History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 57

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 57

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The York meeting house was built on lots Nos. 175 and 176 of the town of York. They were patented by Thomas and Richard Penn to Nathan Hussey, 1763, and by him deeded to William Willis, Joseph Garretson, Her- man Updegraff as trustees "for the use of the society of Friends forever." In 1764 the York "indulged" meeting became a meet- ing for worship, but ordered "to remain members of the Newberry preparative meet- ing as before." The meeting-house was completed in 1766, and in 1767 the York preparative meeting established.

In 1783 York meeting requested to have afternoon meetings on first days, to begin at the third hour, which was granted, desiring "that Friends of that meeting may take their children and families with them to meeting."

In 1784 they request that a monthly meet- ing for discipline be settled among them, which was granted.

York Monthly Meeting .- This meeting was established in 1786 and ordered to be held "on the fourth day of the week preceding the second first day of each month, and known as the York Monthly Meeting." The first meeting was held on fifth day of seventh month, 1786. Persons appointed to the meet- ing were Edward Jones, James Hancock, John Garretson, Benjamin Underwood, John Marsh, William Nevitt, Samuel Cookson. The women appointed were Miriam Hussey, Elizabeth Cook, Sarah Williams, Ruth Cook,

285

FRIENDS OR QUAKERS.

Lydia Garretson and Hannah Kirk. Will- iam Kersey was appointed clerk of meeting in 1786, and John Lone overseer, Elisha Kirk succeeded as clerk, and Joseph Upde- graff overseer. William Welch was ap- pointed in 1786 to record births and deaths. Herman Updegraff was appointed elder in 1787, Thomas Owen in 1814 and Amos Far- quhar clerk in 1814. In 1793 this meeting was informed that a number of Friends had settled at Wright's Ferry, and permission was granted them to hold "a meeting for worship," Jacob Worley, Caleb Kirk, Jon- athan Jessop and John Love were appointed to visit the Friends at Wright's Ferry and assist them in 1797; Jonathan Jessop was appointed clerk of York meeting in 1797, "in room of Eli Kirk who died."

The meeting at Wright's Ferry, in the house of Andrew Moore was continued until 5-8 -- 1798.

The following death records were reported at dates named: "Our esteemed friend Han- nah Willis, an elder, departed this life 5-10 -1798. William Willis, an elder, died 9-25 1801, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. Herman Updegraff, an elder, died 5-20- 1811, aged seventy-three years. Joseph Elgar, a minister, died 7-13-1811, aged eighty-one years. Ann Love, an elder, died 8-14-1821. Margaret Elgar, a minister, died 3 -- 29-1821, in the eighty-second year of her age."

Marriages .- The following is a list of the marriages, at York meeting, as far as re- corded:

John Cope, of the borough of Lancaster, in the county of Lancaster, son of Caleb Cope and Mary. his wife, and Mary Updegraff, daughter of Harman Updegraff and Lydia, his wife; 9-13-1786.

Daniel Ragan of York Town, in the county of York, and Ruth Worley, widow of Francis Worley, late of the same place; 11-14-1787.

Joel Willis, of the borough of York, son of Will- iam Willis and Betty, his wife, the latter deceased, and Hannah Jessop, of same place, daughter of Thomas, deceased, and Ann; 12-12-1787.

John Bentley, of Warrington, son of John and Tamer, deceased, and Susanna Jones, of the borough of York, daughter of John and Elizabeth; 10-22- 1788.

Josiah Jordan, of Manchester, son of James. de- ceased, and Charity, and Lydia Miller, of Manches- ter, daughter of Solomon and Sarah, deceased; 6- 17-1789.

Ellis Cleaver, of Gwynedd, son of Ezekiel and Mary, deceased, and Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Solomon, of the borough of York, and Sarah, de- ceased; 4-7-1791.

Caleb Bracken, of the borough of York, son of James, deceased, and Mary, and Rebecca Miller, of the borough of York, daughter of Solomon and Sarah, deceased; 8-14-1793.

Jonathan Jessop, of the borough of York, son of Thomas, deceased, and Ann, and Susanna Upde- graff, of same place, daughter of Joseph and Mary; 4-6-1794.

Thomas Walmsley, of Byberry, Philadelphia County, and Ruth Kirk, of the borough of York, daughter of Solomon and Sarah Miller, and widow of Elisha K .; 6-5-1794. She died 6-18-1798, in her forty-seventh year; a minister about twenty-three years.

