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Samuel Wetherill Correspondence
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Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Samuel Wetherill (1736-1816), son of Christopher Wetherill of Burlington, NJ, removed to Philadelphia Monthly Meeting in 1759. Three years later, he married Sarah Yarnall, daughter of Mordecai Yarnall (with whom he had apprenticed). Samuel began his career as a carpenter, but later became a textile manufacturer and apothecary.
In 1779, Samuel Wetherill was disowned by Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for disunity, because he had "...deviated from our ancient Testimony and peaceable principles by manifesting himself a party in the public commotions prevailing." Wetherill became the clerk of a small group of Quakers in Philadelphia who were likewise disowned because they had supported the Revolutionary cause. They initially sought to continue to worship and meet as Friends in established Quaker meeting houses, but without success. In 1783, the Society of Free Quakers built a meeting house at Fifth and Arch Streets in Philadelphia. Other "Free Quaker" meetings were organized in New England and Maryland.
The "Davisites" in the Sandwich-New Bedford Massachusetts area corresponded regularly with Wetherill, apprising him of their meeting's condition. They were members of Longplain, New Bedford, Acushnet, and Rochester worship groups, disowned by Sandwich Monthly Meeting. Timothy Davis (1730-1798), a respected Friend and minister, published a pamphlet in 1776 "A letter from a Friend to some of his intimate Friends," on the subject of paying taxes to the new government. The meeting debated long and hard in how to deal with this matter. The committee assigned to meet with him recommended at the meeting of 6 month 1777 that the publication was unfortunate but not a disownable offense. However, others in the monthly meeting disagreed, and he was disowned from Sandwich Monthly Meeting in 1778. By 1780, he was joined by other members who disagreed with the decision-making process. These included Timothy's brother, Nicholas, and Benjamin Bumpus, Silas Swift, David Smith, and Bartholomew Taber. Timothy Davis acknowledged his wrongdoing in 1795 and was reinstated as a member of the Monthly Meeting, much to the dismay of Wetherill and the local friends. The other members continued to worship, depleted by old age and death until the meetings gradually were laid down by about 1815. The "Davisites" in Massachusetts were less extreme in their politics than the Free Quakers, and thus the schism did not run as deeply as in Philadelphia.
The Wetherill papers include the correspondence of Samuel Wetherill as well as a small number of miscellaneous letters to other individuals which were probably in his possession at the time of his death. The collection includes business and personal letters in addition to those which deal directly with the cause of the Free Quakers. Of particular interest are a letter from Hannah Barnard in which she laments the way she was treated by Hudson Monthly Meeting and the correspondence from Benjamin Bumpus, Nicholas Davis, Timothy Davis and others, reporting on the state of their meeting.
Organized by author, then chronologically
Arranged chronologically when received. Sorted and filed by correspondent and assigned MSS 043. Transferred to RG 5 in 2006, with annotated finding aid.
People
Subject
- Quakers -- Pennsylvania
- Quakers -- Massachusetts
- Quakers -- New York (State)
- Quakers -- Revolution, 1775–1783
- Church controversies -- Society of Friends
- Society of Friends -- Pennsylvania
- Society of Friends -- History
- Society of Free Quakers -- History
Place
- Publisher
- Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
- Finding Aid Author
- FHL staff
- Finding Aid Date
- 2007
- Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
Friends Historical Library believes all of the items in this collection to be in the Public Domain in the United States, and is not aware of any restrictions on their use. However, the user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status before reproducing. See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/.
Collection Inventory
Sending to Wetherill via Robert Porter a memorial to be presented to the legislature
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Barnard was a Quaker minister and weighty Friend who traveled widely. Regarded as too rational by London Yearly Meeting, she was disowned by her home meeting of Hudson in 1802. Letter speaks of her recent illness.
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Letter concerning her Appeal and mentions the inconsistency and rigid proceedings
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Asking his indulgence in rent overdue from the daughters of Joseph Warner. Bell is member of a Female Society as Orphans in an Unprotected State.
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Bumpus was one of the members of the Davisites of Sandwich MM who were disowned from the Meeting and created their own meeting of Free Quakers. Reports that few of the people from the old meeting still worship with them, but they continue to meet.
