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710 1910 



Bi-Centennial of 
Old Kennett Meeting House 



Kennett Township, Chester Co., Pa. 



Seventh Day, Ninth Month, Twenty-fourth 



Walter H. Jenkins 
15th and Cherry Streets 
Philadelphia 






Contents 

General Committee 3 

Dedication ...... 4 

Introduction ........ 5 

Officers of '^'^■^ ' " . . . . 9 

Poem — S. Hammer Benson IQ 

Antiques , . . , . . 1 | 

Program ... 14 

Invocation, . . , .15 

Address of Welcome by Sharpless W. Lewis . .16 

Response— Elwood Michener Heybum. . . .17 

Address — Josephs. Walton . ... 20 

History — Gilbert Cope 28 

Reminiscences — Edward T. Harlan . . .84 

Address — Isaac Sharpless ..... 89 

Poem— John Russell Hayes . . , .96 

Address— Henry W. Wilbur . . ' .99 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


Old Kennett Meeting House 


Frontispiece 


Souyenir Badge 


Facing page 8 


Grave Yard 


" 25 


Fire Place in Attic 


" 40 


Horse Block 


.. 39 


Interi ^r of Meeting House • . 


" " 96 


Map 


Following last page 






GENERAL COMMITTEE. 



Edward B Passmore. 
Emma C. Passmore. 
Joseph Way. 
Eliza J. Slack. 
Sarah J. Philips. 
Horace L. Way. 
Frederick F. Huey. 
Ella M. Huey. 
Lydia C. Skelton. 
Pennock M. Pyle. 
Josephine L. Pyle. 
James Y. Cloud. 
Francina W. Cloud. 
Harry C. Passmore. 
Samuel Wickersham. 
Margaret L. Yeatman. 
Pennock M. Spenser. 
Elizabeth C. Marshall. 
Israel W. Marshall. 
Horace L. Dilworth. 
Thompson Richards. 
Robert Pyle. 
T. Elwood Marshall. 
Lydia B. Walton. 
M. Florence Yeatman. 
Dr. Charles E. Heald. 
Sharpless W. Lewis. 
Wdliam Scarlett 



Hannah H. Walter. 
William Way. 
Sarah W. Chalfant. 
John Harris. 
C. Percy Barnard. 
Ellen P. Way. 
Milton Mendenhall. 
Martha Tussey. 
Hannah G. Martin. 
Harry K. Hicks. 
Sarah S. Lewis. 
Lydia C. Passmore. 
Sarah F. Passmore. 
Willard Cloud. 
Helen R, Lewis. 
Anna H. Marshall. 
Hannah Passmore. 
Ellen Mitchell. 
Anna T. Richards. 
J. Warren Richards. 
Samuel S. Passmore. 
J. Walter Jeffries. 
T. Clarence Marshall. 
Helen O. Passmore. 
W. Morris Palmer. 
John B. Webb. 
J. Walter Mercer. 
Mary Scarlett 



CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES 

General — Edward B. Passmore, Mendenhall, Pa. 

Program — Sharpless W. Lewis, Kennett Square, Pa. 

Finance — Elwood T. Marshall, Yorklyn, Del. 

Arrangements — Frederick Huey, Hamorton, Pa. 

^ Printing and Publishing— Sarah S. Lewis, Kennett 
Square, Pa. 

Hospitality — Emma S. Passmore, Mendenhall, Pa. 



To the Sacred Memory of the Founders of Old Ken- 
nett Meeting, this volume is dedicated, by the descendants, 
in the spirit of love and kindly recollection. 



Introduction 

The Proceedings of the Bi-Centennial of Old Kennett 
Meeting-house are herein presented by the Committee on 
Program and Publication, with the hope that the book may 
meet with the approval of its readers. An earnest endeavor 
was made to embody in this little volume an accurate record 
of all that transpired, and to secure the best form possible 
for the work. The pictures for the illustrations, except 
the one for the badge, were taken by Edward B. Passmore. 
Early in the year of 19 lO many persons, descendants of 
those pioneer Friends who assisted in the founding of this 
primitive Quaker Meeting-house, or whose ancestors had 
worshiped within its walls, expressed a desire to have some 
special notice taken of its two hundredth anniversary and 
close the second century of its existence with appropriate 
ceremonies. 

The request was laid before Kennett Monthly Meeting 
held at Kennett Square, Seventh of Sixth month, 1910. 
After due consideration the proposition was united with 
and Edward B. Passmore, Joseph Way, Sharpless W. Lewas, 
Eliza J. Slack, Hannah H. Walter, Lydia C. Skelton, Horace 
L. Way and Sarah J. PhilHps were appointed to make fur- 
ther inquiries regarding the matter and report at the next 
Monthly Meeting, which would be held in Kennett Square, 
Fifth of Seventh month, 1910. 

The committee was prepared at the appointed time and 
recommended a Bi-Centennial Celebration, to be held on 
the grounds adjoining the Meeting-house. Edward B. 
Passmore, Sharpless W. Lewis, Eliza J. Slack, Frederick 
F. Huey, Joseph Way and Hannah H. Walter were named 
by the Monthly Meeting to take charge of the affair, grant- 
ing to them the privilege of increasing the number if they 
desired. This was afterward done. The committee or- 
ganized with Edward B, Passmore, Chairman, and Eliza 
J. Slack, Secretary. The date fixed for the celebration was 
Twenty-fourth of Ninth month. 

It was decided to hold an all-day meeting, commencing 
at 10 A. M. Sharpless W. Lewis was selected to preside 



6 Introduction 

and have the introductory address. At a subsequent meet- 
ing the large General Committee was divided into sub- 
committees in order to equalize responsibility. 

The methods of procedure were ardently endorsed by 
those appointed and the work was rapidly pushed to com- 
pletion. 

A new iron fence to replace the stone wall of "ye olden 
times" had been recently erected along the south and part 
of the west side of the graveyard and added much to the 
already attractive surroundings of this "landmark of Colon- 
ial days." 

The scene presented around this quaint old building on 
its two hundredth birthday was one of stirring activity. 
Guests began to arrive early in the morning, and soon the 
hum of pleasant greetings was heard on every side. Long 
before the appointed hour men and women thronged the 
graveyard, searching for the stone which marked the last 
resting place of some dear departed one ; others were 
grouped under the noble old trees, recalling events of the 
"long ago," while still others tarried inside the house to 
admire and marvel at its construction and, perhaps, relate 
a bit of histoi-y which had been oft repeated. 

The doors and shutters swung wide open on their hinges 
(made by hand), the long paneled partitions were pushed 
far apart, giving an unobstructed view of the galleries in 
either end and a plain rag carpet covered the floor, hiding 
the wide boards which are fastened down with wooden 
pins. 

The straight unpainted benches stood as silent reminders 
of those strong brave hearts who kept the "faith" ; men 
and women who gave forth lessons wise and logical and 
"Found it well to come 
For deeper rest to this still room." 

Over all is the loft, approached in the early days by a 
winding stairway in the east gallery. The stairs have been 
removed and the only means of entrance, at present, is 
through the small door in the ceiling. This attic is not 
generally known about, in the present day, and is seldom 
visited by any one. It is dark and weird in appearance and 
the dust and spider's web remain undisturbed. 

The tradition handed down through generations is, that 
in the early days it was a bright and cheerful room; four 
small windows, two in each end, furnished ample light. It 
was heated by great wood fires, which blazed in the fire 



Introduction 7 

places 'facing page 40) the outlines of which are plainly 
to be seen, one in the centre of each gable. 

Mothers brought their small children to this room for 
greater comfort, elder Friends frequently came before or 
after meeting to "warm up" in front of the crackling 
embers, while others, stronger perhaps, remained on the 
floor below, without fire. 

One corner of the Meeting-house was converted into a 
miniature museum, where the antiques were on exhibition ; 
in another a long table was spread, from which the hospi- 
tality committee dispensed coffee and ice cream. The re- 
mainder of the main floor was used for a resting-room. 

The souvenir badge (page 8) was very attractive. The 
pen and ink sketch made by Anna S. Hicks, of Kennett 
Square, was reproduced in black, on silver grey ribbon 
and accompanied the program, which had on its cover a 
large picture of William Penn. 

In the early morning the clouds hung low, but in a short 
time the sun shone through and the day proved most favor- 
able for an outdoor meeting. A temporary auditorium had 
been erected in the grove between the house and grave- 
yard with a seating capacity of about 900. The stand for 
the speakers was placed on the north side. It v/as neatly 
built and accommodated the officers of the meeting and those 
who were to take part in the exercises. 

The committee felt greatly favored in being able to secure 
for the occasion the speakers whose names appeared upon 
the program, and it is believed that those who were not 
present will read the addresses and poems with a full meas- 
ure of enjoyment and appreciate the truths set forth in them 
as much as those who listened to them from the platform. 
The board seats were inadequate for the great assembly and 
many chairs and benches were added. Guests continued to 
arrive until it was estimated that at least fourteen hundred 
persons were present in the afternoon, nearly eleven hun- 
dred of whom registered their names in the guest book. 

Large hacks, provided by the Transportation Committee, 
conveyed many to and from Mendenhall Station who had 
come by train. The greater number, however, made the 
journey in automobiles and private carriages. The teams^ 
were taken into the neighboring fields, which had been bor- 
rowed for hitching ground. 

The automobiles entered the yard, passing over the drive- 
way along which stands the famous horse block known to 



S hitroduciion 

the literary world through Bayard Taylor's "Story of Kcn- 
uett." 

The box luncheon and a general social were the features 
of the noon recess. The gallery in the west side of the 
house was reserved for a dining-room. Here the speakers 
and their wives were served with a substantial lunch by a 
number of young Friends. 

The afternoon session convened near the appointed hour, 
and the meeting concluded about four P. M. This was the 
first celebration of its kind held in the immediate neighbor- 
hood and was considered a great success. Thrills of delight 
filled the hearts of those present, and as the exodus began, 
many a soul breathed the thought of the beloved Whittier: 

*'0 Spirit of that early day. 

So pure and strong and true, 
Be with us in the narrow way 

Our faithful Fathers knew. 
Give strength the evil to forsake 

The cross of truth to bear, 
And love and reverent fear to make 

Our daily lives a prayer." [ 



tfi^^^Ss 




Old Kennett 
Meeting House 



oi-C-entennial 

Ninth Month Twenty Fourth 



1710 



1910 



THE BADGE 



OFFICERS 



President— SHARPLESS W. LEWIS. Kennett Square. Pa. 



Mary W. Marshall 
Wills Passmore 
Ella M. Huey 
Milton Mendenhall 
Sarah M. Thompson 
Edward B. Passmore 
Ida J, Harris 
Pennock M. Pyle 



\ ICE PRESIDENTS 

Horace Dilworth 
Lydia B. Walton 
Thompson Richards 
Hannah G. Martin 
Anna S. Hicks 
Philip Pusey 
Sarah W. Chalfant 
R. Marshall Hannum 



Secretary — Eliza J. Slack, Hamorton, Pa. 

Treasurer — Milton Mendenhall, Mendenhall, Pa. 



A Tribute to "Old Kennett" 

S. Hammer Benson. 

Two hundred years ago, they say, 
These walls composed of stone and clay, 
Were built by men whose faith and zeal 
Greatly aided our common weal. 

We who are gathered here today 
To honor those who have passed away, 
Have but faint idea of the patient care 
And trials these men were compelled to bear. 

Their work was good — they built to endure, 
Each stone was laid to be secure, 
How well they toiled we can see today. 
For nothing has crumbled or gone to decay. 

The seats and benches were quite plain; 
Few people at that time were vain ; 
No cushioned pew was given thought — 
The grace of God was only sought. 

The meetings were earnest, though members few; 
The members were scarce, for our land was new. 
Around these historic grounds where the pine trees nod, 
Sincere was the praise they gave to God. 

Let us all resolve to take greater part 

In helping those of heavy heart ; 

To assist each other and worship the Lord, 

And there can be no doubt of our heavenly reward. 

10 



Antiques (Loaned) 

CHARLES J. PENNOCK, KENNETT SQUARE, CUSTODIAN 

I. — By Sharpless Walter, Kennett Square, Pa. Daguer- 
reotype — Caleb Mercer, Ann (Pennock) Mercer, 
Married at Old Kennett Meeting. 
2. — Photos — William Walter, Margaret ("Lawborn) Wal- 
ter. Married 3/26/1812, under care of Old Ken- 
nett Meeting. 
(They were ancestors of the next group.) 

3.— Photo.— Four Generations: Townsend Walter and 
descendents, all living. He was born a member of 
Old Kennett Meeting. 

4. — By Edith Pennock, Kennett Square, Pa. Photo, copy 
of Portrait — John Townsend, born 12/12/1716, died 
9/18/1803. 

Photo, copy of Painting — Martha (Townsend) Lam- 
born; born 12/6/1751, died 12/31/1834. Daughter 
of John Townsend, and for many years Clerk of Old 
Kennett Meeting. Marriage Certificate 1789. Moses 
Pennock and Elizabeth Bennett, members of Old 
Kennett Meeting. Marriage Certificate, 181 1, Moses 
Pennock and Mary Lamborn, members of Old Ken- 
nett Meeting. 

5. — By Mary M. Mitchell, Hockessin, Del. Marriage Cer- 
tificate Moses Way and Susanna Wilkinson — 1804 — 
The latter was Clerk of Kennett Meeting for many 
years. Two Bead Bags, made by Phebe Way, 
daughter of Susanna Way, and a member of Old 
Kennett Meeting. 

6. — By Thos. Shezvard,^ Wilmington, Del. — Photo, of Ruth 
Wilson, the original of "Martha Deane" in "Story 
of Kennett." 

7.— By Dr. W. E. Webb, Unionville, Pa.— Silver Watch, 
brought from England about 1700 by William Webb, 
who became a member of Old Kennett Meeting. 

8. — By Emma Way. — Fac-similie Marriage Certificate of 
Moses Mendenhall and Mary James, dated Aug. 2, 
1771, both were members of Old Kennett Meeting. 

II 



12 Bi-Centenmal of 

9. — By R. M. Hannum, Kennett Square, Pa. — Indenture 
of Wm. Calvert, Jr., to Obadiah Hannum, 1804. 
Certificate to Obadiah Hannum for inability to per- 
form military duty — 1814. Marriage Certificate 
Spencer Chandler and Hannah Hannum, 1837. 

10. — By Eliza Slack, Hamorton, Pa. — Portrait of Thos, 
Jenkinson, member of Old Kennett Meeting. 

II. — By Abby K. Cloud, Kennett Square, Pa. — Marriage 
Certificate March 30, 1769. Jesse Cloud and Mary- 
Allen, members of Old Kennett Meeting. 

12. — By Hannah M. Harlan, Hamorton, Pa. — Ambrotype — 
i860 — Edward T. Harlan, James Bratten, Wm. T.. 
Mendenhall. 

Three other ambrotypes. 

Infant's cap worn by Geo. P. Harlan, born 6/20/- 
1799 — member of Old Kennett Meeting. Marriage 
Certif., 1832, Geo. P. Harlan, Eliza Thatcher. 

\ / 13. — By Isabel Cox, Kennett Square, Pa. — Marriage Certif., 

1767, Jacob Pierce, Hannah Buffington. Marriage 
Certif., 1823, John Cox, Hannah Pierce. Wedding 
Vest of John Cox — 1829. 

14. — By Annie Jacobs, Hamorton, Pa. — Linen Spun by Ann 
Taylor, 1776. Portrait of "Sallie Fairthorn," Sarah 
Taylor Jacobs, born 1811, died, 1908. Portrait Saml. 
Jacobs. Old Bellows — Miniature spinning wheel. 
Pewter Porringer, Pewter Spoon. 

15. — By Ellen P. Way, West Grove, Pa. — Iron frame spec- 
tacles, 1776. Wooden Side Combs, 1830. Miniature 
Portrait of Israel Way, member Old Kennett Meet- 
ing. 

16. — By C. J. Pennock, Kennett Square, Pa. — Deed, 1701. 
William Penn's signature and great seal — for land 
deeded to Christopher Pennock, many of whose de- 
scendants were members of Old Kennett Meeting. 
Colonial and Continental Money used in Penna. prior 
to 1783. Deed, 1696. George Collett to Christopher 
Pennock. Probably included the land on which now 
stands Old Kennett Meeting-House. 

17, — By Edward B. Passmore, Mendenhall, Pa. — A curious 
poker, which did service for many years in the old 
Meeting-house. It was made from a Revolutionary 



Old Kennett Meeting House 13 

bayonet, probably brought from England. A bit of 
iron added to the point by the blacksmith and a 
neatly turned wooden handle firmly fastened in the 
sleeve or ring, which once slipped over and secured 
the bayonet to the barrel of the musket, completed 
this unique instrument. 

Another remaining relic of the early furnishings is 
a joint of iron pipe (supposed to be hammered) lying 
in the loft. When the fireplaces were discarded and 
flues built this was the style of smoke pipe used on 
the great wood stoves, which measured about five 
feet in length, four in height, and two in width. The 
exact date on these stoves is not given, but it is 
known that stove-plates were cast in Chester Co. as 
early as 1737, and were generally of plain surface. 
The "Old Kennett" stoves were a little different 
from the majority inasmuch as their side-plates were 
ornamented with a spread-eagle holding in his beak 
an ensign, on which was inscribed, "Cornwall Fur- 
nace," Curtis Grubb. 



Program 



MORNING SESSION— TEN O'CLOCK. ; 

Silence 

Address of Welcome, 

SHARPLESS W. LEWIS. 

Response, 

ELWOOD M. HEYBURN, 

Swarthmore, Pa. 

Address, 

DR. JOSEPH S. WALTON, Principal of George School. 

"The Influence Exerted by Friends on Education." 
History of the Meeting, etc., 

GILBERT COPE, 

West Chester, Pa. 



AFTERNOON SESSION— TWO O'CLOCK. 

Reminiscences, 

EDWARD T. HARLAN, Philadelphia. 

Address, 
ISAAC SHARPLESS, President of Haverford College. 
"The Moral and Religious Influence of Friends." 

Poem, 

JOHN RUSSELL HAYES, of Swarthmore College. 

Address, 

HENRY W. WILBUR, Swarthmore, Pa. 
"A Forecast of the Friends' Future." 

14 



Bi-Centennial 

Near the appointed hour the large assembly gathered into 
devotional silence, which was broken by Robert Pyle read- 
ing the following Invocation from the pen of Mary Heald 
Way. 

Thou, infinite and holy, Master, Lord ! 

We name Thee so in secret, and as those 

Outside the city gates who spread in haste 

Their garments down before thy sinless One, 

So we, in token of surrender, bring 

The cloaks wherewith we think to hide 

Our inmost thoughts from Thee, Dear Lord, 

With reverent intent, in simple faith, — 

The faith our fathers held who taught that Thou 

Art better pleased with quick obedience 

Than with the blood of outward sacrifice, 

We ask Thy given grace to keep Thy law. 

Since time has been, upon Thine altar stairs 

In lowlywise or with the pomp of power, 

We know that men have aimed to worship Thee; 

And Thou didst read their hearts as on a scroll. 

The faith by furnace tried, by stake and sword, 

Keep Thou, we pray, from the presumptuous sin 

That bowed the Pharisee. 

We hear today the word of Thy dear Son 
Across the centuries with certain ring, — 
"Ye call me Lord and Master; so I am. 
If I, your Lord and Master, do these things 
Ought ye not so to do them?" On each hand 
We hear the call to service ; every side 
The echo of Thy call through Thy dear Son, 
"The fields are ripe unto the harvest." Here 
Where covenant was made for centuries 
We do invoke Thy blessing, Lord of all, 
Omniscient, omnipresent, Great First Cause ! 

15 



Address of Welcome 

Sharpless W. Lewis. 

Friends and neighbors, it is with much pleasure that I 
greet you here to-day and on behalf of Kennett Monthly 
Meeting I extend to you all a most cordial welcome. We are 
especially pleased to receive you because your coming is an 
evidence that the principles so dear to the hearts of our ances- 
tors are still alive in yours, and that a true desire for more 
brotherly love and a broader fellowship is pressing forward. 

We have met to-day to celebrate the two hundredth anni- 
versary of the building of this quaint and historic old meet- 
ing-house, quietly resting under the shadow of these grand 
old trees, and we hope the occasion may be one of pleasure 
and profit, but we feel, however, that it might be appropriate 
to turn our thoughts backward across the distance of more 
than two centuries to the year 1682, the date which marks 
the landing of him whose name our State bears, and pause 
for a few moments in commemoration of the illustrious 
William Penn, the great promoter of the principles of the 
Society of Friends. 

It was he, who out of his Christian faith, and love of 
Peace, Liberty and Justice, forged the first link in the chain 
of circumstances which joins that event with the building of 
this old structure (the first house of worship in this com- 
munity), and made possible the anniversary of to-day, and 
bears out the truth of the injunction to the faithful, 

"Live and take comfort, thou will leave behind Powers 
which will work for thee." 

We recognize these anniversaries as events of great sig- 
nificance, not only to the Society of Friends but to the com- 
munity also in which they are held ; they open for us doors 
of information which perhaps we might never otherwise 
be permitted to enter. 

The committee, therefore, feels very grateful to these able 
men and women who have consented to be present to-day 
and will a little later give to us from their store of 
knowledge. 

Again I welcome you and trust at the close of this meet- 
id 



Old Kenfiett Meeting House ^i7 

ing we may return to our homes with a clearer understand- 
mg and a greater appreciation of the distinguished services 
of our heroic forefathers. 

Let us treasure the truths which have come to us by in- 
heritance and apply them as did the founders of this fe- 
ligious society to the upHfting of mankind. 

"We Hve by faith, but faith is not the slave of 

text and legend, 
Reason's voice and God's, nature's and duty's 
never are at odds." 



RESPONSE. 

Elwood MicHENER Heyburn. 

I do not regret being here, Friends, to meet the descend- 
ants of this old community. I am saved the trouble arid 
difficulty of attempting to awaken in you a response to what 
our friend has said, or to the invitation that has come to 
us to assemble here and recount the things that have beeri 
done in this place, the thoughts that have passed through 
the mmds of other generations and been crystallized into 
action and character. 

It is not always that we can ponder the things of history 
with pleasure. It is not always that a man or a woman 
grows old gracefully and successfully. It does not always 
happen that forefathers would be proud of their childreti 
and grandchildren ; but, it is not saying too ;nuch to say that 
there is not a person within the sound of my voice who 
would not be commended and acknowledged by their anbes- 
tors however good and wise. It is not too much for us to 
conclude that the influence of the people who builded this 
meetmg-house two hundred years ago, was good, and that 
It has come down to posterity and resulted in the building of 
noble characters. 

There is no doubt in my mind that the thought in the 
mind of our Creator, when he made man in his owil inlage 
and likeness, and, the purpose in the mind of our Saviour 
when He came into the world to restore the lost image, in 
so far as it had been lost, was, to bring men and women 
back into the position of sons and daughters of the living 
God. It was the purpose of the men and w^omen who organ- 
ized the Kennett Meeting not only themselves to be brought 



18 Bi-Cente7inial of 

into a more perfect likeness to God, but, that the genera- 
tions to come might come also into that image and likeness. 
And so our hearts respond to this invitation, and we come 
together to gather some of the lessons which may be read 
in these silent stones and tombstones ; we look into the faces 
of the old men and women and into the faces of their 
children and grandchildren, there to read the indelible 
lessons written in the heart and mind by Jesus Christ, who 
by His teachings and example, His death and His resur- 
rection has given us life and immortality ; this, then, is the 
most interesting problem in life. Apart from this, so far as 
you and I know, we are but dust and ashes. 

And now if we rise by these thoughts to the higher con- 
ception, to the original thought of God, then it is not hard 
for us to bow our heads reverently when we come into this 
old meeting-house ; reverence for our forefathers, for our 
ancestors ; and, it matters not whether we worshipped in 
New Garden, in Concord, in West Chester or Wilmington; 
it is the story of life: our common experience; for "there is 
one God, one Father of us all and one Lord Jesus Christ and 
all we are brethren." We are bound together by a tie that 
can never be broken, so long as we keep bound to the great 
Head. 

I say, then, that our hearts and all that is within us re- 
spond today to the invitation given us by these friends to 
assemble here and to review, a little bit, the history of two 
hundred years. It would not be so profitable that I should 
review it in cold historic facts, or that some other man 
should tell it even in poetry, as it is for each one of us to be 
still today in the presence of God, and to think for himself 
and for herself what has taken place here, why it took 
place ; and, to remember that you and I have come into "pos- 
session of vineyards which we planted not," "of cities which 
we builded not;" that we are the children of our fathers 
and that we are recipients today of a blessed inheritance. 

Are we not glad, today, that this meeting-house was 
builded to stand here like a lighthouse upon its hill? Who 
can tell how many hearts have been blessed, how many lives 
have been made bright and strong and pure for eternity? 
Traveling through the far West every now and then, I have 
met men and women who were unmistakably living in the 
fear of God, and learned that one came from Vermont, 
another from New Hampshire, another from Pennsylvania, 



Old Kennett Meeting House 19 

another from Kentucky, and some from the far-away lands ; 
but that somehow they had become subject to influences and 
convictions in their early years that had kept them in the 
straight and narrow way. Can we fail, then, to respond to 
an invitation like this, to respond to every sentiment 
awakened by these associations ? Can we fail to believe that 
the great purpose which led to the founding of this meeting 
and the building of this house has been carried out ? 

Has there been any failure? The apostle Paul knew 
what he was saying, when he said, "We have received a 
kingdom which can not be moved." It was not a mistake to 
build this meeting-house and these people made no mis- 
take when they assembled here every first day of the week, 
sitting sometimes in perfect silence and sometimes Hstening 
to the words of truth and soberness that were uttered. It 
was not a mistake when they left the duties of the farm and 
came every fourth-day to wait before the Lord ; it was not 
a mistake when they, at home, gathered their children about 
them and instructed them in the ways of righteousness ; no, 
there is no failure in this kind of living, "for they that do 
these things never fail." You plant a human life in any 
community, a life moulded and formed in the image of its 
Creator, and that life is sure to bear fruit for time and 
eternity. 

Men and women have said to me, "I don't know whether 
I can succeed or not," "I am not sure that I can be a Chris- 
tian," or "that I can hold out in these principles that I have 
espoused." Christianity is an exact science so that when a 
man or a woman walks in the way of life, he is as sure of 
his destination as he is of his present existence. 

