USA > Rhode Island > The Narragansett Friends' meeting in the xviii century, with a chapter on Quaker beginnings in Rhode Island > Part 5
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THE WORK OF THE MEETING
As late as 1787 the New Lights gave trouble. A member confessed that he had been to a funeral " and Joined with them in their praying and fo forth, but have confid- ered my Conduct therein fince and find that I mift it in fo doing," which seems a very modern mode of confession.
The Baptist Church in Wakefield claims descent from these enthusiasts. The shores of Kit's Pond for many years have witnessed converts " dippd in outward water ; " and what the good Friends called " Wild and Ranting " was doubtless the fever of exhor- tation and song into which the neighbor- hood gatherings wrought themselves. Many of the hymns were a sort of recitation by the leader, with a refrain taken up by the congregation, and punctuated with sighs and groans. A wild religious fervor marked these meetings, wonderful experiences were related, and constant backsliding occurred. To the minds of Friends, they were a peo- ple of "dark and erroneous principles." As might be expected, the women's meet- ing had difficulty with women who were carried away by this enthusiasm. Con- tent Davis, the wife of our ancient friend Peter Davis, was in charge of a case in
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1762 where a woman went to the " Sepa- arates or New Light " meeting, and with an unconscious arrogance is accused of " joining with them in what they call wor- fhip." She refused to make satisfaction, and four months after was denied for her " Sade outgoings," as she was "too far joyned into the Religious Sentiments and practices of ye people called New light or Saparates." The following year another woman was " put from under friends care until fhe makes Satisfaction " on the same charge.
The New Light doctrines seem to have been the only religious difficulty Friends had to contend with in Narragansett. It is natural that any revolt from the orderly ways of Friends should go to the furthest extreme possible at the time. Episcopacy and Presbyterianism do not appear to have troubled the meeting. But there were al- ways sins of conduct to contend with, and the meeting kept a watchful eye upon its members. A man was reported as he " had of late tarried at the Tavern unfeafonable and drinked to Excefs his Behaviour and Converfation being diforderly therein," and was duly dealt with. Another man is re-
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THE WORK OF THE MEETING
ported to the South Kingstown Prepara- tive Meeting, as he " had Conducted Difor- derly in Selling Spirituous Liquors By Small Quantities without Licenfe." 1 Two Friends were appointed to treat with him.
The young men were dealt with for fight- ing, which they "openly condemn " as being against " the Peacable principles we Pro- fefs," and also for using " unbecoming and prophain language for which reproachful act I am very forry and do freely condemn," the repentant young man declares. Young Caleb Hazard confesses that he " has of late fo far given way to the paffion of anger as to ftrike and fight with Coon Williams," which he freely condemns. A paper was read at the Richmond meeting-house in August, 1767, which must have caused a good deal of talk before and after the read- ing. " A man," the writer says,
come to me in my field and tho I Defired him to Keep off yet made an attempt to beat or abufe me to prevent which I Suddenly and with too much warmth pufhed him from me with the Rake I was leaning on, which act of mine as it did not manifeft to that Christian patience
1 Vol. i. p. 226.
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and Example in Suffering Tryals of every Kind becoming my profeffion I therefore Freely Condemn it and Defire that I may be enabled for the future to Suffer pa- tiently any abufe or whatever elfe I may be Tried with and alfo Defire Friends to Continue their watchful care over me.
Solomon Hoxsie made a complaint of a man " Giving him an occafion of uneafi- nefs by Charging him with Vfing Deciet with him at feveral times." Thomas Haz- ard and other Friends were appointed to inquire into the case and make report : " We adjudge that John Knowles condemn his charge of Deceit againft Solomon Hox- fie at fome meeting of friends which the meeting fhall think Confiftent with good order." Another man is charged with using an " Unfavory expreffion, What if you Should Try it out with your guns," which he is advised to condemn.
All cases of dispute were to be adjusted by the meeting, and both parties sometimes gave a binding obligation to abide by the decision rendered. One of the Congdons of Charlestown was complained of by a Friend " for ufing of him hardly in bargain- ing," and a committee was appointed " to
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inquire into the Viracity" of the com- plaint.
