USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Concordville > Two-hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of Concord Monthly Meeting of Friends : Concordville, Delaware Co., Pa > Part 3
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"At A monthly meeting at Chichester ye 14th of ye 5th month 1684
JOHN HARDING JOHN KINGSMAN JAMES BROWN JOHN GIBBONS EDWARD BEZER
27
Two hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary
"At A monthly meeting Heeld at Chichester ye 12th of ye 6th month 1684.
JOHN BEZER NATHANIEL PARKE WILL HEWS JOSEPH BOSHALL ROBERT PILE
"At A monthly meeting held at Chichester ye 7th month 1684."
"At A monthly meeting Held at Chcchester The 13th of ye 8th month 1684.
"William Brown declareth his intention of marrig to Ann Maser Mercer The first time and also declareth his clareness from all others. The meeting ordered that he shuld pub- lish it at ye later end of a first day's meeting.
PHILLIP ROMAN THOMAS USHER JOHN HARDING WM. HEWES ROB. PILE
At a Quarterly Meeting, 6 Mo. 2, 1686 :- "Ordered that ye monthly meeting formerly held at Chechester be from henceforth kept one month at Chechester and one month at Concord, & ye next monthly meeting to begin at Concord, untill further order."
At A Monthly Meeting Heeld at Concord ve 5th of ye 6th month 1686 :
"Nathaniel Lamplue & Susanah Bezer declear their inten- tion of marridge ye second time all things being found Clear was Left to their freedom to proseed according to ye good order of truth.
"this meeting takes into their serious Consideration yr thinnes of our monthly meeting by reson of our new settle- ment and some being backward this meeting orders yt those whose names are under written to attend ye monthly meet- ings for some time hear weare few or none."
WILL BRANTON NICHOLAS NULIN GEORG PEARE EDWARD BEZER JOHN HARDING JOHN KINGSMAN JOHN MENDINGALL ROBERT PILE
28
Concord Monthly Meeting of Friends
For some reason the alternation was for a time irregular ; thus. on 12 Mo. 14, 1686, the monthly meeting was held at Edward Bezer's house in Bethel; on 1st Mo. 14, 1687, at Concord; 2 Mo. 11, at Brumingam; in 3d and 4th mos. at Chichester ; 5 Mo. 11th at Robert Pile's in Bethel; 6 Mo. 8th at Nicolas Newlin's in Concord; 7 Mo. 12th ot Will. Brinton's in Burmingham; 8 Mo. 10th at Edward Bezer's; 9 Mo. 14th at John Kingman's in Chichester; 10 Mo. 12th at John Harding's, in Chichester; 12 Mo. 11th at Jacob Chandler's; 1 Mo. 12, 1688, at Robert Pile's; 2 Mo. 9th, at Nicolas Newlin's; 3 Mo. 14, at Will. Branton's: at widow Harding's, at Chichester, 10 Mo. 7, 1688; 8 Mo. 8, 1688, at Jacob's Well, in Jacob Chandler's house; 1 Mo. 9, 1688/9, at Joseph Bushel's, in Bethel ; 4 Mo. 10, 1689, at Amy Harding's; 8 Mo. 14, 1689, at George Pearce's, in Thornbury; 12 Mo. 9, 1690, at Philip Roman's in Chichester ; 7 Mo. 14, 1691, at Nathaniel Lamplugh's, in Chichester, 3 Mo. 11, 1696, at Concord Meeting House ; 5 Mo. 4, 1698, at Nathaniel Parke's, in Concord; 6 Mo. 14, 1699, at Elizabeth Newlin's, in Con- cord ; 9 Mo. 11, 1700, at Thomas King's, in Concord; 7 Mo. 11, 1704, at Henry Oborn's, in Concord; 2 Mo. 10, 1710, at Benjamin Mendenhall's, in Concord; continuing thus to cir- culate among the foregoing homes until 3 Mo. 14, 1711, when it was held at Concord Meeting House, and next at Chi- chester Meeting House.
For some time it was known as Chichester and Concord Monthly Meeting. The alternation was continued until 7 Mo. 1st 1729, when it was held at Chichester for the last time.
