Early Friends in the North

P E R FATORY NOTE .

Th is B ooklet is a record of facts gath ered from so man s r es—an ien m n e books er iﬁ a es y ou c c t i ut , c t c t ,

es mon es and o rnals — h a a kn w ed men t ti i , j u , t t c o l g t of kindness in allowing copies to be made can only be

i n h us in th a r a Th e om i a n and g ve t e gg eg te . c p l tio

’ veriﬁcation h ave taken much Of a jou rnalist s limited le sure r man ar i ove y ye s.

. w 3 J . .

B u rlin ton 1 0 g , 9 5 .

CONTENTS .

PAO I . —St RE AN D R l . ST LE ss UGG . Durham of Old ; t h e Firs t Publishers of ' Truth ; George Fox s Visits ; Mini st ers a nd Converts ; Early Mee tings Se tt led ; General Meetings ; Fox and Sir Harry Vane An thony Pearso n

I I —C ANG E8 I N THE ER Y M EETTNO AR . . H Q U T L Lan chester a nd Durham Olden Monthly and Particular Meeti ngs ; Change s in Location a nd Nam e ; Henry Draper ; B ridget (Fell) D raper

I ll — Su rn ame FR END I S. ' R ecords of Suﬂering s ; Shields ; Auckland

Gateshead ; Norton ; Darli ngton .

V — RE RD I LO O S OF THE SO ETY. . CAL C CI Clerks to Quarterly M eetin gs ; Early Mi nutes Marriage R ecords Testi mon ies ; Monthly Meeti ngs ; Apologies " for Absen e C e r n es for rri e c l a a c Ma ag , ' Women s Meeti ngs ; Collections ; Meeting hous e Changes Gra ve ya rd s

V —MARRI GES AND CE RT I TES . A IF CA . “ Th e method under t h e Littl e Parlia " ’ ment ; Fox s Advice ; Ce rt iﬁca t es B aclt h ouse Pe se Ri r s n Tes i , a , cha d o ; t m nies— W r e H n er o Maud , a d ll , u t

V —B RIA P ES L U L LAC . in n S n r n r e C er s et c . Da l gto , u d la d, ull coat , — VI I OLDEN F M ES . . A ILI i e n B k se Pe se ix on M ddl to , ac hou , a , D , B rowne ; Represe ntatives

EARLY FRI ENDS I N THE NORTH .

I . TRES STR GGL S S AND U E .

I h av e een n r h w ar in r h er nd B ish ri k an d b o t d No t umb la . op c . n th e as sea and c k rk r t h e ar en for th e upo E t , ba to Yo ; t uly g d " — s art is v er ICam t . RANCI S H OWG TLL 1 66 1 . mo t p y p F ,

HE early days of th e Society of Friends were

days of stress and struggle . The sixty ’ six years of George Fox s life were times of civil

e and th e rea ﬁre h e e war , of plagu , of g t ; liv d in t h e s ﬁ reign of ve kings an d of two protectors . In his da i e e and a e and y l v d Cromw ll Bl k , Milton

ne and e so a wa an era e s Sid y , P nn , th t it s wh n hi tory wa s moulded .

e i his s 1 6 e e B g nning mini try in 47 , G org Fox founded a Society which h as endured t he shocks

e sec th e eri s eal and t he a e of p r ution , p l of w th , d ng r

“ ﬁ of ﬂattery . t hin a dozen years after t he be ginning oi that ministry a form of government “ h ad been begun ; which has broadened down ” from precedent to precedent . And those who IN THE EARLY FRIENDS NORTH .

th e ﬁ es a e e es a o know dif culti of tr v l two c nturi g , can best appreciate the physical work of George

Fox in propagating Qu akerism . In those days

e s h ad be s u e e be conv rt to o ght , m mb rs to won,

e - a es be u ri al s be me ting pl c to fo nd , bu ground to

ured a s be a e en s proc , l w to m d , and Fri d

s be a e and e e e ss . in pri on to c r d for r li v d , if po ible

i s a e e war was a e u e And th in tim wh n dd d to plag , and e a was ﬁ u and t ravel wh n communic tion dif c lt , a toil .

s e h ad 1 2 0 About thi p riod , Stockton only

e i - ses an d e of e dw ll ng hou , non th m of brick ’ and th e mayor s house was a mean thatched ” cottage . Th e plagu e raged in Darlington ; in “ th e yea r 1 645 there were 1 53 deaths in ﬁve

esse s e e mon ths . V l w r occasionally as long in tracking up the Tees to Stockton as in reaching

the Tees from London . Sadberge was as impor

a as u e . a was s e a e t nt S nd rland Popul tion carc , tr d

e scanty and t h plough ruled t he land .

a l e a one is e s a s e E r i r th n Fox , of h conv rt h d vi it d

the county of Durham . In response to t he t e quest of the Yearly Meeting of t he Society to keep an exact accou nt amongst themselves of ” se a ﬁrs u th e ess e a s tho th t t bro ght m ag of gl d tyding , th e counties sent up to London later such a s tate fo th e ment . Th at r county of Du rham is very s and is ese e th e e s th e e hort, pr rv d in r cord of Soci ty

in London . STRESS TR LE AND S UGG . 3

s a es a t h e e ea It t t th t In Fifth month , in y y r

1 6 an d t he th da th e wee a es a 53, on s y of k , J m N ylor of !Wakeﬁeld] in th e County of !York] h ad a

ee at th e use se e M ting ho of Ambro Appl by, of

S ford s i e ad o nin s o n tart , in York h r , j y g to thi C u ty , and n ow e s a a e ee n b long to Durh m Qu rt rly M ti g , ’ where h e publickly declar d t h e message of y e glad tidings of Tru th an d bee and his mess age were gladly received by th e said Ambrose Appleby . And on y e First- Day following h e h ad a Meetin g

e se ea s at a s a in y hou of Anthony P r on , R m h w , B i h ea . a t e a n r pp Auckl nd in County of Durh m ,

e e sev erall e e ese s e wh r w r pr nt , and om who with ’ gladness m raced th e testimony of Tru th declar d

. : u o . L s af n s by him , viz J ang t f , Antho y Hodg on ,

Geo : a s ! a a a Mu rt hwaite no . Wa Ad m on , ch ri h , J lton ,

M an d his s and se erall arten Richmond three of Son , v

e others . J ames Naylor came n oe furth r into y e ” County at that time .

I n th e sa e ea as es h ad a ee i m y r, Thom Holm m t ng at t he use on e a es s Widdow ho of Fr nc Robin on , ” B O s i . a e e e e was in pp Auckl nd , wh r th r ppo ition

Au dland and Bu rrough in t he same year held a meeting near Derwentwater .

1 6 a s Edwd . h ad a ee In 53, l o , Burrough m ting at : a s was Shotton . Jo Rich rd on of Shotton

c i e . . e ea a es at onv nc d , and E B w nt to b r t timony ” the Steeple house at Easlingt on I N THE 4 EARLY FRIENDS NORTH .

st th e rei s es i ag P t , Philip N b t a meeting was settled at Shotton . Many of those named in thi s early accou nt we shall hea r more of . It seems only needful to add ’ that J ames Naylor s visit mu st have been shortly

t e his a at e e e be af r tri l Appl by , wh r convinced one th e us es at se se h e e hi s ﬁ of j tic , who hou h ld rst meeting in Du rham county . George Fox very shortly followed his Friends ” into t h e county commonly called th e Bishopric . ’ “ I n 1 654 h e h ad a large meeting at Anthony Pearson s “ ” e e a e e e . 1 6 h e wh r m ny w r convinc d In 5 7 , came from t he Tyne by Durham to Anthony ’ Pearson s (Ramshaw) ; and in 1 663 h e went to ' one s a at e e e Richmond !prob bly H ighington], wh r ” there was a general meeting ! an d thence h e went