Nathan Tucker, who appeared for his father in this case, had to give
his obligation to ftand and abide the De- termination of fuch Friends as Shall or may be chosen and agreed to and fully authorized by faid Joseph and Nathan to Hear Judge and final Determination make of the whole Controversy. ... But notwithftanding the parties are firft to be Urged to an amicable and equitable fet- tlement amongft themfelves and make re- turn of their fuccefs to our next Monthly Meeting.1
Friends could sometimes appeal from the judgment of the committee, and a new com- mittee could reconsider the case, as in the following instance : -
The friends appointed to Treat with Dan Bowing Concerning his not comply- ing with the judgement of ffriends in a cafe between him and one of his neigh- bors Made Report that their Judgment is that friend Bowing ought not to pay anything on that Judgment them friends gave.2
1 Vol. i. p. 230.
2 Ibid. p. 68.
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In another case there was a difference between two Friends about settling their accounts. The meeting appointed three Friends to assist in settling, and, if they could not do it with the advice of the com- mittee, to "Deliver each of their acco'ts into the hands of the Said Committee and they to fettle them & make Report." They "Completed that affair according to Ap- pointment " Ist IIth month, 1755.
If Friends ventured to appeal to the law instead of to the meeting they were severely dealt with, for St. Paul's maxim was closely followed. A member who had sued his son-in-law, contrary to the good order of Friends, is mentioned. The " Meeting Re- quefts of him to Defift fuch Diforderly proceedings, and Defires him to attend our next Monthly Meeting to make friends Sat- isfaction." 1
In another case, " South Kingftown in- formed that John Barber has fo far difre- garded the Rules of Friends Discipline as to fue a Friend at Common Law." Thomas Hazard and William Robinson were ap- pointed to treat with him, and to inform him " unlefs he makes faid Friend Satis-
1 Vol. i. p. 92.
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THE WORK OF THE MEETING
faction for the unneceffary coft and trouble he has put him to, and alfo condemn his faid difregard to Friends Difcipline that he will be denied Memberfhip." 1
Even giving advice as to an appeal to the law was a breach of discipline. A man and his wife are mentioned who " conducted Diforderly in that they advifed and encour- aged their fon " to prosecute a friend at common law, and "they are advifed to condemn it."
The meeting was very jealous of the credit of its members. Men were dealt with for not paying their debts, and dis- owned if they proved dishonorable about it. An example may be taken as a typical case.
In 1766 South Kingstown Preparative Meeting informed the monthly meeting " that it was neceffary a Committee be ap- pointed to infpect the circumftances " of a Friend. John Collins, Thomas Wilbon, and Thomas Hazard were immediately appointed " to go out and treat with faid Robert he being prefent in regard to his circumftances and make Report to this Meeting." This committee reported " that by his Account his Debts and his Eftate are near about 1 Vol. i. p. 167.
106 NARRAGANSETT FRIENDS' MEETING equivalent exclufive of his Houfehold Goods and a few Cooper's Tools the Farm he bought of the Heirs of James Bowdoen and the purchafe money not included." This would seem a large exception, and the committee was instructed " to make further infpection of the Said Robert's circum- ftances and make Report thereof."
The next month the committee reported, " from his information," the records carefully state, " that he hath bought a tract of land of the Heirs of Bowdoin of Bofton lying in Richmondtown, the confideration three hundred feventy five Dollars to be paid on ye 10 of ye 1 mo 1767. The faid land being vewed by us the Said Confideration in our Eftimation is too much, and further that he hath an Opportunity to enter into the improvement of his brother Samuel's houfe and farm and to have the ufe of one yoke of Oxen therewith at the Rent per annum of 110 yards of Common Shirting flanning and the keep of one Yearling Horfe."
(Signed) JOHN COLLINS. THOMAS WILBORE. THOMAS HAZARD.
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This year and the year following, 1766- 67, were the years in which College Tom made some of his most curious bargains. He bought a horse, a "Dark Coloured Natural pacing Horse " he calls it, in 1766, for fifty-five silver dollars, but the value of the money was to be taken in molasses, in- digo, and tea. In the case of this Friend whom College Tom was endeavoring to as- sist, the bargain for the land was made in dollars also, but the rent to be paid in " Common Shirting flanning," and the keep of a colt, shows how scarce actual money was.