It may seem to us today that something has been lost; 
that, because the hoary heads have lain down upon the pil- 
low of earth, and because our forefathers have fallen asleep 
and are covered by the green sod here — that this is the end 
of them ; not so, friends, it is not so. They have only been 
immortalized; their influence, what they thought and did, 
can never die. The influence of Old Kennett will live alway. 
It may be that in time all of the Friends will move away ; 
that the time will come when this house will be closed ; but, 
suppose it should be; I have seen it in other churches, as 
well as with the Friends, where a church or meeting, once 
large and prosperous, has passed away, the people have 
gone to other homes and lived out the life so well begun in 



2Q^ Bi-Centennial of 

the home place. Truth is never lost; it grows into char- 
acter and is handed down from father to son. 

I say, then, that we accept this invitation, all of us, gladly, 
heartily; and, joining hands here in the presence of silent 
witnesses, resolve to transmit to the generations to come 
the lessons which we have learned and the blessing with 
which we have found our pathways strewn. 

For myself, those present and all who would be here I • 
oflFer to those who still worship here and whose guests we 
are, an affectionate salutation and thank you for your invi- 
tation which brought us together on this two hundredth 
aiinivergary day. 

THE INFLUENCE EXERTED BY FRIENDS 
ON EDUCATION. 
Joseph S. Walton. 

It is a genuine pleasure, to look into the faces that are 
here gathered, to recognize those of the years gone by, 
to see the changes that time has worn on those that I knew 
formerly, and it is a genuine pleasure to follow the uplift 
of the remarks that we have just heard, and have ourselves 
reminded of the presence of the image of God in the souls 
of men, and to have suggested, again, that when it inter-. 
prets itself into man's daily act and deed, a certain given line 
of results follow; and that reminds us that the founder 
of this religious organization demonstrated that fact to the 
world through what might be called educational activities. 

We are all, possibly, quite well aware that in this day 
education is not a thing exactly to be acquired and possessed, 
so much as a method to use, as a process to follovv^, as a way 
to, pursue ; and when one of old said he was the Way, he 
blazed a new path for society educationally ; and long years 
later, one of his devoted declared that he came into the 
world to interpret, socially, the teachings of the Christ. 
We find that he made that interpretation along what must 
be called, as we see it today, a definite educational process, 
or way of thinking and doing. The most significant thing 
educationally in the life of George Fox was this plain 
simple fact that you and I have been trying to learn all our 
lives, and can but poorly accomplish — we are told that 
George Fox was an unlettered man ; we know that his edu- 



Old Kennett Meeting House 21 

cation was obtained from hard business experiences ; and, 
secondly, his book learning was embodied in one great 
Book that his associates said that if it were out of print, 
George Fox could repeat it from cover to cover. 

He knew the Bible as its knowledge could be taught at 
that day. He gathered around him, by way of religious 
association, two distinct classes of people : one group similar 
unto himself, that lived right out direct in the business 
world, that came in contact with things, with prices, with 
marketable produce, with that mysterious agency that one 
has to use in order to win a living, that learn by experience 
and contact with men and things, and not from books ; he 
gathered around him in his ministry a group of that sort of 
men and women ; and, on the other hand, he quickened into 
life and gathered around him another, extremely remark- 
able group of college bred and university men, the most re- 
markable of his day. Robert Barclay and one of his asso- 
ciates in the Edinburgh University, after having listened 
to Fox preach, returned to their room arguing with Scotch 
vigor — and if you have ever heard the Scotch argue on their 
home ground it is a little hard to get around : they did it 
then, and they can do it now: and their argument must 
have been keen ; and Jefferies said to Barclay, "He is 
wrong;" and Barclay replied, "I know his reasoning is 
weak, but I love him ;" and both men so loved him that they 
followed him. 

We are told that Fox was unlettered; yet Thomas Ell- 
wood, the most cultured scholar in what would be called 
classical training — private secretary, in a sense, to John Mil- 
ton — was an associate of George Fox and remodelled the 
English that makes up his singularly attractive Journal. I 
am bringing you, friends, to the realization that in George 
Fox there was a man able to gather around him and his 
cause the two great extremes of educational activity: the 
university and college bred man, and the business and 
worldly bred man, those that got their knowledge from 
hard knocks, as we call it, from things and produce 
and prices; and the others who had been trained in 
the lecture-room and class-room on the classics and the 
mathematics as then taught. And as he gathered those two 
classes around him, he fused them into one great activity 
that built, as our brother told us, houses such as this; 
that built, as our brother hinted, men and women such as 



22 Bi- Centennial of 

we see to-day ; that built, if we read history aright, the lives 
of your fathers and grandfathers ; and better yet, con- 
sidering the social condition of the world in which he then 
moved, he built the hves of your mothers and grandmothers. 
The most remarkable body of women that the world in its 
history has yet produced — the beginnings of the emancipa- 
tion of woman's soul ; laying the foundation of the possi- 
bility of her future education. 

Possibly nowhere in the history of the world's revivals 
can we find a man who could reach out into those two ex- 
tremes and saddle the responsibilities of religious and 
social life upon leaders in either direction, send them out to 
work like one team. Yes, they worked in what the Quaker 
of that day called the unity. It was quite a different thing 
from agreement, but that sort of unity that will enable a 
team to work as a team ; that sort of unity that will enable 
the monthly meeting to work as a monthly meeting. I call 
this, then, the first contribution that Friends as a religious 
society made to the method of education which made pos- 
sible that sort of social order that brings down the aristoc- 
racy and raises up the common man in the sense that no 
matter what his previous training, they each have something 
in common, they each have something in unity ; and they 
show that with so much more vigor as a resemblance than 
the differences that will tend to separate men. 

Fox found the world socially disintegrating and separat- 
ing itself in classes. He would have merged these together ; 
he would have men write their names — in his day the poor 
had been accustomed to write their names with a little letter 
— in the Mayflower compact two-thirds of the men that 
signed that compact, signed their first name and their last 
name with a little letter. That is the poor man sat at the 
foot of the table. That was because they had no property : 
because the world called them Jack and Tom ; and so when 
they wrote their names, if it was Thomas they wrote it with 
a little "t" ; and if it was Thomas Smith, they wrote Smith 
with a little "s." Fox would have them w^rite their name 
with a big "T" and a big "S," and called the man Thomas 
Smith, not Tom ; and, on the other hand, he would take his 
lettered, cultured brother from the University and refuse 
to call him by a fine title; as, Master; but he would also 
call him Thomas : and he put the two men together and 



Old Kennett Meeting House 23 

made them work side by side ; so that is why our people 
somewhat modified the method current in the phraseology 
of saluting a person. 

It was common at that day to bow to one man just a 
little, stiff bow, because he was not as good as you ; to 
make a better bow, if he had as much money as you; to 
make a better bow, or two, or three bows, if he was 
wealthy. Fox did not object to physical bending; but he 
would have the same sort of a handshake with everybody. 
He would treat them all alike ; but he did recognize one in- 
teresting fact that was alluded to by our brother ; he would 
shake hands with his brother when he went into the meet- 
ing-house ; but after an hour or two or three — and the meet- 
ings were quite lengthy then, for there was something 
doing; there was a tremendous work going on — after meet- 
ing was over Fox felt inclined to shake hands with his 
brother again, just as if he had made a new acquaintance. 
They had been traveling in spirit together over into an- 
other world of experience, and why not shake hands over 
it? That is, walking around meeting, why not rejoice to- 
gether over it? 

So that the first Quaker contribution to education was 
this levelling process that put us on an equality one with 
another that is so delightful now. 

The second interesting feature was that in the organiza- 
tion of the society the monthly meeting was the executive 
function. It was the monthly meeting that dealt with the 
real issues of life. It was the monthly meeting in many 
parts of this country that practically controlled the good 
order of the neighborhood — the police agency, in a sense. 
It was the monthly meeting that had an oversight over all 
the social issues. It was the monthly meetings committee 
that located meeting-houses, showing thereby much aesthetic 
ability. 

It would have been a beautiful ride (I was thinking of 
it last night), to have mounted a horse in those days and 
gone from Chester up into Concord, before those streams 
were polluted. I saw one last night that was black unto 
death ; and one can not help but think when these ances- 
tors of ours came out into this country that they did not 
look abroad with closed eyes aesthetically. Where did they 
locate their meeting-houses? Where did they build theit 
homes? How did they lay the corner-stone? Why, we 



24 Bi- Centennial of 

hear of them getting the wood cut, and limestone hauled, 
and the mortar mixed the fall before, that it might be 
tempered the next spring to make a wall that when you 
pick it apart you will split the stone before you will 
split the mortar of their make. That gives evidence of 
the sort of mind ; it is an educational method of thorough- 
ness that has been a contribution to our Society, and it 
made its appearance practically in the monthly meetings of 
England ; even Fox himself founded two schools, and back 
in 1760-something, from Norwich Meeting in England, 
came a document — we would call it to-day an educational 
bulletin. It wound up with this statement — the only one 
that I care to leave with you — in their plea for education, 
that every man and woman's child should be so educated 
that he be a fit companion for those around him now, and 
a suitable consort or companion for those that he would 
associate with later. There is a great deal in that to think 
about — a fit companion for your friends now, and a still 
more suitable one for your friends hereafter. 

I defy any one to find in the Greek standards any higher 
and nobler conception of the ideals of education than that. 
However, it was copied by the Philadelphia Yearly Meet- 
ing, through its Committee on Sufferings, or Representative 
Com.mittee, and scattered broadcast through our country, 
and bore fruit before the War of the Revolution was oven 
And the different monthly meetings were enjoined by the 
yearly meeting, to furnish a piece of ground of twenty 
or thirty acres or more, suitable for a school teacher or 
schoolmaster of stable character and sufficient preparation, 
with a home, and land sufficient for a cow and a horse (and 
a garden, of course, understood), and an orchard, I think, 
is mentioned in one of the minutes — that he might be able 
with his family to live in the community ; and I think there 
are many here that realize that all through this section of 
the country a generation grew up that was educated by that 
«;ort of teachers. 

One of the most brilliant was John Forsythe, out at 
Birmingham, long before Westtown School was founded. 
Provision was made nearby here, at Marlborough, where an 
activity of the kind was going on almost until 1850; the 
schoolmaster, his wife and children, with his cow and 
bis horse and his orchard, content to live with the people 
and the parents of the people that he tatight. I think 



Old Kennett Meeting House 25 

we are what we are because of this. May I call us back 
to the value of an education in the home to precede every- 
thing that the child later must do out of the home, in the 
wide world. 

George Fox says in his own words, that if a man is not 
a teacher in his own home, he can give no service to the 
church ; and reminds us, in the next sentence, of what 
happened to Eli of old when he evidenced his weakness in 
this direction. Some one raised objection in my hearing 
not long since to a certain boy of questionable parentage 
that they knew I was dealing with, whether he was a suit- 
able boy for other boys to associate with. I said, "I don't 
know. The only thing I know is, that that boy's father 
secures obedience in his home, without question ; and I 
would run the risk." Just the plain, every-day fact of 
obedience was also an educational contribution. 

If the Friends as a society have made a second contribu- 
tion to education, as a method, they made it in what they 
did in their homes — the strength of the home teaching, the 
thing we are so in need of now — of the fact that more 
than the mother — that the father, also, should be a teacher 
in his home ; not a boss, not an overbearing person, but 
a teacher in this age as Fox would enjoin in his day, to 
teach the things that belong to this day from the father 
to his own son, the manly, masculine things. I call that a 
contribution by this religious society to the educational 
method. 

Then the little school grew up in the monthly meeting; 
and the children M^ent from home, and they went till they 
were past childhood — the boys went from home. Over 
here at London Grove they had a monthly meeting school. 
I would like to read you the catalogue of names that were 
put on that committee, away back several years before a 
name was cut on the back of a bench back there. A date 
1803 (and before that they found out men that were disci- 
plinarians) ; and the ensuing quarterly meeting — the third, 
or the fourth, or the fifth — so serious was the disorder by 
the assembled crowds outside of the meeting that they ap- 
pointed a committee to keep order on the grounds, and 
the majority of that committee was taken off of the school 
committee. 

They had work before them in their day, they did it in 
their way; and I have heard my grandfather say, as he 



26 Bl-Cente7inial of 

gathered it from his father, that in the old monthly meet- 
ing school at Londongrove among the boys or men that 
went to school there and studied higher mathematics with 
great thoroughness — I think my friend, President Sharp- 
less, would bear us out in the statement, it is not how many 
different things a boy is taught, but how thoroughly some 
few things are taught — possibly mathematics; but that was 
the way at Londongrove. 

Now, among the students — Indians, from the Seneca 
country, between twenty and thirty years old, were among 
the students. One of them was an apprentice with the black- 
smith ; another was an apprentice with the wheelwright, and 
came to school part of the time and worked at his trade 
part of the time ; and the story that stuck in my memory 
as a boy was the way these Indians pla3'-ed ball out on the 
meeting-house grounds with the white boys. This was 
before my grandfather went into the Seneca country to 
teach those Indians in an institution. It was before we had 
institutions — it was in the day when this country was 
settled, peopled and planted by its homes, its little schools 
and its meeting-houses ; when we lived the simple sort of 
life and had few wants and could not have gotten men 
from Mendenhall up here to this meeting-house in the time 
I made this morning ; we would have had to walk and seen 
what I saw out on the edge of the woods this morning, later 
— the biggest spider in Chester County. 

They saw the things that grew about them. What evi- 
dence have we of this in their method of teaching and in 
their method of living? I have a letter in my pocket from 
Graceanna Lewis, describing the Friends' School at Kim- 
berton, founded by Emmor Kimber? It would weary you 
to read it; and yet it is intensely entertaining. She told 
how Emmor Kimber, failing in one phase of business in 
Philadelphia — a man who had once been a teacher in the 
early history of Westtown — went up to Kimberton, in 
northern Chester County, and bought an estate and founded 
a school there. And mark! there is much said in these 
days educationally about nature studies ; my dear friends, 
these two groups of people that Fox drew together — they 
left their stamp on what nature had stamped upon them 
for all society. It produced the Bartram family and the 
Bartram Gardens; it produced Humphrey Marshall, and 
the wonderful collection of foreign trees here at Marshall- 



Old Kennett Meeting House 27 

ton ; it produced something like the Pierce's Park collection 
of trees; it produced the little family garden — mother's 
garden. 

What an impression that makes on the child — educa- 
tional impression! I remember, every visitor that came to 
my mother's house when I was a little fellow, we would 
take down to see the garden. I generally led the way on 
the little short, winding path. Through a gate in the wall. 
All smoothed off now — just a level piece of ground. Peo- 
ple have said since it is run over with a lawn mower, just 
the same as a picture now. Once there was a wall there; 
and below the wall on the right hand side was mother's 
bed of flowers : I am ashamed to try to repeat the names, 
but there are people here who could give a catalogue of 
them. But what was I doing? Looking in the faces of 
the visitors to see what they thought of those flowers. And 
then there were the potatoes and vegetable garden, bord- 
ered by walks in between these, and I would weary you 
with it — rhubarb bed and flowers and flowers and a few 
grapevines; and we will never reach the place, with our 
own children, till we get back to our own little garden: it 
is the mother and the father with the visitors; that the 
visitors there must take their own little child out into the 
garden of their own planting and of their own joy — 
their own joy, their own life, their own love of country; 
the flower must preach to the mother and the father; and 
the child must see it and appeal to the visitor; and the 
visitor enjoys it, and the child is raised by it; that is the 
beginning of the nature teaching of the new day, which 
was very familiar in the long, long ago. 

They knew very little botany, and yet they knew some 
botany; they knew enough botany to collect specimens and 
send across the Atlantic. It is interesting to read some 
of the letters— that those books filled with seeds and blos- 
soms would be carried abroad under the captain's bed so that 
it would be well taken care of. They learned the new 
country; they learned the new trees; they learned the new 
grasses; they wanted the hayseed that William Penn 
planted at Penn's Park, planted all over the country; they 
wanted the clover; they wanted the grass seeds; and they 
replanted the country in which they lived, and remade it, 
because they lived close up to the heart of nature. 



28 Bi-Centennial of 

And that is just why I allude to the next place they 
lived close to — that we must get back to, for we have 
drifted: they lived close to the Book; they lived close to 
the Bible. If their education was not wide-spread, it had 
those two things : the garden and the farm and the growing 
of things on the one side, and they could turn over to the 
Book of Psalms and read to the highest flight of their 

imagination in God's glorious beauty land 

They lived the simple life. It was a quiet contribution 
to education ; because it produced a great array of modern 
scientists and physicians ; possibly right here in Chester 
County the schools of the past turned out more men to 
heal the sick and care for the broken-hearted than any 
other community of the same number of square miles ; and 
so there is pleasure in my heart in seeing you to-day, in 
alluding briefly to these few things of which there is such 
an abundance that whenever the image of God that our 
brother spoke of finds recognition by partial social interpre- 
tation in the heart of a man, then the Son of God is obtain- 
ing his work there and he becomes — no matter how many 
books or how few he may have read — he becomes in the 
presence of his son or of his daughter a teacher in his own 
home. Then when he opens the Bible, he opens it as the 
father opens it ; and then when he opens the book of nature 
in the garden for his child, he opens it as a father or mother 
should open it for the child to learn. 

We have made great progress, dear friends ; but we can 
never go farther in the efficiency of what the home can 
do for the child of our own, for the beloved of our home- 
stead, than our ancestors did : we must come back and re- 
learn their lesson in order to take the forward step that 
this age educationally demands of such a favored people. 



HISTORY OF THE MEETING, ETC. 
Gilbert Cope. 

Events have their ancestry, so to speak, and we under- 
stand them better when we know their antecedents. King 
Charles II. had granted to his brother, James, Duke of 
York, the territory now embraced in the States of New 
Jersey and Delaware, even before it had been wrested from 



Old Kennett Meeting House 29 

tiie Dutch, and the Duke had conveyed what is now New 
Jersey to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret. The 
Society of Friends, founded in England by the teachings 
of George Fox, about 1654, had suffered much persecution 
and were looking toward the New World as an asylum. In 
1673 John Fenwick, one of their number, as trustee of 
Edward Byllinge, purchased the interest of Lord Berkeley, 
which, by a division agreed upon with Sir George Carteret, 
formed the province of West New Jersey. There was an 
understanding by which Fenwick was to have one-tenth 
of the province, and in 1675 he led a colony of Friends who 
formed a settlement at Salem. Disputes arose between 
Fenwick and Byllinge, which by the kind mediation of 
William Penn were at length adjusted, and Byllinge con- 
veyed his nine-tenths of the province to William Penn, 
Gawen Lawrie and Nicholas Lucas, for the benefit of his 
creditors. These divided the ownership into one hundred 
shares or "properties," for which they found purchasers 
among the Friends in Yorkshire and others in London. 
Certain "Conditions and Concessions" were agreed upon 
between the trustees and purchasers, for the government of 
the colony, and in 1677 the ship Kent arrived with 230 
passengers, who formed a settlement at Burlington. Other 
ships arrived in 1678 and 1679, and the success of the 
colony was assured. Some who thus came as settlers in 
New Jersey crossed over to the western shore of the Dela- 
ware, where courts had been established among the Swedes 
and Dutch, at New Castle and Upland, and prominent 
among these was Robert Wade, at the latter place. 

William Penn thus became interested in American coloni- 
zation and conceived the idea of becoming a provincial pro- 
prietary. From Charles IL he obtained a charter for the 
province of Pennsylvania, dated March 4th, 1680 (or 1681, 
New Style), and at once began to sell lands to prospective 
settlers. A governor and commissioners were sent over to 
take charge of the colony and locate the lands to the pur- 
chasers or their representatives, and in the autumn of 
1682 Penn himself arrived. 

A Friends' meeting had been held at the house of Robert 
Wade for some time, and evidently under the care of 
Burlington Monthlv Meeting, of which a session was held 
at Upland, now Chester, on the 15th of 9th Mo., i68t. 
Two months later Chester Monthly Meeting was held dis- 



30 Bi- Centennial of 

tinct from Burlington, and has continued from that time 
to the present, although the place of meeting has changed. 
It v/as not until the arrival of William Penn that the name 
of Chester was given to the place. 

l^.lkny of those who had purchased land in Pennsylvania 
while still in England, as well as others, now began to ar- 
rive in considerable numbers and naturally settled at first 
near the tide waters. Meetings of worship were estab- 
lished at various places and held at first in private houses. 
These were followed by monthly meetings for the transac- 
tion of business, of which those at Concord, Darby, and 
Haverford, in Chester County, date from 1684. Those at 
Chester, Concord, and Darby united in holding a quarterly 
meeting, which exercised authority over the establishment 
of other meetings. 

The charter granted for Pennsylvania restricted Penn to 
a line of twelve miles distance from New Castle, and this 
is the origin of tlie circular line of Delaware ; and although 
William Penn purcha<=;ed from the Duke of York the terri- 
tory composing this State before sailing to this country, 
and might have obliterated this line, yet it has been per- 
manently retained. The three counties of this little State 
were formerly referred to as "the territories of Pennsyl- 
vania," or simply as the "Counties on Delaware." 

About 1752 a concern was felt by Samuel Smith, of Bur- 
lington, N. J., to have collected and preserved some account 
of the establishment of the various meetings of Friends, 
and in this he was supported by the Yearly Meeting, which 
sent down a request to subordinate meetings to give atten- 
tion to this matter. Twenty years later the work was in- 
complete, but it was finally published. This is what is said 
of the meeting at New Castle : 

In 1684 "John Hussey, John Richardson, Edward Blake, 
George Hogg, Benjamin Swett, and other Friends, being 
settled in and near New Castle, held meetings at each others' 
houses, which was established by the Quarterly Meeting at 
Philadelphia. In 1705 a lot of ground was purchased and 
a meeting-house built." 

Valentine Hollingsworth came from Ireland, in 1682, 
and settled on the east side of the Brandywine, in Brandy- 
wine Hundred, where he took up over 900 acres of land, 
and gave the name of Newark (or New Wark), to his plan- 
tation. Other Friends settling in that vicinity, a meeting 



Old Kennett Meeting House 31 

was held at his house and received the same name of New- 
ark. These Friends were at first supposed to belong to 
Concord Monthly Meeting, but at Chester Quarterly Meet- 
ing, I2th Mo. I, 1685, these minutes were made: 

"Its agreed yt from henceforth no meeting wt ever re- 
lating to ye servise of Truth be set up without advising wth 
& having consent of ye quarterly meeting. 

"Agreed yt ye friends of New Castle County, according 
to their proposition may erect or set up a six weeks meet- 
ing as they shall see cause." 

The meeting so established does not appear to have been 
held very regularly for the first year. The first entry in 
the record is as follows : 

"At the Monthly Meeting held at the Widow Welsh's, 
3 Mo. 1686: Edward Gibbs & Judith Crawford proposed 
their Intentions of marriage with each other, 3^e man pro- 
ducing a Certificate from ye monthly meeting in Maryland, 
signifieing his Clearness There : Valentine Hollingsworth 
&• Robt. Vance were appointed to make a further Inquiry." 

The widow Welsh lived in New Castle. AJtliough estab- 
lished by consent of Chester Quarterly Meeting, Newark 
did not at first send representatives thereto, but every third 
meeting was considered a quarterly meeting. It is believed 
that they held to the idea of a quarterly meeting in each 
county, but on 3 Mo. 6, 1693, — "Its agreed by this meeting 
yt we join ourselves to Chester Quarterly Meeting (and 
their Consent we have thereto)." 

6 Mo. 28, 1687: "At our Monthly Meeting at ye Widow 
Welshes, this meeting haveing taken into Consideration ye 
matter of ye Mans Meeting which hitherto hath been kept 
at New Castle & finding upon Due Consideration yt it 
may be more Convenient for ye present that it be kept twice 
on ye other side of Brandywine and ye third which will be 
Quarterly Meeting to be kept at New Castle ye first 7th day 
in Every Month be ye mens meeting. The Meeting Con- 
sents yt there shall be a Weeklv Meeting about Whitely 
Creek where friends there shall think fit." 

By "man's meeting" they intended the m.eeting for busi- 
ness, in which the women probably took no part at that 
date. The Monthly Meeting was mostly held at Valentine 
Hollings worth's after 1689, but it circulated to various 
houses up to 3d month 6. 1704, when "This meeting Orders 
that our next Monthly Meeting be held at ye Center, wch 



32 Bi-Centennial of 

is supposed to be at George Harlans ould house." 

In 1687 and again in 1689 permission was given for "ye 
familys on ye other side of Brandywine for ye holding of 
a meeting this winter season amongst themselves by reason 
of the dangerousness of ye ford to which ye meeting 
agrees and Consents." 

This refers to the meeting at Centre in the northern part 
of Christiana Hundred, New Castle County, and indicates 
a movement back from tidewater into the woods. Again, 
on 9 Mo. 7, 1702: 

"fifriends on ye south side of Brandywine haveing re- 
quested yt they may have Every other first day a meeting 
on their side ye Creek this meeting haveing taken it into 
Consideration allows thereof and for ye more certain 
knowledge and settlement of our meeting it is thought Ex- 
pedient and necessary yt our meetings be kept only at two 
places vizt at Newark, at Valentine Hollingsworth's, one 
first day, and on ye other side of Brandywine ye other first 
day." 

In 1708 a meeting-house, forty feet by twenty feet was 
directed to be built at this place, but it does not appear to 
have been accomplished at that time. On 9th Mo. 3, 171 1: 

"This meeting appoints George Harlan, Thos. Hollings- 
worth, Allphonsus Kirk and Samll. Graves to take ye over- 
sight of ye building of ye Center meeting house requesting 
ym wth all Convenient speed to let out ye work to some 
workmen in order yt it may be more speedily done and re- 
turn an acctt to ye next meeting how they proceed." 

Alphonsus Kirk was to be allowed 7s. 6d. per acre for 
what land might be needed, not exceeding six acres. 

KENNETT MEETING 

Samuel Smith, in his history of the meetings, says that 
in 1707 "Vincent Caldwell, Thomas Wickersham, Joel 
Baily, Thomas Hope, Guyan Miller, and others, being 
settled in Kennet and the east end of Marlborough, had 
liberty to keep a meeting for worship sometimes in private 
houses. In the year 1710 a piece of land was purchased and 
a meeting-house built, which was enlarged in 1719; in 1731 
it was further enlarged." 

