Meeting. The Orthodox Friends have erected a new house a short distance southward, but still use the old building at the times of Quarterly Meetings.

The Pusey, Pennock, Swayne, Lamborn, Baily, Speak- man, and Hayes families were prominent among the early members of the meeting.

CALN MEETING.

At Concord Monthly Meeting :

1, 14, 1714-5 .- " Application being made to this meeting by some friends in the valley for a meeting to be settled there which is referred to the next meeting for consideration."

2, 11, 1715 .- " The friends in the Valley renewed their request for a meeting to be settled there which request is referred for further consideration."

2, 9, 1716 .- " ffriends in the valley having continued their request in order for the settling a ffirst days meeting amongst them this meet- ing gives them their liberty to proceed to the Qrly Meeting for their approbation."

6, 13, 1716 .- " this meeting in persenent to ye advise of ye Last Quarterly meeting doth settle a preparative meeting at Calne in ye Valey and to be keept on ye first day before our Monthly Meeting : also this meeting advises them Le nominate er appoint overseers for the Sarvis of Truth and make report of them to ye next monthly meeting."

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HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

7, 10, 1716 .- "Calne meeting mak repert to this meeting that they have appointed Themas Peirson and William Cloude to be overseers fer their meeting which this meeting deth approve of."

8, 8, 1717 .- " Elizabeth Swaffer and Susanna Mendenhall are chosen overseers of Calne meeting."

At Quarterly Meeting :

6, 6, 1716 .- " The Request of the ffriends of the Inhabitance ef Calne fer a first-Days meeting to be settled amongst them, being con- sidered it is the sence of this meeting that they may keep a first days meeting there & have Liberty to build a meeting heuse on the Land of John Mendinhall according to the friends Proposall."

At Concord Monthly Meeting :

8, 7, 1717 .- John Mendenhall, Juur, is appointed overseer fer Calne in room ef Wm. Cloude who desires to be excused.

1, 7, 1725-6 .-- " This meeting appeints Benj. Mendenhall, Henry Oborn, and William Brinton te go and visitt friends of Calne meeting in order to assiste them in setling ef a place to set their meeting-house on according to there request."

2, 4, 1726 .- " these friends appointed to gee te Calne reports that they have Left ye mater to further consideration."

4, 6, 1726 .- " Te Calne preparitive meetiog : friends, this meeting haveing considered your request ef moving your meeting house hiere up the valley it is the mind of this meeting that you consider a little lenger of it and get the unanamous consent of all that are like te be- long to that meeting, and bring their names te this meeting when you are se sgreed."

7, 5, 1726 .- " this meeting appoints Robert Pyle, Benj. Mendenhall, Henry Obern, Moses Key, Abraham Widdos, and Benj. Mendenhall, Jur, to appoint a time and goe te the friends of Calne meeting in order to assist them in the setling of a place to set their meeting house on and make report to the next meeting."

8, 3, 1726 .- " foure ef these friends appointed to goe and assist the friends of Calne mecting reports they have heen and finds the greater part of them most inclinable to build their meeting house upon the further side of ye valley upon ye mounten; therefore this meeting Leves them to there Liberty to purchous a pice of Ground according as they have prepescd and to Lay ye same heforc ye Quarterly meet- ing for their approbation."

12, 6, 1726-7 .- " Calne meeting proposeth forc friends for trustees for their meeting house and ground viz. The. Parks, Aaron Menden- ball, Tho. Eldrech, and Edward Tomson."

At Bradford Monthly Meeting :

8, 19, 1743 .- " William Pim acquaints this meeting that some years ngee John Mendenhall sold an acre of Land te Calu meeting to Build a meeting house upon & to bury their dead in, which he afterwards by an Instrument in writing vested in four trustces for the said use : alse that ffriends of said meeting having since procured more land Built a meeting house and Buryeth their, in a more convenient place, und are willing with the consent of this mecting and the surviving trustees to sell the said acre of Land to him the said William Pim, he making a Deed of the burying ground to Trustees fer the use of ffriends forever; and it appearing that the said mecting & the two surviving trustees are Consenting thereunto, now this meeting taking the same into Consideration are also Consenting thereunto, and ap- points Aaron Meodenhall, Thomas Parke, & Phinehas Lewis Trustees to Receive the said Dced & te Deliver up the former one te to the said William Pim."

