Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-17
EARLY FRIENDS MEETINGS.
Interesting Extracts from nm An
cient Record Book.
Bon Air, Va, May 18th.

but who In their day lived and figured.
Just as men do now. But how much
more interesting II is to read over the
names OF those whom you have heard
Of, perchance the names OF some of
your ancestorsl Such has recently been
my good fortune; for some years since,
whilst passing junk-shop, In Richmond.
was called in and shown book, which
had been brought there for sale. 1t
proved 70 be record OF the Monthly
Meeting" held in Henrico county be-
ginning In the year 1888 and running
through a period Of nearly seyenty-fve
years.
The Friends conduct their business
somewhat differently from most other
religious bodies All of their business
matters are attended TO on a weekday,
and regularly, once a month. These
meetings are called monthly meetings."
and in them are disposed all matters OF
business which may come before them.
These meetings" were started in the
very early days OF the society, and in
the queries, the answers to which are
sent to the annual, or yearly meetings."
is one which inquiries as to whether
these meetings are kept ~ or held regu-
larry. These meetings, accorded in the
book referred 10, seem 10 have been held
mostly at william Porters, Jr., though
they rotated, the record showing. some
times. Curles Swamp, Wainoke. Black
Creek (New Kent, Edward Mosby's
White Oak Swamp, Hehrico county, etc.
From various causes. the society. as
the Friends are known, dwindled down
TO very small number, and at last be-
came entirely extinct in these coun-
ties; and this is the only copy OF the
proceedings Of their meetings IN ex-
istence. The record OF their business,
marriages, disownments, etc, are OF the
deepest interest 10 one who loves to go
over the records Of we olden time"
FAMILIAR NAMES.
/ find numerous names in the book,
which interest me greatly, as they are
now borne by many whom i knew and
respected-such as Watkins Woodson,
Crew, Ladd dhen spelt Lead, Fleming,
Howard, Mosby, Hughes, Ellyson, Bates,
my own name OF Peasants, and a host
Of others, whose descendants are now
living In various parts Of the country,
but most Of whom are no longer con-
nected with the society. Meetings for
business were then held as now, except
that vote was usually taken 90 deter
mine any question which was before
them.
The name Of clerk Clarke, It was writ
ten), was not then signed to the min
utes OF the meeting, nor does his name
appear 10 any OF them until 1I3S, when
they are signed merely -. p" which,
as IT seems a little later, stood for John
Peasants; for his name is then written
in fun. After that, they are always
signed by the clerk. whoever he might
be.
There were many words which to us
]
universally used IN writing. "Parente"
was spelled 'parlence." The expression
| "Old England" was used for the name
| Of the Mother Country. The province Of
| Massachusetts Bay" was that given 10
| the now State Of Massachusetts. Pro-
| vince Of "Pennciilyaya" was the name
! given to the Keystone State. Several
was then written "scyeriall," and so on
L could III a column with the quaint old
| spelling. But there is one entry which
l would like for your critic editor 10
| explain. 1t appears In the proceedings.
and Is there written thus: "3rd. Of LIST
month 1852. n. s, note. BY act Of Par
/ lament this month January Is made the
| 5tl mo. of the year; and is commonly
| called new style" Now, what that
means, l don't exactly comprehend.
I find the following item among the
| proceedings: AT a monthly meeting at
Wm. Porter's jr., the 9th. day of ye 18th.
mo. 1922, Joseph Peasants by consent Of
| the whole meeting IS chosen and ep-
| pointed clerk" At this time also was
| considered the question whether TO re-
| pair their Westinghouse. or to build a
/ new one. Whether a new one was built
| or the old one repaired, nor where II
| was situated does not appear in the
| subsequent records The membership en-
| braced under the Jurisdiction of this
| monthly injecting seems 10 have re-
sided In. or rather been included In, the
| counties Of Henrlco, Charles City, New
! Kent, Hanover, Caroline, Prince George,
Surry. James City, Amelia, Campbell. and
| Louisa, but its meetings were usually
| held in the county Of HenricO, though,
/ as before mentioned, they were sometimes
| held in New Kent county From record
/ made 7th OF 9Th mo-, 1907. Il would appear
! that books were very scarce at that time,
/ or very high, for | find this entered
! there: "At this meeting was brought a
! PARCEL Of small friends books by Joseph
! Peasants. which were directed 70 him,
| from the No meeting at York County,
| and two Indifferent large books, one Of
| Jno. Burnies journal unbound and one
| bound book The Harmony OF the Old
and New Testament. which said books
| are ordered 20 be left at VIM. Porter 5,
ir., for the use of Friends belonging TO
! this meeting"
! MARRIAGE.
1t is generally known that when mem
bers Of the society are contemplating
marriage consent Of the monthly meet
ing has first TO be obtained, and / ind
that very early IN the records OF this
meeting not only are twelve months re-
auired after the death Of a former hus-
band or wife TO elapse before second
| marriage. but the marriages Of as near
| kinship as first cousins are dlsallOwed.
1 find, in looking over the book, tnat
several who We're thus related 70 eacn
other were refused permission 70 unite
In marriage Some thought that 'nrs'
cousins ought not TO marry for the
Scripture saith expressly that none shall
! approach 10 any that is as near kin,
whilst others thought that first cou
sins may marry, having authority ~
| the laws Of God and man"
Friends. II IS well known, do not make
judicial oaths. but affirm instead, and
find this entry under date Of % Of sew
enth month, 1T2): I'm this meeting was
read a late act of Parliament relating L
the late new affirmation OF Friends
which - no small matter Of Joy TO us
and II also requires our faithful enc
| humble acknowledgements unto Almighty
God and a Return Of hertey thankes Il
the King and those IN authority undel
him for the same"
There appears 10 have been but little