Alexander Underwood, of Warrington, son of John, deceased, and Mary, and Rhoda Updegraff, of York, daughter of Harman and Lydia, deceased; 10-22-1794.

William Farquhar, of Pipe Creek, Frederick Co., Md., son of William and Ann, deceased, and Lydia Willis, daughter of William, of York County, and Betty, deceased; 12-8-1796.

Harman Updegraff, of the borough of York, and Susanna Mills, of same place, widow of William Mills, late of Lancaster County; 1-14-1801.

Thomas Conard, of the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia, son of Mathew and Mary, deceased, of Philadelphia City, aud Sarah Welch, daughter of William and Hannah, of the borough of York; 9- 9-1801.

William Farquhar, of Frederick County, Md., son of Allen and Phebe, deceased, and Sarah Upde- graff, daughter of Joseph and Mary, of the borough of York; 10-7-1801.

Thomas Leech, of Warrington Township, son of Thomas and Phebe, and Hannah Garretson, of East Manchester, daughter of Cornelius and Margaret, deceased: 2-10-1802.

John Worley, of York County, son of Jacob and Ann, and Elizabeth Coats, of the borough of York, daughter of Aaron, deceased, and Mary; 7-6-1803.

Daniel Hains, of Frederick County, Md., son of Nathan and Sofiah, deceased, and Rachel Updegraff, daughter of Ambro-e and Elizabeth, deceased, of York County; 10-28-1806.

Timothy Kirk, of York Town, son of Timothy and Mary, of Harford County, Md., and Editn Kirk, widow of Eli, and daughter of Joseph and Susanna Updegraff, deceased; 3-16-1808.

Samuel Jefferis, son of William, deceased, of Pennsylvania, and Priscilla, and Lydia Cope, daugh- ter of John, deceased, of York borough, and Mary; 9-13-1809.

Amos Griest, of York, son of Joseph, of Latimore, Adams County, and Rebecca, and Phebe Swayne, of York, daughter of James and Hannah, deceased; 10-18-1809.

Mordecai Williams, of Warrington, and Mary Holland, of York Town; 3-14-1810.

Samuel Cook, of Warrington, son of Samuel and Ruth, deceased, and Sarah Garretson, daughter of Cornelius, of Anne Arundel County, Md., and Margaret, deceased; 4-17-1811.

Amos James, of Baltimore City, son of Thomas, deceased, of Harford County, and Ann, deceased, and Mary Cope, widow of John, and daughter of Harman Updegraff, deceased, of York, and Lydia, deceased; 6-12-1811.

John Gillingham of Baltimore City, son of James and Elizabeth, of same, and Mary Updegraff, daugh- ter of Joseph and Mary, of York, the former de- ceased; 9-21-1814.

Benjamin Garretson, of Newbury, son of Samuel and Alice deceased, and Orpah Smith, daughter of Samuel, of Spring Garden Township, and Ruth; 8- 13-1893.

Obadiah Dingee, of Lampeter, son of Jacob and Elizabeth, deceased, of East Marlborough, and Han- nah Welch, daughter of William, deceased, and Hannah, of York; 12-11-1823. -

Phineas Davis, of York, son of Nathan and Mary, deceased, of Grafton, N. H., and Hannah Taylor, of York County, daughter of Libni and Sarah, of Clearfield County, Penn .; 11-15-1826.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

THE FAWN MEETING.

At a western quarterly meeting, held at London Grove, Chester County, 8-15-1763, Deer Creek (Md. ) monthly meeting mentions, that a few families of Friends settled in Fawn Township, York County, were desirous of having the privilege of holding a meeting, having selected a spot of ground on which they designed to build a meeting-house. John Jackson, Thomas Barrett, Joshua Brown, Thomas Carlton, William Samborn, William Swayne and Isaac Whitelock were appointed to visit them and make a report.

11-21-1763, the committee reported: That hav- ing met and viewed the place purposed by them to build a meeting house on (which place being not yet secured and the winter season approaching), they are of mind that is best for this meeting to defer granting their request till the spring: yet that Deer Creek monthly meeting may allow them the same liberty as formerly, and have a watchful eye over them to see whether they maintain the priviledge granted 'em with reputation, which report was signed by all the committee, and being twice read and considered, it is particularly recommended to Deer Creek monthly meeting to make a close inspec- tion how the friends of Fawn Township keep up their meeting the ensuing winter, and make report thereof hereafter to this meeting.