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Reports that Timothy Davis has sent an acknowledgement to Sandwich Monthly Meeting to be reinstated. Since he left the separatists, the meeting at Longplain was laid down but meeting continue at Rochester and Acushnet.
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Meetings continue and he hopes for another visit from Wetherill. The Davisites' old meeting is trying to take their meeting house.
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Concerning purchase of property from Wetherill
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Payment for lands
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Proof of ownership of lands in Luzerne
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Apologizes for the trouble he has caused in an estate matter
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Local news and thanks for his religious visits
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Thanks for the varnish and brush
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Nicholas was the brother of Timothy Davis. He reports that their friend Joseph Taber has died. No one of their meeting has returned to the "old society."
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Remembers fondly the good meetings of the past and says their little meeting remains at much the same number.
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Brother Timothy is gone, still tension with the old meeting.
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Numbers about the same, with Bartholomew Taber and Benjamin Bumpus
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Concerning number of disownments. Says his own sentiments for joining his brother Timothy remain the same.
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Dispirited
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Says last word on Wetherill was via his uncle Nicholas Davis. Reports that 3 persons in their little society have died: Bartholomew Taber, Seth Morten, and Isaac Hillar. Eunice Davis and his sister Amy Cook have returned to the old society which has exerted much pressure on disowned members to return.
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Feels feeble, but is still an old Separate.
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Old Society has taken over their meeting house at Acushnet, so the separatists meet at a schoolhouse in Tabertown. His brother Timothy has named a son Samuel Wetherill.
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Old and ailing
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Uncle Nicholas Davis feels infirm. Benj. Bumpus much admired for his ministry in his old age, and Elizabeth Hunt visits the meeting.
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Responding to Wetherill's earlier letter, looking towards a sympathetic relationship with him
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Reports that in a struggle with Old Society concerning meeting house properties
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Concerning an Address in response to former Friends and seeking subscriptions to have it published. ALS damaged
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Benj. Bumpus would like to visit Wetherill. Property claims concerns with old Society
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Hoping Wetherill will make a visit
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Worried that he has offended Wetherill and hears reports that number of Free Quakers in Phila. has gotten very small. Ministers in the area have been Nicholas Waln (very against the Separatists), John Townsend, and John Store
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In response to Wetherill's remarks on John Murray. Baptists increasing in his area, with much music, appealing to the passions with no idea of true weighty humble silence.
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Reports on religious strife in area as sects compete for members, but not between his society and old Society who each mind their own business.
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On his return from visit to Philadelphia, sent via his brother James
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Fears previous letter had been misrouted since given by James at Rhode Island Yearly Meeting to someone from Phila. Recently attended General Meeting.
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Religious in content, regretting separations in religion, I never had any intention of Separating from the Society of Friends; the act was theirs and not ours
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Thanks for the books that S.W. sent, generally well received but for those concerning doctrine of Anoniminism. Murry's Doctrine not acceptable
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Reports the Benj. Bumpus delivered an Exhortation at a funeral. Son Samuel Wetherill Davis in 8 yrs. old
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To Dear Samy concerning purchase of a horse
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Awaiting S.W.'s visit to avoid the fever
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In light of the fever in Phila. offers that the Hermitage has apartments available
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Concerning hiring a young Irishman
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Financial matter
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Congratulations for the marriage of the daughter of Samuel and Sarah
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Purchase requests including a pamphlet by Charles Crawford on Promulgating the Gospel amongst the Indians
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Awaiting S.W.'s visit and unhappy with general mail service
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Ordering wine and cognac
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Asking for help with lease, then second letter to ignore the first because she will pay for the lease to avoid a lawsuit
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Fear of lawsuits
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Grateful that matter resolved, eager to quickly pay
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Dissatisfied with his reply
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To S.W. and John Thomas, financial concern
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Financial concerns concerning a mortgage and Henry Drinker
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More financial concerns, encloses a receipt from John Thomas
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Financial concerns, with power of attorney to S.W. before she leaves
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RE: hardware and bill of lading
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Concerning Mary de Brahm's accounts
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Arranging the shipment of Mary de Brahm's body to be shipped for burial near her husband (S.W.'s aunt?)