The Friends in Aston Township were at first members of Chester Monthly Meeting. At this meeting, 3d of 6th Mo. 1696, "A paper from ye friends of Chichester Monthly Meet- ing being read, in which they requested ye friends of Aston to joyne with them in their monthly meeting business, & after some discorse it was reffered untill the next monthly meeting." Robert Pyle, with some women friends, was appointed to attend the next meeting of Chester Friends to consummate the business.
At Chester Mo. Mtg., held at Robert Vernon's, 6th Mo. 31, 1696: "Some friends of Chichester Meeting appearing at this meeting to know the mind of ye meeting concerning Aston friends joyning wir them in their months meeting busi-
29
Two hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary
ness according to their request the Last months meeting, which request upon consideration this meeting Complyed with."
NOTTINGHAM MEETING.
At a meeting of William Penn' Commisioners of Property, held in Philadelphia, 14th of 11 Mo. 1701: "Cornelius Empson for himself and several other to the Number of 20 families, chiefly of the County of Chester, proposes to make a settlement on a tract of land about half way between Dela- ware and Susquehannah, or nearer the latter, being about 24 miles distant from New Castle, on Octeraroe River, in Case they may have a grant of twenty thousand acres in the said place at a bushel of wheat per 100 rent, or five pounds pur- chase, to be after at a Shill. Sterling per ann., which being duly Considered and the advantages that might arise thereby by rendering the adjacent Lands more Valuable and incour- aging the Settlement of Susquehannah River, 'tis proposed that they shall have 15 or 20,000 acres at £8 per 100 or at 2 bushells of wheat rent per ann., the first year for their incouragement to be free of Rent, or one year Creditt to pay the purchase money. He agrees to the price of purchase or to a Bushell and half per ann., But is referred to their further Consideration."
The offer of the commissioners having been accepted, a warrant was granted 17th of 1st Mo. 1701/2, for the survey of lands in that place to the following persons :- Cornelius Empson, 1000 acres; John Richardson, 1000 acres; James Brown, 1000 acres; Henry Reynolds, 1000 acres; William Brown, 1000 acres; John Bales, 1000 acres; Edward Beeson, 1000 acres ; James Cooper of Darby, 1000 acres; Randal Jan- ney, 1000 acres; Andrew Job, 1000 acres; John Churchman, 1000 acres; Ebenezer Empson, 1000 acres; John Guest of Philadelphia, 1000 acres ; Joel Baily, 500 acres ; Robert Dut- ton, 500 acres ; Samuel Littler, 500 acres; Messrs Brown, 500 acres; and to the Proprietary for his own proper use 3000 acres if the land will hold out.
In pursuance of this warrant a tract of 18,000 acres was laid out and divided among the different persons in May, 1702, and the whole called Nottingham. Of the purchasers, James Brown, William Brown, Henry Reynolds, John Bales, Joel Baily, Robert Dutton, Samuel Littler and Messer Brown were members of Concord Monthly Meeting. All of these
30
OLD BIRMINGHAM MEETING HOUSE
Concord Monthly Meeting of Friends
except Joel Baily settled on their lands and a meeting was established there, called East Nottingham, but for many years known as the "Brick Meeting." It was held first at the house of William Brown, in 1705, but removed to the new Meeting House in 1709. In 1715 this meeting was annexed to Newark (now Kennett) Monthly Meeting, to which it was much nearer. When the line between Maryland and Pennsylvania was finally settled all but about 1200 acres of the original survey fell into Maryland.
CALN MEETING.
Some members of Concord Monthly Meeting having settled in the Valley, between the two branches of the Brandywine, made application 1 Mo. 14, 1714/5, to have a meeting established there, which request was finally granted bv the Quarterly Meeting 6 Mo. 6, 1716. They purchased some land from John Mendenhall, but subsequently built their meeting house on land of Richard Pike, on the north valley hill. This was known as East Caln Meeting, and in 1737 was joined with Bradford Meeting to form Bradford Monthly Meeting.