Some of the early records are rather indefinite, but we 
quote from the minutes of NcAvark (now Kennet) Monthly 
Meeting as follows: 



Old Kennett Meeting House 33 

7 Mo. 30, 1709: — "The request of ffriends belonging to 
Malsbrough meeting is to this meeting yt it would grant yt 
they may for this winter season have their meetings kept 
there every first & fourth day, to wch request this meeting 
Condescends." 

9 Mo. 5, 1709: — "Its ye request of this meeting yt our 
meetings be kept every first and fourth day at ye Center, 
at Malsbrough and at Newark this winter season." 

II Mo. 6, 1710/11: — "The request of Mallbrough ffrds 
to have ye meetings up there to be Considered on till ye 
next meeting." 

The matter was continued for two meetings later and 
then doubtless sent to the quarterly meeting. 

At Chester Quarterly Meeting, 3 Mo. 7, 1711 : "The 
monthly meeting of Newark Requesteth that ffriends of 
Malborough & thereabouts may meet Every first & fourth 
days at Kennet meeting house; and also that friends of 
Newark meet two two at the Center first & fourth days, & 
those of ye Center to meet with them of Newark one, 
which this meeting approves of till further order." 

6 Mo. 5, 1 7 17: — "A request from Newark monthly meet- 
ing for advice for settling a place to Build a new meeting 
house for Kennett this meeting appoints Thomas Bradshaw, 
Josiah ffearn, William Lewis, Aaron James, Henry Obourn 
& John Bezer to hear and advise with the said friends and 
make Report thereof to the next Quarterly meeting." 

9 Mo. II, 1717: — "The ffriends that wear appointed to 
seek & settle a suitable place in Kennett to Build a meeting 
house upon reports that that part of Vincent Caldwell's 
Land that Lyes betwixt the two roads that goes to Notting- 
ham and into the woods seems to them most Proper, btit 
some of the friends of that meeting Request another Quart- 
ter's time for Consideration, where they may settle the sattie 
to their Generall satisfaction." 

12 Mo. 10, 1717: — "According to our Last meetings al- 
lowing Kennett friends Time for Consideration, where they 
might settle a meeting house to their General Satisfaction, 
they at this meeting Reports That the tneeting is to be Cdn- 
tinued at Kennett meeting house." 

In 1686 a tract of 200 acres of land was surveyed on the 
west side of the Brandywine, at the mouth of Pocopson 
Creek, for Francis Smith, of the town of Devizes, in Wilt- 
shire, England. This was then in Kenhet, now Pocopsoii, 



34- Bi-Centennial of 

Township. In Futhey & Cope's History of Chester County, 
published 1881, the writer stated that it was thought the 
name of Kennet* was suggested by Smith in memory of the 
village of Kennet in Wiltshire. I have a map on which I 
can at least find the village of East Kennet, and it is not 
far from Marlborough, in the same county. 

So far as I have observed no other survey was made in 
Kennet Township prior to 1700; in fact but little surveying 
of land seems to have been done between 1690 and 1700. 
After William Penn's second visit to his province, toward 
the close of 1699, there was much more activity in the land 
office. 

A warrant dated 2d of September, 1700, for 500 acres, 
was granted to Christopher Pennock, of Philadelphia, as 
attorney to his son, Joseph Pennock, then in Ireland, who 
was heir to his grandfather, George Collett, of Clonmell, 
Ireland, purchaser of 5,000 acres of land. Before the sur- 
vey was made Christopher Pennock granted this land to 
George Harlan. 

At a meeting of William Penn's Commissioners of Prop- 
erty, held at Philadelphia, 4th of 12th Month, 1701 : 

"Michael and Thomas Harland, upon E. Penington's Ar- 
rival in this Province, being desirous to take up and Settle 
on some Vacant Land beyond the Inhabitants near Brandy- 
wine, had encouragment from the sd Edward and Expecta- 
tion given them that on the Propr's arrival they might have 
the same privilege for the sd Land as if vacant, upon 
which they entered upon a Quantity of about 500 As. 

"The Proprietary, after his arrival, having granted to 
Christo. Pennock a Wart for 500 Acres in right of the 
Rogers' Purchase, dated , the said Christo- 

pher Sold the same by a Deed dated , to 

Geo. Harland, who requests that the 500 As taken up by 
his brother and Son aforesaid, may be returned in pursu- 
ance of the sd Wart for which he pleads a Grant from the 
Propry before his Departure. 

"Ordered that the same be Granted, he paying £20 down 
in Money as a Consideration, or that he hold the said Land 
at one bushell of wheat yearly Rent for every hundred 
Acres for ever." 

"Signed a Wart to Geo. Harland for 500 Acres Seated 
by Michael Harland, Ordd this day, signed 16 Instant, and 
a Wart to Peter Dicks for 300 Acres." 

2d Penna. Archives, xix, 262, 264. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 35 

The name of Thomas Harlan, above is an error, as the 
only Thomas then living was a child of seven years old. 
The person intended was Ezekiel Harlan, eldest son of 
George, aged 22. 

The survey of this land was made 14th of 2d Mo. 1702, 
and the shape of the tract might be likened to a shoe, of 
which the ankle part, of 200 acres, was for Ezekiel and the 
foot part, of 300, for Michael; the line between being now 
the road passing by Kennet Meeting-House. 

After the death of Christopher Pennock and the arrival 
of his son Joseph in this country, the latter executed deeds 
of confirmation for the two tracts of land to Michael and 
Ezekiel Harlan, October 13, 1706. That to Michael is now 
owned by Edward T. Harlan, and shows that the grant 
from Christopher Pennock to George Harlan was in trust 
for his brother and son. Just why the trust and why 
Christopher Pennock was drawn into the transaction is not 
evident. Perhaps it was thought he would be a more favor- 
able creditor than the Proprietary, William Penn. 

Ezekiel Harlan must have executed a deed to trustees 
for the use of Kennet Meeting, but it has not been found 
and is not on record in our Court House. But a small part 
of the deeds executed in the i8th century were recorded. 
Those from Joseph Pennock to Michael and Ezekiel Harlan 
are among those not recorded, but when Ezekiel sold the 
remainder of his tract to his son-in-law, Daniel Webb, in 
1727, the survey shows that two acres had been cut off, and 
this last conveyance was placed on record. 

When members of the Society of Friends have migrated 
to new territory they remain members of their former con- 
gregations until transferred by certificate or a new meeting 
has been established by a superior meeting. In the latter 
case the new meeting would most naturally be subordinate 
to the one from which the greater number of settlers had 
come. Thus when Nottingham Meeting, on the border 
of Maryland, was established about 1701, it was considered 
a branch of Concord Monthly Meeting, although the terri- 
torv of Newark Monthly Meeting lay between. 

The maioritv of the settlers at Nottingham were from 
Concord Monthly Meeting, but it is a question whether 
those who formed the new meeting at Kennet had mostly 
been members of Newark Monthly Meeting. I suspect that 
the Harlans were the deciding element which took the alle- 
giance from Concord to Newark. 



36 Bi- Centennial of 

Birmingham Meeting, a branch of Concord Monthly 
Meeting, lay on the eastward, beyond the Brandy wine; to 
the north and west the territory was unoccupied, but 
changes came soon. That part of Kennet Township which 
now forms Pennsbury and a part of Pocopson was rapidly 
surveyed to settlers. William Penn had reserved a large 
tract to the westward of this, containing more than 30,000 
^cres, for two of his children, Letitia and William Penn, 
Jr. This embraced nearly all of the present Kennet, all of 
New Garden, and extended southward into New Castle 
County. The eastern half was patented to Letitia and the 
other to her brother. New Garden was soon taken up by 
Friends from Ireland, who, according to my friend, Albert 
Cook Myers, were led to migrate through the influence of 
James Logan, Secretary of Penn's interests here, and him- 
self an Irishman, who spent several months among the 
Friends in Ireland with this object. 

Some of these brought certificates of their membership 
to Newark Monthly Meeting, as follows: — John Miller and 
wife Mary, 4 Mo. 4, 1709; James Starr and wife, 4 Mo. 7, 
1712; Margaret Ray, i Mo. 7, 1713; Edward Thompson, 3 
Mo. 5, 171 1 ; Thomas Garnett, wife Sarah, and brother 
Joseph Garnett, 3 Mo. 5, 171 1; Joseph Sharp, 6 Mo. 4, 
171 1 ; Ehzabeth Hobson, 9 Mo. 22, 1710; Francis Hobson, 
3 Mo. 5, 1712; Joseph Hutton, 4 Mo. 7, 1712; Nehemiah 
Hutton, II Mo. 5, 1716. 

Michael Lightfoot, 4 Mo. 7, 1712; John Wiley, 4 Mo. 
7, 1712; John Sharp, 7 Mo. 6, 1712. 

In 1713 a meeting was held at the house of John Miller 
and a meeting-house was probably erected the same year, 
and ever since known as New Garden Meeting. A year 
later Friends in the western part of East Marlborough ob- 
tained permission to have a meeting at the house of John 
Smith, which later became Londongrove Meeting. 

In 1719 Friends in the Forks of Brandywine were al- 
lowed to hold a meeting among themselves, and this became 
Bradford Meeting. 

By the establishment of these surrounding meetings the 
membership of Old Kennet was limited to more or less 
definite lines for many years. It might be stated here that 
Newark Meeting gradually dwindled away by deaths and 
removals until it was discontinued about 1754- This, with 
Centre Meeting and that at Hockessin, established about 
1730, appear to have united in the capacity of a preparative 



Old Kemiett Meeting House 37 

Tneetmg which continued to bear the name of Newark after 
■the meeting of that name ceased to exist. 

These meetings were constituents of Chester (later Con- 
cord), Quarterly Meeting until 1758, when the latter was 
■divided and Western Quarterly Meeting established at 
Londongrove. 

At the latter, held 5 Mo. 19, 1760:— "Friends of Newark 
Monthly Meeting Request that the name thereof may be 
altered from Newark to that of Kennet, as no Meeting 
thereaway is now held to make the former name applicable. 
It is therefore agreed that the name of it be Kennet 
Monthly Meeting till further Direction." 

With the establishment of Marlborough Meeting, in 1801, 
and that at Kennet Square, in 1814, the membership of Old 
Kennet was reduced ; and again in 185 1 by the defection of , 
those known as "Progressive Friends," founders of Long-"^ 
wood Meeting. 

We are told that the meeting-house was enlarged in 17 19 
and again in 1731, but we have very little histoVy to relate 
of the building. It was sometime during the thirties of the 
19th century, when some repairs were being made, that 
the old "gambrel roof" was changed to the present style; 
the doors at the east and west ends were formerly wider 
than at present, and there were fireplaces at each end. 

At a meeting held 3 Mo. 11, 1773 :— "WilHam Harvey, 
Thomas Gibson and James Bennett are appointed to Serch 
the Records of our Monthly Meeting and Transcribe such 
Parts of them as they may think necessarv to be sent to the 
Quarterly Meeting for the Compleating of the History 
of the Settlement of Friends Meetings in this Province and 
they to Transmitt the same to Next Quarterly Meeting." 



TITLE TO KENNETT MEETING PROPERTY 

The farm of 200 acres, from which the meeting lot was 
taken, was conveyed by Joseph Pennock to Ezekiel Harlan 
in 1706, and when the latter conveyed the farm to Daniel 
Webb, November 10. 1727, the description indicated the 
location of the meeting property. 

At Mo. Mtg., 10 Mo. 2, 1721:— "The Deed of Kennett 
Meeting Hou.se being in the possession of Gayen Miller, 
and the Bond securing the same for the service of the 



38 Bi-Centenntal of 

people called Quakers left in the hands of William Levis." 

At Mo. Mtg. II Mo. 7, 1748/9: — "Report is made to 
this meeting that the Deeds belonging to Kennett Meeting 
house & Ground is lodged with Thomas Carleton who is to 
keep them till further order. 

3 Mo. 12, 1778: — "Caleb Peirce, WilHam Lamboum, 
Thomas Carlton Junr., Amos Harvey, John Parker, John 
Lambourn, Enoch Wickersham & James Bennett are ap- 
pointed to have the care & Trust of ye Title to the Land 
belonging to Kennett meeting-house ; to whom Robert Lewis 
& William Harvey are desired to convey the same." 

Search has been made for the old deeds without success. 
Ezekiel Harlan doubtless executed the first to trustees 
named by the meeting. The first conveyance placed on 
record is dated 3 Mo. 23, 1778, and was made between 
Robert Lewis, late of Kennet, yeoman, but now of the 
City of Philadelphia, merchant, and William Harvey, of the 
township of Kennet, yeoman, formerly called William Har- 
vey the younger, of the one part, and Caleb Peirce, of East 
Marlborough : William Lamborn, of the same ; James Ben- 
nett, of Pennsborough Township ; Thomas Carlton, Junr., 
of Kennet ; John Lamborn, of the same ; Enoch Wicker- 
sham, of East Marlborough ; John Parker, of Marlborough, 
aforesaid, and Amos Harvey, of Pennsbury, of the other 
part. 

This recites a conveyance from William Horn, of the 
township of Birmingham, and Elizabeth, his wife, loth of 
1st Mo. 1742/3, to Joseph Mendenhall, of Kennet; William 
Levis, of same ; Robert Lewis, of same ; John Way, of 
same ; William Harvey, the younger, of same, and John 
Marshall, of Bradford (all yeomen), of a certain messuage 
and piece or parcel of land in Kennet, containing two acres. 

And the said Joseph Mendenhall and others, by a deed 
poll dated 12th of ist Mo. (March) 1742/3, declared that 
the premises were conveyed to them by direction of the 
monthly meeting of the people of God called Quakers and 
known by the name of New Ark Meeting held at New Ark, 
in the county of New Castle and at Kennet within the 
county of Chester; and that the indenture was so made 
or intended in Trust to the intent only that they or such 
or so many of them as shall continue in unity and religious 
fellowship with the said people and remaining members of 
the said monthly meeting should stand and be seized of the 



Old Ke7inett Meeting House 39 

said Messuage "for the benefit use and behoof of the poor 
people of the said Quakers belonging to the said people for 
ever, and for a meeting House for the use and service of the 
said people and for a place to bury their Dead ; wherein it 
is provided that neither they nor any of them nor any other 
person or persons succeeding them in the said Trust who 
shall be declared by the members of the said monthly meet- 
ing for the time being to be out of unity with them shall 
be capable to execute the said trust or stand seized to the 
uses aforesaid nor have any right or Interest in the said 
premises while they should so remain; but that in all such 
cases as also when any of them or others succeeding them in 
the trust aforesaid should happen to depart this life then it 
should and might be lawful to and for the said members in 
their monthly meeting as often as occasion should require 
to make choice of others to manage and execute the said 
trust in stead of such as shall so fall away or be deceased." 

"Joseph Mendenhall, William Levis, John Way and John 
Marshall are since dead, whereby the trust aforesaid and 
the Estate of Inheritance of and in the said messuage and 
piece or parcel of Land and premises wholy devolves and 
is now vested in the said Robert Lewis and William Har- 
vey by right of survivorship." 

A declaration of trust by the new trustees follows the 
above. 

The survey begins at a stone in the line of Michael 
Harland, thence N. 6i E. by the same 40 perches to a stone; 
N. 29 W. by land of Ezekiel Harlan 8 perches to a stone ; 
S. 61 W. by same 40 perches to a stone, and S. 29 E. 8 
perches to the beginning; containing two acres. (Deed 
Book H. 3, p. 400.) 

It is difficult to understand why, in 1742, the title was 
vested in William Horn and tvife. Possibly her first hus- 
band, Thomas Hope, had been a trustee, and she was con- 
sidered his heir. 

It being thought desirable to enlarge the grounds around 
the meeting-house, other two acres were obtained by a deed 
dated 29th of 3d Mo. 1784, from Jesse Harry, Ezekiel 
Webb, and James Bennett, all of the County of Chester, 
Trustees appointed by will of Daniel Webb, of Kennet; 
Mary Harry, wife of Jesse, Daniel Webb, Thomas Webb, 
Eh Webb, John Lamborn and wife Naomi, Nathan |ohn- 
son and wife Ruth, Samuel Harlan and wife Orpha,' chil- 



40 Bi- Centennial of 

dren of Daniel Webb. These conveyed the land to Caleb 
Feirce, William Lainborn, Thomas Carleton, Junr., Enoch 
VVickersham, John Parker and Amos Harvey, trustees al- 
ready in possession of the first purchase, for £15. 

Beginning at a stone on the north side of the great road 
towards Chester, a corner of Kennet Meeting House land; 
S. 57 W. by said road 2 perches to a stone; N. 33 W. 15.3 
perches to a stone ; N. 57 E. 42 perches to a stone ; S. ZZ E. 
"J. 2, perches to a stone, a corner of the Meeting House land ; 
S. 57 W. by the same 40 perches to a stone; S. 33 E. 8 
perches to beginning, (Deed Book X. 2, p. 523.) 

On the 30th of 7th Mo. 1825, all the trustees mentioned 
in the deeds of 3d Mo. 31st 1778, and 3d Mo. 29th 1784. 
for the two lots of two acres each were deceased, except 
Enoch Wickersham, of East Marlborough, and John 
Parker, of Pennsbury. These executed a new deed of trust 
to Caleb Mendenhall. William Harvey and Stephen Webb, 
of Pennsbury; William Walter, of Kennet; John Parker, 
Junr.. of Pennsbury; Benjamin Taylor, of Kennet; Ellis 
Webb and Isaac Mendenhall, of Pennsbury. (Recorded in 
Y. 3, p. 204.) 

At Mo. Mtg. 8 Mo, 2. 1825: "The friends appointed 
report that the Deed of Trust for the Land occupied by 
Kennett meeting has been Executed and forwarded to the 
proper ofifice for recording. They propose that the title 
papers be placed in the hands of Stephen Webb, with which 
the meeting occurs. 

Of the trustees appointed in 1825, Stephen Webb, Will- 
iam Walter, John Parker, Jr., and Ellis Webb, took the 
Orthodox side in the division of 1827, and doubtless re- 
tained the deeds made up to that time. 

On 9th Mo. 14, 1843, a new deed of trust was executed, 
by which Caleb Mendenhall. William Harvey and Isaac 
Mendenhall conveyed the premises to Ellwood Mendenhall, 
Josiah Wilson and Israel Way, of Pennsbury; Isaac Plar- 
Ian, Enoch Passmore and Pennock Way, of Kennet. 

This document recites the preceding one and states that 
of the former trustees Stephen Webb. William Walter, 
John Parker, Jr., and Ellis Webb had fallen away so as io 
be out of unity with the said meeting, and Benjamin Taylor 
was since deceased. (Z. 4, p. 6,) 

Up to this time the trustees had been appointed by and 
in behalf of the monthly meeting, but by a minute of the 




FIRE PLACE (In Attic) 



Old Kennett Meeting House 41 

latter, dated 9th of 12th Mo. 1873, the preparative meet- 
ing was directed to appoint new trustees. 

Deed of trust, 30th of 12th Mo. 1873: Elwood Menden- 
hall, Jacob Huey, Isaac Harlan and Pennock Way, of Ken- 
net, and Enoch Passmore, of Kennet Square, to Lydia J. 
Harlan, Samuel D. Chandler, Edward T. Harlan, Ruth Ann 
Huey, Hannah Mary Windle, Davis Huey and Hannah 
Mary Harlan, of the township aforesaid; Milton Walter, 
of Pennsborough Township, and Wills Passmore, of 
Christiana Hundred, Del. 

This recites the deed of 1843, and states that Josiah Wil- 
son had fallen away and been disowned, and Israel Way 
deceased. The two purchases are separately described as 
in the original deeds. (K. 8, p. 393.) 

CALDWELL 

Vincent Caldwell came from Derbyshire, Eng., bringing 
a certificate, dated 1-24- 1699, to Darby Monthly Meeting, 
of which for some time he was a member. Though a 
young, unmarried man, he was a preacher of some note, 
and during his sojourn at Darby made a religious visit to 
Maryland with the approbation of the meeting. In 1703 
he was married to Betty Peirce, b. 9-18-1680; d. 1027- 
1757; eldest child of George and Ann (Gainer) Peirce, 
of Thornbury Township. They declared their intentions 
at Concord Mo. Mtg. 7-23 and 8-11-1703, "they appearing 
in much plainess and simplicity as becometh truth." 

They settled in the eastern part of Marlborough soon 
after marriage. In 1707 he obtained a certificate to visit 
meetings in Maryland and towards the Southward, and 
again in 171 1 to visit Friends in Maryland, Virginia and 
Carolina. On 7-30-1715, he received a certificate to visit 
Barbadoes and some other of the Western islands, and on ^^ 
7-6-1718, one to visit some parts of the Caribbee Islands. 
His death occurred in 1720, in the 45th year of his age, 
and a brief memorial of him was published in a collection 
of such biographies, in 1787. His wife did not marry again, 
though she survived him thirty-seven years, having removed 
to Wilmington a short time before her death. She lived 
an exemplary life, attending strictly to her religious duties, 
and towards its close appeared in the ministry. 

Children of Vincent and Betty Caldwell : 



4-2 Bi-Centenntal of 

Ann, m. 5-19-1757, at Wilmington, to Thomas Gilpin, as 
his 3d wife. 

Betty, b. about 1705; d. 12-15-1775; m. 8-28-1724, Joel 
Baily, Junior. 

Mary, m, 1729, Joseph Gilpin, Jr. 

Hannah, m. 10-5-1733, John Marshall. 

Ruth, m. 2-7-1737, George Gilpin, brother to Thomas and 
Joseph. 



CARLETON 

Mark Carleton, of Ballylickbro, son of Thomas and 
Isabella (Mark), Carleton, formerly of Mosedale, in the 
County of Cumberland, England, was married 11-25-1698, 
to Susanna Watson. They removed from Ireland to Penn- 
sylvania in 171 1, producing a certificate of removal dated 
4th Mo. 5th, to Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, 8-25-1711. 
Mark Carleton apparently died soon after this and in 1713 
his widow married Richard Parks, a settler in Kennet 
Township, Chester County, afterward of Goshen Town- 
ship, where he died 1733. Susanna Parks, his widow, m. 
7- 1 7- 1 73 5, John Fincher. 

Mark and Susanna Carleton appear to have had at least 
four children: 

Elizabeth, m. 12- 13- 1722, at Kennet Meeting, to William 
Whitaker. 

Mary, m. 4-16-1725, at same, to Robert Mills. 

Thomas, b. 9-18-1699, at Ballyhakin, near Edenderry, 
Ireland. 

Phebe, m. 1-15-1729/30, at Christ Church, Philadelphia, 
to Timothy Spencer. 

John Carleton, perhaps also a child, was admitted into 
membership at Kennet Meeting, 11-7-1726/7. No further 
record of him. 

Thomas Carleton produced a certificate, 12-4-1720/1, 
from Philadelphia to Newark Mo. Mtg., and settled in 
Kennet. He married, 3-20-1730, at Kennet Meeting, Han- 
nah Roberts, b. 5-i7-i'689; d. ^-6-1758; widow of Robert 
Roberts and daughter of William and Mary Howell, of 
Haverford, and of Cheltenham. She was recommended as 
a minister 7-3-1748, and was appointed by the women's 
Mo. Mtg. to get their minutes recorded, which was done 
by her husband. Thomas was recommended as a minister 



Old Kennett Meeting House 43 

6-4-1744, and appointed clerk of the Mo. Mtg. 10-3-1748, 
in the room of Joseph Mendenhall, deceased. The minutes 
for many years were recorded by him and he was almost 
constantly employed about the affairs of the meeting. He 
died 9-30-1792. 

Children of Thomas and Hannah Carleton: 

Susanna, b. 3-29-1731 ; m. 5-1-1766, Michael Harlan, at 
K. Mtg. 

Thomas, b. 8-21-1732; d. 6-26-1803. 

Thomas Carleton, Jr., was married 10-26-1757, at Kennet 
Meeting, to Lydia Gregg, b. 5-28-1758; d. 3-29-1785; dau. 
of Thomas and Lydia Gregg, of Kennet. They had ten 
children : 

Hannah, b. 5-28-1758; d. 3-29-1785; m. 7-1-1784, Wm. 
Passmore. 

Dinah, b. 11-30-1759; m. 1784, Jesse Peirce. 

Martha, b. 5-2-1761 ; m. 11-20-1777, James McFadgen. 

Mark, b. 7-2-1763 ; m. 1793, Beulah Mendenhall. 

Sarah, b. 4-26-1765; d. 5-21-1765. 

Samuel, b. 2-5-1767; m. Rebekah Harlan, by license of 
1 1 -6- 1 794. 

Thomas, b. 9-28-1770; d. 9-30-1771. 

Lydia, b. 7-7-1772; m. 11-28-1793, Abner Mendenhall, 

Thomas, b. 7-4-1775; m. 1798, Hannah . 

Caleb, b. 10-28-1776; d. 5-25-1791. 



COX 

At Mo. Mtg. 7-4-1708: "A certificate being produced to 
this meeting by John Cox, a friend, lately Come from Ould 
England, which said Certificate being Read is Excepted of 
by this meeting." 

This does not indicate what family he brought with him, 
yet it appears from other entries that he had a wife, Rachel, 
and daughter, Sarah, who married Thomas Leech, about 
1712. A Joseph Cox was disowned, 11-5-1716, for mar- 
riage out of meeting. Amy Cox married John Allen in 
1719, and John Cox, Jr., married Hannah Jenkins, 1720. 

Richard Cox, supposed son of John and Rachel, received 
a certificate to Gwynedd Monthly Meeting, in order to 
marry Margaret Potts, which marriage was accomplished 
3-26-1712. They resided in Kennet and had children: 
Anna, Sarah, Richard, Jonathan, Joseph, Benjamin and 



4 



44 Bi- Centennial of 

John, About 1728 they removed to Gwynedd Mo. Mtg., 
and Richard died in Vincent Township, Chester Co., about 
4/62. 

Their son, Benjamin Cox, b. 2-18-1723, married EHza- 
beth Watson, and resided in Providence Township, Mont- 
gomery Co., and had children: Richard, Margaret, 
Jonathan, WiUiam, Joseph, Hannah, Mary, Sarah, Ben- 
jamin and John. Their son Wilham, b. 12-21-1751, m. at 
Goshen Meeting, 6- 15- 1780, Lydia Garrett, and settled in 
WilHstown Township. Of his ten children John was the 
4th, b. 3-12-1786; d. 2-22-18S0; m. 1st, Phebe Hall, and a 
2d time, 9-11-1823, to Hannah Pennell, widowed daughter 
of Jacob and Hannah Peirce, of East Marlborough. About 
1827 they removed from Willistown to E. Marlborough, 
and their home, near Longwood Meeting, was a very im- 
portant station on the Underground Railroad, and a place 
of entertainment for such reformers as William Lloyd 
Gaf risen, Charles C. Burleigh. Lucretia Mott, Fred. Doug- 
las, Theodore Parker, and many others. 