“ ’ ea a e a e s ere we s a e to H dl m to H nry Dr p r , wh t y d ” all night . George Fox was accompanied and followed by a e s e s a s as e numb r of mini t r , mong t whom arly

e e s u e s u a e e pr ach r of Q ak ri m in D rh m , w r John

Audland a Hubberth orne M es Halhead , Rich rd , il ,

u s le a e a e e e W i eh e John St bb , A x nd r P rk r, G org h t ad , and Robert Widders . Their proclamation of practical

s a e a e led r e Chri ti nity , and th ir pr ctic of it , to a la g con vincement and soon there were many meetings

—i va e ﬁr W more or less settled n pri t houses at st . e ’ learn that meetings were held at Wi lliam Fos ter s ' " i Fox s j ournal . 7 Ib d. AND STRESS STRUGG LE . 5

’ house at Carleton ; at Isabell Larlcin s in North ’ Shields at Robert Linton s at South Shields ; ’ e e e s at e a and a e at at G org Humbl Sund rl nd , l t r , ’ Robert Wardell s in th e same town . In Darlington ’ meetin gs were held at Margaret Crawford s ’ house again at Robert Truman s at Headlam ’ at Henry Draper s ; and a t Rampshaw Hall at ’ Anthony Pearson s . For th e mere holding of these

ee n s s i s and es h ad e m ti g for wor h p , ho t gu t oft n to

- su fe as we s a ﬁn d . ese ee uses f r , h ll In th m ting ho

66 a W ri a es a e . us 1 a s mar g took pl c Th in 3, M rk p ’ was e a at W l a s e s at marri d to Ann H ll , i li m Fo t r ,

1 660 e L and e Carlton ; in , Rob rt inton Jan Parrot were married in a dwelling-house ; and there are many other such instances . uses t he ee s s e e he In ho , m ting for wor hip w r ld , s h se s ess e th e as well a t o for bu in , brok n up by

t he law at es . 1 660 s e s e arm of tim In , oldi r w nt ’ se s se at and to Simon Town nd hou Norton , took

e e s a s e and e s e e St ph n Cri p , mini t r, oth r , who w r

imprisoned for refusing th e oath . From Robert ’ L s ouse at e s e -se e inton h South Shi ld , tw nty v n

s ere a e s . ea a Friend w t k n to pri on From H dl m , George Dixon and four others were taken and 660 e u a . on e ea 1 committ d to D rh m In y r, in ,

e e e e e and s a th r w r Nin ty odd in Pri on at Durh m , chieﬂy for refusing the oath ; and as they also ’ e se a the a s ees a re as r fu d to p y g oler f , m ny we c t

int o what the d s ibed in lain Sax on as a y e cr p , EARLY IN 6 FRIENDS THE NORTH .

e . e e was ee Stinking Dung on Th r n d , then ,

th e ee n s s ess and es for m ti g for bu in , pecially for th e a e s th e e e t h e s doption of m an for r li f of ufferers . One t h e esu s th e s d of r lt of vi it of Fox , Au land . ’ and others was t h e Setting up t he Men s Meetin g

s 1 6 . Th e e s is in Bi hopric , 53 r cord of thi signed s e si ee e s s by om xt n p r on , including Anthony

ea s Lau st affe and e P r on , John g , Andr w Rawe . There are records of many general meetings a e s one at e h ' e ft r thi , of which , H ig ington , G orge Fox a e e and a e at a had tt nd d ; noth r , Durh m , as clerk

Anthony Pearson .

1 6 8 a ee n e s t he In 5 , m ti g of Fri nd out of North ” ern u es u e a a co nti , including North mb rl nd nd

was e at Scaleh ouse e Durham , h ld , which , in th L i e e s et c . a r e s is e st tt r , , of E rly F nd und r ood M ” to be in t h e distri ct of Richmond onthly Meeting . Another Meeting issu ed an epistle from several ” ee s and t he a M ting in adjoining to County of Durh m ,

a e 1 6 t he e e al Mee i n at in d t d 59 , to G n r t g Skipton t he s e a e t he s ri th e am year, which pprov d pi t of

s di cipline in it . This disciplinary treatise embodies much of the special belief of Friends the General Meet

s e e we e e e e ing w r found , ho v r, not fr qu nt nough

t he es a e e so a 1 66 for duti th t f ll on th m , , bout 5 , t he ua e Mee s e e se e e Q rt rly ting w r ttl d ; lat r , Fox ’ records th e fact that men s Mon thly Meetings ” e e se e t he a and s w r ttl d throughout n tion , till R STRU GGLE ST ESS AND . 7

a a ee n s . L a t he e s la ter th e P rticul r M ti g oc lly , r cord of th e Quarterly Meeting of Durham only date

1 6 1 and s e t h e l ee s are from 7 , om of Month y M ting as early but t h e fu nctions of t hese early gatherings

e e n ot so e eﬁ e e as — as we s w r w ll d n d th n now, hall s - th e e e one or how, church work , th n don by

anisation is al e an e . s is g , lott d to oth r now Thi a fact that h as to be borne in mind when th e records of some of th e meetings for di sciplin e are quoted in th e su cceeding pages . As t he result of t h e labours of Fox and t h e early

a s t h e a e e e e a ee s prop gator of f ith , th r w r m ny m ting

a s e e e e a est bli h d ; som of which prov d t mpor ry ,

t e e l others ha ve been enduring . From h p rusa of th e earliest of th e recorded minutes of th e local

ee s see h a e e e e 1 6 m ting , it would m t t th r w r , in 79 , ee s ee s t he n a es s e fourt n di tinct m ting , but m of om

ese a e so e and th e a es are so of th h v chang d , ch ng

a e t he a es a a e indic tiv of ch ng in loc tion , th t th y need more detailed examina tion .

a ea e ua e s Of th t rly period of north rn Q k ri m ,

1 6 1 6 1 t h e e s as we a e sai from 53 to 7 , r cord , h v d , are scanty and scattered in t he journals of th e early preachers and in quaint treatises . We ’ a e al ea re e e s s s and nu h v r dy f rr d to Fox vi it , an

s e e ma be e m a a e publi h d incid nt y giv n , which y h v value as showing some of t he subj ects of contro vers 6 e se . 1 e e y in tho days In 57 , G org Fox cam into Durham from t h e north . He says that 8 EARLY D I N FRIEN S THE NORTH .

' W e was in B ish o n cke An t ho : a h n I p , Pe rson came to mee and h ad a great desire tha t I sh oulde

oe see e an e h ad g with him to H nry V , but I little

mee oe at a e an d he e e upon to g th t tim , comm nd d

mee and sa e a e ad him to ; id, H nry V n h much ” enquired after mee .

e a saw Sir r a e So Fox w nt to R by ; Har y V n , “ declared to him how th e grace of God which

sa a h ad a e all m en and brought lv tion ppear d to , ’ ’ was t he sainte s teachers in th e apostle s days and soe it was now Vane and a New England man who was with him took up a word Fox h ad u se s s ue and a e wa s a e e d , mi con tr d it , ft r rd cknowl dg d

th e e but e e seem a e ee a few ea ed rror, th r to h v b n h t

r s and e sa s wo d , th n , y Fox

oe a a an d h e sai s e ri e s S I wen t w y , d to om f nd a e a s a o ea s an d s e ft rw rd , th t if Anth ny P r on om

e h ad ee mee he s a e oth rs not b n with , hould h v put O ie s mee out of his hou se as a m ad man . S fr nd th at was with mee st ranged t o see his darkness and impa tions . Of on e of th e Friends who accompanied George

his s e cas e and a and Fox on vi it to N w tl , to R by , of whom very few details h ave been given in an y

u a s en s ma be e ss b e of the jo rn l of Fri d , it y p rmi i l

l r a singu ar caree . A mos t int erest ing st ory wou ld be tha t of Am

a Ram shaw Hall thcny Pearson . He was born t p , STRES S AND STRU GGLE . 9

’