2-20-1764: The case of the Friends in and near Fawn Township in York County is still continued under the care of Deer Creek monthly meeting.

There is no further mention of this meet- ing in the minutes of Western quarterly meeting up to 5th mo. 1779.

In Levi K. Brown's brief account of the meetings, belonging to Baltimore yearly meeting (1875) it is stated that:

This meeting, a branch of Deer Creek monthly meeting, was probably held as early as 1780 (then a branch of Gunpowder monthly meeting). In 1790 the first meeting-house was built, and in the fifth month (1792) the preparative meeting was estab- lished. In 1870 there were thirty-four families and parts of families. Total, 100 members. Midweek meetings fourth days, at 10 o'clock summer, 11 win- ter. (It probably never belonged to Gunpowder monthly meeting.)

At Warrington monthly meeting, 1-8-1785: Our friend, Ruth Kirk, in a solid manner, expressed a concern that hath for some time attended her mind to attend a little meeting of Friends in Fawn Town- ship, and to visit the families belonging to it. And our friend, Hannah Willis, having expressed a free- dom to go with her, which, being considered in this meeting, there appeared a uniting therewith, and Joseph Updergraff appointed to accompany them therein.

The Fawn meeting-house is located in the village of Fawn Grove, in Fawn Township. Recently a new house of worship was erected. First day and fourth day meetings are regu- larly held and a regular organization kept up.

EARLY MARRIAGES OF FRIENDS IN YORK COUNTY.

According to the custom of the Society, the marriage ceremony is always performed

at a public meeting, and the certificate of marriage signed by the members and others present, as witnesses. The following is a list of a few of the first marriages in York County :

Robert Hodgin, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, carpenter, and Theodate Seal, widow of Joseph Seal, were married 5-29-1740, at a meet- ing at John Day's honse in Manchester, with the following witnesses :*

Rebecca Bennett,

Anne Hussey,

Hannah Fincher,

Nathan Hnssey,

Mary Cox,

John Hussey,

Rebecca Cox,

Christopher Hnssey,

Esther Davis,

Content Garretson,

Anne Garratson,

. Ann Day,

Martha Garratson,

John Day,

Sarah McAnabley,

Thomas Fioland,

Elizabeth Price,

Peter Worrall,

Margrett Carson,

Thomas Cox,

James Clemson,

John Noblet,

Francis Fincher,

Ann Noblet,

Joseph Bennett,

Ann Hnssey,

William Garretson,

Margret Hussey,

Joseph Garretson,

John Garretson,

William Griffith,

William Cocks,

James Moore,

Samuel Cocks.

Thomas Riley,

John Baley,

Jacob Youngblood, James Ashton,

William Baley,

Charles McAhele,

James Baley,

Patrick Carson,

James Frazer, of Manchester Township, in Lan- caster County, and Rebeckah Cox, daughter of Thomas Cox, of Manchester, were married 8-22- 1740, "in a Public and Solemn assembly of ye aforesaid people, and others mett together at ye house of William Garretson, iu Manchester, in ye County of Lancaster." Witnesses:

Eleazer Mires, Thomas Cox,

Joseph Garretson,

Alexander Fraizer,

Joshua Kenworthy,

Mary Cocks,

Francis Fincher,

Alexander Frazer,

Edward Mullenaex,

Isaac Cox,

William Griffith,

John Cox,

Andrew Rogers, Rebeckah Bennett,

Christopher Hussey,

Jobn Fincher,

John Garretson, Jane Fincher.

Joseph Bennet, Nathan Hussey.

John Earl,

Mary Cox,

Samuel Underwood, Ann Noblet,

John Noblett, Content Garretson,

Charles Phillips, Theodate Hodgin,

William Garretson,

Mary Craig,

Daniel Early, Anne Waakin,

George Alford,

Esther Garretson.

Ann Cox,

Rebecca Rogers,

Thomas Davison, of Warrington, in the County of Lancaster, blacksmith, and Sarah Eliot, daughter of Sarah Farmer, of Manchester, spinster, were married 9-9-1743, at a publick meeting honse in Manchester.+ Witnesses:

Joseph Bennett, Jane Carson,

John Noblitt, Anne Day,

Patrick Carson, Mary Carson,

Thomas Leech, John Davison,

Peter Stout, Sarah Farmer,

Anne Hussey, Benjamin Eliot,

Content Garretson, Jacob Eliot,

Theodate Hodgin, John Farmer,

Rebecca Bennett,

John Day.