FEW 

Richard Few and wife, Julian, were early settlers in 
Chester County, and came from Market Lavington, in Wilt- 
shire, Eng. He died in or before 1689. 

Isaac Few, son of Richard, married in 1699, Hannah 
Stanfield, sister to the wife of Thomas Hope and daughter 
of Francis and Grace Stanfield, settlers in Marple. Isaac 
and wife settled in Kennet prior to 1709, and on November 
25, 1709, he purchased 200 acres there, from Mary, Widow 
of William Huntley and sister to Hannah Few. 

The children of Isaac and Hannah Few were Richard, 
b. 2-26-1700; m. Betty Booth, 1728: Isaac, b. 5-20-1701; 
m. Jane Evans, 1732: James, b. 12-28-1703; m. Dorcas Mat- 
thews, 1725: Elizabeth, b. 12-2-1705; m. White: 

Daniel, b. 1-25-1706; m. Esther Howell, 1734: Joseph, b. 
6-20-1708; m. Mary Aston, 1733: William, b. 5-16-1714; 
Francis, b. 6-13-1719; Samuel, b. 1-25-1722. 

SAMUEL HALL 

Was probably the son of James and Hannah Hall, early 
settlers in Bucks Co., Pa., where James died soon after his 
atrival. The widow appears to have married Henry Giles 
jiiltl femoved to Philadelphia. A daughter, Susanna Hall, 



Old Kennett Meeting House 45 

married at Philadelphia Meeting, 10-28-1704, Silas Pryor, 
of Chester County, and they settled in Kennet. 

Samuel Hall also appears in Kennet, but his record in 
connection with the meeting is brief. A complaint was 
brought to the monthly meeting, 7-6-1707, but it is not 
stated what he had done. He was disowned a month later. 
As his children were baptized at the Swedes' Church, Wil- 
mington, it may be surmised that his marriage to a member 
of that church was the crime. The name of his wife was 
Anna Elizabeth, and the fact of her having two names in 
that day is strong evidence that she was not of English 
blood. Samuel appears to have owned land at Kennet 
Square. He died in 1738, leaving wife and twelve children: 
Mary, wife of Robert Whitacre ; Sarah, wife of David 
Bailey, of Fallowfield ; Phebe, wife of Calvin Cooper, of 
Sadsbury; Ehzabeth, wife of Robert Whiteside; Hannah, 
Dinah, Sussana, Margaret, George, Samuel, James and 
Charles. The last named married Sarah Taylor, and is the 
only one whose descendants are known to have remained 
in the neighborhood. 

GEORGE HARLAN 

"Ye Sonne of James Harlan of Monkwearmouth was 
baptized at Alonkwearmouth (Co. Durham) in Old Eng- 
land ye nth day of i mo. 1650." 

George Harland of the Parish of Donnahlong, Co. 
Down, Ireland, and Elizabeth Duck, of Lurgan, Co. Ar- 
magh, were married "at the house of Marke Wright in ye 
Parish of Shankell," 9 Mo. 17, 1678. Records of Lurgan 
Mo. Mtg. They came to Pennsvlvania about the year 
1687. 

Children: 

Ezekiel, b. 7-16-1679; d. 1731 ; m. Mary Bezer, 1700/1, 
and Ruth Buffington. 1706, 

Hannah, b. 2-4-1 681 ; m. Samuel Hollings worth, 1701. 

Moses, b. in Ireland, 12-20-1683; "i- Margaret Ray, 1712. 

Aaron, b. 10-24-1685 ; m. Sarah Heald, 1713-14. 

Rebekah, b. in Pennsylvania, 8-17-1688; m, Williarrt 
Webb, i-22-i 709/10. 

Deborah, b. 8-28-t69o; m. loshua Calvert, 1710. 

Tames, b. 8-19-1692 ; m. Elizabeth , 1716. 

Elizabeth, b. 8-9-1694; m. Josenh Robinson, 1713. 

Joshua, b. 11-15-1696/7; m. Mary Heald, 1719. 



46 Bi- Centennial of 

10-7-1687: George Harlan is ordered to inquire into* 
Henry Hollingsworth's clearness of marriage engagements 
when he was about to go to Ireland. 10-7-1689: George 
Harlan requests there may be a meeting on the other side 
of Brandywine this winter season (Centre), which is 
granted. He was appointed representative to the Yearly 
Meeting at Burlington, 6-2-1690. Later removed further 
up the Brandywine, but remained a member of Centre Mtg, 
Died 1714. 

Ezekiel Harlan married Mary Bezer, dau, of William 
and Sarah Bezer, from Wiltshire, and a 2d wife, Ruth Buf- 
fington, dau. of Richard Buffington, from Buckingham- 
shire. He settled on the land immediately north of the 
meeting-house land, and must have conveyed this to 
Friends, but the deed has not been found. He made his 
will November 14, 1730, "being about to take a voyage into 
old England." Tradition says he went to get a large sum 
of money which he inherited. He became the owner of 
other lands in Kennet. 

Children: 

William, b. 9-1-1702; m. Margaret Farlow, 12-14-1721, 
at Kennet Mtg. 

Ezekiel, b. 5-19-1707; m. Hannah Oborn, 10-23-1724. 

Elizabeth, b. 6-6-1713 ; m. William White, June 8, 1728, 
Swedes' Ch. 

Mary, b. 4-12-1709; m. Daniel Webb, 9-8-1727, at K. 

Joseph, b. 6-4- 1 72 1 ; m. Hannah Roberts, 3-21- 1740, at K. 

Ruth, b. 1-11-1723; m. Daniel Leonard, 3-28-1740, at K. 

Benjamin, b. 8-7-1729; d. at sea, about Aug. 4, 1752; 
anm. 

MICHAEL HARLAN 

"Came from the North of Ireland with his Brother 
George about the year 1687, and ye beginning of the year 
1690 he married Dinah ye Daughter of Henry Dixon and 
settled first Near ye Center Meeting house in Christiana 
Hundred & County of New Castle on Delaware and after- 
wards removed into Kennett in Chester County where they 
Lived many years haveing the following Issue (viz.) 

"George ye son of said Michael & Dinah Harlan was 
bom ye 24th day of ye 4th mo. 1694; about ye 2d hour 
fore day. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 47 

^'Abigail ye Daughter of said Michael & Dinah Harlan 
was born ye 23d day of ye 9th mo. 1692 ; after night 

"Thomas ye son of said Michael & Dinah Harlan was 
born ye 24th day of ye 4th mo. 1694; about ye 2d hour 
after noon. 

"Stephen ye son of said Michael & Dinah Harlan was 
born ye day of ye 2d mo. 1697; about noon. 

"Michael ye son of Michael & Dinah Harlan was Born 
ye 7th day of the 2d mo. 1699: about ye 8th hour in ye 
evening. 

"Solomon ye son of Michael & Dinah Harlan was Born 
ye 7th day of ye loth mo. 1701 : about ye 7th hour in ye 
morning. 

"James ye son of Michael & Dinah Harlan was born ye 
day of the mo. 1703: about ye 5th hour in 

ye morning. 

"Dinah ye Daughter of Michael & Dinah Harlan was 
born ye 23d day of ye 8th mo. 1707: about loth hour at 
Night." 

Michael Harlan settled just south of the Old Kennet 
Meeting about 1700, where he purchased 300 acres of land 
from Joseph Pennock by deed of October 13, 1706. This 
tract he conveyed to his son Thomas Harlan, 25th of April, 
1724, and removed to Londongrove Twp., near the present 
village of Chatham, where he died in 1729. To his son, 
Solomon, he devised the homestead there, and the latter, 
dying in 1732, unmarried, gave it to his brother, James, 
subject to his mother's maintenance during life. 

George Harlan, son of Michael, married Mary Stuart, 
widow of Alexander Stuart and daughter of Joel Baily, 
and settled on the Brandywine in Newlin Twp. She was 
born 9-10-1688, and died in 1741. They were married 
12 Mo. 171 5/6, and George died in 1732, leaving seven 
children. 

Thomas Harlan married about the 7th Mo. 1720, Mary 
Carter, dau. of Robert Carter, of Marlborough. In 1741 
he declined the attendance of meetings and was disowned 
by Friends. 

The children of Thomas and Mary Harlan, of Kennet, 
were Isaac (m. Hannah Few, dau. of James and Dorcas), 
Abigail, Thomas, Lydia, Anne and Susanna. 



48 Bi- Centennial of 

Children of George and Mary (Baily), Harlan. 

John, m. 4-5-1740, at Kennet Meeting, Sarah Wicker- 
sham. 

Rebecca, m. about 1741, Stephen White. 

Dinah Harlan, m. about 1739, Robert Davis, of Kennet. 

Hannah, m. about 1741, Joseph Martin, of West Brad- 
ford. 

Joel, b. 11-10-1724; d. 9-3-1796; m. 10-16-1746, Hannah 
Wickersham, sister to Sarah ; dau. of Thomas Wickersham, 
Jr. She was born 5-5-1723; died 12-15-1811. 

Michael, twin with Joel. d. 10-15-1806; m. 5-1-1766, at 
Kennet Meeting, Susanna Carlton, b. 3-29-1731. They 
settled in West Marlborough. 

George, d. in West Marlborough about 1813; m. Susanna 
Harlan, dau. of Ezekiel and Hannah (Oborn), Harlan. 

Children of Michael and Susanna (Carleton), Harlan. 

Hannah, b. 1768; d. 1-8-1839; m. 2-10-1790, y\aron 
Baker. 

Sarah, d. 12-21-1840 ( ?) ; m. 4-10-1807, Obadiah Bon- 
sall. 

Mary, b. 6-25-1772; d. 11-25-1815; m. 12-11-1793, Aaron 
Skelton. 

Susanna, d. about 1810; m. 4-8-1800, Thomas S. Walton. 

Joshua Harlan, youngest son of George and Elizabeth, 
married in 1719, Alary Heald, dau. of Samuel and Mary. 
He died in Kennet in 1744. They had seven children: 

Deborah, b. 11- 15-1720; m. Thomas Evans. 

Joseph, b. 5- 1 7- 1 723 ; m. Edith Pyle. 

Sarah, m. James Pyle, 2 Mo. 1748. 

Samuel. 

Caleb. 

Rebecca. 

Joseph Harlan, son of Joshua, married about 1748, Edith 
Pyle, b. 3-2-1726; dau, of Samuel Pyle and Sarah Pringle, 
of Kennet. For their marriage by a magistrate they were 
disowned 8-7-1749. 

Samuel Harlan, b. 8-3-1756: d. 7-26-1818; son of Joseph 
and Edith; m. 1778, Orpha Webb, b. 4-25-1760; d. 2-5- 
1786; dau. of Daniel and Christian Webb, of Kennet. 
Second m. 6-28-1787, at Kennet Meeting, to Elizabeth 
Passmore, b. 4-9-1759; d. 9-9-1850; dau. of Enoch and 
Mary Passmore, of Kennet. By the first he had four 
children, and by the second, six. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 49 

Children of Samuel Harlan, by two wives. 

Sarah, b. 12-22-1779; d. 7-31-1835, unmarried. 

Joseph, b. 9-10-1781 ; d. 8-2-1859. 

Hannah, b. 9-29-1783; d. 10-27-1783. 

Orpha, b. 4-21-1785 ; d. 3-11-1786. 

Mary, b. 12-28-1788; d. 8-22-1850; unmarried. 

Enoch, b. 11-30-1790; d. 9-8-1796. 

Edith, b. 5-5-1793; d. ; m. 10-16-1817, 

Thomas Jenkinson. 

Samuel, b. 4-23-1796; d. i860. 

Elizabeth, b. 2-6-1798; m. 4-11-1822. George F. Gilpin. 

George P., b. 6-26-1799; d. 7-31-1878. 

George P. Harlan, m. 4-5-1832, at Middletown Meeting, 
Delaware Co., Eliza T. Thatcher, b. 11-6-1811 ; d. 2-6-1860; 
dau. of Joseph and Mary (Marshall), Thatcher, of Aston 
Township. Second m. 9-19-1861, at her home, to Lydia 
James, b. 9-17-1812; d. 12-17-1898; widow of Curtis 
James, of E. Marlborough, and dau. of William and Sarah 
(Marshall), Harvey. They resided just westward of the 
Old Kennet Meeting-house. Issue by first wife: — 

Mary Elizabeth, b. 6-21-1838; m. 9-30-1858, Henry Lam- 
born. 

Edward T., b. 1-3-1841 ; m. 9-28-1865, at her father's, 
to Hannah Mary Passmore, b. 2-2-1843; dau. of Thomas 
and Ehza (Scott), Passmore, of Newlin Township. They 
had issue, Marion Eliza, b. 8-3-1866; d. 8-29-1882: Almira 
P., b. 10-29-1868. 

George Passmore, b. 4-29-1843; d. in Philadelphia, 4-6- 
r895; m. Ellen M. Entriken. b. 4-2T-1847; dau. of Samuel 
S. and Minerva Entriken, of East Bradford. 

WILLIAM HARVEY 

Was born 9 Mo. 5, 1678, in the parish of Lyd (or Ly€?), 
in Worcestershire, Avhence he came to Pennsylvania in 1712, 
bringing the following certificate:— 

"Whereas William Harvey of this Citty, mallster, hath 
signified unto us his Intention of Removing to pensilvania 
and Desiring a Certificate. These are to certifie whom it 
may concerne that During his Residence here wch was for 
pretty manv years he was of a sober life and conversation 
and walked orderly amongst us and was always so to ye 
best of our knowledge and do hope he will behave himselfe 



so Bi- Centennial of 

blamelessly where he corns so shall conclude Desiring his 
wellfare in all Respects." 

"From our Monthly Meeting held in Worcester by ad- 
journment ye 8th of ye 12th mo: 1712. John Wood, Cor- 
nelius Harrison, Tho : ford, Tho : Cox, Wm. Catterill, John 
Gould, Tho : Gould, James Pardoe and others." 

He married, in Philadelphia, 6 Mo. 12, 1714, Judith Os- 
born, born at Bilson in Staffordshire, 1683, widow of Peter 
Osborn, who had come over on the same vessel with 
William Harvey. In 1714 he purchased from the heirs of 
Peter Dicks 300 acres of land in Kennet (now Pennsbury), 
on the Brandywine, for £75, receiving a deed for the same 
April 9, 1715. His death occurred 6 Mo. 20, 1754, and that 
of his wife 5 Mo. i, 1750. They had five children. 

Hannah, b. 6-18-1715; m. Jacob Way. 

WiUiam, b. 2-9-1717; d. 4-24-1813; m. Ann Evitt, 8-28- 
1741. 

Isaac, b. 9-21-1718; d. 11-3-1802; m. 2-23-1740, Martha 
Newlin. 

Amos, b. 10-3-1721 ; m. Keziah Wright, 5-6-1752. 

James, b. 6-21-1723; d. 10-9-1784, leaving no issue. 

William Harvey, Jr., was appointed a trustee of Kennet 
Meeting property in 1742. His wife was the daughter of 
Francis Evitt and was born at Long Compton, in War- 
wickshire; was recommended as a minister by Concord 
Monthlv Meeting, 3-7-1739, and died 5- 10- 1790. They 
had children: — 

Judith, b. 9-3-1742; m. Francis Lamborn. 

William, b. 6-3-1744; m. Susanna Pusey and Mary 
Chandler. 

Amos, b. 4-7-1749; d. 4-1 5-1825; m. Hannah Pusey. 

Peter, b, 1 0-20-1 75 1 ; d. 9-13-1824; m. Jane Walter. 

Caleb, b. 1746; d. aged seven weeks. 

Hannah, wife of Amos Harvey, was the daughter of 
Joshua and Mary (Lewis') Pusey, and was born 4-21-1752 ; 
d. 3-3T-1807. They had children: — 

Joshua, b. 11-26-1769; m. 5-23-1793, Susanna, dau. of 
Amos House. 

Ellis, b. 7-1-1771; d. II Mo. 1772. 

Eli, b. 12-29-1772; d. 1-10-1840; m. Mary Painter and 
Rachel (HolHngs worth) Harvey. 

William, b. 1-2-1775 ; d, 8-26-1850; m. Sarah Marshall 

Mary, b. 12-9-1779; d. 4-17-1839; m. Stephen Webb. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 51 

Ann, b. 5-31-1783; d. 8-28-1866; m. 3-14-1805, Jesse 
Sharpless. 

Phebe, b. 6- 17- 1787; m. 7-23-1807, Evan C. Phillips. 

Lydia, b. 11-19-1789; m. Joel Jones. 

Hannah, b. 11-29-1793; m. John Phillips, 

Joshua and Susanna Harvey, of Pennsbury, were the 
parents of five children : — 

Pusey, b. 1-17-1794; d. 4-22-1851; m. Phebe Way 11-12- 
1818. 

ElHs, b, 5-20-1796; d. 11-3-1870. 

Sarah, b. 5-26-1798; d. 7-21-1885; m. George Pearson. 

Townsend, b. 7-21-1804. 

Joshua, b. 4-12-1810. 

Pusey and Phebe (Way) Harvey were the parents of 
John, Hannah, Amos, Lea, Jacob W., Susanna, Mary W. 
and Sarah. 

Jacob W. Harvey, b. 10-1-1826, m. in 1850, Maggie 
Nields. He has long been known as an educator, and in 
1877 became county superintendent of schools; which posi- 
tion he filled for several years. 

SAMUEL HEALD 

Son of William and Jane (Dunbabin) Heald, was bom 9- 
12-1668, in Mobberly, in Cheshire, England, and married 
Mary Bancroft, born at Eccleston in the same county, 5-13- 
1673 ; daughter of John and Mary Bancroft. 

They brought a certificate to Philadelphia from the 
monthly meeting at Morley, in Cheshire, dated 10-3-1702, 
They settled in what is now Pennsbury Township, on the 
Brandywine, where Samuel died in 1736. They had eight 
children. 

Sarah, b. 5-19-1692; m. in 1713, Aaron Harlan. 

William, b, 2-20-1694; m. Potts, 1719. 

Mary, b. 10-15-1697; m, Joshua Harlan, 1719. 

Jane, b. 5-9-1700; m. Edward Way, 1726. 

Samuel, b. 7-22-1702; d. 1748; m. in 1727, Rachael 
, d. 1772. 

Dinah, b. 12-15-1708/9; m. 2-16-1735, Martin Wilcox. 

Jacob, b. 10-27-1711 ; m. about 1737. 

Joseph, mentioned in his father's will. 

One Joseph Heald was married in Sept. 1746, at the 
Swedes' Church, Wilmington, to Hannah Hild (?). 



^2 Bi-Centenmal of 

Joseph Heald was disowned by Kennett Monthly Meeting 
6-1-1747, for marriage by a priest. 

Jacob Heald, son of Joseph and Hannah, was born 3-25- 
1748; admitted to membership at Kennet 12-17-1772, and 
married 3-18-1773, at same meeting, to Mary Leonard; 
dau. of Daniel Leonard of East Bradford. She died 7-31- 
1865. They had six children : — 

Hannah, b. 11 -7- 1773; d. 8- 12- 1820; m. 1-22- 1795, John 
Way. 

Ruth, b. 4-26-1775; d. 1-30-1838; m. Samuel Levis, 10- 
21-1813. 

Joseph, b. 6-14-1777; d. 5-6-1823; m. Hannah Menden- 
hall 11-23-1797. 

Lydia, b. 3-13-1799; d. 10-12-1863 ; i"- Caleb Menden- 
hall 4-11-1816. 

Mary, b. 6-21-1784; m. JefTeris? 

Orpha, b. 7-4-1787; d. 9-18-1874; m. George Passmore 
$-24-1829. 

Children of Joseph and Hannah Heald, New Castle Co., 
Del 

Caleb, b. 8-26-1798; d. 6-7-1885; m. Martha M. Scarlet 
11-13-1828. 

Jacob, b. 9-13-1800; d. 1-11-1887; m. Sarah Wilson 4- 
13-1826. 

Eli, b. 1-14-1803. 

Ruth, b. 3-24-1805; m. Haines Jackson 10-12-1826. 

Mary ^Ann, b. 8-4-1807; m. 10-11-1827, Benj. Taylor; 
2d Wm. Way. 

Joseph, b. 1-1-T810. 

Hannah, b. 7-3-1812. 

John, b. 10-31-1814. 

Orpha, b. 12-4-1817: m. 11-15-1838, Lewis Pyle. 

Joshua T., b. 5-26-1 821 ; d. 7-23-1887. 



JOHN HEALD 

Wds perhaps a brother to Samuel Heald. The name of his 
wife was Martha, who after his death (1740) was married 
9-30-1743, at Kennett Meeting, to Richard Woodward, of 
West Bradford. John and Martha Heald were active mem- 
bers of the meeting. They had at least six children. 

Mary, b. 6 Mo. 1707; m. 1-4-1724/5, William Passmore. 

Thomas, m. 10-3- 1723, Joanna Pry or, at Kennet Meeting. 



Old Kennett Meeting Hotise S3 

Phebe, m. 2-19-1739, Isaac Yearsley and 5-8-1777, Samuel 
Osborn, 

John, m. 3-23-1744, at Birmingham Aleeting, Elizabeth 
Yearsley. 

Martha, m. about 173 1 Wilson. 

Elizabeth, m. William Key. 

Thomas and Joanna Heald had five children, Hannah, 
Susanna, Joseph, James and Lydia, who are mentioned in 
the will of their grandfather, John Heald. Some of these 
went to York Co., Pa. 

HOPE 

Thomas and John Hope, brothers, probably from Wilt- 
shire, Eng., were passengers on the Unicorn, of Bristol 
which arrived i6th of loth Mo. 1685. Thom.as Plope mar- 
ried early in 1697, Elizabeth Stanfield of Chester Monthly 
Meeting, and in 1703 requested a certificate from that meet- 
mg to Newark, v/hich, however, was not produced at the 
latter until 1707. He died in Kennet in the soring of 1708, 
and having no children devised to his Avife, Elizabeth, the 
plantation of 400 acres during life, and then to brother John 
Hope, who was to pay some legacies, including £5 to the use 
of Kennet Meeting. His widow married William Horn in 
the fall of 1709. 

John Hope and Elizabeth Hobson were married in the fall 
of 1712, she having produced a certificate from Friends in 
Ireland dated 22d of 9th Mo. 1710. 

The lands of John Hope were adjoining to the eastward 
of the Harlan tract on which the meeting-house had been 
built. The children of John and Elizabeth Hope were:^ 

Sarah, b. 6-22-1713 ; m. Stephen Hayes. 

Thomas, b. g-y-iyi^; d. 1749; m. in 1737 Elizabeth 
Boone. 

John, b. 12-18-1716/7. 

Elizabeth, b. 3-4-1719; m. George Harlan and David 
Logue. 

Susanna, b. 7-25-1723 ; m. John Fred. 

Amos, d. 1769; m. Anne and left daughters Mary 

and Elizabeth. 

Mary Boone, wife of Thomas Hope, was a near relative 
to Daniel Boone. They had children :— Thomas, b. 2-19- 
i7?8 ; m. his cousin Sarah Harlan : Deborah, b. I-23-1741 • 
William, b. 9-28-1743: Elizabeth, b. 7-7-1745: Mary b 
4-22-1749. 



54 Bi- Centennial of 



KEY 



At a meeting of the Commissioners of Property 8, 22, 
1705 : 

"John Key being the first born in Philada Petitions the 
Board yt according to the Propry's Promise, as is said, he 
may have a lott in the City and 500 acres of Land Granted 
him, being now of age. A Warrt from the Propry, dat. 26, 
3 mo. 1683, appears for a lott to his Father, which they Say 
was laid Out in Mulberry Street. Ordered therefore that a 
Warrant be issued for resurveying the said Lott, but Noth- 
ing appearing for the aforesaid Pretended Promise of Land, 
'Tis referred to the Propry." 

Second Penna. Archives, xix 466. 

5-22-1713: "Signed a Pattt to Jno Key for a Lott in Sas- 
safras str., ordd lober 1705, dat. 20 Inst." (p. 562) 

A warrant was granted to Robert Key for a city lot, 
dated 26th of 3d Mo. 1683. Also a warrant to John Key for 
a city lot 10, 10, 1705, and a return thereof dated 11, 12, 
1705. A resurvey. 

Third Archives, ii, 737-8. 

Watson, in his Annals of Philadelphia (p. 494), says that 
he had seen the patent which was granted to John Key on 
account of his being the "first born," and that it was 
therein stated that the warrant of 3-26-1683 was intended 
for his use. The lot was on the south side of Sassafras 
(now Race) Street, between 4th and 5th Sts. He further 
states that John Key lived to a good old age in Chester 
County, and died in July, 1767, in his 85th year. When the 
Hospital was founded in 1755, he was present by request, 
to lay the corner stone. He was buried in Kennet grave- 
yard. 

LEVIS 

Samuel Levis, born 7-30-1649; son of Christopher and 
Mary Levis of Harby in Leicestershire, married 3-4-1680, 
Elizabeth Clator of Nottingham, Eng. They came to Penn- 
sylvania in 1684 and settled in Springfield Township, (now) 
Delaware Co. They had seven children: — 

Samuel, b. 12-8-1680; m. Hannah Stretch of Philadelphia. 

Alice, b. 8-7-1682. 

Mary, b. 8-9-168^ ; m. Joseph Pennock. 

William, b. 7-8-1688; d. 2-1 1-1747. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 55 

Elizabeth, b. 10-20-1690; d. 10-10-1777; m. William 
Shipley. 

Christopher, b. 10-27-1692; d, 2-3-1694, 

Sarah, b. 6-31-1694; d. 10-26-1723; m. George Maris. 

