USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > Concordville > Two-hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of Concord Monthly Meeting of Friends : Concordville, Delaware Co., Pa > Part 8
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which appears to have ended the case.
On ye 10th of ye 8th month, 1687, it is recorded : Whereas, there has been a difference between Robert Pile and Joseph Bushell about some acres of land; this meeting having heard and debated the matter, Doth order yt Joseph Bushell shall keep the ten acres laid out with ve other hundred acres being above Concord, which make his full number of acres 250, and also ordereth that Robert Pile shall keep the streep of cleared land lying in his field six years above ye date hearof.
And so the matter ended.
On ye 13th of 3rd month, 1689: In a difference between William Branton and Hugh Darborrow, the said Win. Bran- ton desired to chose two friends and the meeting two others to put an end to ye matter depending, and the Quarterly Meeting having notice of it, sent four Friends to put an end to the differences.
This concern is still a vital part of our recommended plan of procedure.
In the matter of personal conduct it has always been a part of the meeting's duties to have a care of its members and endeavor to preserve them in the honorable way of life.
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Two hundred and twenty-fitth Anniversary
On the 13th of 3rd month, 1869, James Browne gives a paper for ye satisfaction of Friends, viz .:
It was required of me to satisfie Friends concerning a chain that my boy found and brought to my house-which was lost from Peter Stwed's log. This is to satisfie you. I did ask him what he would give for his chain the very day" it was found, but did not say I had it, but had no other intent but to have something for finding it; but by so doing it have occasioned many reports to the dishonor of the truth, which I am sorry for, and I do condemn myself for it and for keeping it so long.
Witness my hand,
JAMES BROWNE.
On the 8th of 6th month, 1692, Jacob Chandler complains against Thomas Moore for interruption of him in his public testimony in Concord meeting-saving his soul was grieved to hear such abominable doctrine, Jacob desired to be justified.
On the 12th of 7th month. Report made that Jacob Chand- ler was justified in his testimony and Thomas Moore blam- able for dealing so unchristianly to him.
On the 13th of 12th month, 1692, it was noticed that William Branton had quit coming to meeting (he had in- clined to go with George Keith, who had left friends and gone to the established church), and this gave the meeting great concern for several years, but on the 14th of 6th month, 1699, he sent to the Monthly Meeting a paper to condemn himself for going to George Keith's meeting. This being of long date and not required of him, the meeting desired to know his reason and cause of this paper being brought at this time. At the next meeting he appeared and Friends accepted his paper as satisfaction for going to the Separator's Meeting, but not as to his testimony.
On the 11th of 9th month, 1695, a concern was expressed about some of the members following acts which Friends thought not fit for such as profess truth to follow-where- upon it was stated concerning Astrology, Geomancy, Chico- mancy and Necromancy, &c., that the sense of this meeting is that the study of these sciences bring a veil upon our understanding and a death upon the life.
For several months the meeting dealt with Philip Roman, Jr., and Robert Roman, on account of their proceedings in these acts, probably prevailing with Philip to quit, but
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not so with Robert, against whom they finally declared their testimony. Their father also gave the meeting a paper of his not having unity with their course in the matter. (See also W. W. Dewees, pp. 60 )
On the 3d of 10th month, 1739, a concern having taken hold of this meeting to suppress pride, and it seems to appear . somewhat in women in wearing of hooped petticoats, which is a great trouble to many Friends' minds, and it is the unanimous sense of this meeting that none amongst us be in the practice thereof.
On the 3d of First month, 1780, Concord and Birming- ham complains against some young Friends, viz .: Joseph Gilpin, George Gilpin, Samuel Painter, Jr., Thomas Juds, John Painter and Joseph Brinton, Jr., for assenting and assisting to a forward and unadvised action in going to cor- rect a man for beating his wife, which practice is contrary to our principles; for which the said persons have offered their acknowledgment for their offence, which is accepted and is ordered to be read at the breaking up of a First-day meeting at Concord and Birmingham.
So from that day to this it has been the uniform advice of the meeting to depend alone on the still small voice of the Great Teacher as revealed to the inner conscience as a sufficient dependence for a true life, and a preservation from an evil course.