1 6 8 . ea . e e s a 2 n r St H l n Auckland , prob bly in In

1 6 8 h e e a e e se e a u 4 , b c m cl rk or cr t ry to Sir Arth r

Has lri . u ea s a e a e a ee e gg Fo r y r l t r , ft r h ving b n

e t h e ss e s h e was Cl rk to Compounding Commi ion r , a s e th e ea e ee es an d oin ed Ju tic of P c in thr counti , j in trying J ames N aylor an d Fran ci s Howgill at “ ”

e . e e h e was e an d a e e Appl by Th r convinc d , l tt r of his to a fellow justice shows strikingly his spiritual state . He went to Swarthmore Hall George Fox was “ ’ se sa s e an d t h e L s nt for, who y , So I w nt , ord

power reached him . He visited Fox when t he

a t e was so e at a i s e and e l t r impri n d C rl l , tri d to

et his e . He e e e i g him lib rty r c iv d Fox at h s hou se ,

e e at a e a e ee a e e wh r v ry l rg m ting , m ny w r con ” 6 m v in ced . ai 1 h e et e e Ag n , in 57 , G org Fox in

e as e and u us e he a a e N wc tl c rio ly nough , ccomp ni d Fox

e s e Led erd is in th vi it to Ald rman g , which told in “ ” t h e a ea s and Led erd a Journ l , both P r on g h ving been engaged together in th e work of t h e Committee

for Compounding . Sir H . Vane was a member of

t h e ss an d ea s as is s a e a e Commi ion , P r on , t t d bov , t ook George Fox to him . After t h e fu tile interview

e a Led erd e e a e with Ald rm n g , G org Fox c m through '

Ram h aw a . e t his we ﬁn d Durham to m H ll Aft r , that Thomas Aldam and Anthony Pearson were moved to go through all th e gaols of England to get parti cu lars of th e causes of t h e imprisonments of Friends in order to lay th e details before Crom I O I N THE EARLY FRIENDS NORTH .

Th e interview with Oliver Cromwell is t he ’ last we hear of Anthony Pearson from Friends

s . was su se h e e t h e e bu t book It ppo d l ft Soci ty,

this seemed doubtful . There are now tolerably clear proofs that Pearson Hi e is u did leave Friends . s nam not fo nd in th e list of sufferers and there is no record of his burial ’ in any Friends graveyard . Thi s is negative testi

ere is a s s e . mony, but th l o po itiv proof Th e Calendar of State Papers gives December 1 2 05 1 661 as a e e Sir , , d t of Information giv n by

. us e s . e s a u a e P M grav again t Ant P ar on , Q k r, i and a e se . Haselr l t rvant to Sir Art gg , who cor responds with t h e disaffected party in London ”

and a . th e 1 e e e Scotl nd On 4th of D c mb r, Anthony

ears was e a e and h e e e th e a e . P on x min d , d ni d ch rg u t h 1 662 he a e an u his On Jan ary 9 , , g v acco nt of

deportment in th e late time of unhappy difference . He sa s he e i the i eri a i s y , mbrac ng ch m c l not on ese es ran e esses ea el of th tim , into xc in z l for r igion , ” but was still on e Of t he best fri ends of t he King . On th e Restoration he at once gave i n hi s allegiance ; ” se his arms and e ue e th e nt in , fr q nt d only company ’

t h e s a s s . On t he 1 6th a u r of King p rti an of J n a y , Secretary Nicholas who h ad ordered Pearson to

be a e e e e s a h e ﬁ s t r ppr h nd d , r port th t nd no fur he

a use es ra . I n 1 66 c to r t in him 4, John Elrington , “ e e as s e s . e rs o xamin d to a plot , p ak of Ant P a n , u er-s e i and u r a nd h r f of Durham , a tho of book

1 2 IN THE EARLY FRIENDS NORTH .

t o s n s ea in 1 6 8 . An d pri o , whil t pr ching , 7 , in others of t h e olden journals there are statements of visits to some of t h e places where Friends had settled

in a is a e th e ﬁ s s e ea s Durh m but it ft r r t cor of y r ,

an d a e t h e d s a ee s h ad ee e ft r i ciplin ry m ting b n b gun ,

a we et a n s e e a e and e e th t g ccou t mor d t il d mor xact .

ee s be a e e e e ese It n d to dd d . how v r, that wh n th

e s ea e n we ﬁn d a a es h r cord r lly b gi , th t ch ng ad

e an d a e e h ad ee s e e al b gun , th t th r b n om c ntr iz ation f t h e ee s o t h e e . a n of m ting Soci ty In D rli gton ,

e a a esh ea a Norton , Shotton , Sund rl nd , G t d , Durh m ,

ee - ses h ad ee so a t h e ee n m ting hou b n built , th t m ti gs

e e a e e r a e e i s — i w r r r ly h ld in p iv t dw ll ng , though n

t h e ﬁ s ea th e e Wi li a and a a r t y r of r ign of l m M ry , ’ meeting was registered as held at Robert Linton s

se at h e s an d a e at hou South S i ld , noth r Robert ’

Wa e s e a . a a an rd ll , in Sund rl nd Gr du lly orderly method of Church discipline was brought into u se an d t h e functions of t h e various church gatherings an d offi cials were being defined . Twenty years or so after t h e first visit of George Fox into t he

s r u a a e ee w i Bi hop ick , D rh m Qu rt rly M ting ith t s i subord nate gatherings was ﬁrmly established . II . CHANGES I N DU RHAM QUARTERLY

MEETING .

HE Quarterly Meeting of Durham migh t be

sai it s ea es ea s be co-e e s e d in rli t y r , to xt n iv with t h e county Of Durham but changes in some

Of it s ee s and d s in e s a e m ting , ad ition oth r , h v made it extend from Berwick-ou -Tweed to Castleton d an d Hawes in North Yorkshire . Th e ﬁrst recorde

ee i was e 1 6 1 an d U 1 6 8 it s m t ng h ld in 7 , p to 7

fo meetings were held at Lanchester . Then r more th an a century they were held in t h e city of Durham from 1 780 there were Quarterly Meetings

e at e as e a and a . I n h ld N wc tl , D rlington Durh m 1 8 1 7 t h e meeting was held for t h e last time at

a an d w s e e ea s e at New Durh m , it a th nc for y r h ld

as e a n e an and c tl , D rli gton , Sund rl d , Stockton ; ﬁ f an d n a at t h e ﬁ s ee O es a es . , lly , r t thr th e pl c — I t s constitu ent Monthly Meetings were at t h e

ea es e e e t h e a e rli t tim r cord d , following Sh ck r ton (afterwards Raby) ; (2 ) Walln ook ; (after wards Durham) (3) Gateshead (later Newcastle)

Nam e doubtful .

I 3 I N TH E I 4 EARLY FRIENDS NORTH .

(4) Norton and (5 ) Allandale . Of these Monthly

ee s ma be sa a a was e M ting , it y id th t Durh m j oin d

a e as e a t h e e 1 8 to th t of N wc tl bout y ar 7 4 Norton ,

a h ad one a es a e was e h ving or two ch ng in n m , join d

a a 1 82 0 and t h e e by R by (or St indrop) in , unit d gathering h as sin ce been known as Darlingt on

ar Monthly Meetin g . Allandale became p t of

t e a an d a e a e a Nor humb rl nd , ultim t ly p rt of Cumb rl nd

e e a e Quart erly Meeting . To Du rham there w r dd d

Guisbrou h and n ee s g Richmond Mo thly M ting , so e as e that it is now composed of four N wc tl ,

a i Guisbrou h and n . D rl ngton , g Richmo d

As t h e ea a ee s t h e es to rly P rticular M ting , minut seem to show that about t h e year 1 675 there were ” Sh ackert on a ar a as e La , R by , B n rd C tl , rtington ,

B a e e Walln ook a and erwe r nc p th , , Durh m , D nt wa e a es ea e s and e a t r G t h d , Shi ld , Sund rl nd ;

n n a an d a i . Shotton , Norto , Stockto , Y rm , D rl ngton Some of these ancient meetings have long been closed and th e names of others altered . Shack erton - which h ad been held at t h e house of