By deed of May 28th 1705 Samuel Levis purchased from 
his son-in-law, Joseph Pennock 515 acres of land in Kennet, 
and to this came his son William Levis, tradition says in 
1708, but his certificate from Chester Monthly Meeting was 
not produced until 3-7-1720. William Levis and Elizabeth 
Reed, both of Kennet, were married 10-14-1720, at Kennet 
Meeting, and his father conveyed to him the 515 acres of 
land by deed of gift, Oct. 3, 1728. He and his wife were 
active and useful members of the meeting, serving as over- 
seers, and Elizabeth was recommended as a minister 11-6- 
1738, They had six children. 

Elizabeth, b. 8-30-1721 ; m. 6-13-1740, Jacob Janney. 

Samuel, b. 9- 18- 1723 ; m, 7-6-1749, Elizabeth Gregg. 

William, b. 12-3-1725/6; m. Jane Ogden and Martha 
Marshall. 

Sarah, b. 6-31-1728; m. 11-19-1755, Samuel Hanson. 

Mary, b. 2-10-1732 ; m. 9-2-1756, Thomas Hanson. 

Lydia, b. 6-16-1734; m. 10-1-1761, John Lamborn. 

Children of Samuel and Elizabeth Levis. 

William, b. 5-17-1750; d. 10-21-1751. 

Samuel, b. 12-12-1752; m. 10-21-1813, Ruth Heald. 

Betty, b. 11-30-1754^; d. 7-i7-i759- 

Sarah, b. 1-29-1757; d. 2-18-1836, unmarried. 

Hannah, b. 7-30-1759. 

Children of William and Martha Levis. 

Elizabeth, b. 1-20-1750/1 ; m. 5-2-1771, Joseph Walter. 

Hannah, b. 2-18-1754; d. 2-10-1834; m. 11-29-1792, 
Henry Hoopes. 

Phebe, b. 11-6-1756; m. Isaac Peirce and Thomas Speak- 
man. 

William, b. 3-7-1759; d. 5-29-1784; m. Mary Lownes, 
6- 1 2- 1 782. 

Martha, b. 7-16-1762; d. 10-23-1777. 

Martha, the mother, d. 10- 13-1804, at Henry Hoopes's. 

MENDENHALL 

Thomas and Joan Mendenhall, of Marriage Hill, in the 
parish of Ramesbury, Wiltshire, had children, Margery, 
Joan, Mary, John, Benjamin, Stephen, Moses, Aaron, and 



56 Bi- Centennial of 

possibly others. Margery was married 11-30-1675, tO" 
Thomas Martin. Joan was married 5-10-1681, to Dr. John 
Spiers of Lamborn Woodlands. The father was buried 
5-5-1682. The name has been spelled in various ways, as 
Ivlynold, Minall, Mildenhall and Mindinghall. 

John Minall, or Mendenhall, was born 8-30-1659; came 
to Chester County as early as 1683 and settled in Concord 
Township ; married Elizabeth Maris and had children, 
George, John and Aaron. 

Benjamin Minall, born 2-14-1662, is thought to have fol- 
lowed John to this country. Thomas and Margery Martin 
and Moses Mendenhall arrived on the "Unicorn" from 
Bristol, Thomas Cooper, commander, 10-16-1685. Mary 
Mendenhall came, perhaps, with John. She was married 
2- 1 7- 1 685, at Concord Meeting, to Nathaniel Newlin, subse- 
quently the owner of NcAvlin Township. Moses returned 
to England, married and had several children. 

Benjamin Mendenhall and Ann Pennell, daughter of 
Robert and Hannah Pennell, of Middletown Township, 
were married 2-7-1689, and settled in Concord Township, 
where he died 2 Mo. 1740, and she in 1749. They had chil- 
dren, Ann, Benjamin, Joseph, Moses, Hannah, Samuel, Re- 
becca, Ann 2d, Nathan and Robert. 

Joseph Mendenhall, b. 3-17-1692, m. 8-30-1718, at Con- 
cord Mtg., Ruth Gilpin, b. 6-28-1697; dau. of Joseph and 
Hannah Giloin, of Birmingham. They received a certificate 
to Newark Mo. Mtg. 12-2-1718, and settled in Kennet. He 
was a very active and useful member of Kennet Meeting, 
filling the position of overseer, recorder of minutes and mar- 
riage certificates, clerk of the monthly meeting from 1732 
until his death in the fall of 17^8, and in 1747 was ap- 
pointed an elder in place of Ellis Lewis, who had re- 
moved to Wilmington. On 5-4-1747. "This meeting allows 
Joseph Mendenhall 5 shillings a year for Paper that he useth 
in ye service of ye meeting far 15 years past." He had 
seven children: — 

Isaac, b. 8-13-1719; d. 8-18-1803 ; m. 8-31-1745, Martha 
Robinson. 

Hannah, b. IT-24-1721; m. 3-23-1750, Daniel Gest. 

Toseph, b. 3-16-1724; m. 3-2T-1747, Rachel Robinson. 

Reniamin, b. 2-8-1729; m. Hannah Wilson, dau. of John 
and Ruth. 

Ann, b. 4-13-1732; d. 10-12-1769; m. Joseph Peirce, ist 

cousin. 



Old Kennett Meetiit!^ House $t 

Stephen, b. 11-17-1733,' m. 7-28-1758, RebecCa McCol- 
lock. 

Jesse, b. 12-12-1735 ; m. 16-2- 1756, Abigail Harry. 

Of the above children Joseph and Benjamin rettieiVed 
to Wilmington, and their descendants Write the name Men- 
dinhall. 

Martha Robinsort, wife of Isaac Mendenhall. Wjts i\\t 
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Harlan) Robinsott, of 
Christiana Hundred, and was born li-28-1725; d. 5-21- 
1766. They resided in Pennsbury and had eleven childfe^ri, 

Joseph, b. 11-29-1746; m. Jane Collins; went to we§tem 
Penna. 

Isaac, b. 5-19-1748; d. 3-30-1810; m. Lydia Heald. 

Betty, b. 9-22-1750; m. Henry Collins. 

Thomas, b. 1 1-8-1752; d. 1-17-1827; m. Ruth Divis Id- 
30-1777. 

Noah, b. 1-30-1754; m. Esther Stanley. 

Benjamin, b. 7-28-1756; d. 7*-29-l756. 

Martha, b. 7-28-1756; d. ^7-29-1756. 

Dinah, b. 1-214-1758; d. i-24-1759. 

Aaron, b. 2-20-1760; d. 9-11-1827; m. §arah WodJlas 
11-10-1803. 

Ruth, b. 7-19-1762; m. 5-16-1786, John llague. 

Caleb, b. 5-12-1764; d. 1-4-I766, 

Children of Aaron arid Sarah (Wobllas) MeridferibaK. 

Ann, b. 10-27-1804; d. 3-9-1885; m. Stephen Darlington. 

Isaac, b. 9-29-1806; d. 12-22-1882; m. Diftah Harifiom, 

Elwood, b. 1-8-1808; d. 4-2-1894; ffi. Sidney Cox. 

Hannah, b. 4-i-i8to; d. 0-26-1887 ; m. Jamds TrimbW^ 

Sarah, b. 11-17-1813; d. 4-9-1878; m. Chalkley Way. 

Martba, b. 12-25-1816; d. young or urtnlarried. 

Moses Mendenhall, b. 2-16-1694; son of Benjamin And 
Ann Mendenhall of Concord, Was rttarried at Cori^ord 
Meeting, 4-18-1719, to Alice Pyle. b. 12I-8-1692; widow of 
Jacob Pyle and dau. of John and Frances :6bwatef. Being 
"about to remove" they received a certificate to It^ftriet 
4-4-1722. He was a zealous member of tCennet Meeting 
and was recommended as a minister 2-2-4726. He was ^Iso 
appointed clerk 12-4-17^6/7, in room of William Webb. 
His will was probated 2-8-17^2. 

Children of Moses arid Alice Merid^ftbafl: — 

Alice, b. 2-16-1720; m. William Pennock 7-26-17351. 

Caleb, b. 7-22-172!; d. 1746; m. 12-16-1742, Ann Vtlttt. 



S8 Bi-Centennial of 

Phebe, b. 5-2-1724; m. 9-14-1744, Adam Kirk: 2d Joseph 
Pennock. 

Moses, b. 2-23-1727; died young or unmarried. 

Ann Peirce, wife of Caleb Mendenhall, was born 10-20 
1718; dau. of Joshua Peirce and Ann Mercer, of East 
Marlborough. She was married again, 4-19-1758, at Kennet 
Meeting, to Adam Redd, born in Germany. 

Children of Caleb and Ann (Peirce) Mendenhall. 

Moses, b. 3-5-1744; d. 8-13-1821 ; m. Mary James 2-28- 
1771. 

Caleb, b. 11-3-1746; d. 4-6-1825; m. Susanna James 4- 
26-1770. 

The wives of these brothers were daughters of Aaron and 
Ann James, formerly of Willistown. Mary was born 10- 
31-1751; d. 12-10-1836. The marriages were at Kennet 
Meeting and they settled in Pennsbury. 

Children of Moses and Mary Mendenhall. 

Caleb, b. 1 2- 10- 1 771 ; m. Betty Taylor. 

Ann, b. 2-23-1773; m. Bennett Augee. 

Joshua, b. 11-24-1774; d. 7-21-1792 (or 1798). 

Samuel, b. 7-9-1776; d. 5-9-1777. 

Susanna, b. 10-29-1777; m, Benajah Walker. 

Catharine, b. 8-12-1779; m. 5-1-1800, Job Taylor. 

Samuel, b. 12-19-1780; d. 12-19-1796. 

Mary, b. 11-4-1784; m. Joseph Shugert. 

Moses, b. 3-5-1788; d. 3-31-1788 (or 9). 

Joseph, b. 11-18-T789; d. 12-18-1789. 

Elizabeth, b. 5 Mo. 17QT ; d. 8-19-1834; m. Jacob Way. 

Children of Caleb and Susanna Mendenhall. 

Mary, b. 1-13-1771. 

Moses, b. 9-1 5-1772; d. 2-IT-1839; m. Rachel Woollas. 
, Emelia, b. 11-16-1774; d. 7-8-1801. 

Benjamin, b. 3-31-1777. 

Hannah, b. 1-5-1779; m. 11-23-1797, Joseph Heald. 

Caleb, b. 1-1-1781 ; d. 9-6-1855; m. 4-11-1816, Lydia 
Heald. 

Ann. b. 11-23-1782. 

Eli, b. 10-6- 1 784. 

GAYEN MILLER 

Came from Ireland with wife Margaret, said to have been 
the dau. of Dr. Patrick Henderson of Scotland. I have not 
seen evidence of this beyond his naming a son Patrick. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 59 

He bought 200 acres in Letitia's Manor of Staineing, now 
Kennet Twp., at the site of Kennet Square, by deed of 
Aug. 17, 1702. He and Richard Parks were appointed 
overseers of Kennet Mtg. 2-4-1719. 8 Mo. 7, 1710: "Gayen 
Miller is to have New England Judged till ye next meeting." 

3-4-1717: "The severall preparative meetings have ap- 
pointed ffriends to take care of burials; for Kennett Joel 
Bailey and Gayen Miller." He and others appointed 3-7- 
1720 to inspect the deed for Centre Meeting land. On 
10 Mo. 2, 1 72 1 the deed for Kennet Mtg. was in his posses- 
sion. 2-4-1730: Gayen Miller and John Heald appointed 
to have oversight of burials. 

6 Mo. 3, 1728: A certificate granted, recommending 
Margaret Miller to the meeting of ministers. 

12-2-1711/2: "Margaret Miller and Elizabeth Horn are 
appointed to take the oversight of Malbaray and Kennet 
meeting to see that things are kept in good order." 

4-2-1716: Margaret Miller and Ruth Harland are chosen 
overseers over Kennet meeting." 

1-7-1719: Margaret Miller and Rebekah Webb, ditto. 

9-2-1728: She and others appointed to visit families. 

Gayen Miller died in 1742 and his wife in Jan. (11 Mo.) 
174.3/4. 

Children. 

James, b. 11-5-1696; d. 1752; m. Rachel Fred, 4-20-1721. 

William, b. 8-30-1698; d. 1767?; m. Ruth Rowland, 7- 
30-1724. 

Robert, b. 3-3-1703 ; d. 1761 ; m. Ruth Haines, 1725. 

Sarah, b. 9-1-1704; d. 6 Mo. 1749; m. Joshua Johnson, 
2-23-1724. 

Mary, b. 2-7-1707; m. William Beverly, 2-22-1730. 

Patrick, b. 12-28-1708; d. 1751 ; m. Patience Haines, 
9-5-1735. 

Samuel, b. 4-14-1711 ; d. 11 Mo. 1764; m. Margaret Halli- 
day, 4-29-1732. 

Elizabeth, b. 5-7-1713 ; d. m. Joseph Dickin- 

son, 8-25-1732. 

Joseph, b. 7-14-1715; d. 1742; m. Jane Kirk, 2-18-1738. 
Benjamin, b. 6-4-1717; m. Martha Walter, 10-7-1738. 
John, b. 1 1-6-1720/1 ; m. Margaret Smith, 8-28-1741. 
George, b. 5-19-1723; m. Susanna Bird. 



40 Bu Centennial of 

PEIRCE 

George Pearce (as he wrote it), qf Winscorn in the 
county of Somerset and Ann Gainer, of Thornbury in the 
county of Gloucester, were married 12-1-1679/80. They 
came to Pennsylvania as early as 1684 and settled in the 
township of Thornbury, to which he is said to have given 
the name in memory of his wife's former home. He was 
an overseer of Concord Meeting, and later an elder ; but "by 
reason of his eage and he being thick of hearing," he re- 
quested to be released from the last appointment in 1722. 
He was married again, 4-16- 1725, to Anne Pyle, a widow, 
with whom he removed to East Marlborough, in or before 
1732, and there died, about 1734. 

By his first wife he had ten children: — Betty, m. Vincent 
Caldwell : George : Joshua ; see below : Ann, m. James Gib- 
bons and William Pirn: Margaret: Mary, m. Joseph Brin- 
ton: Caleb, m. Mary Walter: Gainer, m. Sarah Walter: 
Hannah, m. Edward Brinton : John, died in his minority. 

Joshua Peirce, b. 1-5-1684, removed to Marlborough in 
171 1 ; m. 8-28-1713, at Concord Meeting, Ann Mercer, dau. 
of Thomas and Mary Mercer of Thornbury. Second m. 
9-15-1722, at Concord Meeting, to Rachel Gilpin, b. 12-12- 
1695 ; d. 5-20-1676 ; dau, of Joseph and Hannah Gilpin of 
Birmingham, Rachel was appointed an elder for Kennet 
Meeting 7-2-1757. Joshua died 9-15-1752. 

Children of Joshua and Ann Peirce. 

George, b. 5-5-1714; d. 10-2-1775; m. 3-21-1740, Lydia 
Roberts, 

Mary, b. 3-3-1717; m. 8-24-1739, William Cloud. 

Ann, b. 10-20-1718; m. Caleb Mendenhall and Adam 
Redd. 

By second wife, Rachel Gilpin. 

Joshua, b. 1-22-1724; d. 7-13-1803; m. 2-13-J748, Ann 
Bailey. 

Joseph, b. 10-16-1725; d. 3-9-1811; m. Ann Mendenhall. 

Caleb, b. 12-2-1727; d. 10-12-1815; m. Hannah Greave. 

I^aac, b, d. 1813; m. Hannah Sellers by N. J- 

license, dated 6-19-1759. 

Children of Joshua and Ann (Bailey) Peirce. 

Rachel, b. 7-7-1749; d. 7-29-1838; m. 4-28-1768, Samuel 
Marshall. 

Joshua, b. 5-25-1751 ; d. 10-8-1841 ; m. Sarah Taylor. 

Daniel, b. 11-1-1754; d. 7-27-1826; m. Isabella Harry. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 61 

Isaac, b. 4-4-1756; m. Elizabeth Cloud. 
Olive, b. 1-12-1758; died young or unmarried, 
Ann, b. 12-27-1766; d. 4-7-1848; m. Emmor Williamson, 
1 2-28- 1 79 1. 

Caleb Peirce. son of Joshua and Rachel (Gilpin) Peirce, 
was married 10-22-1755, at Kennet Meeting, to Hannah 
Greave, dau. of Samuel and Sidney (Wynn) Greave, of 
Christiana Hundred, Del. She was born 8-11-1732 and 
died 6-24-1790. 

Joshua Peirce devised to his son Caleb "that part of my 
plantation I now live on, containing 189 acres," since known 
as the Peirce's Park Farm. 

Children of Caleb and Hannah (Greave) Peirce, 

Caleb, b. 7-6-1757; d. 10-15-1796; m. Priscilla Wicker- 
sham. 

Jacob, b. 4-4-1761 ; d. 10-1-1801 ; m. Hannah Buffington. 

Joshua, b. 3-3-1766; m. about 181 1, Susanna Bennett. 

Samuel, twin with Joshua. 

Sidney, b. 10-8-1770; d. 9-24-1811, unmarried. 

The brothers, Joshua and Samuel, planted the well-known 
arboretum. 

Children of Caleb and Priscilla Peirce, of Kennet. 

Hannah, b. 9-26-1782; m. 10-17-1816, Joseph Hq^lan. 

Ann, b. 6-24-1784; m. 10-8-1807, John Garretson. 

Thomas, b. 8-4-1786. 

Samuel, b. 6-3-1790. 

James, b. 1-7-1792. 

Gideon, b. 12-30-1793; d. 4-10-1877; m. Rebecca Lukens. 

Sidney, b. 7-12-1796; d. 12-18-1824; m. Thomas Walter. 

Children of Jacob and Hannah (Buffington) Peirce. 

Jonathan, b. 3-30-1785; d. 1-31-1852; m. Hannah Par- 
lington. 

David, b. 1-Q-1787; d. i-i 5-1862. 

Jacob, b. 1-8-1790; d. 12-19-1867. 

Caleb, b. 5- 15-1793. 

Hannah, b. 11-12-1797; d. 4-15-1876; m. M. Pennell and 
John Cox. 

Rachel, b. g-Q-^jSpo; d. 8-20-1860; m. Robert Lambom. 

PENNOCK 

Christopher Pennock of Cork, Ireland, rnarried, about 
1664, Dorothy Harwood, whose death occurred 5-4-1671. 
They had three children, John b. 6-24-1665, at Cork, and 
died there in childhood: Hannah, b. 6-14-1667, married 



(>2 Bi- Centennial of 

Abraham Gosling, in London: Sarah, b. 4-21- 1669, married 
WiUiam Salway in Philadelphia. 

Christopher married a second wife, Mary Collett, daugh- 
ter of George Collett, of Clonmel, Ireland, in 1672, and it 
appears they came to Philadelphia as early as 1684. Tradi- 
tion says that Christopher was in the service of William of 
Orange, at the Battle of the Boyne, in Ireland, 1690, but the 
evidence is that he was then a card maker in Philadelphia 
and a reputable member of the Society of Friends. For some 
reason his wife was not satisfied with their American home 
and returned to Ireland about 1685, doubtless taking her 
children with her. So far as known these were Mary, b, 
3-12-1673; Nathaniel, d. 1697, without issue; Joseph, b. 11- 
18-1677. The mother died 2-3-1725, at Clonmel. 

Christopher died in Philadelphia in 1700, at which time 
Joseph was in Ireland, but he had arrived at Philadelphia 
about the close of the year 1702, to look after the estate of 
his father and the lands which he had inherited from his 
grandfather, George Collett, who had purchased 5000 acres 
of nnlocated land in Pennsylvania. Of this 500 acres were 
taken up surrounding the spot on which stands Kennet 
Meeting House. Another tract of 515 acres was located in 
Kennet Township, just south of the line of East Marl- 
borough. Two or three other tracts were located on the 
"Street Road," and one of 1250 acres in West Marlborough. 

Joseph Pennock was married May 3d, 1703, at the house 
of Samuel Levis in Springfield Township, by Friends' cere- 
mony, before Jasper Yeates and Jeremiah Collett, Justices, 
to Mary Levis, b. 8-9-1685; d. 11-2-1747/8; daughter of 
Samuel and Elizabeth Levis. 

(The marriage certificate was recorded in the first deed 
book of Chester County, but there has been some perplex- 
ity as to the year in which it is said to have occurred. It 
is given twice in figures and in the first instance it might 
readily be taken for 1703, but in the second it is distinctly 
1705. The supposed figure 3 is of antique form and the 
recorder has doubtless mistaken it for a 5 in its second ap- 
pearance.') 

Joseph and Mary Pennock settled in West Marlborough, 
where, in 1738, they erected "Primitive Hall." They became 
active members of Londongrove Meeting and he was also a 
justice in the courts and for several years a member of 
Assembly. He died 3-27-1771. 

They had twelve children: — Elizabeth, Samuel, William, 



Old Ke7Ui€tt Meeting House 63 

Mary, Joseph, Nathaniel, Joseph 2d, Ann, Sarah, Hannah, 
Levis and Alice. 

The first child, Elizabeth, is said to have been born in 
Marlborough March 23, 1703. Prior to 1752 the year be- 
gan March 25th, so that according to New Style the birth 
was on March 23d, 1704. 

William Pennock, 3d child of Joseph and Mary, was born 
May II, 1707. To him his father conveyed a tract of about 
500 acres of land in East Marlborough, northeast of Kennet 
Square, extending from the Street Road to the Kennet line. 
He produced a certificate to Kennet, from New Garden 
Monthly Meeting, dated 11-25-1734/5. He was married 
10-15-1736, at Londongrove Meeting to Hannah Chamber- 
lin of Sadsbury, who died without issue. Second m. 7-26- 
1739, at Kennet Meeting, to Alice Mendenhall, b. 2-16-1720; 
daughter of Moses and Alice Mendenhall of Kennet. They 
had nine children : — 

Moses, b. 11-23-1740; d. 6-20-1807; m. Grace Thompson. 

Joseph, b. 11-6-1742; m. Hannah Buckingham and Jane 
Wilson. 

Hannah, b. 6-13-1745 ; m. 5-8-1766, John Baily. 

Phebe, b. 7-5-1747; d. 9-21-1821 ; m. about 1765, Jacob 
Way. 

WilHam, b. 2-29-1750; m. May 1773, Mary Martin. 

Caleb, b. 9-28-1752; d. 11-25-1843; m. Ann Thompson, 

Samuel, b. 11-23-1754; d. 7-16-1843 ; m. Mary Hadley. 

Joshua, b. 8-8-1757; d. 8-15-1854; m. Phebe Mendenhall. 

Alice, b. 5-21-1761; d. 9-19-1836; m. Abraham Marshall. 

William Pennock died 10-3-1763, and his land was divided 
between his sons, Moses, Samuel and Joshua, the first ob- 
taining the homestead, now the property of Jonathan Cope- 
Having no children he devised this to his nephew, Moses, 
son of Samuel Pennock. 

Children of Caleb and Ann (Thompson) Pennock. 

Grace, b. 5-17-1777; m. 6-22-1797, Amos Sanders. 

Alice, b. 5-23-1778; m. 4-26-1798, Nathan Sanders. 

Elizabeth, b. 12-3-1779; m. Jeremiah Baily 10-16-1811. 

Sarah, b. 4-19-1782; m. Samuel Sellers 10-17-1810. 

Phebe, b. 7-21-1783; d. 4-17-1849; m. Benjamin Hoopes 
3-22- 18 1 5. 

Amy, b. 9-12-1784; m. John Pyle 5-14-1806, at Marl- 
borough Mtg. 

Hannah, 13. 2-20-1787; d. unmarried. 



64 Bi- Centennial of 

Ann, b. 3-29-1788; m. 5-15-1811, Caleb Mercer. 

Caleb, b. 12-1-1789; m. Hannah Pyle and Mary Dingee, 

Samuel Pennock was married 5-6-1779, at New Garden 
Meeting, to Mary Hadley, b. 7-12-1759; d. 8-4-1840; daugh- 
ter of John and Margaret (Morton) Hadley, of Mill Creek, 
Del. He was a very active member of meeting, filling the 
offices of overseer and elder, and in 1807 was recommended 
as a minister. When Marlborough Meeting was established 
the family attended there until that at Kennet Square was 
opened. The children of Samuel and Mary were: — 

Margaret, b. 3-15-1780; m. 11-19-1801, Thomas Martin, 
at K. Mtg. 

Simoh, b. 9-27-1781 ; m. 11-13-1806, Sarah Lamborn. 

Phebe, b. 10-16-1783; d. 1-9-1846, unmarried. 

Moses, b. 10-14-1786; d. 8-26-1860; m. 3-21-1811, Mary 
Lamborn. 

Elizabeth, b. 3-10-1789. 

John, b. 9-17-1791 ; d. 11-26-1791. 

Amy, b. 6-30-1793. 

Hannah, b. 9-7-1796. 

Mary, b. i -21-1799, 

Moses Pennock married Mary Lamborn, b. 9-1-1786; dau. 
of Robert and Joanna (Townsend) Lamborn of Kennet. 
They lived at the old homestead in East Marlborough and 
had nine children: 

Thamazin, b. 1-11-1S12; d. 10-29-1894; m. Isaac 
Meredith. 

Jesse, b. 5-3-1814; d. 12-12-1862; m. Hannah Yeatman. 

Samuel, b. 10-8-1816; d. 8-19-1903; m. Deborah Yerkes. 

Hannah, b. 1-19-1819. 

Barclay, b. T-26-1821 ; d. 3-9-1858. 

Morton, b. 8-31^1823. 

Edith, b. 11-2-182^ ; living at Kennet Square, unm. 

Joanna, b. 4-30-1828. 

Sarah, b. 9-29-1831 ; d. 4-17-1837. 

PRYOR 

Silas Pfyor, of Chester County, yeoman, was married in 
Philadelphia Meeting to Stisanna Hall of Philadelphia, 10- 
28-1704. As witnesses to the marriage were Thomas 
Pryor, Peter Hall (son of Jarnes Hall, deceased, of Bucks 
County), Nehemiah Allen, Henry and Hannah Giles, with 
36 others. Silas obtaifted a certificate frdrn Newark Mo, 



Old Kennett Meeting House 65 

Mtg. in order to accomplish his marriage, and is frequently 
mentioned in the records. He was appointed an overseer 
3-5-1716, in room of Thomas Wickersham, and was suc- 
ceeded by Ellis Lewis 9-9-1717. He died in 1732, leaving 
a widow and children, Joanna, wife of Thomas Heald, 
James and Joseph. 