The Monthly Meeting was soon desirous or having all that could do so produce certificates of their membership from whence they came, so in 1687-88, the following Friends brought satisfactory papers or other evidences of acceptable standing, in their meetings :
Joseph Bushell, George Peirce (Thornbury), Nathaniel Park (Concord), Robert Pile ( Bethel), Edward Beger (Bethel), Hugh Durborrow and John Taylor's family (of Thornbury ), John Harding, John Kingsman, Philip Roman, Francis Charsey, William Branton and Richard Thatcher (or Birmingham), Nicholas Newlin and William Hewes (of Concord), Elizabeth Lockley, William Clayton and Jacob Chandler, which practice has been in all the following years followed.
Friends brought with them to this country their unique proceedings as to the marriage rites and ceremony, and this Monthly Meeting furnishes ample evidences of its efficiency
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and of the desire to comply to all proper lawful require- ments in the proceedings, thus we find the record made 10th of 12th month, 1700. In obedience to a law made in 1700, wherein it is expressed that no marriage shall be solemnized without publication thereof one month before under the hand of one magistrate. Therefore, this meeting doth agree and conclude that all marriages that present themselves to this meeting, upon which account shall advise ye parties to con- sent to publish it according to law-the next day after the first Monthly Meeting that ye law might be answered in that case, and produce the paper to the next Monthly Meeting.
And so to this time Friends are careful to fulfil the requirements of the law, and their beautiful ceremony has stood all proper test as to its sanctity and force.
Occasionally, however, some trouble appeared, of which one instance is as follows:
On the 11th of 10th month, 1699, Jonathan Thatcher and Hannah Dix laid their intentions of marriage for the first time, and Nathaniel Parke and Nicholas Pyle were appointed to inquire in his case.
At the next meeting they reported no obstruction on his part, but that his father would not give his consent. So the committee were continued to see him and endeavor to have him give his reason why he refused his consent.
At the next meeting the report was that the father, Richard Thatcher, utterly refused to consent or give the meeting anv satisfaction, saving he mattered the order of the meeting no more than the dirt under his feet. So the meeting, after a serious consideration, doth allow and permit the said Jona- than and Hannah to proceed in the solemmizing of their inten- tions, according to the order of truth, and said meeting or- dered Nicholas Pyle to see that their marriage is orderly accomplished.
This is the only instance on record of a parent not giving consent, and the marriage sanctioned, that I have found.
On the 9th of 11th month, 1692, at Jacob Chandler's. This meeting is informed that what is said in the meeting is car- ried abroad and perverted and made evil use of, which is a grief to us, and causeth Truth to be evil spoken of. Therefore this meeting hath taken it into serious consideration and have ordered Nicholas Newlin and Nathaniel Parke to make inquiry who the person is and order him to appear at the next meeting.
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Concord Monthly Meeting of Friends
The evils of intoxicant liquors began to be seen very early and became especially apparent in the intercourse of the immigrants with the Indians. So on the 12th of ye First month, 1688, a paper was presented from the Yearly Meeting, held in Philadelphia, ye 7th of the 7th month, 1687, call- ing upon Friends to abstain from selling or bartering strong drink to the Indians, directly or indirectly, considering the abuse they make of it, is a thing contrary to ye Lord and great grief and burden to his people and a great reflection and dishonor to the Truth. We advise that our testimony may be entered in every Monthly Meeting book.
Signed in behalf of ye meeting, ANTHONY MORRIS.
From this begininng the testimony has advanced so as to now embrace the requirement of total abstainence for the individual and advocacy of the complete overthrow of the whole traffic in intoxicating liquors, but it progressed thereto by degrees, and so we find along the way.
The following is recorded in 1779 on Concord minutes : We find an increasing concern on the minds of many Friends to discourage the unnecessary use of spirituous liquors on all occasions. Notwithstanding, we have sorrowfully to observe that some amongst us have been too liberal therewith in the time of the late harvest. We know of none concerned in distilling from grain ; no taverner, except one woman Friend, whose case is under care.
1789.
There are two Friends who are concerned in retailing dis- tilled spirituous liquors (one of whom proposes shortly declin- the practice), a few who keep stills (though latterly have done very little at distilling), a few who have taken of their produce to be distilled; most of whom a committee out of our number have taken opportunities with. Most of the visited appear to take the subject under close consideration.
In the matter of Slavery, there was very early in the Society's history a concern on the subject.
A company called "The Free Society of Traders" was formed in England before William Penn sailed for his Colony in 1682, of which he was a conspicuous member. One article of their association reads: If the society should receive blacks for servants, they shall make them free at fourteen years' end. In 1688 we find this record : Here in Pennsylvania is
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liberty of conscience, which is right and reasonable ; here like- wise ought to be liberty of the body (except of evil-doers which is another case), but to bring men hither or to rob or sell them against their wills, we stand against.