The committee appointed to assist in this case wrote a letter to Boston to endeavor to get Friend Robert released from his pur- chase, and he reported that he had signed and forwarded the letter, a copy of which was presented to the meeting. As he also proposed " to fell fo much of his perfonal Eftate as would difcharge his contracts, and provide a fuitable place for his family and put himfelf to Labour this meeting advife him to purfue it." 1
At the 6th month meeting, Friends re- ported that little had been done toward set-
1 Vol. i. p. 174.
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tling Robert's debts, and at the 9th month meeting the same was true; " therefor as it is not reputable any longer to delay this meeting advifes him to notify his Creditors as foon as conveniently may be and deliver up his Eftate or fo much of it as will fatisfy all his Creditors."
At the next meeting, Friends reported that " faid Robert has concluded to perfue the advice of the Monthly Meeting by notifying his Creditors and deliver up his Eftate to them which is referred to wait for his per- formance thereof."
It was six months that this Friend had been advised by the meeting, and the case continued much longer. The account of his debts was brought in, which amounted " to fifty eight and three quarters of a dol- lar, and also Perfonal Eftate Amounting to the Same Sum," which he was desired to " offer up" to satisfy his creditors. The sum seems ridiculously small to modern ears, but the scarcity of money must be re- membered. Corn in 1767 was ninety shil- lings a bushel, and one ewe lamb sold for six pounds in bills. Turned into old tenor, Friend Robert's debts would amount to over £460, which seems a more considerable
THE WORK OF THE MEETING 109
sum to be advised about. After several months' delay he reported he had only one creditor left, and finally he appeared in meeting and " informed that he had fettled with his one creditor."
But misfortune pursued him, and in 6th month, 1772, he had some very urgent ad- vice. He was first to deliver up the pos- session of the farm which he had improved for several years to his brother, who had bought it. He is advised : -
2nd that he difpofe of his ftock farming Utenfils etc Sufficient to pay all his Debts. That he accept of the privilege that his Father and Brother offers him (that is the Room in the houfe that he lives in untill next Spring and milk of one Cow this seafon and an acre and a half of land already planted for such a confid- eration as they have agreed on).
4th [sic] that he put himfelf at labour for the Support of his family what time he hath.
5th that he Endeavour to find Suitable places to put out his Children to trades and learning to fitt them for bufiness, and take friends Advice therein.1
1 Vol. i. p. 262.
IIO NARRAGANSETT FRIENDS' MEETING
Thus closely were the outward affairs of the members under the care of the meeting. Two or three debtors are mentioned who left town without paying their debts, and very plain language is used of them. One man, who was denied for this reason, is in- formed that " this was a piece of Conduct not only againft the Rules of the Society but fcandalous in its Nature and injurious to thofe to whom he was indebted " in the paper that was publicly read denouncing him. The power of public opinion was thus used for honesty and uprightness.
In another case, Thomas Hazard and Joseph Congdon were appointed to inform a debtor " What friends require of him." This man desired time to settle, "as the weather has been Difficult and he lame," a mode of expression which appeals to one's sympathies. But the meeting was just, and, though they gave time in abundance, finally insisted on satisfaction.
Thomas Hazard was again on a commit- tee which dealt very plainly with another delinquent. It was proposed to Job Irish, " by way of Advice," that he " provide proper place amongft Friends for his wife and children, deliver up to his Creditors
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THE WORK OF THE MEETING
all of his worldly Eftate to be equitably divided amongft them, hire himfelf out by the year by Hufbandry or otherwife for as much as he can juftly get, live frugally and make payment ftill with what he fhall have to fpare of his Earnings." This was at the 2d month meeting, 1767, and the vigorous English is doubtless College Tom's. Five months later, "Stephen Hoxfie informed that he had not yet fent the Writing to Job Irifh which Friends ordered him to write and fend." At the next meeting " Stephen Hoxfie is defired to take care to fend to Job Irifh as foon as he conveniently can." But at the 10th month meeting he has " yet omitted fending to Job Irifh as he was ap- pointed to do." Nine months after the let- ter was directed to be sent, "Stephen Hoxfie informed that he has fent forward the letter that he was to write to Job Irifh, but Friends not having any account whether he has re- ceived it or not, therefore that matter con- cerning him is referred." Early in the next year it was again referred, " as Friends have no account from him, and as it is uncer- tain whether he received what was wrote to him by the Clerk refpecting his creditors." Finally, fourteen months after the first ac-
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tion, " This Meeting is informed that Job Irifh has received the writing that the Clerk wrote to him and that he is defirous Friends would yet wait fome longer time with him therefore Friends Condefcends to wait with him until the next Monthly Meeting."