ROBERT WAY 

Was perhaps the son of Edward Way of the village of 
Chitto in the parish of Bromham, in Wiltshire, where- I 
found the baptism of one of his name Feb. 21, 1668. 
Some of his descendants have supposed that he was of the 
Ways of New England or Long Island but I have not seen 
proof of this. An Edward Way and a Nathaniel Way were 
in the tax list of Kennet for 171 5, and Edward, although not 
in membership with Friends, was permitted to marry at 
Kennet Meeting, Jean Heald, in 1726. He died in 1744, 
leaving children, John, Martha, William and David. 

Robert Way was a witness at Chester Court loth Mo. 
1686. In 1691 he purchased 150 acres of land on Brandy- 
wine, in Kennet, where he died in 1825. His wife, Hannah, 
was a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth Hickman, and their 
children were John, Robert, Joseph, Jacob, Elizabeth, Fran- 
cis, Caleb, Joshua, James and Benjamin. 

"Robert Way produced a certificate of his Life and Con- 
versation from ye monthly meeting of Chichester dureing ye 
time of his abode amongst ym, wch was Read and accepted 
of" at Newark Mo. Mtg. 12 Mo. 2d 171 1. He had con- 
tributed to a subscription toward a meeting-house and burial 
ground at Chichester in 1697 and probably did not remove 
till near the date of his certificate, 10-10-1711. 

John Way was born 9-1 5-1694. At Newark Mo. Mtg., 
6-1-1724: "Information being brought to this meeting, con- 
cerning John and Jacob Ways being in danger of taking 
wives not according to the way of marriage used amongst 
us, therefore we appoint Thomas HoUingsworth and Sam- 
uel Greaves to go and confer with them and give them to 
understand that if they reject the advice and care allready 
taken and do proceed as above that it necessarily follow to 
give judgment against them for their disorderly doings." 

Nevertheless the young men did as some do now and 
were evidently married that same year, with the result of 
being disowned, — John on 2d Mo. 3d and Jacob 3d Mo: ist 



66 Bi- Centennial of 

1725. Their wives were respectively Ann and Sarah Han- 
num, daughters of John and Margery Hannum of Concord. 

John Way presented an acknowledgment dated 4th Mo. 
2d 1733, and was received again into membership. Ann, 
his wife, was born 3d Mo. 15, 1705, and died 6 Mo. 28, 1800. 
John Way died 8th Mo. 21. 1777. 

At Mo. Mtg. 1st Mo. 2d 1733/4: "Ann Way having been 
under ye Care of Kennett preparative Meeting for some 
time, now desires to sitt in our meetings of Business, which 
after some Consideration thereon is allowed." 

10 Mo. 2, 1738: "Application is made to this meeting for 
Sarah Thatcher, Ann Way and Elizabeth Leavis that they 
may have the priviledg as ministers to seet with the min- 
isters and Elders in their meeting of ministers, Therefore 
we appoints Ellis Lewis Jacob Way Saml Greave & John 
Dixon CMary Lewis Martha Heald & Sarah Greave) to 
inquire into the conversation and ministry of the above said 
ffrds and make report to the next moly meeting." 

,11-6-1738/9: "The fifrds above appointed to Inquire into 
the ministry and conversation of Sarah Thatcher, Ann Way 
and Elizabeth Levis Reports that they finds nothing to ob- 
struct the abovesd request and appoints Ellis Lewis to 
acquaint the ministries meeting concerning them that the 
abovesd request is granted." 

Children of John and Ann Way:— 

Robert, b. 16-27-1725. 

Sarah, b. 8-S-1727; m. James Miller. 

Betty, b. 4-9-1730; m. Jacob Brown. 

John, b. 4-9-1730; m. Hannah Marshall. 

Caleb, b. 11-30-1732; m. Rebecca Mendenhall. 

Rebecca, b. 7-16-1735 ; d. 10-14-1816; m. Abraham Taylor. 

Jacob, b. 10-19-1737; d. 8-3-1812; m. Phebe Pennock. 

Lydia, b. 5-2-1740. 

Ann. b. 4-23-1742; d. 4-14-1834; m. Samson Babb. 

Marv, b. 1-13-1744. 

Ruth, b. 3-T9-1745 ; m. John Baldwin. 

Benjamin, b. 12-27-1746. 

Rachel, b. 6-11-1749; m. Isaac Larkin 3-7-1776. 

Children of Jacob and Phebe "^Vav. (She died 9-21-1821.) 

Alice, b. 4-9-1766; m. Abner Rosrers. 

Ann. b. 1-1-1768; m. Caleb Fntrikin. 

William, b. 1-21-1770; m. Elizabeth Milhous. 

John. b. 2-11-1772; m. Hannah Heald. 

Sarah, b. 12-19-1773 ; d. 3-21-1809. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 67 

Moses, b. 1031-1776; d. 11-24-1825; m. Susanna Wil- 
kinson. 

Lydia, b. 1-11-1779; m. William Huey. 

Jacob, b. 4-28- 1 78 1 ; m. Elizabeth Sharpless and Elizabeth 
Mendenhall. 

Phebe, b. 7-29-1784 ; m. William Sharpless. 

Samuel, b. 8-16-1787; m. Catharine Myers. 

Ruth, b. 8-30-1789; m. Nathan Walton. 

Children of John and Hannah (Marshall) Way. 

Thomas, b. 10-21-1758. 

Phebe, b. 7-29-1760. 

Children of John and Hannah (Heald) Way. 

Phebe, b. 2-7-1796; d. 8-14-1848; m. Pusey Harvey. 

Jacob, b. 7-27-1797; d. 12-2-1848; m. Mary Jackson. 

Joseph, b. 9-22-1799; d. 4-25-1876; m, Lydia P. Cook. 

Mary, b. 8-23-1801 ; d. 12-14-1841. 

Samuel, b. 10-5-1803; d. m. Mary Scarlet 

1 2- 1 6- 1 830. 

John, b. 3-5-1806 ; d. 10-7-1872. 

Chalkley, b. 3-15-1808; d. 6-13-1885; m. Sarah Menden- 
hall. 

Hannah, b. 9-1-1810; m. 11-11-1830, Obed Eachus. 

Ruth Anna, b. 10-11-1812; d. 1-7-1814. 

Pennock, b. 1-21-1817. 

Orpha, b. 1-21-1814. 

Jacob Way, son of Robert and Hannah, presented an 
acknowledgment, 3d Mo. 5th 1732, for his marriage con- 
trary to discipline, which was accepted. He was married 
a 2d time 4-10-1741, to Hannah Harvey, born 6-18-1715; 
d. 3-28-1756; dau. of William Harvey. Third m. 7-3-1758, 
to Lydia (Sharpless) Vernon, who died 11-20-1760. He 
married a 4th time, 6-18-1767. at Kennet Mtg. Mary Whit- 
acre. He died about the ist Month 1777, in Pennsbury. 

Children of Jacob and Sarah (Hannum) Way. 

John, b. 1 2-5- 1 727. 

Ann. b. 4-25-1730 ; m. Jesse Taylor. 

Ruth, b. 12-4-1733; m. John "Bennett. 

Jean. b. 1-11-1736; perhaps died young. 

Joseph, b. 3-23-1737; d. 3-12-T815; m. Prudence Larkin. 

Sarah, b. 8-7-173Q; m. John Hawk. 

By second wife, Hannah Harvev. 

James, b. m. Hannah Marshall 1-21-1773. 

Jane, b. m. William Logan 12- 18- 1770. 



68 Bi- Centennial of 

Rachel, b. m. Thomas Harry 4-6-1769. 

Betty, b. m. Stephen Hayes. 

Hannah, b. 

Amos, b. 

Phebe, b. m, John Holohan. 

WILLIAM WEBB 

Was the son of Richard and EHzabeth Webb, who 
came from Gloucestershire, England, and settled in Bir- 
mingham Township, where Richard died in 1719. His 
widow conveyed to certain trustees the ground on which 
Birmingham Meeting House was erected. 

At Mo. Mtg, at Center, 11 Mo. 7th 1709/10: "William 
Webb and Rebekah Harlan having laid their Intention of 
marriage before this meeting, This meeting having nothing 
to object against their proceedings, but requests a Certifi- 
cate from ye said Willm Webb touching his life and Con- 
versation as also his clearness relating to marriage to be 
produced at our next mo. meeting." 

The certificate which he produced, dated 10 Mo. 12, 1709, 
transferred his membership from Concord to Newark Mo. 
Mtg. The marriage took place i Mo. 22, 1709/10, as shown 
by the certificate preserved by the family. 

William Webb was appointed Clerk of the Mo. Mtg. 
4-28-1718. In 1721 he was appointed to record marriage 
certificates, for which he was to charge two shillings each. 
On 1 2th Mo. 4th 1726/7 he was released from the clerk- 
ship and Moses Mendenhall appointed in his room, and Jos. 
Mendenhall to record marriage certificates. 

In 1 73 1 William Webb obtained a certificate in order to 
take a trading voyage to Barbadoes. 

After this he was commissioned a justice of the peace 
and of the courts for many years; was also elected to the 
Assembly for several years. As a justice he came in con- 
flict with the discipline of Friends by administering oaths, 
and for this was disowned 8-2-1742. He died in Kennet in 
175.?. and his widow, Rebecca, 8-17-1775. 

William Webb, only child so far as known, of William 
and Rebecca, was born 11-13-1710; died about 1764; m. 
9-23-1732, at Middletown Meeting, Elizabeth Hoopes. 
They had five children: — 

Stenhen, b. 12,23,1738; d. 9-8-1787; m. Hannah Harlan. 

William, b. 9-26-1736; d. 6-7-1773; m. Sarah Smith. 

Ezekiel, b. 6 Mo. 1747; d. 5,26,1828; m. Cordelia Jones 
and Elizabeth HoUingsworth. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 69 

Rebecca, b. 5-25-1741 ; d. 7,22,1775; m. Benjamin Taylor, 

Jane, probably died unmarried. 

Stephen Webb married Hannah Harlan, daughter of 
Isaac Harlan and Hannah Few. She died 9-29-1825. They 
lived in Pennsbury Township. 

Children of Stephen and Hannah (Harlan) Webb. 

W^illiam, b. 3-24-1768; d. m. Jane Carpenter. 

Elizabeth, b. 8-18-1770; d. 1-18-1773. 

Rebecca, b. 9- 14- 1772; d. 4- 16- 1859; m. Richard Baker 
6- 1 9- 1 794, 

Ann, b. 8-13-1774; d. 12-1-1855; m. Isaac Bennett 

Stephen, b. 11-29-1776; d. 10-20-1853; m, Mary Harvey 
10- 1 8- 1 798. 

Ezekiel, b. 8-18-1779; d. 9-23-1779. 

Susanna, b. 3 Mo. 1781 ; d. 4 Mo. 1781. 

Hanna, b. 12-17-1782; d. 5,5,1803; m. Nathan Pusey. 

Harlan, b. 10-15-1780; d. 8-8-1791. 

Daniel Webb, son of Richard and Elizabeth of Birming- 
ham, took a certificate from Concord, dated 4-7-1725, and 
was married at Kennet Mtg. 7-28-1727, to Mary Harlan, 
dau. of Ezekiel and Ruth Harlan of Kennet. He purchased 
from her parents the farm adjoining Kennet Mtg. House 
and there died in October 1741. 

Children: — 

Daniel, b. 5-26-1728; d. 6 Mo. 1773; m. Christian Hoopes 
at K. Mtg. 

Elizabeth, b. 6-23-1730. 

George, b. 6-15-1732; d. m. Ann Swayne. 

Ezekiel, b. 1-9-1735. 

Joshua, b, 7-12-1737; m. about 1762, Lydia White, a ist 
cousin. 

Mary, b. 3-2-1750. 

Children of Daniel and Christian (Hoopes) Webb. 

Mary, b. 3-2-1750; m. Jesse Harry 10-27-1768. 

Naomi, b. 1-24-1752; d. 6,16,1801 ; m. John Lambom 11- 
22-1770. 

Daniel, b. 4,5,1754; d. 11-2-1786. 

Ruth, b. 6-30-1756; m. Nathan Jackson. 

Thomas, b. 2-28-1758; d. 1-25-1822; m. Betty Swayne 
and Mary Way. 

Orpha, b. 4-25-1760; d. 2-5-1786; m, Samuel Harlan 

1778. 
Eli, b, 1 1 -23- 1 762. 



70 Bi-Ceniennial of 

Christian Webb was born in Westtown Twp. 8-30-1723; 
d. in Kennet 12-31-1815. It is said that she had 7 children, 
54 grandchildren and 100 great-grandchildren at the time 
of her death. 

WICKERSHAM 

Thomas Wickersham, of Bolney in the county of Sussex, 
England, was married 9-19-1685, at John Grover's house, 
at Hurstperpoint, in Sussex, to Ann Grover, b. 4-27-1668; 
d. 8-24-1697; dau. of John Grover, who was married 7-4- 
1667, to Ann Killingbeck, of Turneham in Sussex. 

He was married a second time, 6-27-1700, at Cow fold, 
to Alice Hogge of Bolney, b, 3-23-1677; dau. of Richard 
Hogge of Ifield in Sussex, weaver, who had married, 2-15- 
1674, at William Carton's house, Alice Pannell of Ifield^ 
spinster. 

Thomas Wickersham obtained a certificate, dated nth of 
the 7th Mo. 1700, from the Monthly Meeting held at 
Hosrham, in Sussex, recommending him with his wife and 
children to Friends in Pennsilvania. This certificate has 
been preserved and is now the property of Lydia C. Skel- 
ton, of Kennet Square. 

Humphrey Killinbeck, perhaps an uncle to his first wife, 
was a purchaser of 1000 acres of land from William Penn, 
by deed of April 13, 1682, and by deed of 7- 12- 1700, con- 
veyed the whole to Thomas Wickersham, — one half for 
himself and the other for his four children by his first wife. 
A warrant was granted 21st of ist Mo. 1 700/1, by which a 
tract of 480 acres was surveyed in East Marlborough, and 
on this they settled. The old homestead is now the prop- 
erty of Abraham Marshall. Another tract, of 500 acres, 
was located in what is now Penn Township, and this was 
for the children. 

Thomas Wickersham and George Robinson were ap- 
pointed overseers in the room of Valentine Hollingsworth 
and George Harlan, 8-6-1705. This was for Centre Meet- 
ing, but on ro-6-1712, Thomas AVickersham and Joel Baily 
were appointed overseers for Kennet. Thomas was also 
appointed, 10-4-1714, as the first elder for Kennet Meet- 
ing. 

Children of Thomas and Ann Wickersham. 

Humphrey, b. 1687? died young or unmarried. 

Thomas, b. 7-19-1691 ; d. 1726; m. 1719, Abigail 

Johnson. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 71 

John, b. 9-4-1693; d. 1742; m. 1-27- 1723, Jane 

Thatcher. 

Ann, b. 2-27-1696; m. Joseph Mercer, 4 Mo. 1719. 

Children of Thomas and Ahce Wickersham. 

Ahce, b. 7-14-1701 ; m. 4-15-1727, VVilHam Wilton. 

Richard, b. 8-1 1-1703: m. 7-i6-[730 Catharine Johnson, 
2d m. 1-14-1740, to Elizabeth McNabb. 

William, b. 2-3-1706; buried 11-13-1788; m. 3-26-1730, 
Rachel Hayes. 

Elizabeth, b. 1 1-13-1708/9; m. Hugh Harry, 1-4-1731. 

James, b. 1712; d. 4-12-1804, aged 92; m. 2-22- 

1736, Ann Eachus. 

Rebecca, b. 4-1-1715; died young or unmarried. 

Isaac, b. 1-28-1721 ; m. 3-1-1744, Mary Widdows. 

Thomas Wickersham, Sen. was recommended as a min- 
ister 4-7-1 718. 

Rachel Hayes, wife of William Wickersham was the 
daughter of Henry Hayes of East Marlborough. He set- 
tled in Newlin Township and was married again, 9-22-1750, 
at Londongrove Meeting, to Jane Hayes, widow of Joseph 
Hayes and dau. of Richard Woodward, of Bradford. His 
3d marriage was 10-4- 1764, at Kennet Mtg., to Eleanor 
Parker, widow of Abraham Parker and dau. of Isaac Rich- 
ardson. 

Children of William and Rachel Wickersham. 

Rachel, m. 1-25-1753, to Francis Fisher. 

Lydia, m. 11-22-1753. John Baily. 

Hannah, m. 11-24-1757, Joel Baily. 

Ruth, m. 5-18-1758, John Marsh." 

William, b. 7-20-1740; d. 8-2-1822; m. 5-23-1764, Elit. 
Pusey. 

Peter, b. 2-16-1743, m. 5-19-1773. Keziah Parker. 

Abigail, m. 5-22-1765, Thomas Windle. 

Alice, m. Joseph Passmore, about 1774. 

James Wickersham married in 1736, Ann Eachus, dau. 
of Robert Eachus and Elizabeth Harry, of Goshen Town- 
ship. They resided in East Marlborough and attended 
Kennet Meeting, in which James filleH the stations of over- 
seer and elder. Thev had ten children: 

Abel, b. 1-15-1736/7; m. 4-13-1766, Sarah Sellers. 

Enoch, b. 2-1-1730: m. 8-15-1764, Elizabeth Hnrford. 

Jesse, b. 12-17-1741/2; m. 10-16-1771, Ann Griffith. 

James, b. 11-30-1743/4; went to York County, Pa. 



72 Bi-Centennial of 

Jehu, b. 5-30-1746; went to North Carolina. 

Thomas, b. 2-5-1749; probably died unmarried. 

Sampson, b. 1-20-1750/1 ; m, 11 -22-1775, Elizabeth Jack- 
son. 

Abner, b. 4-26-1754; m. 4-19-1781, Mary Taylor. 

Priscilla, b. 12-25-1756; m. 3-29-1781, Caleb Peirce. 

Elizabeth, b. 7-31-1760; m. 10-20-1785, Moses Peirce. 

Children of Peter and Keziah (Parker) Wickersham of 
Newlin. 

Parker, b. 12-24-1773. 

Lydia, b. 2-22-1776. 

Elizabeth, b. 10-11-1778. 

Rachel, b. 10-26-1781. 

Isaac, b. 2-29-1784; m. 3-13-1823, Julia Swayne. 

John, b. 7-29-1786; d. 4-3-1811. 

William, b. 6-10-1789; m. 11-20-1817, Ann Worth. 

Peter, b. 1-31-1792. 

William Wickersham, Jr., married, in 1764, Elizabeth 
Pusey, b. 10-11-1743; d. 4-12-1813; dau. of William and 
Mary Pusey of West Marlborough. They resided in New- 
lin Township. They were members of Londongrove Meet- 
ing until Marlborough was established, when they were 
joined to that. They had eleven children. 

Caleb, b. 2-25-1765; d. 5-4-1850; m. Rachel Swayne 11- 

5-1789- 

Mary, b. 9-4-1766; m. 1-9-1793, Amos Harry. 

Rachel, b. 4-13-1769; m. 5-11-1836, Job Hayes. 

William, b. 5-15-1771. 

Amos, b. 5-22-1773 ; m. Amy Ward. 

Thomas, b. 2- 18- 1775 ; m. Ruth Connor. He died 12-12- 

Enoch, b. 5-18-1777. d. 9-23-1849. 

Hannah, b. 10-23-1779; m. William Cloud 10-12-1808. 

Reuben, b. 4-19-1782 ; m. Hannah Sellers. 

Elizabeth, b. 9-21-1784; d. 9-7-1812. 

Jane. b. 10-16-1787; m. 12-26-1810, Jonathan Sellers. 

Abner Wickersham, son of James, m. in 1781 Mary Tay- 
lor, dau. of Joseph and Hannah (Johnson) Taylor, of West 
Bradford. They resided in East Marlborough and had 
four children. 

Ann, b. 2-3-1782; m. Thomas Milhous. 

Joseph, b. 4-25-1784. 

Enoch, b. 7-21-1786; m. 4-12-1815, Ann Wickersham- 



Old Kennett Meeting House 73 

Ellis, b. 3-24-1789; d. 12-24-1880, in Stark Co., Ohio. 

Caleb Wickersham, son of William and Elizabeth, mar- 
ried Rachel Swayne, b. i -2-1 765 ; d. 3-21-1815; dau. of 
Samuel and Hannah Swayne of East Marlborough. They 
resided in Newlin Township and had ten children. 

Hannah, b. 12-18-1790; d. 11-10-1804. 

Joshua, b. 8-17-1792; d, 1 0-8-1 825 ; m. Ehza Taylor. 

Ann, b. 2-13-1795 ; m. 4-12-1815, Enoch Wickersham. 

Caleb, b. 12-10-1796; d. 1874; m. 3-10-1824 Abi- 

gail Pyle. 

Phebe, b. 4-TI-1799; d. 2-3-1866; m. William House. 

Esther, b. 1-13-1802; d. unmarried. 

Samuel, b. 5-31-1804; m. Lydia Peirce. 

Nathan, b. 8-14-1806; m. Eliza Townsend. 

Eliza, b. 8-13-1809; d. 3-30-1876, unm. ; bur. at Marl- 
borough. 

Swayne, b. 11-6-1812; d. 10-29-1830. 

FROM RECORDS OF KENNETT MONTHLY MEETING 

♦Abraham Taylor complained of by Kennet Meeting, 9-15- 
1774, "for accepting of the Office of a Collector of the 
Provincial Tax for hire and hath Made Distraint of 
some friends' Goods who Conscientiously Refused to 
Pay it and made public sale of said Goods." His 
acknowledgment accepted 12- 15- 1774. 

* Abraham Marshall complained of by Kennet Meeting for 
"being concerned in Training in Military Services and 
Justifies his Conduct therein." Disowned 5-16-1776. 

*James Pyle, son of Samuel, complained of by Kennet Meet- 
ing, 10-17-1776, for "suffering himself to be enlisted 
as a souldier and for taking upon him the authority 
and Enlisting others ;" also for marriage by a priest to 
a young woman without her parents' consent: Dis- 
owned 1 2- 1 2- 1 776. 

John Plollingsworth complained of by Center Meeting, 
11-T4-1776, for suffering his name to be entered in the 
muster roll to learn the art of war and being active 
in mustering. Acknowledgment accepted 2-13-1777. 

♦Adam Seed complained of by Kennet, 3-13-1777, "for 
undertaking and Ingaging in Military Preparations so 
far as to make or Cause to be made several Carriage 
Wheels for Cannon." Acknowledgment accepted 
9-18-1777. 



74- Bi- Lenie7inial of 

♦William Harvey, Jr., complained of by Kennet, 3-13-1777, 
lor appearing m a Warlike Manner with a t^ompany 
of Others. Uisowned 7-16-1778. 

David Baiiy complained of by i^enter, 5- 15- 1777, "for 
suffering his name to be entered in the Military Asso- 
ciation c!r warn the Inhabitants together in order to 
Choose Officers, & also gave his \^ote." 9-18-1778: 
He has gone to Virginia to see his father who sent for 
him. L'isowned 9-17-1778: — had "notifyed ye Inhab- 
itants of Kennet to meet to choose officers of war," &c. 

♦Ezekiel Webb complained ot by Kennet, 6- 12- 1777, for 
ad-vertising a Towns meeting in order to choose a Col- 
lector of arms agreeable to a resolve of the Assembly. 
His acknowledgment accepted 8-14-1777. 

*Paschal Milhous complained of by Kennet, lO-i 5-1778, 
for taking a Test, the tendency of which is inconsistent 
with our religious principles, and ordering his substi- 
tute fne to be paid. Disowned 1-14-1779. 

*Joseph Musgrave admits, 11-12-1778, that he has taken the 
test. He also acknowledges, 3-11-1779, that he paid a 
fine for not appearing under arms or finding a substi- 
tute. Disowned 4- 15- 1779. 

James Hannum complained of by Center, 11-12-1778, for 
taking a Test, paying a substitute fine and accepting 
an ofPce. Disowned 4-1 5-1779, he having also married 
out of meeting. 

David Mercer complained of, 2-11-1779, for "going with 
his Team & driving it when pressed into ye military 
service, & for paying a fine for not mustering." Ac- 
knoM'ledgment accepted 5-11-1780. 

David Hollingsworth, of Center Meeting, 2-11-1779, "hath 
been so far concerned in a Military Service as to send 
a Hand to take care of & drive his Team Avhen pressed 
into that service." Acknowledgment accepted 5-17-81. 

Thomas Temple Jr. complained of by Kennet, 11-13-1778, 
for taking a test and some other misconduct. Disowned 

4-15-79- 

♦Members of Kennet Mtg. 

*Isaac Tavlor, of Kennet Meeting, having been complained 
of for attending a disorderly marriage, admitted, 3- 
I1-1779, that he had been "so far concerned in military 
service as to go when ve Team that was under bis care 
was pressed & drawed stores for that purpose." His 
acknowledgment accepted 4- 15- 1779. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 75 

Samuel G reave complained of by Center for encouraging 
horse racing; "also for paying a fine for not mustermg, 
& for gomg with his Team to draw military stores when 
pressed by that People." Disowned 8-12-1779, having 
also married out of meeting. 

^Joseph Erinton, son of John, complained of by Kennet, 
3-11-1779, for paying a fine imposed for ye purpose of 
carrymg on war, called a substitute fine. 9-16-1779: 
He "has associated to learn the art of War, also hath 
assisted in laying a Tax fore ye support thereof," and 
is disowned. 

Jesse Green complained of by Center, 5-13-1779, for suffer- 
ing his name to be entered in ye muster Roll ; also 
mustered to learn ye art of War, and when called upon 
went out to Camp. Disowned 7- 15- 1779. 

*Jesse Harry "has given an order in Lieu of paying his 
substitute Fine, which order was to receive pay for 
one of his Cattle that was some time before forcibly 
taken for ye use of ye Army ; likewise going with his 
Team when pressed to draw some effects of his Neigh- 
bours that was taken in like manner." Acknowledg- 
ment accepted 11-11-1779, 

*Amos Harry complained of by Kennet, 5-13-1779, for giv- 
ing an order instead of paying a substitute fine. Ac- 
knowledgment accepted 9-16-1779. 

*Isaac Baily the elder, Kennet Meeting, "has paid part of 
ye Bounty for ye encouragement of a Waggon & 
Horses to go in ye military service;" for w^hich his 
acknowledgment is accepted 5- 13- 1779. 