There were a number of Friends members of Concord Monthly Meeting who owned slaves, but as the testimony against the system increased the number decreased and the Society became clear in the matter.
A record was made at Concord Quarterly Meeting 20th of Second month, 1800, for the first time, "Clear of importing, disposing of or holding mankind as slaves."
In Dr. Geo. Smith's History of Delaware County, p. 334, he states, "The year of 1780 is memorable in the annals of Pennsylvania for the passage of the act for the gradual aboli- tion of slavery in this State," which law required every owner to register their slaves who were to become free when thirty- one years of age. According to this register, made November 1, 1780, there were no slaves in Bethel or Birmingham, or Upper Chichester, 14 in Aston, 7 in Concord and three in Thornbury. These being within the limits of Concord Monthly Meeting.
In 1774 the Yearly Meeting declared its disunity with the system, and desired its subordinate meetings to endeavor to have their members clear themselves of the practice, but it took several years to accomplish this end, the date of the last manumission being in 1801.
A few illustrations of manumissions may be interesting :
1. To all people to whom these presents shall come, I, William Peter, of Aston, in the County of Chester and prov- ince of Pennsylvania, send greeting: Whereas, a certain Molattoe Man, named Isaac Brown, aged about twenty-eight years, has been under my care and in my Service. Now know ye that for and in Consideration that all mankind have an equal natural & just right to Liberty, I have Released, Dis- charged & set free the said Isaac Brown & Do by these pres- ents release, discharge manumit & set at full Liberty the said Isaac Brown & for myself my heirs, executors, administers & assigns and all other persons claiming under me or any of them, Do Quit all claim to the said Isaac Brown, which by the Laws or customs of this province or any other Govern- ment might have subjected to Slavery or deprived him of the full enjoyment of Liberty.
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Concord Monthly Meeting of Friends
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal . the Seventh day of the eighth month in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six. Signed and sealed in the presents of
WM. PETER (Seal).
BENJAMIN HOUGH SAMUEL TRIMBLE.
2. I, Richard Strode, of East Bradford, Chester County, Do hereby Manumitt and set free from bondage my Negro man named Sampson when he shall attain the age of twenty- one years, which will be on the twenty-first day of ye twelfth (month), 1777, which is as near as I can conveniently come at his age. And I do for myself, my heirs, executors & admin- istrators release unto the said Negro man Sampson all my right and all claim whatsoever as to his person or to any estate he may acquire. Hereby Declaring the Negro man Sampson absolutely free without any interruption from me or any person claiming under me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of the third month one thousand seven hundred seventy and seven. Sealed and delivered in ye pres-
ents of us,
RICHARD STRODE. (Seal)
JNO. TOWNSEND, WILLIAM TOWNSEND, .TR.
3. I, George Brinton, of Thornbury Township, in the County of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, Do hereby set free from Bondage my Negro man Mordica or Mott (allias Geo. Brown), aged about forty-two years, and I do for myself, my heirs, executors & assigns, Release unto the said Negro man all my Right and all claim whatsoever as to his person or any Estate he may acquire hereby, declaring the said negro man absolutely Free without any interrup- ture from me or any person claiming under me. In witness whereof I have Hereunto set my hand and Seal this Second dav of March One thousand eight hundred & one. Sealed and Delivered in the pres-
ents of us,
GEORGE BRINTON. (Seal)
JOSEPET BRINTON, JOHN BRINTON, JR.
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Two hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary
We have already had reference to the interest of Friends in education (see address of Norris J. Scott), and in this respect we find that Concord was in no wise behind other localities in the course. There were schools established in close con- nection with Chichester, Concord and Birmingham Meet- ings, but being, either under the management of Prepara- tive Meetings or of local associations, records of them are hardly accessible except in a few instances. One of these is that on the eleventh of May, 1717 (third year of our Sover- eign Lord George of Great Britain, Defender of the Faith), Henry Peirce and Sarah, his wife, of Concord, Chester County and province of Pennsylvania, conveyed one-half acre of ground to Henry Obourn, Thomas Brown, John Palmer, Jun- ior, Ralph Everson, Robert Chamberlain, John Hannum, John Palmer, Senior, Joseph Kerlin, Henry Guest, George Robinson, Godin Walter, Mathias Kirl (Kerlin), and Thomas Smith, on which to erect a school house for the use of them- selves and successors forever, but whether this lot is now one of the present sites of schools I have been unable to determine. A school house was on the meeting lot at Concord in 1779, and was probably then or soon after a two story building, as such was standing until 1859, when it was torn down. There is a record that C. Peirce, Jr., was the teacher in 1788, when he was paid £9 salary. In 1790-94, James Iddings was teacher ; 1792, Thos. Flower is mentioned; 1795-97, James Neal was teacher ; 1798, Lydia Neal's name appears, followed 1800-08 by John Meredith; 1813-21, by Jesse Haines : 1823, by Robert Parry; 1824, by Isaac Peirce; 1826, by Alexander Mckeever.