*It has always been the custom for parents and near rela- tives to sign on the right hand of the certificate, under the names of the persoos married.

+It was in what is now Newberry Township.

287

FRIENDS OR QUAKERS.

Alexander Fraizer, of Pennsbury (now in Fair- view Township), in Lancaster County, yeoman, and Phebe Eliot, of Manchester, were married 10-10- 1743, at a publick meeting house, in Manchester, Witnesses:

Joseph Bennett, Rebecca Fraizer, James Fraizer,

Nathan Hussey,

Isaac Eliot.

William Garretson,

Benjamin Eliot,

Thomas Leech,

Jacob Eliot,

Edward Mullenax,

Abraham Eliot,

-Patrick Carson,

Rebeckah Bennett,

Content Garretson,

James Bennett, Edmond Fitzizaurice,

Neoma Garretson,

John Noblett,

Martha Garretson,

John Garretson,

Susannah Mills,

Mary Garretson, Cathern Eliot,

Sarah Davison,

Jane Carson,

Mary Carson.

Moses Key, of Newberry, in the County of Lan- caster, lahourer, and Susannah Mills, of the same township, spinster, were married 3-23-1744, at a publick meeting house in Newberry. Witnesses: Rebecca Bennett, Joseph Bennett,

Ann Hussey,

Patrick Carson,

Content Garretson,

William Bennett,

Jane Carson,

Isaac Bennett,

Susannah Hussey,

Nathan Hussey, Jr,.

Nathan Hussey,

John Day, Jr.,

John Day,

Robert Mills, Jr.,

John Garretson, Robert Mills,

Mary Mills.

Joseph Garretson, of Warrington Township-yeo- man, and Mary Mills, of Newberry, were married 7-25-1745, at Newberry meeting house. Wit- nesses:

Jonas Chamberlin,

John Earl,

Robert Mills, Nathan Hussey,

Thomas Cook,

John Garretson,

Robert Hodgen,

William Garretson,

Calvin Cooper, Christopher Hussey,

Thomas Prowell,

John Day,

Andrew Moore, John Noblit,

Samuel Cox,

Hannah Fincher,

Mary Cox,

Thomas Bulor,

Elizabeth Willy,

Benjamin Eliot,

Mary Hussey,

Patrick Carson,

Sarah Bennett,

Joseph Key,

Isaac Bennett,

John Day, Jr.,

Ann Day,

Sarah Mills,

Sarah Cook,

William Bennett,

Susanna Key,

Abram Noblit,

Jane Carson,

Isaac Cox,

Moses Key, William Cox,

Thomas Cox, Joseph Heald,

Olive Underwood,

Martha Garretson,

Jane Underwood,

Neomy Garretson,

Joseph Bennett,

Anne Hussey,

Mary Carson,

Content Garretson,

Mary Devison,

Mary Garretson, Rebecca Bennett,

Pheby Frazer,

Sarah Farmer,

Margaret Stout.

Isaac Cox, son of Thomas Cox, of Warrington, and Olive Underwood, daughter of Alexander Underwood, of Warrington, were married at War- rington meeting, 9-27-1746. (Names of witnesses not copied).

William Smith, son of John Smith, deceased, of Warrington, and Jane Underwood, daughter of Alexander, of same place, were married 8-9-1747, at Warrington meeting. (Made their marks):

Rebecca Bennett,

Alexander Underwood,

Mary Garretson,

Joseph Smith,

William Underwood,

Samuel Cox,

Rebecca Bennett,

Mary Garretson,

Olive Cox,

William Griffith,

Anne Hussey,

Joseph Bennet,

Mary Garretson,

Margreat Carson,

Sarah Mills,

John Cox, Jr., Hannah Cox.

Benjamin Underwood, John Pope,

Soloman Shepherd, John Beals,

William Ferrall,

Richard Cox,

Peter Cook,

Thomas Cook,

Samuel Cox, son of John, of Huntington, and Hannah Wierman, daughter of William, of Hunt- ington, were married at Huntington meeting, 8-22- 1747. (Witnesses names not copied).