*James Bennett, of Kennet Meeting, offered the following, 
6-17-1779, which was accepted: 
To Kennet Mo. Meeting, 

friends, I am free to acknowledge that when two armed 
men came to my House & demanded a Blanket of me, 
that I ordered one to be handed to them, which they 
left pay for & I made use of it, but have had iust cause 
to reflect on my misconduct therein : & some time after- 
wards complyed to go Mn'th my Team to draw fifty 
Bushels of Wheat to ye mill, which they demanded of 
me : also consented for another Person to take an order 
that v/as given for a Horse that was pressed from me 
to answer a demand of substitute fine they had aerainst 
him ; altho I forbid that any part of said order should 



76 Bi- Centennial of 

go towards paying ye demand they had against me, 
which he informed them, nevertheless when they re- 
ceived ye order took it for satisfaction for both de- 
mands : which misconduct I have often to reflect on and 
acknowledge unto others to my shame ; with desires 
that I may be preserved from giving way when trials 
come. 

JAMES BENNETT 

* William Allen complained of by Kennet, 7- 15- 1779, for 
redeeming his horse that was taken for a substitute 
fine. His acknowledgment accepted 11-11-1779. 

Solomon Gregg hath so far joined with War as to Muster 
or exercise to learn the art of it, 9-16-1779: Disowned 
1 2- 1 6- 1 779. 

*Abner Wickersham complained of by Kennet, 11-11-1779, 
"for consenting to a Substitute fine being paid to relieve 
him out of confinement ; & allowed ye money in a settle- 
ment with ye man that paid it." Acknowledgment ac- 
cepted 12-16-1779. 

*George Leonard complained of by Kennet, 11-18-1779, for 
taking a Test ; also for marriage by a priest to a mem- 
ber: Disowned 4- 13- 1780. 

*Joshua Cloud complained of, i-i 3-1780, for paying part 
of a Demand to hire a substitute to go to War. 2-17- 
1780: he justifies his conduct in paying a fine for not 
appearing in arms. Disowned 12-15-1780. 

Peter Harvey is complained of "for accepting of an ofifice 
to assist in layin? a tax that many friends could not 
be free to pay ; & it is apprehended he has taken a Test, 
ye Tendency of which is inconsistent with our Religious 
Pfiriciplps : also paved what is called ye Substitute 
Fine which he does not endeavor to clear himself of." 
Disowned 8- 17- 1780. 

♦Isaac Peirce, Jr. complained of, 1-13-1780, for marriage 
by a Baptist Teacher, and it appears, 2-17-1780. that 
by his own confession he consented to a neighbor's 
paying: a Substitute fine demanded of him and after- 
ward allowed it to him in a settlement. Disowned 3- 
16-1780. 

♦Thomas Calvert complained of, 2-17-1780, for payinsf^ a 
fine for not associati^or to learn ve art of War. Dis- 
owned 10-12-T780. Kennet Meeting. 

William Underwood complained of by Center for neglect- 
ing meetings, and it is apprehended he has taken a 



Old Kenneit Meeting House 77 

Test, Disowned 10-12-1780. 
Vincent Stubbs complained of, 5-11-1780, for paying that 
called ye Substitute Fine and taking a Test: Disowned 
11-16-1780. Center Meeting. 

*Robert Lamborn makes acknowledgment, 8-17-1780: "I 
having had my Education amongst friends But through 
Inadvertancy have Erred In shoeing or ordering to be 
shod Divers_ horses (when Impress'd from friends) 
to go on ;RIilitary servises the Inconsistency of such 
Conduct with our peaceable principle I have since been 
favoured to see ; And for the Clearance of our Chris- 
^^^r\T^^^^"^'°"y ^ *6 Witness in my self am made 
Willing to Give this as a testimony against it, Hopeing 
with Divine assistance to be more Circumspect In 
future. 

*Benjamin Taylor fwho had removed to East Cain) admits 
that he had paid a Tax layed in order to raise ]\Ionev to 
give as a Bountv to hire ]\Ien to go as Soldiers. Dis- 
owned IT-16-1780. Kennet Meeting. 

*Nathan Harry complained of by Kennet, 3-1 5-1 781, for 
paying a fine for not going to learn the art of war; and 
hath remarkably neglected ye attendance of meeings. 
His acknowledgment accepted 5-16-1782. 

♦Benjamin Seal complained of by Kennet for appearing 
with ye Militia to learn ye art of War. Acknowledg- 
ment accepted 10-11-1781. 

*Evan Harry complained of, 11-22-1781, for neglecting 
meetings and paying a Tax said to hire a Man to go to 
ye War. Disowned 2-14-17S2. 

John Story comnlained of, 2-14-1782, for paying a tax as a 
Eountv to hire a Man to go out to War. Disowned 
7-11-1782. 

*William Cloud complained of. 4-11-1782, for paying a Tax 
said to be a Bountv to hire a Man to go to' War. Ac- 
knowledgment accepted 4-17-1783. 

John Boyce complained of, 6-13-1782, for paying a muster- 
fine and other demands for the Puroose of War. Dis- 
owned 8-16-T782. having also married out of meeting. 

Adam Kirk comnlained of, 6-13-1782. for paying a Fine for 
not Mustering. Disowned TI-14-1782. 

Esther Kirk offers an acknowledgment, 10-17-1782, for pay- 
ing a Fine for ye purpose of War. Accepted. 

Martha Chandler, "With the allowance of the Women's 



78 Bi-Cenfennia/ of 

Meeting, appeared here & offered a Paper acknowledg- 
ing- her Misconduct in paying Money to redeem Goods 
taken from her Husband for Demands made for the 
pu.rpose of War." Accepted 8-i 5-1782. 

*Notes from Diary of Piannah ( Greaves j Peirce, daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Sidney VVynn Greaves, wife of Caieb 
Peirce and grandmother of Hannah Cox, Ann Garretson, 
Mary Ann Stebbins, George Peirce, Sidney Curtis and 
others. 

In 1769 she gradually lost the use of her lower limbs and 
in a few years was helpless. She died in 1790. Her home 
being near the Kennet Meeting house many Friends stopped 
there and held a short meeting. On account of her not being 
able to attend meeting, on motion of Friend Thomas Carle- 
ton a meeting was held at her home on the 28tli of 7th mo. 
1771. 

On the 15th of 8th month came our Friends Saml East- 
burn, Zebulon FTeston and Samuel Smith, who though un- 
expected were very acceptable guests. My love from my 
childhood toward honest hearted Friends, whether public 
or private members and my regard for such hath increased 
with my years ; the company of whom is now more com- 
fortable than any can imagine except they know it by 
experience. The evening we spent mostly in pleasant con- 
versation and next morning they came and sat in my room 
when some words were dropped to Edification and comfort. 

1771, 20th of 8th Month. John Churchman and Samuel 
Neal, the latter from Ireland, visited us on their way to 
Kennet Meeting. After the meeting Friends Patience Bray- 
ton from New England and Rebecca Wright came and held 
a short meeting. In the same year Joseph Oxley from Eng- 
land stopped with us and held a short meeting. 

1772, 2/1 th of 5th Month, Friend Thos. Carleton and 
Friend W^m. Brown of London Grove visited us after 
Kennet Meeting. 

177?, 2nd Mo. 13th : Two Friends from New England, 
Mehitabel and Sarah Jenkins held a short meeting. 

iTth of /ith Mo. 1773: Thos. Carleton having again pro- 
posed a meeting at our home in the afternoon Friends met 
and a precious ODportunity it was to me in particular as I 
experienced it to be a time of great renewing of the Father's 
Love to my soul which T have need to be truly thankful for. 

'^77?<', Z^ Month. Friend John Churchman and Isaac 
Everett and some others came. They sat with me in my 



Old JCenneit Meeting House 79 

chamber and soon dropped into a sweet silence which re- 
mained a considerable time. When they took leave and 
departed towards the Quarterly Meeting. Such who know 
how and where to look when silence covers the mind often 
meet with secret Instruction. 1 believe there is a great 
advantage to be reaped in such opportunities ; ho\vever I 
think they have been serviceable to me long before I was 
deprived of the liberty of v^^alking about & going to meet 
with my beloved Friends. I love silence yet, and wish that 
people more generally were better acquainted vvith an invv^ard 
exercise in that state, it often prepares the heart to receiv 
heavenly showers to more advantage and lasting benefit as 
many in this age can bear witness to. May the number of 
such witnesses be increased is the sincere desire of my mind. 

1773, 1 6th of 8th Mo. Friend Sarah Janney from Fair- 
fax and John Churchman and others stopped on way to 
Kennett Meeting. 

1777, nth of 9th Month, being the day on vvhich that 
called the Brandywine battle happened, was a very trying 
time, the English army marching thro the neighborhood and 
as it was the usual time for holding Kennett Monthly 
Meeting it appeared difficult for Friends to get there yet 
Hannah Churchman from Nottingham feeling a religious 
constraint and accompanied by a man Friend a neighbor 
came here in order to attend the meetinsj, which gave en- 
couragement to some of our family, so that two went with 
them to the meeting bouse where several others met and 
were glad to see each other as I understood afterwards. My 
Dear Friend Hannah Churchm.an returned after meeting, 
her coming at this time was remarkable as she had to travel 
on the road where the British army or a part of it had just 
before passed along and her company and good advice was 
comfortable to me who was very weak and much tried with 
the uproar attending this time of outward War. 

On the i6th of nth month there came to our house Light 
Horseman to the number of 19 or 20 with two prisoners. 
They were rude and noisy but went away next morning 
prettv quietly. 

^Jl"^^ 3rd day meeting in 2d Month we were visited by 
Isaac Zane & others. Isaac had been labouring with the 
ruler in poAver for the relief of our Friends who had been 
banished from, their families in Philadelphia to Winchester 
in Virginia and had also been to visit them, being now on 
his return homev^ard. 



80 Bi- Centennial of 

1 78 1. At the time of Yearly Meeting came my friend 
Eliza Nichols & several others after Kennett Meeting, they 
dined and afterward sat silent. 

*( Furnished by George P. Stebbins, Omaha, Neb.) 

The minutes of the women's meeting say: — "At Kennett 
M. Meeting held the nth of ye 9 mo. 1777, but a few 
friends met by Reason of the Army Passing along at the 
time of meeting but the few That met after a time of siting 
to gether adjourned the Meeting to the i8th of this Month." 

Men's minutes make no allusion to a meeting on the nth, 
but on the 18th is the following minute: 

"A concern arising in this meeting for ye distressed In- 
habitants amongst us who have suffered by ye armies, there- 
fore it is recommended to Friends in general to encourage 
Benevolence & Charity by distributing of their substance 
to. such as they may think are in want; and Joshua Way, 
James Bennett, Amos Harvey, Thos Carleton, Junr. Caleb 
Peirce, Thomas Gibson, Thomas Chandler Junr, John Mar- 
shal & James Wilson are particularly appointed to Inspect 
& endeavour to relieve such as are in distress, either for 
want of Victuals, Clothes or other necessaries." 

KENNETT TAX RATE IN 1715 

i s d 

*Gayen Miller o 8 6 

*Michael Harlin o 5 6 

*Robert Way o 6 o 

*Ezekiel Harlin o 12 o 

*Aaron Harlin o 5 6 

♦John Hopes O 3 7 

*Isaac ffew o 3 6 

*Samuel Heald 020 

*William Levis O 8 4 

♦Moses Harlin - o 4 2 

♦William Harvey o 3 O 

♦William Webb O 4 2 

♦Silas Pryor O 7 6 

♦John Heald 034 

♦Val. HolHnersworth o 2 9 

♦Alexander ffraser o 2 10 

Daniel Magf arsin o 3 o 

♦James Harlin o 2 6 

♦Joshua Harlin o 2 6 



Old Kennett Meeting Hozise 81 

*Caleb Prue o 2 8 

♦Samuel Hall O 2 O 

William Barns o 2 o 

♦Richard Cox O 3 2 

♦Joseph Cox o I O 

♦Richard filetcher o I 8 

♦Thomas ffisher o I 10 

John Battin O 2 10 

Thomas Robinson o 2 9 

♦Mary Stewart O 4 O 

William Shewin o l 6 

Edmund Butcher O i O 

♦Joseph Taylor o 6 o 

♦Evan Harry o 4 4 

♦William Home o 6 3 

John Gregg for 600a o 3 4 

ffree Men 

♦Peter Dix o 4 O 

♦John Cox O 4 O 

♦John Way O 4 O 

Edward Way O 4 O 

Nathaniel Way O 4 O 

Charles Jones O 4 O 

Robert Hollin o 4 O 

*James Bruce o 4 o 



Total 8 10 

* 32 Friends. 
II others. 




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Reminiscences 

Edward T. Harlan. 

"How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood, 
When fond recollection presents them to view ! 

The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled wildwood, 
And every loved spot which my infancy knew." 

These words of the poet Samuel Woodworth, fittingly 
express my feelings, as I revolve in my memory the inci- 
dents and events connected with this dear old Meeting dur- 
ing the years of my life it was my privilege to live in this 
immediate vicinity, and it is a great satisfaction and pleasure 
to be present to-day at this Bi-Centennial celebration. 

It is impossible to estimate the good that has been accom- 
plished in the world on account of the meetings that have 
been held at this spot, sacred to so many of us who are now 
assembled here, and I feel it would be fitting for us all to 
-oflFer a silent prayer of thankfulness for the lives of those 
noble men and women, who have here, by vocal ministry or 
otherwise, contributed to the uplift of humanity. 

My earliest remembrances of Old Kennett are almost 
the same as of my own home, as they were situated so nearly 
together. About 65 years ago, the limit of my remem- 
brance, the Society of Friends were pioneers in educational 
matters, and the Yearly Meeting gave much earnest and 
practical advice in relation to the settlement of schools. As 
early as 1787 Kennett monthly meeting prepared a series 
of rules for the use of its preparative meetings in raising a 
fund for the promotion of schools. 

One of these early school houses, named Woodside, stood 
on the eastern end of the cemetery, shaded by a venerable 
chestnut tree. I can dimly see a large square room, with an 
attic, for a play-room, the desks placed around against the 
wall, benches without backs, a desk for the teacher, a huge 
wood stove in the center of the room, and a nass, being a 
small paddle with the words "Tn" and "Out" written on 
its opposite sides. In this quaint old house my ancestors 
attended school. 

84^ 



Old Kennett Meeting House 85 

During the early years of my life old Kennett meeting was 
a place of worship for our family, and First-day morning 
usually found some or all of us in our accustomed places — 
the males of the family entering by one door, and the 
females by the other, as was then the custom, a high, 
movable v/ooden partition separating the two portions of the 
house. Two large square wood stoves, with long pipes, 
afforded a warm but drowsy temperature. On the back- 
rests of the heavy wood benches were carved the initials 
of some youth who had not yet learned to concentrate his 
mind on spiritual things, and who was anxiously awaiting 
the time when the two elderly men who sat at the "head of 
the meeting" would reach their hands to each other. 

During some of these meetings the silence was so in- 
tense that a mouse would venture within the sacred fold 
of worshippers. 

The primitive costumes of Friends, the scoop bonnet for 
women, the broad brimmed hat and black silk stock for men, 
were still in evidence, but in a few years were replaced by 
the casing bonnet and spencer dress, and narrov/er brimmed 
hat ; this was a most modest and beautiful costume, and these 
galleries were usually filled with old and middle aged mem- 
bers, thus robed, making a most impressive foreground for 
us young members, who were wont to look to them for 
words of encouragement, and were not disappointed. 

We look in vain for this form of dress on this Two 
Hundredth Anniversary, but must be content with what 
remains a pleasant memory. 

The improvement in the means of rapid transit to-day 
through steam and electricity recalls to mind the slow prog- 
ress made by our ancestors in "getting about." Many 
Friends rode to meeting on horse-back, this made necessary 
the horse-block situated near the women's end of the build- 
ing; a few rode in heavy cumbrous chairs, I recall one 
Phoebe Thomas and friend. A portion of one of these old 
gigs or chairs as they were called was in the possession of 
our family until i860 when it was converted into a sleigh bed. 

The hearse in use by Caleb Mendenhall, both preacher 
and undertaker, was a two-wheeled vehicle of small dimen- 
sions, with seat for driver in front, and door in rear just 
large enough to admit the solid walnut coffin, which was 
gently lowered into the prepared grave without case or 
cover except mother earth. 



A 



86 Bi- Centennial of 

The cemetery was a grassy, briery mass of unmarked 

\ mounds, the first sexton was a colored man named Doc. 

"^ Ay res, followed by Bowman Taylor, Daniel Mercer and 

Arthur Waterman. The sheds were divided, one portion 

for single horses, the other for vehicles. 

One of my colleagues reminds me of the impressiveness 
of the sermons of Caleb Mendenhall, he once arose and 
said : "How great a fire a small spark kindleth." This fomid 
a lodgment in her heart, and has often proven a source of 
counsel. It is still applicable to-day. 

Of our ministers, I recall, Sarah T. Pierson, Hannah 
Sharpiess, Margaretta Walton, Anne Singerly, Lydia J. Har- 
lan, Lydia Price, Benjamin Kent, Enoch Hannum and 
others. Some of these spoke in a voice of wonderful sweet- 
ness and strength, others using the chant peculiar to the sect 
at that time. 

From 1840 to i860 there was a wide ferment of thought 
concerning the social and educational reformation of man- 
1 kind, many of our friends believing the institution of slavery 
M was wrong both in principle and practice deemed it a duty 
no less than a privilege to enter their protest against it, and 
use their most strenuous efforts to abolish it, and declared 
themselves in favor of its immediate and unconditional 
abolition in every State where it existed. Their enthusiasm 
led them to insist that public anti-slavery meetings should 
be held at this place, but not having the full unity of the 
meeting when they assembled, the doors were closed, and 
only opened by forcible means. 

These meetings were largely attended, John Sydney Jones, 
of Philadelphia, addressing overflow gatherings in the yard. 

An aged colored woman, Sojourner Truth, an ex-slave, 
spoke upon being embraced by one of the ardent woman 
friends ; John Sydney exclaimed, "Good for Aunt Chloe." 

Many members of this and adjoining meetings began to 
seek for some ampler method of expression which would 
bring them into closer sympathy with each other, from 
this union came Longwood meeting of Progressive Friends. 

About 1872, Joseph M. Truman, Jr., and other friends, 
visited this meeting and assisted in forming a First-day 
school, which continued with superintendent, secretary, 
teachers and overseers until the fall of 1892. A class for 
adults. Eliza J. Slack, teacher, and one for children, Hanna 
W. Mendenhall. teacher, were continued until 4th Mo. 8th 



Old Kennett Meeting House 87 

1900, when school reopened with superintendent and secre- 
tary and the same two teachers. In two years Hanna W. 
Mendenhall removed to West Chester, and the school was 
laid down for want of efficient help, with much regret. 
School was in operation 29 years, Anna Eliza Webb, super- 
intendent, 17 years; Eliza J. Slack, secretary, 18 years. 
Hannah W. Mendenhall has the longest record of service, 
haying been identified with the school continuously until its 
adjournment. 

"Names and appearances fade from memory, but some 
events are never forgotten." Notes from my old diaries 
recall many special meetings and funerals which have been 
held here, ist Mo. i6th 1861, nearly all the boys from 
Fairville Institute attended meeting. Edwin Euffington, 
Jesse Darlington, Swithin Shortledge, William T. Menden- 
hall, being amongst the number. 2nd Mo. 4th 1868, monthly 
meeting held a conference in regard to raising funds for 
Swarthmore College. 

2nd Mo. 7th, 1869, visiting friends appointed by the 
Quarterly meeting. 

8th Mo. 9th, 1873, Cyrus Lamborn's 90th birth was cele- 
brated at this place. It was a surprise to him, 150 persons 
were in attendance. Had good speaking; a tribute of re- 
spect, a poem, a letter from his son Henry, in Illinois, were 
read. Dinner was served to all. 

5th Mo. 2nd, 1875, Edwin Sharpless and Isaac Morgan. 
members of the other branch of Friends, held a meeting in 
the afternoon. It was largely attended. 

3rd Mo. nth, 1877. Circular meeting. 

1st Mo. 19th, 1878. John J. Cornell delivered a most 
powerful sermon. 

One of the most lamentable deaths of which I have 
record is that of Rachel Sharpless. She was a school 
teacher, 18 years of age, and was murdered as she was 
entering her schoolhouse. She was buried here in 1850. 

2nd Mo. i6th, i860, my mother was laid to rest in our 
family plot, where lay a number of our ancestors. 

Grandfather's date of death, 7 Mo. 26th, 1818. 

Father's date of death, 7 Mo. 31st, 1878. 

Daughter's date of death, 8 Mo. 29th, 1882. 

Mother, Lydia J., date of death, 12 Mo. 17th, 1898. 

At Monthly meeting held 2nd Mo. 3rd. 1874, the Trustees 
were newly appointed. They met on "2nd Mo. loth, and de- 



88 Bi- Centennial of 

cided to improve the cemetery. A drive was laid out, lots 
sold, trees planted. One generous member devoting time 
and money to remaking and marking, where it could be 
done, about 200 old neglected graves. Since this time care 
and attention have been bestowed on the yard, and it is a 
comfort and pleasure to visit the dear old place. 

The old records of the meeting tell us of innumerable wed- 
dings which took place here, but during the period of time 
included in these reminiscences, the nearest approach to 
weddings was lOth Mo. 9th, 1864, when William T. Men- 
denhall and his wife, Hanna Way Mendenhall, with their 
bridal party, attended meeting. 

And also 9th Mo. 30th, 1865, when my wife and myself 
attended meeting accompanied by our bridal party ; the 
house was well filled, and words of wisdom fell from the 
lips of our venerated friend, Sarah T. Pierson. making a 
deep impression on some of the party who had never at- 
tended friends meeting before. This custom of making ap- 
pearance at meeting contrasts strangely with the present 
custom of temporary seclusion. 

Since 1882 I have not been in touch with the meeting, 
having removed to Philadelphia at that time, but no doubt 
there are many interesting incidents which can be related by 
those who have been in regular attendance. 

May the teachings of divine insuiration so ably presented 
here, guide us through the remainder of our lives. 



The Moral and Religious Influence 
of Friends 

Isaac Sharpless. 

In the year 1712 the Episcopal minister, whose headquar- 
ters were at Chester, wrote as follows : 

"The Flock committed to my charge is indeed small, but, 
God be thanked, generally sound, which is as much as can 
well be expected considering the genius of the bulk of the 
people among whom we live. I need not tell you that Quaker- 
ism is generally preferred in Pennsylvania and in no county 
of the province does the haughty tribe appear more rampant 
than where I reside, there being by modest computation 20 
Quakers, besides dissenters, to one true Churchman." 

This evidence from an unfriendly hand agrees with what 
we know from many other sources, that the county of which 
he speaks, Chester County (it then included also Delaware), 
had a large and controlling majority of Friends. Indeed 
if one will take the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania, cut 
off the lower section of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, 
and include Delaware, the greater part of Chester and some 
of Lancaster, the country portions were, almost exclusively 
Friendly. In a great many districts, such as the one about 
here, almost every acre was owned by Friends. They had 
complete control of the politics of the three counties prior 
to the Revolution. Their meeting-houses were practically 
the only places of worship for the community, and the 
Quaker type of character was the recognized development of 
Christianity. 

Up to the time of the Revolutionary War they were active 
participants in politics, though twenty years prior to this 
date their members had resigned from the Legislature rather 
than be responsible for the Indian War which was precipi- 
tated upon the province by the action of the Governor. The 
Revolutionary War, however, changed the character of 
Quakerism rather fundamentally. I doubt whether the 
Quaker historians in general have appreciated this fact as 
they should and in order to understand the conditions which 

89 



90 Bi- Cetiienmal of 

had prevailed in this county since that time, and so speak of 
the subject which has been assigned to me, — the moral and 
religious mfluence of Friends m Chester County, — it will 
be desirable that I should, a little in detail, take up this 
great national movement which was not only a revolution in 
the afl'airs of general government, but a revolution in 
Quaker thought and habit as well. 

It is probably not correct to say that the Friends were 
Tories in the Revolution, if by Toryism one means sym- 
pathy with the British crown and its exactions. Some of 
the more influential merchants of Philadelphia, undoubtedly 
were, as were their counterparts in New York and Boston, 
but there is very little evidence that the body of Friends 
sympathized with the British. Their official attitude was 
one of neutrality, not because they believed the American 
side was in the wrong, but because they believed that war 
and revolution were not justifiable under the circumstances. 
Something like four hundred of them were disowned by the 
Monthly Meetings for actively joining the American cause. 
So far as I know, there are no records of more than a half 
dozen wdio were similarly treated for active participation 
with the British, and I suppose that these four hundred men 
who joined the Continental Army or who took part in the 
State government, represented a considerable population 
who were prevented by their peaceful scruples from join- 
ing the movement. 

The Yearly Meeting as a whole adopted a policy of non- 
participation in government as a result of the war and the 
quiet unaggressive spirit which had been developing in the 
Society some years prior to the Revolution was brought to a 
head by the stress and strain of war times. The Friends 
seem keenly to have felt the change which resulted in their 
position before the public. Hitherto they had been the 
rulers of the State and had impressed themselves upon its 
institutions. Now they were, over large districts, unpopular 
and proscribed and often penalized by fines and imprison- 
ment. It seemed to them that this might partly be due to 
their unfaithfulness. In the midst of the struggle their 
Yearly Meeting urged what is called "a reformation." That 
reformation was worked out through all the subordinate 
sections with great fidelity and the products^ of it had a 
permanent eflFect upon the succeeding generations down to 
the present time. It impressed several features : 



Old Kennett Meeting Hoiise 91 

(i) In the first place, the long drawn out struggle against 
slavery must be brought to a conclusion, first testifying 
against the slave trade and then against the iniquities of 
slavery itself, finally against slavery as an institution under 
any and all circumstances, they gradually brought their 
membership up to the point of general manumission. A 
io-^N members, hov^^ever, held back, and now it was decided 
that the skirts of the Society must be absolutely clear. 
While the armies were marching through the country, com- 
mittees were going around among the few remaining slave 
holders urging them not merely to release their slaves but 
to pay them the debts which they owed for unrequited ser- 
vices, and if the efiforts of this committee were unsuccess- 
ful, the disloyal Friends were to be removed from member- 
ship, so that during the time of the war the last Quaker 
slave holder disappeared from these sections. 