Lan st affe — e a e a a was John g , b c m Auckl nd ; R by later transferred to Staindrop and Barnard Castle and Lartington were centred at Cotherstone ;

a e e W ll o k d erwe a e e e Br nc p th , a n o an D ntw t r w r merged into B en ﬁeldside ; Gateshead was removed to Newcastle ; South Shields died out for nearly two centuri es ; an d Yarm and Shotton also passed away . Some of these changes were asc ribable to t h e C I N U M M I HANGES D RHA QU ARTERLY EETING . S

r passing away or perversion of early F iends . TWO of t h e early hosts of George Fox in Durham — county Anthony Pearson an d Henry Draper

e t t h e e . e a e esea es l f Soci ty Of H nry Dr p r , r rch giv t h e facts that follow

e a e ead a son H nry Dr p r , of H l m ( of Timothy ’ a e on e t h e n s s e s New Dr p r, of Ki g Cu tom r , of

as e was a e at . as c tl ) b ptiz d St Nichol church , in

1 61 1 . He arrie ea e a e m d El nor Birkb ck , only d ught r i an d e ess en e ea a . H s h ir of H ry Birkb ck , of H dl m

son h a e ead a a r e r e , Jo n Dr p r, of H l m , m r i d B idg t

e a e . e e n a F ll , of Sw rthmor G org Dixo , of Old R by, “ was taken with others from a meeting at Henry ’ ” a e s se 1 662 . Dr p r hou , in

i e s There s an cclesia tical complaint that Mr . Thomas Mossock (who married a daughter of

a e h ad h ad ee e e an Dr p r) , thr childr n buri d in

a ser e . a e a re Orch rd , without vic Much l t r p sen t ation was made by t h e Churchwardens of

ai . as Mossock h ad G nford , of Mr Thom , who se e a a e h e and is a e on e v r l unb ptiz d c ildr n , it dd d Anne Bai nbridge was buried in ye Orchard of ”

. e a e ead a . Mr H nry Dr p r , of H l m

Walbran t h e an ar an sa s a eas , tiqu i , y th t t of Headlam Hall there are certai n enclosed grass ”

ﬁe s i m a a e ee a es r a . ld , wh ch y h v b n pl c of bu i l I s this a reason why we ﬁn d no record of t h e burial ’ of a Draper of Headlam in a Friends bu rial ground in Durham 1 6 EARLY FRIENDS IN THE NORTH .

r e e t h e a e a a e l Of B idg t F ll , d ught r of M rg r t Fel ,

a e an d se e ea Da 15 who m rri d ttl d n r rlington , there very little information obtai nable . Eight of her

le e s are ese e th e e . . e ce tt r pr rv d in coll ction of C J Sp n , e s all w e h er e e North Shi ld , ritt n to moth r wh n t he L 0 la e was an d t h e e s 1 66 an d 1 . tt r in ondon , in y ar 1 66

One ese h as ee r e and is a s e e of th b n p int d , hort l tt r addressed to Margaret Fell at h er lodging at

t h e e e L . s was a P llm ll , ondon Thi bout two years before h er marriage at Swarthmore Hall to

John Draper of Headlam . After h er marriage we

ve have no news of h er . Sh e probably did not li

e a se h er na e es t h e s long , b c u m do not occur in li t ’ of those who signed t h e certiﬁcates at h er Sister s ’ weddings ; it is not on h er mother s (second)

e e ﬁ a e an d e e sa s a all w dding c rti c t , G org Fox y th t ’ M . Fell s daughters came to it . Hence it may be concluded that Bridget Draper was not t hen living . ’ We have no record of h er buri al in any Friends

r a bu i l grou nd in Durham . III .

SU FFERING FRIENDS .

T h as already been stated that t he early years of t h e Society of Friends were years of

e se s es a a s a ci e a s an d p r cution , of truggl g in t n nt l w ,

s se s t agai nst other devi d to cru h out h e fai th .

a h ad it s s are t h e s fe s an d Durh m h of uf ring , in ’ Besse s volumes there are detai ls of imprisonment

ea assa s se es an d to d th , of ult , of izur , of long

e s ai s e es and di s esses . s continu d di tr nt , l vi tr Thu ,

u e a e s m et ﬁ s at t h e se in S nd rl nd , Fri nd r t hou of ” e e e an a e m an was Se G org Humbl , g d , who nt

a a e e h e was n e t en s to Durh m g ol , wh r in or month , ” i an d e e . H s e a 1 6 is es e th n di d fun r l , in 57 , d crib d as t h e ﬁ s t h e a r at e r t in (old) buri l g ound Sund rland, after his death at Durham prisoner for t he Testi ” mony of t h e Truth .

e a 1 6 8 e e e e - In F bru ry , 5 , th r w r twenty four

r e s a e at A e a e an d a e F i nd t k n ll nd l , c rri d to

Hex om e e e e e e se e al a s , wh r th y w r k pt v r d y

“ ” in a nasty stinking dungeon . Several Friends

e e a e Holeraw . 1 66 a e w r t k n from In 4, Fri nd “ e ale a s e r from All nd , Fr nci Shi ld , of Bu nfoot , for 1 8 A rN E RLY FRIENDS THE NORTH . not going to t h e Bell hou se h ad two Bibles and s other good taken from him . On e olden record may be exactly copied “ t he 1 t h e 6th t 1 661 o n On oth of mon h , j h

B lakli n Drawell ea Sedber Yorkshire g, of , n r g, in ,

e a Thoma s ackson Robert F owler o B r Y om n , j , , f u lin ton Samuel N elhest Whi tb Yorkshi e g , , of y , in r ,

a e s ohn Stockle Thomas Alli nson W i M rin r , j y , , ill a m

H art ohn Dove an d William Dove Whill , j of y , M r Dove un t e e a . he sa e s e Y om n , y , j , of m , Spin t r ,

William Truthwaiie B owden Robert Li nton , of , ,

Thomas Chandler, Thomas M erriman , La ncelot

W rdale e a Thomas Smith La e a , M rch nt , , bou r r,

c d Wilson and M ar arel hi s e e Ri har g , wif , Georg

a e a Sarah Knowles Dorot Carr , S lt m rch nt , , hy

D wson oane Sanderson s e s William M a a , j , Spin t r , ud,

M Geor e Li nton ohn Harri son all o f erchant , g , j ,

e a e s S usat Trulhwail Sund rl nd or Shi ld , , Spin

and Laurence Heslam Whitb Yorkshi re ster , , of y in , ’ i e e a e at a Mee at Robert Li nton s Mar ner, w r t k n ting

o Shi elds a Graham e e u in S uth , by M jor , th n D p ty

e Ti nmout h as e and as t as Gov rnor of C tl , c t in o n ty

e e e e e la a u an d th en holes th r , wh r th y y f ll month t e a so as a ea h e tu rned h m out , h ving far pp red to

e Wa e e them, no Ord r , Authority , or rrant , ith r for ”

e s e e s ss . their appreh n ion , d t ntion , or di mi ion e is s B laklin was a Of those nam d in th li t , John g

e e the es W e Yorkshire Fri nd of not Dov , of hitl y were members of a family long known and set tled

EARLY FRI ENDS I N TH N R 2 0 E O TH .

ea or t wo one of th e meeti s for d sci line y r , ng i p

be quot ed fro m t h e record There ca me into y e Meet ing J . J en kins an d Isaac B asire an d ot her here for 9 And one ﬁ rien d an swered To worship ’ h t God . That s enou sa e an d so a g , id h y, c used all

s ﬁ rien ds be m rr ed an I nn w or mo t of to y to , here

e a Al th ey t endred y O th of legiance to J . Tisick

and . Allot t e as e and . r an d Ma J , of N wc tl , J Ai y th . llaso a es ea efusin w A n , of G t h d , who , r g to S ear , ” we e se a aile an d kee t h ree We r nt to Durh m j , p t eks .

1 66 mas Yoole Coo en an In 5 , Tho , of p , d Roger Hudson were sentenced to ban i shment to Barba

es i se does . For tith S mon Town nd was conﬁn ed

’

se e ea s . Wh e 1 6 2 t h e for v n y r n in 7 , by King s

e s a e an e s e e e ease lett r p t nt , m y Fri nd w r r l d from pri son there were twelve Durham men among t h e ‘ nu mber.

s ai s e in 1 6 6 R a Wa s n Di tr nt continu d ; 7 , ich rd t o ,

n ri en h ad six s a e a Norto F d , cow t k n from him ” for preaching in a Darlington meeting .