BIRMINGHAM MEETING.
At Chester Quarterly Meeting, 9th Mo. 3, 1690: "Chi- chester monthly meeting being called, it being moved to this meeting that Concord first days meeting be every forth first day at William Brinton's in Birmingham, beginning the 23d of this month ; also the fourth day following if the said meet- ing think fitt; this to continue till further order."
At Mo. Mtg., 3 Mo. 14, 1694 :- The business referr'd to this meeting concerning another meeting at Bromidgam this meeting thinks fitt it should continew at present as it is."
8 Mo. 9th 1704 :- "John Bennett and Elizabeth Webb in the behalf of friends, Inhabitants of the uper part of burning- ham and brandiwine Creek, with the advice of the prepara- tive meeting of Concord, did Request of this meeting that they might have A meeting att John Bennet's house this winter time because of their farr Living from Concord meet- . ing house. This meeting well waying and considering for the Ease of friends and service of truth did agree and con- clude, with the advice of the quarterly meeting, the first meeting to be the third day in the first month following and
31
Two hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary
also every fifth day following Except that fifth day which the preparative meeting is held at Concord, and then to meet together as usiall."
At Mo. Mtg., 12 Mo. 3, 1717 :- "The friends of the upper part of Burmingham haveing had a meeting for every other first day during the winter seasons and now they said friends doth request that they may have it the same time the year about, which this meeting doth alow of it in order to goe to ye quarterly meeting for their approbation."
At Quarterly Meeting, 9 Mo. 10, 1718 :- "Concord monthly meeting Layd before this meeting a proposall of Burmingham friends of Building themselves a meeting house, to whom this meeting Gives Leave provided that they and their monthly meeting can agree on a place to Build it and make report to our next meeting."
12 Mo. 9, 1718 :- "According to Leave Given at our Last meeting to Burmingham friends to Build themselves a meeting house have signified from their monthly meeting that they have a Greed of a place whereon to Build it which is upon Richard Webb's Land near the Great Road web this meeting is satisfied with."
At Mo. Mtg., 9 Mo. 6, 1721 :- "The friends of Burming- hamn meeting Lavde before this meeting a propousall for sum of their friends belonging to their meeting to be chosen as fefees in trust upon ye account of theire meeting house and ground : it's the mind of this meeting to chouse William Brinton, Joseph Taylor, Philip Taylor, John Bennett, Joseph Brinton and Nicholas ffreed."
To these persons Elizabeth Webb, widow of Richard, con- veved an acre of ground 10 Mo. 27, 1721, for £3, and the meeting house was built by the next year, as the marriage of Joseph Webb and Ann Willis was accomplished therein 7 Mo. 13, 1722. It is said to have been built of cedar logs and was without a chimney or stove for heating it. A stone house was built in 1765 and enlarged in 1818. In 1815 this meet- ing was joined with that at West Chester to form Birming- ham Monthly Meeting. By this action Concord Monthly Meeting lost 223 members.
CHICHESTER MEETING.
This was doubtless first held at the residence of a Friend near the river. The minutes of 11th Mo. 1685 seem to indi- cate that a house might have been already erected on land
32
-
CHICHESTER MEETING HOUSE BUILT 1769
-
-
-----
1
1
Concord Monthly Meeting of Friends
granted by James Brown; but the deed from Brown was not executed till 10 Mo. 4, 1688.
At the monthly meeting, 1 Mo. 4, 1769, "By Chichester's report it appears their Meeting House is by accident Burnt down, whereupon they Request to hold their Meeting in a House Hired by Them for that purpose, which this meeting allows of untill further order.
"Chichester preparative meeting requests this Meeting's advice and assistance respecting the Building a new Meeting House. William Peters, Joseph Gibbons, Micajah Speak- man, John Brinton, John Townsend, John Carter, William Sale and Samuel Painter are Appointed for that service."
2 Mo. 8, 1769 :- "Most of the friends appointed to give Chichester Their advice respecting their Building a Meeting House Report that after having spent a Considerable time in that Service are unanimous of oppinion it is Necessary to have the advice of the Quarterly Meeting thereon, which this meeting approves of and Continues the former Com- mittee for their Service therein."