(2) In the second place the same service was performed 
toward the matter of tavern keeping. Taverns in Colonial 
times had been part of the necessary machinery of travel, 
and both solid and liquid refreshment were assumed to be 
part of the entertainment, but the drinking habits of Friends 
had become a matter of concern as well as their slave holding 
habits, and while total abstinence as a princiole was not 
much taught, the sale of liquor was so evidently fraught with 
evil consequences that it was generally felt that Friends 
could not engage in it, and after visiting committees had 
worked on the subject, t'^e matter was brought to a termina- 
tion during the war. While one committee reported the last 
of the slave holders in Chester Quarterly Meeting, another 
was reporting that the last of the tavern keepers had agreed 
to give uo the business. 

(3) These were matters of moral import, but other ques- 
tions were also impressed in this reformation. One was 
the matter of schools. There had been many small Friends' 
schools during Colonial times, so that most Friends had 
been taug^ht the elements of education, but this was not at 
all general, and besides the schools were, to a large extent, 
mixed, and were not accomolishin? the purpose of shielding 
the youth, and hence were suoDosed to be demoralizing influ- 
ences. Still another committee therefore, acting upon the 
advice of the Yearly Meeting, was going- about among these 
meetings during the war urging the establishment of schools 



92 Bi- Centennial of 

under the care of school teachers with Friendly sympathies 
and influences so that every child could be reached by these 
educational advantages. 'I'his also was successful and set 
the pace for the future in the matter of education. It meant 
that all Friends' children should receive elementary educa- 
tion and this result was brought about. It meant also that 
this elementary education should be, so far as possible, de- 
nominational and separate from outside influence, and it 
also meant no provision for higher education, so that except 
in private ways there was probably less opportunity for 
college training in the Society of Friends for a number of 
years after the Revolutionary War than there had been 
previously when many Friends were taking the matter in 
their own hands. 

(4) This reformation also meant the closing up of the 
ranks in support of the peculiar testimonies of Friends and 
made them more and more separate from the world. They 
felt that it was a lack of this faithfulness to the teachings 
and methods of the past that had brought them into trouble 
in defending themselves from external encroachments ; that 
they must be absolutely faithful to their religious duties, 
their attendance at meetings and their care of each other; 
and that they must separate themselves, so far as possible, 
from all other denominational influences. Their reading 
was to be narrowed very largely to Friends' books and their 
attendance at other places of worship was to be prohibited. 
They were to bring up their children in strict observance of 
the simplicity which was laid upon previous generations and 
a committee to carry out this part of the concern visited 
families hereabouts, first to their own houses to see that no 
superfluous furniture or decorations existed and then the 
same general concern was extended to the membership in 
general. Here again the committees labored through the 
war times when the symoathies of the membership were 
cemented by comm.on suffering and when the faithfulness 
of many Friends had produced an enthusiasm for the cause 
which previously had been somewhat lacking, and the rather 
exclusive type of Quakers with which many of us have 
been familiar in our early days resulted, it seems to me, 
from tendencies which h?^ their strongest impulse at the 
time of the P evolutionary War. 

Immediately following this war and as a result of this 
strong denominational influence there appears to have been 



Old Kennett Meeting House 93 

quite a spiritual revival. Some Friends who had taken part 
in war-like measures, acknowledged their unfaithfulness 
and rejoined the Society, and the query which was then in 
existence as to the extension of Quakerism among outside 
people almost invariably has answered that a number of 
non-Friends had joined the Society since last report. The 
years following the war were years of apparently the great- 
est growth and the most rapid founding of meetings around 
the edges of the settled districts so that probably by the year 
1800 there were something like 40,000 members of the 
Yearly Meeting. 

The southeastern counties had not lost much of their 
pre-eminence in numbers of Friends, though political power 
was gone, and from that day to this with the exception of 
certain modern influences which have come in, during the 
last score of years, we have had simply, so far as the type 
of character is concerned, a continuance of the conditions 
brought into being by the Revolution. 

The separation which occurred half a century after the 
Revolution, while the occasion of much difference and 
much bitterness in certain quarters did not seriously change 
this type. It was represented in both bodies by the same 
sort of people, and intellectually, morally, and to a large 
extent religiously, the history of the one is the history of 
the other. 

From the knowledge of this history we may now be able 
to approach the subject as to the moral and religious influ- 
ence of Friends upon the people of Chester County. 

Up to_ recent times they have been rather strict denom- 
inationalists with customs and habits peculiar to them- 
selves, so that they have not been so much in touch with the 
world at large as some other denominations, but their num- 
bersand character have given them a hold upon their im- 
mediate neig-hborhoods which has been very potent and 
tenacious. They have always stood personally for morality 
of the higher order and have had an active influence in 
questions of moral reform. Some of them have been in- 
tensely aggressive, as may be inferred from their attitude 
onthe question of abolition. The larger number have been 
quiet, unaggressive people, model citizens, so far as their 
own conduct has been concerned and very careful and 
conscientious to do their personal duty. 



94 Bi- Centennial of 

Activity in political management has not usually char- 
acterized them since the Revolution. They have voted, and 
voted according to their convictions, and the suspicion 
of graft or mercenary methods of any kind whether per- 
sonal or denominational has seldom been mentioned in con- 
nection with them. In this respect their conduct has been 
fairly clean, and their example has done much to redeem 
the political character in the communities in which they 
reside. Some people have a favorite doctrine that the 
peaceful tenets of Friends have prevented vigorous opposi- 
tion to selfishness and venality in high places and have made 
the reign of the mercenary political leader more easy in 
Pennsylvania than elsewhere. Personally, I do not see the 
force of this argument, for this type of politics has in- 
creased as the influence of Friends has diminished. 

In Colonial days, when the Friends were really powerful 
and influential, there was no suggestion of feebleness or 
corruption in the politics of the colony, and as their numbers 
have relatively diminished, and as power has, to a certain 
extent, passed from their hands, to that extent have the pos- 
sibilities of unreproved evil in high place increased. There 
seems to be something in State-wide conditions which pro- 
duces this result; for Pittsburg, which was settled bv mili- 
tant Presbyterians, if we believe the accounts which we 
read, has very little to claim in the matter of purity of 
politics over Philadelphia which was settled by peaceful 
Quakers. In our country districts, where the influence of 
Friends may be suonosed to be still somewhat prevalent, 
these political conditions do not suffer as compared with 
other parts of the State settled by other and more warlike 
denominations. 

As to the maintenance of religious conditions in the 
Friendly comm.unities, the quiet methods of v/orship and the 
theorv of soontaneous vocal utterances in Meetings, do not 
seem largely to have influenced the neighboring sects. I sup- 
pose that there is a feeling of respect felt for Friends who 
go twice a week to meeting, purely for the purpose of wor- 
ship, without prearranged program or paid minister, and the 
resulting influence upon the character of those who faith- 
fullv adhere to this custom cannot be otherwise than 
uplifting and potent, but it has not been a contagious 
example. This form of worship is not only relatively but 
absolutely less influential over people than a century ago. 



Old Kennett Meetmg House 95 

Much as some of us still value it, and strong as we may hope 
that its miluence will be ultimately, we must have to admit 
that it not through inherent weaKness at least tnrougii tne 
weakness and unwisdom of those who have advocated it, 
it has not made tiie advance wtnch the moral retorms whicn 
Friends have championed have mamtamed ni the com- 
munity. 1 do not mean that the religious influence of 
Friends in this section has not been great. I do not mean to 
say that our method of worship is based on tlie vv'rong 
theory, because I do not believe it, but it has probably been 
too inelastic, too much unadapted to the needs of many of 
the new comers who have not been brought up in its fold, 
to become pervasive and largely influential, it is one of 
the unsolved problems of Quakerism still, to make our 
country meetings really the center of religious contagion 
and of spiritual life for the neighborhood. This fact tias 
been produced by many individual Friends. Their mani- 
festly careful life, the quality of the transactions which they 
have had with their neighbors, have given the impression 
of the real religious background to their character, and to 
this extent have gained respect and recognition, but the 
corporate influence of the Society, I think we shall have to 
admit, has not been as great in these country districts as 
we could have wished and as our early history promised 
that it should be. It remains for those Vv^ho still adhere to 
the denomination, and who believe in its theories and prin- 
ciples, to work out the problem in the light of modern con- 
ditions, and restore, so far as it can be accomplished, the 
influence of days when every acre of this neighborhood 
was a Quaker acre, when Friends' Meeting-Houses vv^ere 
the only places of worship for miles around, when the 
Quaker habit of thought pervaded the community, and when 
the trend of Quaker character was the recognized Christian 
product of the day. 



96 Bi-Cenfennial of 

OLD KENNETT MEETING-HOUSE. 

(1710-1910.) 

By John Russell Hayes. 

This lonely House beside the lonely road 

Hath looked on other scenes than ours to-day^ 

Where round us lie the fields of rustling corn 
And verdant pastures sweet with autumn hay, 

Where all the land is wrapt in peaceful dream, 

And every noise and restless care far, far away doth seem. 

Along this ancient road in days of old 

A varied stream of travelers did pass : — 
The sturdy settlers trudging by their teams, 

Grandsire and pioneer and rosy lass ; 
Soldiers returning from the border wars ; 
And fishermen who sought the way to Maryland's distant 
shores ; 

Here jocund hunters journeyed o'er the hills 
With furs and game from out the virgin woods ; 

And keen-eyed Indians erect and Hthe, 
And silent as their forest solitudes. 

How many a wayfarer, how many a load. 

Passed by this ancient Meeting-house along this ancient 
road ! 

And twice a week beneath the bowering trees. 
In sober garb, with looks composed and strait, 

A gentle company of people came 

And turned their horses' heads within the gate, 

Dismounted at the block, and staid and slow 

Passed to their seats and settled down in row by silent row. 

Silent, — until some strong, clear voice rang out 

And held its listeners in conscious awe. 
Instinct with heaven's visionary fire 

Or duty's plain, inexorable law, — 
A voice whose noble fervor could not be 
The fruit of aught except a life of faithful piety, ] 



Old Kennett Meeting House 97 

And truly they were faithful, pious folk, 

Those Kennett Quakers of the long ago: 
Read but their names upon these lowly graves, 

Think of the forms Vv^hose dust is laid below ; 
Muse o'er their memories with grateful tears. 
Those kindly, noble Friends whose names we love thro' all 
the years ! — 

English and Irish Friends of sterling worth. 
The Webbs, the Harlans who from Erin came, 

The Pierces bred in old-world Somerset, 

The Clouds who brought from Calne their honored name, 

The Sussex Wickershams, the Baileys, too. 

The Millers who from Ireland their ancient vigor drew; 

Their lines are scattered far across the world. 
And this old House deserted seems and lone; 

Neglect and desolation wrap it round, 
And moss and lichen dim each low grave-stone; 

A sleepy spot beside the sleepy road, — 

Have silence and forgetfulness made here their sure abode? 

Nay, though the Quaker life of olden time 
No more is seen in weekly gatherings here, — 

In many a heart this ancient House endures. 
To many a heart 'tis still beloved and dear, 

Still cherished as a venerated shrine 

Among the peaceful hills above the peaceful Brandywinc 

Yea, this old House that sleeps thro' summer suns, 
And dreams thro' winter nights of star and cold,— - 

What tales of kindliness and worth were ours 
If all its deepest dreams might once be told 

Of those dear souls who sowed in days long past 

Seeds of an influence that shall its latest Stone outlast! — 

How might it tell of many a tender bride 

Who came forth wedded from this old roof-tree; 

Of many a gray-haired veteran might it tell 

Laid 'neath yon shades with sad solemnity, 

Of family joys and sorrows, smiles and tears. 

And pensive memories hallowed through the lost and long- 
dead years. 



98 Bi- Centennial of 

How might it tell of one historic day 

When noise of warfare came to mar its peace, 

As round its walls the Hessian army thronged, 

While yet the Friends their worship did not cease : 

At length the soldiers, self-rebuked, passed by, — 

So great a silent force in calm religious peace doth lie ! 

Yet tranquil annals oftenest fill its dreams, 
And noble faces from its vanished days, — 

The Mendenhalls devoted to good works, 

The Passmores and the Woodwards and the Ways ; 

The Hueys and the Harveys here are known to fame ; 

And Lewis, Jacobs, Jenkinson, — Old Kennett loves each 
name. 

The history of such a Meeting-house 

Is filled with pathos and with peaceful charm ; 

It seems the very heart of this old land, 

This land of ancient wood and tranquil farm. 

Of sunny gardens and of singing streams, — 

This old, old Meeting-house with all its memories and 
dreams. 

The history of such a Meeting-house 

Is filled with grandeur, beautiful, sublime, 
Rich with the records of the sainted souls 

Who speak to us from out the olden time. 
O may her spirit still all creeds outlast 

And calm old Kennett bless our future as she blessed our 
past. 



"A Forecast of the Friends' Future" 

Henry W. Wilbur. 

The committee which selects as its prophet a man with 
gray hairs, and crow's-feet under his eyes, is not any wiser 
in its day and generation than it ought to be ; for the reason 
that the experience, generally, of that kind of a man, has 
taught him that it is much more safe to prophesy after the 
fact than before the fact. And it is also almost always 
necessary for that kind of a man to preface his foretelling 
with an "if," I shall reserve that privilege this afternoon, 
provided I get to the point of prophecy at all. 

There will be no future worth while for Friends indi- 
vidually, nor for the Society of Friends collectively, unless 
the individuals and the Society by virtue of concerned con- 
duct and interest make that future possible; and in order 
CO insure that sort of a result, we will have to learn a good 
deal from our past ; and possibly part of that learning will 
be unlearning some of the things which have been dinned 
into our ears throughout past generations. Now, if the 
Society at large, that is, the entire membership, will con- 
sider the vital truths which it possesses as of more import- 
ance and more to be dealt with than the meeting-house 
itself, the Society may possibly have a future to talk about. 
If, in other words, we shall be more interested in the truth 
and in people than we are in tradition and in things, we shall 
be able to project into the future the influences which will 
make for moral worth and for the expansion of our ideas 
and of our ideals. 

Tt seems to me (and I say it with all deference for our 
yesterdays) that in the course of our development we have 
been able to gather some superstitions of our own, while 
very properly decr)ang the superstitions of other people. 
Tt is possible that it would be wise for us as a people to 
get a bit of the philosophy of Josh Billings touching our 
own things ; that is, to the extent that we would rather not 
know so much, than to know so much that is not so, or 
isn't worth while. 

99 



100 Bi- Centesimal of 

Now, we have assumed, or we did assume for a long 
time, a certain theory touching the meeting itself. The 
theory was, that silence was m itself a virtue — a theory 
which has not always worked out well in practice. As a 
matter of fact, silence is not any better than speech, if you 
don't know what to do with it. And it is only a relatively 
small number of people who know what to do with it. If 
we are to gather in silence for the space of an entire hour 
once a week, methodically opening the silence by the clock 
and closing it by the clock, without having very much con- 
cern as to what is being done while that silence goes on, we 
shall not develop out of it the uplift and the strength that 
ought to come to the men and the women who worship 
within our walls. It is not safe to assume that without 
spiritual instruction and preparation men and women can 
come together in absolute silence, leaving at the door of the 
meeting-house the petty things, the concerns, the business 
cares, the vexations and the worries which have perplexed 
them during the week ; and if they are not able to do that, 
nine times out of ten, the period of silence becomes simply 
another opportunity for thinking over the very same old 
things which have troubled us during the week. 

What we need now in preparation for our future (which, 
I may confess to you in parenthesis, I really believe we 
have) — is a better understanding and a better application 
of our own principles and methods. Wherever we have 
failed in the past, and have not been able to impress our- 
selves (as we admit we have not) upon the thought and life 
of the time; and wherever we have not been able to make 
either our method or our manner captivating to the men and 
women who are hungering and thirsting after spiritual 
things, the fault is entirely and absolutely ours. It doesn't 
belong to any body else. The fault is ours for the reason 
that we have not in the inmost recesses of our own hearts 
and lives made good the fundamental propositions which 
we believe. We have not made the meeting a means of per- 
sonal, spiritual strength ; more often we have made it the 
incentive of following the habit of going there. 

What we want, it seems to me in the future, is to make 
the whole center of our system the meeting for worship. 
There are people who will hear this and think strange that 
I say it. I believe fundamentally and actually that unless 
we shall make our meetings for worship the main proposi- 



Old Kennett Meeting House 101 

tion, building them up and vitalizing them, that however 
helpful our philanthropic efforts may be, however well 
directed and wise our First-day schools may be, they will 
simply prolong the inevitable day of dissolution. But when- 
ever by virtue of our philanthropic effort, or by virtue of 
our First-day school effort, we shall send into those meet- 
ings the collective concern of the best aggregated spiritual 
life of our membership, we shall make those meetings con- 
tinuing forces — forces that will impress them.selves upon 
the hearts, the life and conscience of our members. 

And I believe the process of reversing the habit is now 
going on. We have heard it intimated this afternoon that 
there was a time when the young people, especially, who 
gathered in our meeting-houses made more impression on 
the meeting-house than the meeting made on them. We 
must do differently from that. We must make the meeting 
itself such a center of spiritual power and life that there will 
be no disposition to carve initials on the backs of the seats; 
on the other hand, internal spirit will be so desperately busy 
getting the bearings of its own life, and the center of its own 
im.pulse, that it will have no time for this sort of thing. 

There is no use finding fault with people gathered to- 
gether from various homes and living under varied influ- 
ences, who come into our meeting-houses in which the 
silence is more or less dead. You can not blame people of 
that sort if they do all sorts of things, and think about all 
sorts of things. That may not be of itself bad. I remember 
very well when my main occupation on First-day morning 
was to count the nail-heads in the unpainted partition. Now, 
I am of the opinion that I had a good deal better have been 
there counting the nail-heads than not to have been there at 
all ; fpr in the midst of it, there did come into my conscience 
and life a certain atmosphere which was worth while. 

But we are living in a newer time. We ought to make 
the atmosphere of our meetings better than \i ever was 
before ;_ we ought to make the center of the spiritual life in 
them higher than it ever was before ; because we have all 
this heritage of the yesterday bunched on us, plus whatever 
of present honesty and impulse and inspiration we may bring 
to the occasion at hand. And it is not enough for us to be 
satisfied even with the level of our ancestors, however good 
and splendid that may have been. 



102 Bi-Centennial of 

With the bulk of the people here present, who are at all 
interested in the Society of Friends, I imagine that the 
great, growing desire is that we shall develop a ministry in 
our meetings. Now, I do not use that word in the ordi- 
nary sacerdotal sense, but in the real ministering sense. 
That is to say, that we shall develop a ministry which shall 
really minister to manifest need, and which in return shall 
be ministered to by somicbody else. Not necessarily by the 
spoken word. Sometimes by this same atmosphere about 
which I spoke a moment ago. 

But, we must have as the basis of whatever spiritual in- 
fluence and whatever ministry we are to enjoy, a living and 
abiding, and not a dead silence, "The seal of silence," as 
VVhittier puts it, will never be broken upon any "moved 
lips" until there is behind those moved lips the sensitive 
human spirit, the spirit which puts itself in touch with the 
divine presence, believing with unshaken confidence that the 
presence is there, ample and able to inspire to-day as it 
did in the world's 3^esterdays. 

And having said this much, let me hasten on to the con- 
clusion b}^ saying that we shall need to, and I believe we 
will in a measui'e revise our theory of inspiration ; that is, 
we vv'ill revise it to this extent: It used to be the common 
theory every where, except around Old Kennett, that there 
could be no inspiration whatever except on the spot. That 
it was the "empty" people who came to meeting who be- 
came inspired. Now, whatever may have been the case in 
the past of this Society, I am satisfied that it is not the case 
in the present. The empty people in the meeting to-day will 
not become, in the main, centers of a helpful and uplifting 
inspiration. God is as near to the human soul wandering in 
the fields, botanizing on the hillsides, working at the plow 
handles, delving in the shop, laboring in the office, washing 
dishes in the kitchen as he is in the sanctuary. There may 
come in these places, and there ought to come, whatever 
of inspiration that may minister to need ; I believe that an 
inspiration thoroughly worth while, if it comes at the plow 
handles on Second-day will keep with absolute certainty, 
without fermenting, until First-day, and that inspiration 
may be carried to the meeting in its fulness and in its power. 

That is what I mean by revising our theory of inspiration. 
We shall need to revise our theory as to gifts, possibly. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 103 

even as to intellectual gifts. I have heard, considerably 
less than forty years ago, a statement practically to the 
effect that if a person had an educated mind it was utterly 
impossible for him to ever get a really inspired heart. 
Now, I don't believe that. I believe that what the elder 
Friends used to call the Preparing Hand is resting upon 
very many of our educated young people to-day who are 
beginning to see that the enlightenment of their intelligence 
simply renders them that much the more effective in the 
work which the Father may commit to them. God has 
given us muscle ; but he has made as the measure of that 
muscle's power the using of it. God has given us mind, 
and he has made the measure of the strength of that mind, 
using it. God has given us spiritual pov/er, and he has 
made the measure of the extent of the influence of that 
power, using it. 

Now, he has done even more than that. He has not 
made us sectional beings, but a solidarity. The wisest 
person in this audience can not for the life of him tell 
where his bodily, physical functions absolutely leave off and 
his mental functions absolutely begin. Neither can he tell 
exactly where his mental processes stop and his spiritual 
aspirations take place. Therefore, there can be no worthy 
future for this body of people, destitute of a priesthood 
and an ecclesiastical system until it impresses upon the 
consideration of the heart and the conscience of its members 
the fact that body and mind and spirit must jointly be 
equipped and jointly dedicated to the service of God. And 
in proportion as we do that we shall have a future. 

It has been my fortune to travel up and down the land 
for the last five years, spending a large part of my time 
on railroad trains doing what the Irish call "colloguing" 
with all sorts of men ; for I am exceedingly fond of men. 
I don't especially dislike women; but I am especially fond 
of men, and I like to come in contact with them to get their 
heart-pulses and their aspirations and the inner sources of 
their thinking ; and I want to say to you that there are more 
men to-day in various walks of life gathered under no re- 
ligious tent, carrying no religious name, who are thinking 
about the deep and abiding things of life, than there ever 
was before in the history of the world. But you will never 
gather those men under any arbitrary theological dogmatic 
tent. You can not do it. They have found out in the round 



104 Bi- Centemiial of 

of human experience, by virtue of the light and leading of 
their own lives, that the Teacher which teaches them most 
supremely, divinely and wisely and safely is within them- 
selves. They are hungering for something else ; and that 
is fellowship, contact, sympathy. They are not hunting for 
agreen:ieni , for that is an absolute impossibility ; but for 
that unity of the spirit in the bond of peace which cements 
the human brotherhood ; there is a tugging at the heart- 
strings of humanity to-day such as there has not been in 
long years. And herein lies the opportunity and the obliga- 
tion of the Society of Friends. 

With little machinery, with practically no dogmatism, 
with a rational view of the religion of the spirit, with the 
old time appreciation of human brotherhood, the oppor- 
tunity and obligation that rests upon the Society of Friends 
to-day is to bring into fellov/ship this straggling body of 
men and women, unchurched and outside of the pale, who 
would gladly abide with us if we would make our ways and 
means easy and natural and attractive. 

The future of the Society of Friends is entirely within its 
own keeping. L.et me in three minutes summarize some 
things which I think we ought to do. Wherever we main- 
tain a meeting and a meeting-house, that place should never 
be dosed. Its doors should perpetually swing on their 
hinges ; and by a system of co-operation of service there 
should always be some helpful human soul inside, to meet 
any human soul that might straggle in. Wherever we have 
a meeting or a meeting-house, that meeting-house should 
become the center of every helpful social and spiritual ac- 
tivity in that community, it should be a clearing-house for 
righteousness in that particular nei.ehborhood, and should 
be always busy. 1 believe it was Thomas Jefferson who 
said that he trembled for his country when he remembered 
that God is just. I sometimes tremble for this Society when 
I remember that it possesses houses galore, many of them 
only used once a week, and some of them only about five 
days out of a year ; — a society which possesses the outward 
equipment for this spiritual activity and social service and 
present use, and does not use it. It is not my business to 
condemn, but I v/ish I could plead for the unlocking of the 
doors, for the centering of the helpful life under those 
unused roofs and in the atmosphere of those unoccupied 
meeting-houses. 



Old Kennett Meeting House 105 

We are in the world not to preach dogma, not to particu- 
larly even magnify our Zion : we are in the world as Friends 
to enlarge the consciousness of God in the lives of men. 
We are in the world to bring to the submerged and the 
sorrowful, the wayward and the wicked, a semblance of 
this consciousness, believing that they that walk in it, walk 
in the light and become children of the light. 

Lastly, we are not in the world to promote our own ease 
and comfort. Some of us are altogether too comfortable. 
Of course, we are none of us in the condition of the man 
who was accused of having a conscience very much out of 
gear ; who declared there was nothing the matter with his 
conscience : it was as good as it ever was, because he had 
never used it any. We are not in that shape ; but we are at 
times altogether too comfortable. The burdens of the men 
and women who need us do not rest upon our hearts and 
consciences as they ought. We are at points altogether too 
self-satisfied. From my experience I don't hesitate to say 
that there are men and women on the seamy side of life 
who, if they came in contact with us, could teach us some 
of the divinest lessons we have ever learned. We need 
each other. The future of Friends will depend upon the 
concerned consecration with which we labor to disseminate 
our life, to carry our spiritual liberty into the highways and 
byways, and to clasp hands in the human brotherhood and 
the wider and larger fellowship of the spirit. 

Let us no longer stand upon our Bridge of Sighs weeping 
over the mistakes of our yesterdays and v/orrying because 
the Society is not as strong as it used to be. It can become 
stronger than it ever was ; it can become a more potential 
influence in the world's life than it ever was, when every 
man and woman, members of this Society, the indifferent 
and the luke-warm, together with the concerned, are busy 
about their business. 

And if we get thus busy, the most optimistic word that 
I can say to you to-day is, that the Golden Age of the 
Society of Friends is before us and not behind us. May 
the Gentle Spirit that has guided this people during these 
years and generations abide in our hearts and vitalize our 
lives and inspire our spirits for the bringing of this golden 
^ge. 



w 98 



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This map ,vas ma.le up from lUrec older maps of diflereni periods, none of which represented conditions at a given tin 
iHir i "'^' T>° ^ ''"^' °^ Kennett Township made before its division into Kennett and Penns. 

) , n 1770 Tliat part representing East Marlborough is from a much older draft in possession 
nt W m. Marshall Swayme, made perhaps about 1730. Gilbert Cope. 










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