1 6 8 8 1 was a e s ai In 7 , £ t k n by di tr nt from John Trotter and eight other Auckland Friends Richard Watson was imprisoned for nine weeks for

“ e is n w s t h e h se n no t Th r o a mi s r e ri e . p ou of fo tu . of c m Th e magistrates bein g boun d to main tain t h e prisons t h e ra es ar e t h e siness a ers out of t f m d out bu to g ol , r r n es f r h se v es f wh o ex to ted fo tu o t em l out O th eir victims . ’ ” n n er h e s Trevelyan s E glan d u d t Stuart . 2 I SU FFERING FRIENDS .

se ce t h e a a rs . 1 68 ab n from n tion l wo hip In 3, abou t thirty- two persons were imprisoned for a few days for attendin g th e Quarterly Meeting at ” - s ll as a . e a ee se a e Durh m In Sund rl nd , M ting hou w

e e s s ffe e a a e Of s an d t h e m mb r u r d , for R bbl Boy

as e s t h e e e e e t h e se B r ort of P opl brok op n hou ,

lle an d s s an d sea s an d pu d up burnt ﬂoor , window , t , then went to break t h e windows of t h e houses ” of t h e Quakers . At Darlington ﬁnes an d imprison ments awai ted

se m et s — on e ee at tho who for wor hip , for m ting ’ Cuthbert Thompson s ﬁnes amounting to £2 5 were

ev e ee e s an d 1 6 2 t h e ﬁ es l i d on thirt n Fri nd , in 7 , n

t h e ea at a c an d for y r D rlington , Sto kton , Norton , Bishop Aucklan d were not far Short of

e whilst far into t he century distraints continu d . ’ 1 6 a ee at a a e a s in In 75 , for M ting M rg r t Cr wford

a t h e t h t he alle Ma D rlington , on 4 of month c d y ,

— Law e e were taken from M . Crawford an d r nc

e s 2 2 h s Appl by , four Cow worth £ ; Jo n Robin on ,

- Ulnab e ee 1 . of y , tw nty two Sh p worth £ 4 Another minute tells th e story of t h e cruelty

se e a W a a es Comﬁrt u d in l vying arr nt on Fr nc , ” a W ea e ea s a e . poor idow , n r ighty y r of g For attending a Conventicle at t h e house of Robert

a a ﬁ es e e e e on Trum n in D rlington , n w r l vi d

s a a e e La e ce e Jo hu Middleton m rc r ; wr n Appl by ,

U s a s e as s an d e s . r ul Fi h r, Thom Hodg on oth r It is needless to quote further from t h e long 2 2 IN TH E N EARLY FRIENDS ORTH .

Durham had no heavier burden to bea r than other

es— ess an a th e a was not counti l th m ny, for f ith so ea a a e and t h e e a ct rly prop g t d , Tol r tion A limited B t h e powers of t h e Oppressors . ut for generations

es e e s e e e se z u es s ee e th r cord w r k pt , of i r for t pl house rates and allied imwst s . The instances that have been given are ex ammes of scores an d t h e names are some of those we Shall

ea la e s t h e a es ee e t he h r of t r, whil t pl c of m ting t ll story of t h e localities where t h e gatherings were in

- that period before mee ting houses were general . W e e s a e a e ss e th e ﬁrs e h n r gi tr tion b c m po ibl , in t y ar

Wi a and Ma s t h e es ee of lli m ry , among t plac of m ting

e st e e at am r at a es ea so r gi r d Durh a e that G t h d , e e e t h e Mee - se e s e which pr c d d ting hou at N wca tl , ’ ” e e L s se u e s on at Rob rt inton hou , So th Shi ld , another at a new building in Bishopwearmou th

o e se t h e is es ri e as pari sh . In n ca , building d c b d ” for t he u se of th e People of God called Qu akers . There are some indica tion s of t h e condition of e ﬁ es e e e th e Friends from th n l vi d on th m , and from t he tithes they were distrai ned on for ; but there is no indication of the actu al nu mbers of Friends in We a e is ue a s Du rham in those days . h v , it tr , li t

e s e s e e a s a as of t h birth r gi t r d , which llow contr t

e e e e in t h e ﬁ st et e to be made . Th r w r r compl ' s e s e e ri e s e st ers decade , 2 35 birth r gi t r d in F nd r gi — for Du rham or ra ther over 2 3 per year . U 2 S FFERING FRIENDS . 3

t he a es ea t h e u e s e In l t t y r , n mb r of birth r corded in

u a u a e ee was hi ee D rh m Q rt rly M ting t rt n , but this now represents th e births of children when both t h e a e s are e e s and u s t h e as i p r nt m mb r , th contr t s

e a e ai . ee as h as not x ct in d t l Ind d , though contr t

een a e e e ee t h e e s and b tt mpt d b tw n numb r of old ,

se at t h e ese e is at es e a tho pr nt tim , it b t conj ctur l , and it is between a time when membership was

se and a e e is e a eﬁ e . loo in bond , noth r wh n it x ctly d n d IV . L LOCA RECORDS OF THE SOCIETY .

h as ee hi e s e t h e ea i e e S b n nt d , om of rl r r cords Of t h e Society are not now extant ; for Dur h am county they are generally regularly kept from soon after t h e year 1 672 ; but those of some of

t h e subsidiary meetings begin later . They do not Show t h e exact time when these disciplin ary meet

s e e u an d one ases e i ing w r beg n , in or two c th re s th e proof of earli er meetings than those of which records ex ist . There is no actual record of t he appointmen t Of th e e t h e a e ee il 1 1 Cl rk to Qu rt rly M ting unt 7 4, an d t h e appointmen t of t he early Clerks seems to have been at irregular intervals . Th e following is a list as far as search reveals th e names :

1 1 ee an 1 1 se e 7 4, John Fr m ; 7 7 , Jo ph Singl ton ;

1 1 8 W li a Ka 1 2 2 ee an 1 2 7 , il m y ; 7 , John Fr m ; 7 5 , a 1 2 se H0 er 1 2 h John H ll ; 7 7 , Jo ph pp ; 7 9 , Jo n

ee an 1 se ns n 1 8 Fr m ; 737 , Jo ph Robi o ; 73 , John

e 1 0 a a ai ne 1 e Trott r ; 74 , Jon th n R ; 745 , Rob rt

W e 1 6 Wm . a and 1 a ard ll ; 74 , P rton ; 753, J mes

Backhouse. D TH E s i ET LOCAL RECOR S OF oc Y . 2 5

It is probable that t he Monthly Meetings at one peri od nominated t he Clerks ; a minute of New castle meeting on one occa sion says that Jonathan Raine is appointed by thi s meeting ” s e as t he u a to erv Clerk to Q rterly Meeting .

a a a e u e an son h Jon th n R in , of S nd rl d , of Jo n and ” a ah a e Eaden den e u se was S r R in , of ho , born 1 6 8 and h e his e an d e in 9 , , wif two Childr n , John (died and Mary (di ed are buried in

Sunderland graveyard . The ﬁrst minute of Du rham Qu arterly Meeting that is extant is as follows At t he Qu arterly Meeting held t he z u d r1 t h W 6 1 li a d . th . 1 a au an Lin all mo , 7 , th t il m M d Robt shall take care to satisfy George Nicholson con

e a e du e a es Waist ell c rning d bt to him from J m , and th at this meeting doe secure them for th e same t h e sum Of £2 5 The disagreement between husband and wife forms t h e subj ect of one of t he early minutes At ye Qu arterly meeting at Lanchester 7t h of

e 1 1 th . 1 6 2 a e y mo , 7 , Th t John Bowron , Andr w

a e . a an d ob . e and s ea R w , Tho Sp rk J Hunt r go p k

W ea e an d his e e to J ob . h tl y wif conc rning their disorder and occasion which they have given in openin g ye mouths of ye wicked to spread evil of

e and e e sa ree e an d y Truth , conc rning th ir Di g m nt , yt an account of their proceedings be given to ye ” next month meeting . S 2 6 EARLY FRIEND IN THE NORTH .