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Son of Mary de Brahm, releasing fund to her
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Daughter and executor of Mary de Brahm regarding estate matters
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Assigning power of attorney to S.W.
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Estate matters
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Enclosing an religious epistle for S.W.'s review
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Enclosing a letter to Benjamin Ferris
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Inquiring about having a length of fine linen printed
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Attended worship with S.W. and wished him to know that when S.W. closed the meeting with a prayer, it was so softly said that the meeting could not share its message
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Strong praise for S.W.'s reply to Dr. Priestley's publication. Foulke believe the Deists to be far more mischievous in a Christian Country than Jews, Mahometans or even Atheists.
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Concerning business with Elisha Allen, formerly of New Bedford, now Kentucky
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Sending a book to be delivered to Public Library of Philadelphia
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Sarah was the daughter of S.W. who is in Lancaster, Pa.
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Concerning land sale in Shamokin
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Writes that the enclosed lines from a previously written essay reflect his religious beliefs
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Concerning surveying and exploring Wetherill's land in Westmoreland Co.
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Couldn't locate tract to evaluate
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Ownership description
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Made a tour of S.W.'s land on Jacob's Creek near Greensburg, Westmoreland Co.
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Couldn't visit other property because of an Indian attack in the area
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Asks for payment of bills, related financial problems
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Financial concerns
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Brother Wing is moving to Kentucky
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Painter has not come to do the job
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Thanks to S.W. for helping the poor widows
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General sentiments
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Appreciates meeting him and his wife, interested in insects
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Her aged grandfather has died; her son is named Samuel Wetherill according to her grandfather's dying wishes.
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Mentions that the Baptists are increasing in the area. Nathan Davis's son in law murdered his wife
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With thanks for the books he sent
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Aged, but attended meeting at Rochester which was full. None have gone back to old Society since the decease (?) of Timothy Davis. He and Jabez Barker who were disowned from Dartmouth Monthly Meeting requested explanation for the causes and finally were allowed to attend monthly meetings
Physical Description1 folder
Requesting to have his wife buried in the Free Quaker burial ground on the west side of 5th Street below Locust.
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Notes fever in Philadelphia and a receipt of a pamphlet. Son-in-law and grandson to open an apothecary office
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Ask that he hold the effects that she left with him and claim a watch left in a shop on 2nd Street, opposite City Tavern
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Reports that they keep a small meeting, the young people have left. Thinks the old meeting knows their error because they are very cordial to him. He was disowned for joining Timothy Davis, but others were not, so he is bitter. Nathan Davis the elder is deceased.
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General sentiments
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Parents ask him to write. No separate meeting held the past winter and probably none in summer unless Father able to attend.
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His father has died 11 mo 16.
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The old Society has repaired and reclaimed the meeting house at Acushnet since his father and some more of his ancient brethren are gone
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No longer hold weekly meetings, but when requested the "old friends" the key to make use of the empty meeting house for Quarterly Meeting, they refused, intended to keep it only for their use
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Describes how Baptists and Presbyterians are in a competition for members. His group continues to hold small meetings in the school house at Taber Town. Benj. Bumpus gave testimony at the Presbyterian meeting house in Fair Haven. Isaiah Weston claimed Bumpus was turning to his beliefs
Physical Description1 folder
Wishes a visit from Wetherill but understands his old age doesn't allow it
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Asking for a loan in time of personal financial disaster
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Fond letter, with gratitude
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Family illnesses
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Under stress of caring for sister Sally who need opium every night for rest
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Concern for Nancy who returned to the city with Benny, dangerous situation
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Refers to doctrinaire disagreement with S.W. and the lots that S.W. sold to him
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Problems with deeds and Wm. Maghee
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Concerning finalizing deeds
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Claims deceit on the part of Maghee and Cook in land dealings
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Title dispute, deed should be made out to him rather than Cook
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Selling land
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Concerning estate of her mother, Mary de Braham
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Concerning estate of her mother, Mary de Braham
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Letter addressed to "My dear Madam" from [J. Bear Howardher?]
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Concerning produce
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(part of letter missing)
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