The latter appears to have been the last teacher employed by the meeting, continuing until 1836, when he was appointed by the school directors to teach at the school of Concord Hill, in conjunction with Neal Duffee at No. 2, Mattson and Jesse C. Green at No. 3, Union school. Of these, Mckeever finally removed to Chester and was for some time the editor of the Upland Union, a newspaper published there, and later a government officer at the Lazaretto, when he died. Of Duffee I have no account. Of Jesse C. Green, after several years spent in teaching, he studied dentistry and located in West Chester, Pa., where he had a successful career, and is yet living. He furnished the government for a long time with the weather reports of his locality, and now, in his 94th year,
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CONCORD FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE FROM GRAVEYARD
Concord Monthly Meeting of Friends
is remarkable for his activities, physically, intellectually and spiritually. He had a birthright membership in the Society of Friends.
The dwelling house on the meeting grounds was built in two parts, the older end has the appearance of being built very early in the meeting settlement, and the other part was added about 1793. The whole house is yet in a substantial condition, and since the time of Mckeever has been occupied by Wm. W. Palmer, to 1843; Hannah and Eliza Newlin, to 1854; John Palmer, to 1857; Isaiah Entriken, to 1891, and since 1892 by Lewis Palmer.
The yard attached to the Meeting House is all that could be desired for its purpose, being well shaded and so level that vehicles can stand upon it anywhere without danger of moving, and in connection with ample shedding, makes it an ideal location, which justifies the fine judgment of our ancestors in its selection.
In addition to the first purchase of this site, the meeting purchased of Nicholas Newlin and Edith, his wife, a tract of one acre and one hundred and thirty-eight perches on the 4th of September, 1839, the trustees being Moses Key, Ralph Eavenson, Benjamin Mendenhall, Jr., Caleb Peirce, John Pyle, Peter Hatton, John Newlin and Thomas Marshall. This tract was situated between the land then owned by the meet- ing and the old post road, and added greatly to the com- modiousness of the property. The graveyard attached to this property is very appropriate to its use, and has a very agree- able appearance. It became well filled up, and about 1857 Newlin Arment purchased from Samuel Hewes an adjoining piece of land, containing one hundred and thirty-eight 78-100 perches, which he deeded 11mo, 28, 1859, to trustees of the meeting, thus giving additional room. About this time Sam- uel Hewes also deeded to trustees of the Orthodox Meeting a piece of land which constitutes their burial ground. It ad- joins the other burial grounds.
Coming now to within the recollection of the writer, he can state that in his early days it was no uncommon sight to see many come to meeting on horseback, not only one on a horse, but often man with wife behind, or two boys or two girls on one horse, and the old horse block was then a neces- sary part of the accommodations for the meeting, and a pang of regret still lingers with the older minds that this custom has become extinct, and the old horse block torn down.
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Two hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary
The early pleasure conveyance was a two-wheeled vehicle, called a chair or a gig, which at one time were quite common and made a considerable showing on meeting days. These in turn gave way to the carriage in its various forms, now in process of being superseded in a measure by the automobile.
The old time custom of men and women occupying sep- arate sides of the house and performing separate parts of business still lingers in portions of the Society, but is now becoming a matter of memory.
The marriage rite, also so long taken in the Meeting House, as a matter of necessity to its proper solemnization. has in many parts of the Society been changed to private residences, but the Meeting House can still be used for this purpose by those so desiring.
The old garments of quaint appearances, with their rich colorings of brown or drab, their plainness of cutting, their neatness of setting and with a head covering of broad brim for man and casing bonnet for woman, their ampleness being a conspicuous object, all have now become matters largely of memory, but the principles hidden in the lives thus covered still hold themselves dear to us of this latter day, and fondly do we cherish the hope that they may still hold our attention and encourage the performance of noble deeds for the benefit of man and to the glory of our God.