That Richard Watson and John Robinson doe s s speak to Wm . Dob on about hi intention of ta king

a t he e and e a of woman of world to wif , giv n ac ” count thereof to ye next Monthly Mee ting . This question of marri age with those who were not Fri end s

e th e e a e s and troubl d Soci ty for m ny gen ration ,

caused it much grief an d many losses . Th e appointment of representatives to t he Yearly

ee is ec e as far as 1 6 e M ting r ord d back 73, wh n it

is sa a a a Wi s and id Th t John Bowm n , Rich rd l on ,

s e be at t he J ame Hall ; or two of th m , Yearly

at L is se ﬁ ri en ds Mee ting ondon , who cho by for that purpose but th e appointments to t h e

Quarterly meetings are not systematically recorded . The business of th e early meetings for church — affairs that is th e Meetings for Discipline had much to do with th e oversight of t he marri ages

he e e s th e e the t he e of t m mb r , car of poor, r cording

th e su fe s e ess a s a of f ring , and oth r busin of imil r

e e i o e s se e a u . e s n u es ve a s s a n t r H r gg ti c , that how rar difﬁ culty which a Monthly Meeting had to deal wi th At our M onthly M eeti ng att Norton the roth

o e 6i on h 1 6 Geo e Trewrehaite and day f y h m t , 75 , rg — I sabell Walton George from B owdon and I sabell — from Hasslcton pu blished their I ntenti ons 0] M ar

ri e and on o some ob ections on the e ag , by reas f j W

o o s Ric mond it was r ed to the nex t f Th ma h , eferr M onthly M eet i ng where Thomas Richmond is ex ” pected to be with ye said parti es .

0 O O

2 8 EARLY FRIENDS IN THE NORTH . appointed to draw up a paper agai nst disorderly

a i a es u e es s and e e s . m rr g , dr nk nn oth r vil Th e ﬁrst of these shows that Henry Draper ’ (Fox s host at Headlam) an d hi s son -in -law left — i t he e ss is a au ses . Soci ty , po bly from d ciplin ry c Th e second minu te points to some disorderly ” al an d m a be a e u w king , y t k n in conj nction with f s e es O 3. ee e e om minut Monthly M ting giv n b low ,

s a t h e u e h ad its fﬁ u es to how th t yo ng Soci ty di c lti . Attention was also given to the apprenticing Of “ youth : it is agreed by firiends at this meeting ’ that Thomas Milbu rn s son be put apprentice to ” a s a s e Rich rd Thomp on , of Barn rd Ca tl , Taylor,

th e fee be e s an d t e and to paid by Fri nd , h terms are

s e . Th e e t h e t he a tat d car of poor, binding of p e es t h e sse a a es e pr ntic , a nt to m rri g , bulk d out largely in t he business Of t he meeting for discipline in those days . The Monthly Meetings in the early days did much Of th e work of oversight (though there were overseers appointed) . At one Monthlv Meeting e e s e e a e—as e as 1 6 1 a numb r of r port w r m d arly 7 , as to t h e reasons that Friends gave for absence from meetings “ John Robinson gave account th at Robert Wilson said he i udged it wisdom not to be hasty i n

n n w o ot o n gi vi g a ans er ab ut his n c mei g to m ati ngs . He also gave account th at Michael Tolling said hi s reason why he did not come to meeti ngs was because 2 LOCAL RECORDS OF THE SOCIETY . 9 he did see some ﬁri ends who had estates made them

wa soc that sn eri n s was like to come on such a y , ﬁ g

ho ould not ke a w s hee w c ma a thei estates . a , y r “ Alsoe th at Francis Hodgsh on said he cou ld not tell what answer to gi ve about hi s not comei ng to meetings . Alsoe that Cuthbert Robinson pretended he did see all that came to meeti ngs were not as they ought to be. In these replies it will be seen that many of t h e n on -Chu rch goin g reaso ns of to-day were antici pated more th at two centuries ago and in addition “ there was th e remark of th e candid man who cou ld ” a s not tell what n wer to give . A li ttle romance is hidden in one of th e cases W which furnished occasion for many minu tes . hen a frien d was being transferred to another

ee was s add a s a e e m ting , it cu tomary to t t m nt of clearn ess or otherwise from marriage engage

en s . se was t h e son a e s m t Jo ph King of p r nt , who were members of Stockton meeting . He became

en e a u a a e e gag d to yo ng wom n , m mb r of Shotton

is meeting . It was needful th at h certiﬁcate should

s e e o be sent . Stockt on Friend d clin d to furnish ne — — because h e a sailor h ad been continu ously em ployed in a Whitby ship that sailed from other

e e e s ports . Whitby Fri nds also d clin d to fu rni h th e e iﬁ a e an d a e s Of es e e c rt c t , ft r month corr pond nc , Stockt on u rged that Newcas tle meeting Should 0 I N THE 3 EARLY FRIENDS NORTH .

admit him . This t h e meeting by minute con

es e e and s a e se d c nd d to do ; hortly ft r , Jo ph

r ie a es at King ma r d Hann h Bain Shotton . It is worth adding that meetings for women Friends speedi ly followed t h e recorded meetings f T ’ or m en hitherto named . he men s Quarterly Meeting decided in 1 674 that t h e women Friends

of e ee B ran s at h a Darw n m ting, p , and Durh m do

m ee e a and e ns se t onc month , dir ctio to tho in 6 o e ee s . 1 e e s th r m ting follow In 79 , wom n Fri nd desired that they might have a qu arterly a e als and t h men e esse g th ring o , e xpr d unity with

t h e es e an d as e a ou t Of e e a a d ir , k d th t v ry p rticul r meeting some women Friends might go as repre

sent at i es a ea s v to their gathering . It was m ny y r later before t h e appointment Of t h e representatives to Quarterly Meetings was transferred to t h e Monthly t h e from Particular Meetings . Necessarily ﬁnancial matters were brought before t h e ee n s . l e s t he e e a e m ti g Co l ction for poor w r m d , an d sent by t h e Particular Meetings to t h e Quarterly .

n O e such collection in 1 674 realised £1 0 35 . 3d . It was sent up from nine meetings in amounts from — 8 5 . 6 d . 6d . a to £2 1 85 . Norton an d Sunderl nd e t l i 1 6 6 h e a es ri s. a b ing rg t cont butor Ag n , in 7 ,

1 0 1 e e ee £ 93. 1 d . was received from tw lv m tings — t ak n t e a e a a Nor on t i g h pl c of honour g in , but

as is a e is ss e a was Stockton not n m d , it po ibl th t it i lu e so e s nc ded in that of Norton . Th amount r ali ed OR S LOCAL RECORDS THE OCIETY . 31

s a e ee s e su s seem to h v b n di tribut d in m from 45 .

e a e th e a e Of e to £3. A littl l t r c r th poor became e th e t h e e more esp ci ally work of Monthly M etings . It is interesting to learn how t he Society rai sed

- t h e u s it s ee ses . 1 6 D r f nd for m ting hou In 77 , a lingtou desired a meeting-place ; and John Lang

s af e a Wa s n ee e a es t f , Rich rd t o , John Gr nw ll and J m ” W e e e a e e a use and hit w r ppoint d to vi w ho , if

e e s t h they approv d it , Fri nd in e general] were

s a i t h e e th se to a sist D rl ngton in mon y for e purcha .

e a e t he Old ee - use was a d A littl l t r , M ting ho bought n

os was 80 one- a was s th e c t £ , of which h lf rai ed by i s t en meet ng from Yarm to Newcastle . In 1 679 a collection was made for th e procuring ’ a Meetin g-house in Durham for t h e County s Service ” u a e ee s me an d e and for Q rt rly M ting for n wom n , “ fourteen Friends were appointed to acquaint t he ” ee s e e and n t he m ting th y b long to , to bri g in col

. ea i lection It r l zed £2 3 1 5 . 4d . from fourteen

meetings . Finally we may quote t he example of

Newcastle . Gateshead Monthly Meeting appointed three Friends to lay before t he Quarterly t he

es re a Mee n - se e as e an d o d i for ti g hou in N wc tl , fr m

s eight meeting a su m of £5 3 85 . 6d . was collected . Three meeti ngs asked to be excused because they h ad built or were building at their own charge h a s gat ering pl ces for themselves . It hould be

ed ass a s Of s Old ee i not , in p ing , th t mo t tho e M t ng houses have long ago given place to newer and 2 E lN THE 3 ARLY FRIENDS NORTH .