Jan. 18, 1759, Richard Pike, then of Cork, Ireland, who owned 1528 acres in Caln township, conveyed to Robert Miller and Thomas Parke, of East Caln, for the use of Friends, a lot of ground on which a meeting-house had been built with his consent. The deed shows that this lot was 128 perches within the lines of Pike's land, but whether this was the second or a third location has not been determined. Thomas Stalker, in 1762, purchased 232 acres adjoining the meeting-house, and from this, at a later date, an addition was made to the surrounding grounds. In 1801 the house was enlarged to accommodate the new Quarterly Meeting of Caln.

NEW GARDEN MONTHLY MEETING.

This was formed in 1718 by the division of Newark Monthly Meeting, and included the meetings of New Gar- den, Nottingham, and Londongrove. The first meeting was held 5, 12, 1718. It was held sometimes at Notting- ham till 1729, and afterwards alternated to Londongrove until 1792.

BRADFORD MEETING.

In 1716 application was made by some Friends in the forks of Brandywine for liberty to have a meeting during the winter season near William Marshall's, but it was not then granted.

At Chester Quarterly Meeting :

9, 9, 1719 .- " Newark monthly meeting Layd before this meeting the Request ef the friends in the fforks of Brandywine of having a meeting for worship Every other first Day and Every other fifth Day which sd Request this meeting Doth allow Dureing the winter season."

3, 14, 1722 .- " Newark monthly meeting acquaints this meeting that the friends in the forks of Brandywine request the priviledge of having their meetings in the summer time as they have had them in the winter which request this meeting grants till farther order."

3, 10, 1725,-" Newark monthly meeting lays before this meeting that the friends of the forks of Brandywine request to have a meeting every first day and fift day the preparative meeting week excepted which this meeting after Consideration thereef allows of till farther order."

In 1726 they were allowed to hold a Preparative Meeting. The first meeting-house is said to have been on or near the northeast corner of the land of Abraham Marshall, now of Thomas Pennypacker. The present site was purchased from Edward Clayton, by deed of 10th month 10, 1729, the trustees being Abraham Marshall, Richard Woodward, Peter Collins, and Richard Buffington. Here a house was built in what is now the graveyard, and stood until 1765. The first house, which was of frame or logs, was moved up from the Marshall farm, and used for many years as a stable. A variety of testimony fixes the date of erection of the present meeting house in 1765. On the 2d of 3d month, 1788, the roof caught fire from a defective stove- pipe or flue, on a First-day morning, before the hour for gathering, and the upper part of the structure was de- stroyed. Snow was thrown in at doors and windows, and the floor thereby saved, but it shows the marks of fire to this day. It was repaired at once by William Woodward for £115. The graveyard was walled by Joseph Cope, about 1774, at a cost of £156.

WEST NOTTINGHAM MEETING.

At Chester Quarterly Meeting :

3, 11, 1719 .- " Newgarden monthly meeting acquaints this meeting that our ffriends ef Netingham Desires to have a meeting at the house of James King, once Every Weck on a week day, only that weck that the Preparalive meeting is at Notingham, as also one first day of the weck in the month, which this meeting allows of till further erder."

9, 11, 1723,-" The friends of the west end of Nottingham having had Liberty to keep a meeting at the house of James King every first first day in every month now desires te have a meeting keept also every third first day in every month for this winter season, which Newgarden monthly meeting is satisfed with, te whom this meeting gives Liberty te hold their meeting accordingly till further order."

6, 10, 1724 .- " The friends of the west end of Notingham request, with the consent of Newgarden Monthly Meeting to have a meeting every other first day at the house of James Kings, which this meet- ing allows of till further order."