NORRIS J. SCOTT .- That ends the exercises so far as they are printed on the list. I think it is very safe to say that we have had a very-I might say very interesting and instruct- ive meeting. We have had some most excellent papers on different subjects and I think we will all go away satisfied of being here. Just a few moments of silence and then we will adjourn the meeting for good.
The meeting then adjourned.
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ANTIQUES.
FROM THE MEETING SAFE.
First deed for the property from John Mendenhall, dated 1697.
Book or records of members who emancipated their slaves.
Two old marriage certificates, one of Gibbons Hunt and Sidney Marshall (widow nee Hatton), dated 8th of 9th month, 1830. One of Reuben Griffith and Hannah Massey (widow nee Mattson), dated 8th of 12th month, 1819.
Old Minute Book of Chester Quarterly Meeting, 1794-98. Also joint of old handmade stove pipe.
Set of seats from old school house.
Loaned by Margaret J. Scott :
Sampler, made by S. Rhoads in 1755.
Sampler, made by Hannah Rhoads in 1809.
Loaned by Katharine G. Darlington :
Set of five horn spoons.
Green silk pin cushion, made in 1621.
Miniature leather, iron bound, trunk, made in 1621.
Loaned by Rebecca E. Hornor :
Spoon used by Oliver Cromwell, of England, between 1650-58.
Old plate, illustrated with old Fairmount Water Works.
Old pin cushion ball, made by her grandmother in 1786. Loaned by Katharine R. Styer :
Old China cream pitcher.
Pair of old spectacles.
Old blue dish.
Brown decorated dish.
Beaded chain, made by Margaret C. Jones in 1838.
Sampler, made by Anna I. Pancoast, 7mo. 25, 1838. Drab silk shawl, worn by Hannah Rhoads, grandmother of Jacob Styer, at her wedding in Darby Meeting House. Loaned by Hannah H. Palmer:
Sampler, made by her mother, then Susanna Thompson, in 1816, aged 14 years.
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Two hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary
Loaned by Lewis Palmer:
Collection of old China plates.
Pewter ware, viz., decorated plate, large platter, porringer and spoons.
Tea set of Brittanic ware.
Old China tea pot and sugar bowl.
Old China pitcher decorated with seals.
Pair of old brass candle sticks and snuffers.
Pair of old handirons.
Old wooden lock and key, likely used on old meeting house door.
Old brass musket, owned by Moses Palmer, who died in 1783.
Collection of old Colonial currency, used before and in Revolutionary times.
Collection of fractional currency, used during the Civil War, 1862-65.
Atlas of early grants and patents of Delaware County, Pa., by Benj. H. Smith, 1880.
Collection of old books and old deeds.
Old deed, Wm. Penn's agents to John Palmer, dated 1688. Quadrant, formerly owned by Cept. Cheyney, a sea captain.
Facsimile of letter of Wm. Penn, dated London, 18th, Eighth month, 1681, and picture of old Friends' Meeting House in Chester, Pa., in one frame.
Old Dutch oven, used before stoves were in use in front of fireplace.
Book of postage stamps of the world.
Old lard oil lamp, used before oils were discovered.
Framed picture of Wm. Penn's treaty with the Indians.
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A list of the first members of the Monthly Meeting of Chichester and Concord as gleaned from the first book of minutes of said meeting to the year 1700:
(Miners not included)
Name appears.
John Ayres, Chichester
1685
(May be the same as afterwards Eyre.)
1684
John Beyer, Chichester. 1684
James Browne, Chichester 1684
Joseph Bushell, Bethel
1685
William Beyer, Jr., Bethel
1685
Edward Beyer, Bethel. 1685
William Brown, Chichester
1684
John Beales, Chichester. 1685
William Branton, Birmingham 1684
Edward Bennett Thornbury
1687
Joel Baily, Aston 1687
John Bradshaw, 1687
John Bennett, Birmingham,. 1695
William Brinton, Jr., Birmingham. 1695
John Baldwin, Aston. 1696
Edward Brown, Bethel. 1683
Richard Barnard, Aston.
1700
Thomas Bomater, Edgemont. 1700
John Bennett, Jr., Birminghom 1698
William Clayton, Sr., Chichester 1684
Jeremiah Cloud, Chichester.
1685
Jacob Chandler, Chichester.
1685
Francis Chadsey, Birmingham.
1685
William Cloud, Sr., Chichester
1685
Edward Carter, Chichester. 1685
William Clayton, Jr., Chichester 1685
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