e u s es . i e ds t he mor commodio on At North Sh l , Old Meeting-hou se near t h e Bull Ring (erected abou t 1 694) gave place to that in Stephenson Street about 8 e - t i 1 01 . Th ﬁrs t Meeting house a B enﬁelds de

was a e t es an d a e e one su s u e . m d into co tag , n w r b tit t d

Th e u a ee n - use a e e n n dis D rh m M ti g ho , ft r b i g lo g

- se was s 1 8 . a ee use u d , old in 73 G teshead M ting ho was closed soon after t h e opening Of that at New

as e ih 1 6 8 . a th e ﬁ s ee c tl 9 At D rlington , r t M ting

u se was s ee e e s e e a e and ho ucc d d by anoth r inc nl rg d , modernised . At Stockton th e present M eeting house is a successor to an older one ; Staindrop followed that Of Raby ; Cotherstone that of La rtington ; Norton is one of th e ancient gathering

es h as ee a e e e a plac , but it b n lt r d ; and R dc r ,

es u al u Wes a le are Middl bro gh , S tb rn , and t H rt pool modern erections.

And th e graveyards have als o been changed . i Sunderland fu rni shes an ex amﬂe . The bu r al a e ea t he ee a w was use pl c n r High Str t in th t to n d , is sa as e as at e s bu t the b a s it id , arly l a t uri l of some Sunderland Friends took place at West

Boldon . Down to t he nineteenth century the High Street burial grou nd was used ; then that at

e ee was se e t he me Nil Str t , until it clo d by ord r of Ho i e e 1 8 . a e t he ur a u S cr tary , in 55 At th t dat b l gro nd

th e en e a e e e was is s i in g r l c m t ry bought , which t ll

' s 2! His r un er n Garbutt to y of S d la d.

V .

MARRIAGES AND CERTIFICATES .

OT th e least Of th e difﬁ culti es th e Ea rly Friends h ad to meet were those in relati on to th e mar riage laws. George Fox and his Friends con tended ” a a ri a e is an i a e Of Wh o th t m r g ord n nc God , only “ can rightly join man and woman in marriage . ” e a a e a es W Obj cting to m rri g by pri t , which illiam Penn described as an imposition to advance t he ” e an d ﬁ s Of th e e e pow r pro t cl rgy , th y did not “ ” a r e t he th e L e a e pp ov of bill of ittl P rliam nt , which descri bed marri age as merely a civil con ”

a . t he ea en a was sse tr ct In y r wh th t Act pa d , George Fox issued hi s advice to his Friends as to

Of e marriage . Th e Act ordered that th e names th persons to be married should be proclaimed in e re church or market place . The declaration b fo

th e s e Of t he ea e la e Of t h e e ju tic p c who, in p c cl rgy man e e t he a a e was in d , p rform d m rri g , wor ing not ’ so much unlike that in t he Friends method . ' George Fox s advice was that t he proposal of mar “ ” ri e s e e t h e a ag hould be ﬁrs t pu t b for f ithful ,

a a th e end a ee and afterw rds publish it t of m ting , ”

a e a e as e e e e e e . or in mark t pl c , th y w r mov d th r to

30 M T ARRIAGES AND CER IFICATES . 35

Then it was decided that t h e proposals Should ’ be laid before t h e men s monthly or quarterly ”

ee s as ese e e es a l s e . s m ting , th w r t b i h d In ome

s es u a t h e sal see s in tanc , in D rh m , propo m to have been considered both at t h e Preparative an d t h e

l ee a e t h e e Month y M ting , but ultim t ly m thod so long in vogu e was establi shed . And from early days Fox advi sed that exact records should be kept in books for that purpose ; an d these records have received merited prai se for their general clearness throughout t h e centuries . Early in t h e history of t h e Society t h e legality of t h e

e was es e an d e e e es e m thod qu tion d, G org Fox r qu t d a scholarly friend to search all th e librari es for

a ea a t h e s sa an d inform tion , to l rn wh t Father id , how th e customs were before t h e monks came in ; an d see what !in these] maketh a ”

a a e . Th e s e was e e e e m rri g ubj ct th n d cid d , onc

for all an d t h e a e e e es . on e , Qu k r m thod ndur At

e e e s th e e be e a p riod, only m mb r of Soci ty could l g lly married in it s Meetings but t h e simpliﬁcation of t h e method an d t h e change of some of th e prelim i nari es in 1 859 an d later years have widened t h e

a e u e e is bar a . r a , ntil th r no of th t kind now When it was decided to recommend a surrender ’ of t h e r al e s e s r e s a a es o igin r gi t r of F i nd m rri g ,

et c . t h e e e a e s fﬁ e at e se , to G n r l R gi try O c Som r t

se an a a e di es t h e e ese Hou , dmir bl g t of whol of th w as at ea s le an d CO ies t h e o a gr t co t compi d, p of l c l 6 3 EARLY FRIENDS IN THE NORTH .

s are e t h e portion k pt by meetings . This digest

es a one a ri a es ri includ , loc lly, or two m r g p or to the ’ "l e s es a s e one Soci ty t bli hm nt , or two in which th e banns h ad been proclaimed at th e market

a e and s es th e a a was pl c , in tanc in which m rri ge “ ” W before and by a j ustice . ith very few ex ’ ce tions we e t h e e is a p , ho v r, r cord th t of Friends ” - a a es . e e th e era Mee m rri g B for of ting houses ,

a es e e sol t he m rriag w r in dwellings . Thus a Wa s — h Rich rd t on , of Norton who as been men — t ioned often was married to J ane Townsend in ’

1 666 at . u e s u se at Coo en . e e are , J Yo l ho p Th r s e s a es e e s e imilar r cord for G t h ad , Shi ld , and oth r W M - a es . e ee ses e e ui ere pl c h n ting hou w r b lt , th e th e marriage was sol mnised .

Th e e ﬁ es a a e are ea eres c rti cat of m rri g of gr t int t , for they Show not only th e slight vari ations in

e e th e si t u es wording , but th y giv in gna r of wit

esses s s ri e s a e . One n , li t of F nd of v lu or two of th e very earliest of these certiﬁcates seem to have been either entered or Copied into th e Minut e f 660 i s . One as ar a as 1 s so en t a ed book , b ck , .

with th e names of six witnes ses . The marri age certiﬁcate of George Fox an d

a e e is e a s th e es e i Marg r t F ll in p rh p old t form , r cit ng “ ” that they propou nded their intentions in the ’ s ee and a e a Bristol men m ting , l t r at nother

“ ros y h ris t ph er m rrie J ane Flee t harn t ockton in C b C " o a d at S 36 ries 4 4 by a p t. M N D E C ARRIAGES A C RTIFI ATES . 37

m en and e and e a li meeti ng both of wom n , d t i ng t h e preliminary consent ; t h e declaration s of bride

are e t h e se . e an d bridegroom giv n , promi of M F ll “ t h th e ese e His having e form in pr nc of God , ” a e s an d His asse she e e ng l , in holy mbly , took G org

be h er s a . Th e e ﬁ at e t esse Fox to hu b nd c rti c , wi n d

eas t he a e s a are e by five at l t of d ught r of M rg t F ll , does not seem to be Signed by bridegroom or bride . Th e two certificates of marriage of William Penn — differ sligh tly in wording . Th e firs t hi s marriage — 1 6 2 Gulielma . S rin et t is s e in 7 to M p g , not ign d e e h as e s e by brid groom or brid , but ov r two cor

The se — in 1 a of witnesses . cond 695 to Hann h — Callowhill more shortly tells how in t h e publique

- u se at s e e t h e ai Meeting ho Bri tol , wh r tw n hold

ea h e t h e a u a ise ing ch ot r by h nd , did mut lly prom to live together husband and wife according to ’ ”

i . ﬁ God s holy ord nance The two sign t h e certi cate, t he e s her new a e a a e brid u ing n m of H nn h P nn , and there were over sixty witnesses .

e ﬁ e a e es a a A c rti cat of loc l int r t , d ting b ck to

1 6 1 ma be e e ail as s th e ea 9 , y giv n in d t , howing rly

WHEREAS a es a k se e Of h J m B c hou , Son Jo n a se e a e m a t h B ckhou , of Y ll nd R d n in e County of La s e e ease an d en e Godsalv e nca hir , D c d , J n t , au e h Godsalve e a e s D ght r of Jo n , of Y ll nd Coni r , t h e sa e ease — a e e a e e in id County , D c d h v d cl r d th ir Intentions of taking Each other in marri age before S 38 EARLY FRIEND IN THE NORTH . seu erall public meetings of t he People of God called Quakers in Lancashi re afores aid a ccording to t h e good and homely order of Truth used a s e W se ee s t e mong t th m , ho proc ding h rein after a Deliberate consideration thereof with th e consent a e s e a s and a s c e e of p r nt , R l tion , p rty onc rn d , e e a e t h e sa ee s w r pprov d of by id M ting , they l appearing clear from al other person s .

