The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1923-06-28

No history of the Scotch settlement
of Monmouth could be written That
left out the remarkable career Of Rev
George Keith Born in 1888 in Aberdeen,
Scotland, Of Presbyterian parentage
George Keith had the advanta ges of d
splendid education" as well in the
National schools as at the University Of
Aberdeen, where he had bis degree Of
Master of Arts OF wonderful mental
endowment and fine personal
appearance, he had confidence or
sslf-reliance that was admired by
friends. bat stigmatized by adyersaries
as conccit and vain glory. He came
back to his friends in Aberde cen Ii 1864
from the south of Scotland in
Presbyterian or ers and soon after
adopted the principles of the Qnakers,
which Involed him in persecution and
imprisOnments. As a Quaker missionary
he visited Holland ia 1877 in company
with Robert Barclay. William Penn
and others Of prominence in the sect,
while two years before he and Barclay
had disputed. in defence Of Quake
doctrines with the scholars Of the
University of Aberdeen. About this
time be also wrote number Of able
treatises in vindication and explanation
OF their form Of belief. and with Penn.
George Whiting and Stephen Crisp
argued with the Baptists of London.
In 1888 he was appointed to take charge
Of q Quaker school al Edmonton. where
he Was prosecuted for preaching and
Efeaehing without a license and refusing
TO take the required oath, was
Imprisoned. The next year 1683) he
taught school at Theobalds, when he
had as pupil q son of his colIaborer.
Robert Barclay. In 1884 he removed
to London, where he was imprisoned
for five months in Newgate for nom
conformity. At this time the
"Proprietors Of East Jersey were
mainly II not all Quakers and Robert
Barclay was the Governor. Thus it
was by no means surprising that Keith
should be drawn towards New Jersey.
Besides, Governor Barclay as we have
seen, had been associated with Keith.
had like him been originally a
Presbyterian, but unlike him had gone
into the Quaker through the Roman
Catholic communion, Fantastic the
cries we're abundant and it was no
unusual thing for profound scholars
and able statesmen to imbibe the most
curious doctrines and notions. Cover
nor Barclay himself in 1872 in obedi-
enoe to a fancied command walked
the streets of Aberdeen in 'sackcloth"
and ashes'
Keith imbibed, largely from the
writings of Van Helmont, some strange
speculative opinions. He embraced
the doctrine of the transtnigration Of
souls. He held that the Mosaic mar
ratise was wholly categorical and also
believed some curious notions re-
speeding Adam and EveHe was appoint
ed to the post of Surveyor General of
East Jersey, where he arrived in 1886
with large supplies and six servants
for whom he claimed and was allow
ed the usual head lands" He was an
especially fine surveyor and mathe-
matician, q fact not infrequently
overlooked in view of his comet like
theological career.
On the 5th of March. 1885, Charles
Gordon wrotefromAmboy that George
Keith had brought with him three
weeks before Mathematics" and
BENJAMIN Clark library Of books
to sell" Although appointed Jnly 81,
1884. it was not till April 9th, 1855, that
he presented himself to the Council
of Proprietorsp in Amboy, but the
office being already inconveniently
filled it was not till June 18th that it.
was declared vacant and Mr.. Keith
authorized to qualify
He lived for time in Amboy, but
in 1857, the year in which he ran the
division line between East and West
Jersey, still known as Keith line,
he removed to what is now Freehold
Township, residing as nearly as can
now be ascertained a short distance
to the southwest Of the present town of
Freehold.
In 1888, however, he removed to
Philadelphia from Freehold, OF
which settlement he has been called
the founder by reason of his having in
duced other Quaker planters, both
English and Scotch, to take up lands
in that vicinity His object in reno ing
was to take charge Of Quaker School
which, it was hoped, would grow into
a College. His compensation was to be
fifty pounds the first year 120 yearly
q fter the first) and house for his
family, the poor to be taught gratis. Z
He left the school, however, at the
end OF the year. In 1851 he sold his
plantation at Freehold to the Quaker
Robert Rhea (Ray). He Travelled into
view Eng ihuu III pIopaSatioH VI Skudh~I
doctrine. having disputations with In
crease and Cotton Mather.
Upon his return to Philadelphia,
he engaged in controversy with his
own denomination upon questions
concerning doctrine and descinline.
He charged the Quakers with doing
away by allegory with the real suffering
OF the Saviour and thereby destroying
the doctrine OF the atonement. He also
charged them with Deism,
William Penn was in London and re
Numbering Keith as be had known
him, did not hesitate to write to jus
tice Turner in Philadelphia defending
Honest George Keith and his stud
iss.s But when later he learned more
particulars he revised his opinion of
his former associate.
At meeting Of Quaker preachers
in June, 1899, in Philadelphia "a dec
laration or testimony Of denial was
drawn mp denouneing Keith and his
conduct, his .overbearing temper and
an unchristiaa disposition Of mind.