239

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

6, 8, 1726 .- " Newgarden monthly meeting lays before this meet- ing the request of friends of West Notingham to have Liberty te build a meeting-house for their convenience, which this meeting after Consideration thereof do allow the said Friends their request."

6, 14, 1727 .- " Newgarden Monthly Meeting on the behalf of the friends of the west end of Nottingham, request to have Liberty to keep mectings every first day in the new meeting-house, which after consideration thereof was allowed till further order."

In 1730 this was made a Preparative Meeting. The present brick house is said to have been built in 1811. It is on the Maryland side of the linc.

GOSHEN MONTHLY MEETING.

Goshen Monthly Meeting was set apart from Chester Monthly Meeting in 1722, the first meeting being held 2d month 6th. At that time it included the particular meet- ings of Goshen, Newtown, and Uwchlan, to which Nant- meal and Pikeland were afterwards added by settlement. The meetings were held alternately at Goshen and Newtown for three years, after which it was seldom held at Newtown. In 1736 it was held at Goshen 1st month (March) 15th and 8th month (October) 18th, between which dates it met alternately at Newtown and Uwchlan, which was occasioned by the rebuilding of Goshen meeting-house.

In 1727 the time of meeting was changed from the Sixth day of the first week in each month to the third Second-day, except on special occasions.

At the close of 1762 the Monthly Meeting was divided, leaving only Goshen and Newtown particular meetings under the original name. To these were added Willistown, Whiteland, and, for a short time, West Chester. In 1801 the place of meeting was changed from Goshen to Willis- town. Since the division of the society in 1827, the Orthodox portion have met at Goshen.

The following were the clerks prior to 1828, with dates of appointment :

Richard Jones, 2, 6, 1722. Aaron Ashbridge, 9, 21, 1748. Thomas Massey, 8, 10, 1770. George Ashbridge, 2, 11, 1774. Joshua Ashhridge, 5, 10, 1782. Esos Thomas, 10, 9, 1795. Abraham Pratt, 11, 6, 1801. Jeffrey Smedley, 9, 11, 1807. Elijah Lewis, 11, 6, 1812. George Malin, 10, 28, 1818. George Thomas, 10, 29, 1823. George Malin, 12, 1, 1824. Isaac Thomas, 12, 28, 1825.

Mary Ashhridge, 2, 6, 1722. Jane Davies, 5, 15, 1728. Elizabeth Ashbridge, 7, 14, 1747. Hannah Ashbridge, 4, 16, 1753. Phebe Trimhle, 7, 17, 1758. Hannah Hoopes, 5, 18, 1759. Hannah Garrett, 11, 5, 1779. Lydia Malin, 10, 7, 1791. Amy Hoopes, 8, 5, 1796. Rachel Malin, 2, 6, 1801. Mary Hall, 12, 5, 1806. Esther Garrett, 2, 2, 1814. Mary Hall, 12, 29, 1819. Jane Malin, 12, 27, 1820.

SADSBURY MEETING.

Samuel Smith says that in 1724 Samuel Miller and Andrew Moore made application, on behalf of themselves and their friends settled abont Sadsbury, for liberty to build a meeting-house, which being granted by the Quarterly Meeting, they built one in 1725, which goes by the name of Sadsbury.

In 1722 a committee appointed by Chester Quarterly Meeting visited Friends of Conestoga and Octorara, and reported that they inclined to meet together. In 1723 it was reported that at Octorara were some " of a contentious spirit, and not worthy to be esteemed of our society." In the latter part of 1723 "meetings" are mentioned at

both places, but they were probably of an informal char- acter. 9th month 9, 1724, things at Octorara are reported hopeful, and in the 12th month they desire a committee to help fix on a site for a meeting-house. The committee failed to settle the question, but on 9th month 8, 1725,

"This meeting being informed that those friends of Sadsbury have agreed amongst themselves of a place to Build ". mecting-house on, which this meeting approves of."