Robert Vale and Sarah Butler were married in Warrington 8-10-1749. He was born in London, was an excellent classi- cal scholar. They became acquainted on board the ship while immigrating. In a note Robert Vale says, "when he came to York County it was a wilderness of woods, and Indians came to see them after the marriage."

William Beals to Mary Mullineux, 10-1- 1749.

Nathan Hussey, Jr., to Susanna Heald, 2-26-1749.

John Garrettson to Jane Carson, 6-22-1749. William Ozburn to Rebecca Cox, 10-5- 1750.

Benjamin Underwood to Susanna Greist, daughter of John Greist, 7-1-1750.

There are recorded in one of these books 296 marriages, extending from 1747 to 1849. In this list the name Garretson occurs 45 times ; Greist, 25 times ; Griffith, 18 times ; Hussey, 17 times ; Updegraff, 20 times ; Willis, 10 times; Vale, 21 times; Wright, 10 times ; Wickersham, 18 times ; Mills, 10 times ; Morthland, 7 times ; Cook, 25 times ; Blackburn, 25 times ; Hammond, 6 times ; Kirk, 13 times ; Penrose, 7 times ; Cadwala- der, 11 times ; Alkinson, 15 times ; Cleaver 10 times ; Marsh, 6 times ; Jones, 7 times; McMullin, 19 times; Underwood, 20 times; Thomas, 10 times ; etc.

Notes from Records .- Johanna Heald died 1781, in what is now Fairview Township. She was a noted Quakeress preacher.

In 1779, sixteen acres of land were pur- chased on which to build a schoolhouse. The trustees appointed were Ellis Lewis, John Garretson, William Lewis and James Kingsly. This schoolhouse was built at Lewisberry, which then was a hamlet in Red Land Valley.

James Thomas was a highly esteemed preacher in 1795.

Edward Jones was an estimable gentleman and highly respected preacher. After the removal of the Newberry meeting farther west he lived in the old Newberry meeting-

Joseph Garretson,

Thomas Cox, Isaac Cox,

John Wright, John Cox, Sr.,

John Day,

Nathan Hussey, Jr.,

Francis Fincher,

Susanna Hussey,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

house. He was thrown out of a carriage and his leg was broken 7-29-1823, and died soon after, aged eighty-three years.

Peter Cleaver, who came from Upper Dub- lin, Philadelphia County, was for thirty years, a clerk of Warrington and Newberry monthly meeting. William Underwood was clerk from 1747 to 1775. Susanna Elgar, Isaac Everett and Abel Thomas were noted preachers in 1780 and before. Dur- ing the latter part of the Revolutionary period Abel Thomas visited friends in North Carolina, and afterward acted as a guide to Gen. Greene in his re- treat northward across that State when pur- sued by Cornwallis. He afterward passed through the British lines to remain with Friends, and protect them during the war. Many Friends had emigrated from York County to that State years before.

John Day was appointed elder of New- berry meeting 1748, and Peter Stout was made overseer same year.

Thomas Wilson, John Blackburn, William Delap, Daniel Winter, Patrick Carson and others, located in York County, 1736, coming from Calahagan, Ireland.

Henry Clark built a saw-mill in Warring. ton, 1748. He came from Chester County. He sawed the timber for the new court house at York in 1753. Aaron Frazer produced a certificate from Newark meeting, and lo- cated in York County, 1748.

The following is the form of marriage cer- tificate used in 1780:

WHEREAS, William Squibb, of the Township of Warrington, and County of York, in Pennsylvania. (son of William Squibb and Sarah, his wife), and Jane Morthland, of the township and county afore- said (daughter of William Morthland and Ruth, his wife). Having appeared before several monthly meetings of the people called Quakers (at Warring- ton), and declared their intention of marriage with each other, according to the good order used amongst them; and having consent of their parents and par- ties concerned. their proposal of marriage was al- lowed by the said meetings. Now these are to cer- tify whom it may concern, that for the full accom- plishment of their said intention, they, the said William Squibb and Jane Morthland, appeared at the public meeting at Warrington, in the County of York, on the twenty-fourth day of the second montb, in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty. And then and there, in the said Assembly, the said William Squibb taking the said Jane Morthland by the hand did in a solemn manner, opeuly promising with the Lord's assistance, to be unto her a loving and faithful hus- band, until death should separate them. And then and there, in the same Assembly, the said Jane Morthland did in like manner declare, that she took him, the said William Squibb, to be her husband, promising with the Lord's assistance, to be to him a loving and faithful wife until death should separate them.