This incident shows clearly the difficul- ties of communication over the country roads. Matthew Allen, who was a South Kingstown representative when the meet- ing was set apart at East Greenwich, was once summoned to appear at monthly meet- ing, but sent excuse, "he being an ancient Man and the Diftance fo far to ride." From Stephen Hoxsie's, near the Rich- mond meeting-house, to Tower Hill, was indeed a good morning's ride, and Job Irish evidently lived in a remote part of the town. All travel was tedious, even with the good Narragansett pacers, and the con- sent of the meeting had to be obtained for a journey. On one occasion Robert Knowles "laid before this meeting his intention of going with his wife to Bofton to vifit their Parents and Relatives and defired a few lines of Friends Unity with him." A man and his wife acknowledge " their shortnefs
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in not advifing with Friends timely " as to their removal, and many certificates are recorded where Friends went on a visit to Long Island or the Oblong.
Indeed, the meeting was kept busy regu- lating the smaller as well as the larger affairs of life, and keeping closely to the "good order of Friends therein."
1
VI THE WOMEN'S MEETING
VI
IT is to the honor of George Fox that he early recognized the value of women's work in the church. There had been Sis- ters of Charity for hundreds of years before his time, but the cloistered nun had special work, and was shut off from the usual life of women. It was George Fox, who owed so much to Margaret Fell, who first estab- lished women's meetings in the church he founded, and made them of equal impor- tance with men's. Among the Friends, trained in habits of independent thought, and early taught individual responsibility, arose women of singular purity and beauty of life, - women of exalted character, and often of great spiritual gifts.
At the establishment of the South Kings- town monthly meeting, the women's meet- ing, as well as the men's, was set in order and the records regularly kept. These form an interesting comment on the fuller records of the men's meeting, and begin in 1744, a few months later than the men's
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records. They are preserved in a small quarto volume, which cost fourteen shil- lings, as the first entry duly records. Anna Perry was the first clerk, and served for fifteen years. Her vagaries of spelling are delightfully individual. The meetings were always called " a Pon," and she was fre- quently appointed " to Draw an a Piffel to the Quarterly Meeting.' " It must have been difficult for the women to meet regularly, riding, as they had to, from Richmond or Westerly to Tower Hill, or from Tower Hill to the other meetings. Often, when the meetings were called "a Pon," the entry comes, "So Kingstown now a Pear- rence, Westerly now a Pearrence Notwith- ftanding the Vifitors has Maid Some Pro- grefs in Vifiting the familys of friends and are in Some Degree Satisfied theirwith," and the " a Piffel " was drawn and signed. In 1758 a new clerk succeeded, as the women were "under a Weighty fence of the Loss it is to the Meeting not having a Clerk Abilitated to Attend the Service." The present clerk informed that she could not, and " the Meeting thinks Proper To be Looking out for one " that may attend. At the next meeting, Mary Hull was ap-
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THE WOMEN'S MEETING
pointed, much to the benefit of the spelling. Content Davis, Peter Davis's wife, Abigail Rodman, and Anne Hoxsie were prominent among the women as visitors, and on com- mittees to see to the orderly conduct of marriages. Five shillings were paid for sweeping out one of the meeting-houses ; as already noticed, New Lights were dealt with, and the regular and orderly routine of Friends was carefully attended to. In what estimation the women's meeting was held in South Kingstown is well shown by the minute which Thomas Hazard was in- structed to draw up in 1771. The Nine Partners' Monthly Meeting had sent " lines " to the South Kingstown meeting, to in- timate that it was not according to their practice to receive women Friends unless their certificate was signed by the clerk of the men's meeting : -
Therefore in Condefention to our friends of the monthly meeting at Nine partner's we do hereby direct the Clerk of this meeting to fignifie to sd monthly meeting that we have neither precedent nor Difcipline amongft us for fuch a practice, neither do we think it Convn- ant [convenient] So far to Degrade our
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women's meeting. But to Let them have the Ufe and Exerfife of our Difcipline as occafion may call for it in Conducting the affairs of their meeting not Defiring the Preheminence when Truth admits of none But believing that both male & female are all one in Chrift Jefus.
(Signed) THOMAS HAZARD Clerk this time, Ist day of ye 4 mo. 1771.