The relation of the following letter to this subject is not entirely clear if the meeting-house was built in 1725:

"FFRIEND JOHN TAYLOR .*

"I have just now wrote to thee in behalf of an honest friend (Isaao Jackson) and am now further to acquaint thee with another applica- tion, made to me hy one Simon Hadly, who represents that several friends being seated near that place called the Gap, in Lancaster County ; they hope in a little time to establish a meeting there, in order te which they desire some vacant Land near that place may be secured for two or three friends that would shortly come and settle it. I shall not undertake here to give thee any description of the place but shall leave that to Simon himself, and shall only recom- mend the Request to thes as fitt to be encouraged. I am

"Thy real friend,

"J. LOGAN.

" Philada., 23, 7, 1729."

The old Sudsbury meeting-house is on the edge of Lan- caster County, but many of the members resided in Chester County.

LAMPETER MEETING,

at first called Leacock, was established at Hattill Varman's house, in Leacock, in 1732. Io 1749 a new location was found in Lampeter township, to which the meeting was removed.

NOTTINGHAM MONTHLY MEETING.

This was established by the Quarterly Meeting held 3, 11, 1730, by division of New Garden Monthly Meeting, and they agreed to hold their meetings on the third Seventh- day of each month.

HOCKESSIN MEETING.

At Newark Monthly Meeting :

3, 2, 1730 .- " Newark preparitive meeting signified that the ffriends of Mill Creek Hundred in Newcastle County requests to have a week days meeting settled amongest them which is Left to the next moth mecting for consideration and this meeting appoints Abraham Mar- shall Thomas Wickersham, Peter Collings, and Ellis Lewis to ges and give them a vissit and make report of their sence concearning the above sd request to our next monthly meeting."

4, 6, 1730 .- " The ffriends appointed to give the ffriends of Mill Creek Hundred a visit in relation to settle a week day meeting amongest them gives their sence in favor of their request with which this meeting is fulley sattisfied that we grant them the Liberty to keep a meeting at the house of William Cox upon the sixth day of the week Every week untill further order."

2, 30, 1737 .- "Newark preparitive meeting offers to the considera- tien of this meeting that Hocesien ffrde Desiers to have a meeting of worship settled amongest them on the first day and week day which this meeting aquaceseth with and offers it to the Quarterly Meeting for approbation of said meeting with Desires that theire said request may be granted."

The name of Hockessin was given to this meeting, that being the name of an Indian town formerly near the place. Among the early members were Henry Dixon, John Bald- win, John Dixon, and William Cox. In 1738 a meeting-

* John Taylor, in his account-hook, charges Caleb Pierce and John Walter for a deed for Sadshury meeting-house land, Dec. 17, 1729.

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HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

house was built, and enlarged in 1745. It is in Mill Creek Hundred, south of Kennet Square.

WILMINGTON MEETING. At Chester Quarterly Meeting, 12, 13, 1737 :

"Newark Monthly Meeting, on behalf of friends living in or near Willmington do request that this meeting would give the said friends liberty of keeping a meeting for worship on every first and fifth days of the week which this meeting allows till further order."

BRADFORD MONTHLY MEETING.

This was established in 1737, with the two branches of Bradford and Caln, and the first meeting was held 3, 19, 1737. William Pim was appointed clerk ; Richard Wood- ward elder for Bradford Meeting; William Pim elder for Caln ; Isaac Vernon and John Cope overseers for Bradford ; Aaron Mendenhall and William Pim overseers for Caln Meeting.

This Monthly Meeting alternated between the two meet- ings, and now possesses fuller records than perhaps any other of equal age.

SADSBURY MONTHLY MEETING.

This was formed by the division of New Garden Monthly Meeting, and comprised the two Preparative Meetings of Sadsbury and Leacock. The first meeting was held 12, 6, 1737-8.

NANTMEAL MEETING.

At Goshen Monthly Meeting, 6, 20, 1739 :

"Some friends living in or near Nantmel Proposes to have a first day & week day meeting Setled in a Convenient Place for friends there- away to meet at therefore friends appoints John Williamson, Hugh Pngh, Robert Benson, Lewis Lewis, Isaac Hains to go up and assist the said friends ia that affair."