And moreover, they, the said William Squibb and Jane Morthland, she according to the custom

of marriage, assuming the name of her husband, did then and there to these presents set their hands. WILLIAM SQUIBB, JANE SQUIBB.

And for a further confirmation we, whose names are also here underscribed, who were present at the solemnization of the said marriage and subscription, have as witnesses, thereunto set our hands the day and year above written.

William Squibb, George Newcomer,

William Morthland, Ruth Morthland,

Jacob Uuderwood,

Benjamin Walker,

William Underwood,

Ruth Walker,

Alexander Underwood,

Rebecca Cox.

Rebecca Morthland,

Ruth Underwood,

Robert Morthland,

Benjamin Underwood,

Robert Squibb,

David Cadwalader,

John Marsh,

Sarah Cadwalader,

Joshua Vale,

Mary Squibb,

Jonathan Mash,

Jane Yarnell,

Margaret Lerew,

Mary Godfrey,

Miriam Hussey,

Sarah Thomas,

Sarah Williams,

Martha Morris, William Garretson,

John Marsh,

John Vale,

Robert Vale, John Godfrey.

Recorded on page 61.

Most of the early class of Friends who set- tled in York County, were an excellent class of people, and carried out the mode of dis- cipline of the society in respect to war, in- temperance, marriage, etc.

The following uotes will illustrate a few points and will doubtless be read with inter- est:

Patrick Carson, a Scotch-Irishman, though a member of the Society of Friends in 1748, "passed the lie" on Thomas Cox, a fellow- member. This caused a difficulty. John Day and Richard Wickersham appointed to bring them to "terms of peace." They were obliged to go to Chester County, where the trouble originated. Upon their return, Pat- rick was made to subscribe his name to an apology, which he did in order to remain in "friendly unity with the society," but after- ward "he regretted to believe that his allega- tions were true."

Joseph Bennett, 7-10-1748, signed a doc- ument as follows: "I acknowledge with great sorrow that I was overtaken with the effects of spirituous liquor in the harvest field, reaping for John Rankin in Red Land Valley (Lewisberry) last harvest. It was a hot day. I drank more than I should have to drive out the sweat to make me in better capacity to follow my work, but it produced the contrary effect, so that I was for a time light in the head and I talked foolish. Wishing to re- main in unity with the Friends, I hereby acknowledge my error."

Thomas Cook was reproved in 1747 by Newberry meeting, for drinking spirituous liquors, and John Day was appointed to over- see him.

Richard Carson in 1765, was required to

Joseph Bradley,

289

FRIENDS OR QUAKERS.

acknowledge in public at meeting "his great error for having a fiddling and dancing party at his house."

A certain member was disowned by the Society for failing to pay a debt to Joseph Hutton, in 1758.

Joseph John, a member, was made to apologize for his error in "for running off with and marrying a woman that some one else intended to marry."

John Blackburn and John Pope, in 1755, joined the forces from York County to quell the Indian troubles along the northern and western frontier. They were the first to violate the laws of the Society of Friends. According to the principles of the great founder of Pennsylvania, the Indians were to be treated with, and not quelled by force of arms. A committee was appointed to persuade them " in love and amity that they might see the error of their ways." These two men, however, would not yield. John Blackburn afterward became one of the president court justices of York County, and during the Revolution was one of the first of the Friends to join the American Army.

Thomas Noblet appeared before Newberry meeting, 8-21-1756, and said : " I ask par- don for not keeping the principles of truth, and giving way so far to the enemy, to enlist as a soldier, contrary to the good order kept among the Friends for which I am very sorry."

Abraham Noblet entered the military serv- ice during the French and Indian war. A committee was appointed by the monthly meeting, to treat with him and endeavor to bring him to a sight of his error. He ac- knowledged his error after retiring from service.

"Dear Friends :- Whereas I have been educated in the way of truth among the Society of Friends, hut for want of keeping to the principles thereof, in my own heart, have gone far astray, being much surprised as to the reports of the Indians being in the neighborhood, I took my gun in order to defend myself, for which I am sorry, and give this for the clearance of truth. I hope to be more careful of my conduct in the future. ARMAEL FINCHER. 6-8-1758.

Henry Underwood enlisted as a soldier in 1756. He afterward at meeting acknow- ledged it to be "a great wrong to bear arms against his countrymen, and kill them."

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 57

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104