3 Mo. 8, 1769 :- "The Friends on the Case of Chichester meeting Respecting their Building a Meeting House report that a Committee from the Quarterly meeting appointed for that Service, Together with themselves, Attended and admin- ister'd their advice and assistance therin, which we are Informed was to Good satisfaction and Intended to be put in practice."
From a record kept by the Dutton Family it appears the fire occurred 12 Mo. 4, 1768. Other meetings appear to have contributed to the rebuilding, and a minute of Uwchlan, Mo. Mtg. shows that they collected seven pounds, twelve shillings and sixpence toward the finishing, 2 Mo. 7, 1771.
A QUESTION OF ANCESTRY AND COLOR.
At Concord Monthly Meeting, 7 Mo. 4th 1781, a query came from Birmingham Meeting, whether, if an applicant for membership is known or believed to be sincere, he or she should be rejected on account of colour. This was referred to a committee of men and women.
At the next monthly meeting it was decided to refer the question to the Quarterly Meeting.
At Chester Quarterly Meeting, held at Concord 12th of 11th Mo., 1781 :- Concord Monthly Meeting queries
33
.
Two hundred and twenty-fitth Anniversary
"whether person making application to be joined in member- ship with us as a religious Society and Friends being satis- fied with respect to the sincerity of the one so applying, should be rejected on account of the color? Which, being considered brought a weighty exercise on this meeting, and divers just observations were made thereon, which being considered is . left under consideration, and George Miller, Jesse Maris, John Sharpless, Thomas Garrett, Isaac Thomas, Amos Yar- nall Jun", Josiah Bunting, Aaron Oakford, John Humphries, Jacob Starr, Joseph West, Caleb Seal and Thomas Lightfoot, who were appointed last meeting to the assistance of Con- cord Meeting in this case, and Eli Yarnall, Thomas Massey Junr, John Hibberd, Samuel Trimble, Hugh Judge, Richard Strode, Joshua Sharples, Daniel Byrne, Cadwallader Jones and William Lightfoot are now added to them and desired to meet together and consider of this subject, and also to inquire more minutely into the disposition, color and circum- stances of the individual on whose account the application took its rise; and report their sense thereof to our next meeting."
11th of 2d Month 1782: The committee appointed to weigh and consider the query proposed to last meeting by Concord Monthly Meeting, produced a report which was read, being as follows :
"We of the Committee appointed on the application from Concord Monthly Meeting Report, That we have generally met and deliberately considered the subject matter committed to us; also appointed some of our number to visit the person upon whose account the application was made, some of whom reported to this Committee at a second meeting that they had taken an opportunity with the young woman, which was in a good degree to their satisfaction, and her disposition they apprehended to be worthy of Friends notice; and her color appeared to them not darker than some who are esteemed white: and we find by inquiry her great-grandfather was an African Negro and her great-grandmother an American Indian ; her grandfather a descendant of them and her grand- mother an Indian; her father a descendant of them and the mother a white woman."
Signed this 8th dav of 1st Month 1782 by nineteen Friends." (names not given.)
The case becoming as heretofore the subject of weighty and edifying deliberations and a spirit of condescension pre-
34
Concord Monthly Meeting of Friends
vailing it is with a good degree of unanimity agreed that it be laid before our Next Yearly Meeting for their considera- tion and advice; and Joseph West, Eli Yarnall, William Lightfoot and Joshua Sharples are appointed to pay her a visit for her information and encouragement in the way of Truth.
No further notice in relation to this subject appears on the minutes of Chester Quarterly Meeting. The Yearly Meeting minute dated 10th Month 1st 1783 is as follows :
"The request of Chester Quarter last year respecting the application of a woman to Concord Monthly Meeting to be received into membership, and which was referred for further consideration to this of a future meeting, being now revived, the subject opening with weight, It is the sense and judgment of the meeting that Concord Monthly Meeting may safely consider the application of the person on the same ground in common with other applications for admission into membership."