The respect with which the women's meeting of South Kingstown was spoken of, though doubtless due to the character of all the women in it, must have been in- creased by the career of two preaching Friends, Patience Greene, and later Alice Rathbone. As early as 1755, Patience Greene is called a " public friend," and a member of the Society gave Friends " an occafion of uneafiness by his not joining in prayer" with her in a public meeting. The days of open disturbance in meeting were not yet passed ; and, after being dealt with, the refractory member appeared in meeting and " faid that he hoped he fhould never give friends the Like occafion for Uneafiness which this meeting takes up with for Satisfaction." The case must have
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THE WOMEN'S MEETING
caused a good deal of commotion, for it is several times referred to, and Friends are " cautioned to fhow no Public Marks of Difunion except they have certain Intelli- gence that fuch a Friend is under Deal- ing."
Patience Greene had a remarkable career. She was the daughter of David and Mary Greene, called of North Kingstown, both members of the meeting, and, at the time of this public mark of disunity, was only twenty-two years old. An account of her life and services was published shortly after her death. The copy I have studied be- longed to Andrew Nichols, also a member of the meeting. She is said to have " Early found in herfelf a propenfity to folly dis- fipation and vanity." About the age of twenty-one, however, she appeared in " pub- lic teftimony," and, until her death forty years later, continued an ardent and valued preacher. After her marriage with Pre- served Brayton in 1758, they "were exer- cifed on account of the Slavery of the Afri- cans," and freed their own slaves. In 1771 she traveled on a religious visit as far south as Georgia, leaving her " infant family feeming to require her nurfing attention,"
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the old Testimony phrases it, and also had the " exercife of parting with a beloved weakly husband." But, smile as we may at the old phrases, it was a noble work she was called to, a work to which she felt her- self divinely led. Once they were lost in the woods, where they expected to spend the night, but she says, " I enjoyed more peace of mind upon that reflection than I fhould in fome houfes that were filled with flaves, for that wounds me more than many other evils." She returned home after this long journey, most of it upon horseback, thirteen months from the time she left, to find one child dead and another dying! Later she spent four years in England, from 1783 to 1787, traveling in England, Scotland, and Wales. In the latter coun- try she was much oppressed, as she could not speak the language, and there was no interpreter. As she sat in sorrow think- ing this over, and longing to speak to the people, a knock came at the door, and she knew an interpreter had been sent her! And so it proved, for "thus again the Al- mighty made way for me to my humbling admiration."
Almost all the meetings in England,
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THE WOMEN'S MEETING
small and great, were visited. She went to "our kind friend Lindley Murray's to lodge " at Yor " His converfation was reviving to my fpirits," she writes. The prisons were visited. It was still the time when capital punishment was inflicted for robbery, and debtors languished for years in jail. Finally she had a concern of mind to visit the King! The way not opening, however, she sent him an admirable address on the subject of "promoting the freedom of the enflaved Negroes in thy dominions."
It was a woman of this ardent and de- voted spirit who preached in the South Kingstown meeting in the freshness of her youth.
Women Friends occasionally came from England, as in 1759, when "our Well es- teemed Friend Mary Kirby " brought cer- tificates from London, and her own meeting of Norfolk, England. Her traveling com- panion was Elizabeth Smith, a member of the Burlington meeting in " West Jerfeys." These certificates were read in the monthly meeting to "good Satisfaction," and the Friends were at liberty to preach in all the meetings.
The women were strict in requiring at-
124 NARRAGANSETT FRIENDS' MEETING
tendance at meeting. In 1770 a commit- tee was appointed to deal with six Friends for not attending, and for not using plain language. Among the ladies visited Col- lege Tom's wife was mentioned. The next meeting, the committee reports " that they find fome making their excufes which they think is fome what reafonable." Elizabeth Hazard and three other Friends report " that they are willing but Difficulties at- tend their getting out to Meeting." So closely were Friends watched over. The system had its reverse side, as when the young women were dealt with for " keep- ing company" with one out of meeting. One cannot blame a high-spirited girl for saying, as Hannah Robinson did say, in 1768, when dealt with, " that she has as live Friends would deny her as not." Hezekiah Collins's daughters condemned their being at a marriage " where there was frolick- ing;" but in spite of that, some Friends were "not fatisfied about what was done about Hezekiah Collins is Daughters," and the acceptance of their apology was recon- sidered, with the result of their being de- nied at the expiration of nine months.
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