7, 10, 1739 .- "The friends appointed to assist friends at Nantmell & thereaway in Respect of setling a meeting of worship are Continned."

8, 15, 1739 .- "The friends appointed to assist friends at Nantmel & thereaway Reports that they met with the said friends upon that ac- count and that the sd friends have not yet agreed upon a Place to keep & settle their meeting therefore their Case is Continned under the further consideration of this monthly meeting."

At Quarterly Meeting, 12, 9, 1740 :

"Goshen Monthly Meeting acquaiats this meeting that several Friends Inhabitants of Naatmeal aad parts adjacient have proposed to have a meeting for worship settled at Nantmeal on the first and fourth days of the week which this meeting after a consideration had thereon do allow the said friends to have and keep meetings for wor- ship as ahove till further order."

Nantmeal meeting-house is mentioned 8, 19, 1741. The following were the successive overseers for this meeting for several years : John Pugh, 1741; William Kirk, 1743; Samuel John, Jr., William Kirk, John Williams, Thomas Atherton, William Kirk, David Yarnall, and William Kirk, appointed 6, 11, 1762, in place of David Yarnall, deceased. Simon Meredith was appointed an additional overseer in 1759. The women overseers for the same period were Sarah Kirk, Ann John, Jr., Mary Kirk, Mary Roberts, Sibilla Kirk.

In 1781 a Preparative Meeting was established here. 8, 7, 1777, in answer to the second annual query, report was made of " One new Meeting house built at Nantmeal near the old one." In 1795 the members were excused from their full proportion of contributions, on account of having had their meeting house burned. For many years

past the house has ceased to be used for religious purposes, and of late has been a harbor for disreputable characters. Measures are now being taken to put the property, includ- ing the graveyard, in repair, and to so preserve it.

WILMINGTON MONTHLY MEETING

was established in 1750 by division of Newark (now Ken- net) Monthly Meeting.

WEST CALN MEETING.

At Chester Quarterly Meeting, 5, 10, 1756 :

"Bradford monthly meeting concurriag with West Cala particular meeting requests that the said particular meeting may be established on record, They having by leave of the said mo. meeting held meetings for worship at West Caln several years and are now preparing to build a meeting honse : Therefore Richard Jones, Thos Goodwin, Thomas Downing, Willm Trimble, John Pierce & Benjamin Cock are appointed to visit the said meeting and inform themselves whether they seem likely to keep it up with reputation to Truth, and make report thereof to our next Quarterly meeting."

This committee reported, 8, 9, 1756, that they had met at West Caln " meeting-house," and thought the meeting should be continued ; whereupon it was established.

WESTERN QUARTERLY MEETING.

In the year 1758, Chester Quarterly Meeting had grown very large, and included the Monthly Meetings of Chester, Goshen, Darby, Concord, Newark, Wilmington, New Gar- den, Nottingham, Bradford, Sadsbury, Duck Creek, Hope- well, Fairfax, and Warrington. The business being too extensive to be dispatched in a reasonable time, it was con- cluded to divide, and the subject was therefore laid before the Yearly Mecting, which approved thereof. The Monthly Meetings of Chester, Goshen, Darby, Concord, and Wil- mington continued to meet under the old name, while the others formed what was styled the " Western Quarterly Meeting," with Londongrove as the place of meeting. The first meeting was held 11, 20, 1758.

PIKELAND MEETING. At Goshen Monthly Meeting, 1, 16, 1758 :

" Application is made by Uwchlan meeting setting forth that a con- siderable number of ffrds families situate on the lower end of Pikeland & thereaways are very remote from their or any other of ffriends meet- ings, and that the said ffriends are unanimously desirous of having a meeting established amongst them. Therefore, we do appoint Rich- ard Jones, Thomas Goodwin, Thomas Massey, Amos Yarnall, Cad- walader Jones, Thomas Lightfoot, & Aaron Ashbridge, to pay those ffriends a visit, & endeavour to inform themselves whether the pro- posal he likely to be of advantage to the cause of Truth and reputa- tion of the Society, & report of their service to next meeting."

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 65

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 1162

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162