Thus far, there is no evidence of decided opposition to the proposed admission to membership of a person who was half white, three-eighths Indian and one-eighth Negro; but four days after the decision of the Yearly Meeting, Ann Emlen, of Philadelphia, wrote to her friend, Hannah Townsend, wife of Joseph Townsend of East Bradford, and daughter of Samuel Painter of Concord, as follows:
"Perhaps, as I heard our Frd. Abigail Franks say thee wished her to come & live with thee, it may be her circum- stance in future, if there were no obstruction in the way, in her mind or otherwise, to spend some time with thee after becoming a Member of Society, which I expect will now be the Case; believing her more worthy than many scores, yet Hundreds in it, of an allotment amongst the Saints; that her light will yet shine with increase of & steady brightness ; & that there is cause of thankfulness on her part & on her acc't that the mountains of opposition are leveled before her. I hope her right direction in all her goings, as well as thee & I & and all of us; being with much regard & good wishes, thy loving Friend
1822023NN EMLEN.
On the 7th of 4th Month 1784, Birmingham Meeting pre- sented the application of Abigail Franks for membership, and her admission followed on the 5th of the next month.
35
Two hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary
Isaac Frank, an Indian, is named in the tax list of Thorn- bury for 1764 and 1768, but as a single man.
Hannah Townsend died a few months after the above letter was written. Nothing further has been discovered relative to Abigail Franks.
DEED FOR CHICHESTER MEETING LAND.
All people to whom these presents shall come, James Browne of Chichester in the County of Chester in the Prov- ince of Pennsilvania in America send greeting. Know ye that the said James Browne for & in consideration of one shilling & sixpence &c. By vertue of a grant or patent by Thomas Loyd, James Claypoole, Robert Turner, Commis- sioners of William Penn proprietor dated at Philadelphia the fiveteenth day of the 3d month 1685, To Thomas Clifton & assigned over in Chester Court by the said Thomas Clifton to the above said James Browne the 9th of ye 10 month 1685, have by these presents granted Bargained sold assigned & Transmitted & by these presents. doe grant Bargain Sell & Transmitt unto William Clayton Sen", Phillip Roman, Robert Pile, Jacob Chandler, Joseph Bushell & John Kings- man their Heires & assignes forever in the behalfe & for the only use of the people of god called Quakers in the township of Chichester & County of Chester, being two Acres of that Tract of Land mentioned in ye Above said patent & now in ye tennour & occupation of the said William Clayton Sent, Phillip Roman, Robert Pile, Jacob Chandler, Joseph Bushell & John Kingsman with the rest of the people of god Caled Quakers in the township of Chichester aforesaid begining at a marked post upon Thomas Weathers his Line Runing east north east eight & twenty pearch unto a marked red oake sapling, thence North West by North half northerly twenty pearch to a marked corner post, thence South West by South half westerly eighteen pearch to a corner Hicquery sapling thene South by West ten pearch to the first mentioned Corner post containing in all two Acres with all & singular the ways waters easments proffits Comodities advantages & Apurti- nances to the same Land in any way belonging or Appertain- ing: To have & to hold the same two Acres of land with all the wayes, waters, easments, proffits Commodities Advan- tages & Appurtinances in the said William Clayton Sent, Phillip Roman, Robert Pile, Jacob Chandler, Joseph Bushell & John Kingsman their Teirs for ever: To the only proper
36
Concord Monthly Meeting of Frienas
use of themselves with the rest of the people of god Called Quakers Successively in the towne & County aforesaid for ever. And the said James Brown for himselfe his Heires execut's Aministrs Covenant promiseth granteth to & with the aforesaid purchasers in the behalfe of the people afore- said & unto their Heires & assignes by these presents in inaner & forme following ( that is to say ) that the said James Brown have not or hath not willingly or witingly Comited Suffered or done any act mater or thing whatsoever whereby or by Reason whereof said granted premises or any part thereof is or shall or may be incumbered in any title charge or estate or otherwise howsoever other then the Quit Rent thereout Isuing unto the cheife proprietory And that the said William Clayton Sent Phillip Roman Robert Pile Jacob Chandler Joseph Bushell John Kingsman their Heires with the people as aforesaid shall or Lawfully may for ever here- after peaceably & Quietly have hold posses & jnjoy the said granted premises & every part thereof with the Apurtinances without Let suit trouble or disturbance of him the said James Browne his Heires or any other person or persons claiming or to claime by from or under him or any of them. And further the said James Browne & his Heires shall & will at all times hereafter at the request cost & charges of the above said purchasers or people as aforesaid by an Order in their monthly meeting make and execute such further & other Lawful assurance of the said granted premises with the Apurtenances according to the purport true jntent & mean- ing of these presents Provided alwayes & at all times that if any one or more of the above said purchasers or any one or more that shall be Lawfully chose to succeed here- after fall from the beleefe of the Truth as held forth by the people of god called Quakers as aforesaid either in a profaine & Scandelous life or in Doctrine & continew therein it shall & may be Lawfull in such case for the aforesaid people of ye towne & County aforesaid by their order & Consent in their monthly meeting alwayes and at altimes to amove & put out any such one or more of the said purchessors or any other that shall succeed. And allwayes & at alltimes hereafter to nominate & Chuse & putt in one or more in his or their Rome as they shall see fitt in Witness whereof the said James Browne hath to these presents sett his hand & Seale the fourth day of the tenth month 1688
JAMES BROWNE.
37
Two hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary
Signed Sealed & delivered in ye presence of
DANIEL WILLIAMSON RANDALL VERNON THOMAS MINSHALL WALTER FFAUCIT
Past in Open Court at Chester & Certified under the Clarkes hand & County Seale the 4th day of the 10th month 1688
ROBT. EYRE Clerke
At a monthly meeting held at Chichester the 11th of the 11th mo: 1685 It was proposed & Agreed to build a meeting house upon a parcell of land granted by James Brown as by a dead may further apear & sometime afterward it was agreed by friends to fence in a buriell-ground upon the said Land Jonyeing to the meeting house, the Subscriptions thereunto are as followeth viz.
1b
8
d
James Browne
3
3
0
Johns Kingsman
2
5
0
John Harding
3
6
0
Thos. Weethers
0
16
6
Edwd Beezer
2
08
6
Joseph Bushel
1
08 0
Jacob Chandler
2 10
0
Philip Roman
1
15
0
ffrancis Harrison
1
12
6
Wm. Hughes
1
0
0
Susanna Beezer
2
0
6
Nath Lamplugh
2
4
0
Wm. Browne
0
16
0
John Ayers
0
1
0
ffrances Chadsey
1
10
0
Robert Pile
2
08
0
Wm. Clayton sen"
3
02
0
John Beales
0
10
0
Wm. Cloud sent
1
04
0
Elizabeth Lockly
0
10
0
Edward Carter
0
06
0
widd. Johnson
0
2
0
Edw. Walter
0
06
()
Nicolas Pile
0
10
0
38
Concord Monthly Meeting of Friends
Roger Smith
0 05 0 W'm. Clayton Jun"
0 06
0
Totall
36 04 0
WHEREAS, there has Been Som difference by som yt have separated from friends in their subscriptions toward their Building of meeting houses &c. for the service of Truth wee whose names are here under subscribed doe Promise & oblidg our selves hereby That if we or any one or more of us should seperate ourselves from ye society and Communion of those friends of Concord Burmingham & Thornebery yt now wee walke in fellowship with Either in doctrine Life & Conver- sation; we will make noe trouble Among those people by reason of an right wee or any one of us think wee have because of this or any other subscription yt was or may be towards building a meeting house & Makeing a buriall place for ye use of ye said people of God called Quakers And wee further promise to relinquish & Lay aside all pretence of right or claime whereby any disquiet may arise Among ye aforesd people of God Called Quakers of Concord Burming- ham & Thornebery According to the purport true meaneing & intent of this written as abovesaid wee subscribe as fol- loweth.
£
d
Nathaniel Newlin
7
10
0
John Newlin
5
10
0
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