THESE are therefore to t estifie all whom it may concern that for t h e full accomplishment e s e s t he u ee of th ir aid Int ntion , upon fo rt nth day t he e e a e a u th e of El v nth month c ll d J n ary , in ea t h e u se a Y r according to Acco nt u d in Engl nd . One s six u e e one e Thou and h ndr d nin ty , Th y the s a es a u se and e e Godsalve aid J m B ckho J nn t , appeared in a solemn manner in a public assem bly of t h e afforesaid People and others mett toget her a one u se at t e for th t p rpo , th ir public meeting place in t he dwelling house of Robert Hu bbersti e afforesaid in Yelland Coniers , And in a solemn e a t he e le of t he mann r, ccording to xamp holy men e e th e ri u es u he t he R cord d in Sc pt r of Tr th , sa a es a u se a e t he sa id J m B ckho , t k ing id J ennet Godsalve t he a e e e s by h nd , did op nly d clar a follow et h (viz t . ) ffriends in t he bolie fear of God and (solemnly) before you here gathered at t this Assembly doe t fi e my Deare fi ri en d J enn et Godsalve according to t he Ordinance of God be marr ed e si i to my y wif , promi ng accord ng to th e Ability that God shall give me t hrough t h e Assi stance of His grace to be a loving husband un to her till Death separate us . MARRIAGES AND CERTIFICATES 39

e an d e e t h e sai asse t h e And th n th r in d mbly , said J ennet Godsalv e did in t h e like solemn manner openly declare as followeth (viz t . ) Deare ffrien ds in t h e ficare of God an d in t h e presence of you at t this Assembly I J ennet Godsalv e doe take my Deare ffrien d J ames Backhouse to be my m arry ed ’ s a s s ss s a e t o hu b nd , promi ing through God A i t nc be a ffait hful an d loving wife unto him till death a s e a separ te u s (or word to t h s me effect) . And t h e sai d J ames Backhouse an d J ennet Godsalv e now his wife for a further Conﬁrmation e e e an d e e ese e s th r of, did th n th r to th pres nt sett their hands .

And we whose names are hereu nto Subscribed being present am ongstmanyothers at t h e Solemnizing of t h e said marriage an d Sub JAMES BACKHOUSE scription in man ner afore J ENNET BACKHOUSE sai d as Witness thereunto have allsoe to these presents su bscribed our names t h e day and year above written .

W O H I GI NSON . SE h er ILLIAM SARAH BACKH U ,

a . WILLIAM GODSALVE . m rk

O O . RE O O GE RGE G DSALVE MARG T TH MPS N .

O . ! B GOD TH MAS BACKHOUSE ELI A ETH SALVE . O W R B ERT THOMPSON . RUTH AKEFIELD .

O ! B W E E . TH MAS GODSALVE . ELI A ETH AK FI LD E O MARGAR T HUDS N . ” E O ELL N C WARD . N I N 40 EARLY FRIE DS THE NORTH .

e e are e e es se eral t Th r tw nty oth r nam , v only par ly

legible.

Th e e ﬁ e is en e c rti cat on parchm t , with ornam ntal

e e s and s e t he o s e l tt r with om of w rd in black l ttering . Another certiﬁcate not quite so ancien t may be thus quoted

WHEREAS a e se Edw rd P a , of

ar th e u am D lington , in Co nty of Durh , e an d Wea e son Com r v r, of J oseph and Ann Pease (now Ann Sores by )

an d a e es au h e Eliz b th Cot , d g t r of ae an d M e s L Mich l argr t Coat , of angley avi e e ford , h ng d clared th ir inten tion of takeing each other in marriage before Severall Publick meetings of ye People Called Qu akers in

et c . a n e Darlington , , ccordi g to y good order u sed

a e a e a al e r mong th m , ! ft r pprov th y appea ed]

t h e z u d da e 8th alle e on y of y month , c d Octob r , in ye year according to ye English accou nt One ” usa Seaven u e and - i e and Tho nd H ndr d Thirty f v ,

- were married at Raby meeting hou se . Th e bri de groom and bride sign Edward Pease and a e e se an d s e fi e the Eliz b th P a , thi c rti cat of first marriage of t he Pease family of Darlington h as e fi s a es esses d ov r fty ign tur of witn , inclu ing

. Soresb u s s u c i so A y , John H tchin on , Thoma H t h n n , es Waist el e e e s a e n er Jam , liam St ph n on , C l b Grai g ,

e e M e Marrill Couldwell M r ease G org il r , , a y P ,

G o M W . e h e . m P s Dixon , ary Dixon , osseck , J o p

I N TH E 4 2 EARLY FRIENDS NORTH .

e se s e se eedi Ord r u d among t th m , who Proc ngs therein after a Deliberate Considera tion thereof (with regard u nto th e righteous Law of God and example of Hi s People recorded in t h e Scriptures of Truth in that Case) were Approved by th e sai d eet s e a ea ea all e s M ing , th y pp ring cl r of oth r , and ha ving Consent of Parti es an d Relations con N W cerned . O THESE ARE TO CERTIFIE all whom it may Concern That for t h e full accom plishi n g of their said Intentions this Eleventh Day of th e fourth Month (commonly called J une) in t h e Year accordi ng to t h e En glish Accompt

One Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty o five Th ey t h e said Richard Richardson and Lydia Richardson appeared in a Solemn and Pu blick Assembly of t h e aforesaid People an d others met together in their publick Meeting place in “fhit by aforesaid And in A solemn manner He t h e said Richard Richard son taking t he said Lydia Richardson by t h e hand did openly declare as F ends i n the o Lo ffollowet h (v iz t . ) ri f ear f the rd and presence of this Assembly which I take to be my witnesses I take thi s my fri end Lydi a Richardson i e romi si n b i vi ne Assi sta nce to be u nto to W f , p g y D her A lovi ng and faithful H usband till it shall please the Lord by death to separate us . And then and there in th e said Assembly th e said Lydia Richardson did in like manner declare as flolloweth n i n he ear o the Lord and i n r n z t . rie ds t ese c (vi ) f , f f p e i Assembl whom I desi re to be Witnesses of th s y , I take this my firiend Ri chard Richardson to be my Husband promisi ng throu gh Di vine Assista nce to M AND ARRIAGES CERTIFICATES . 43 be u nto him a lovi ng and faithfu l wife till it shall please the Lord by Death to separate (or words to t h e sa e ef e t h e sa a m f ct) . And id Rich rd Richardson an d Lydi a Richardson as a further Confirmation t hereof did then an d there to these presents sett their hands . And we whose names are hereunto Subscribed being present among others at t t h e Solemnizing of their said MARRIAGE an d Sub s a e a esa as esses e e cription in m nn r for id , witn h r unto have also to these presents sett our Names t h e Day an d Year above written

RICHARD RICHARDSON .

LYDIA RICHARDSON .

W . O SO M . GASKIN . J HN RICHARD N

. W. PEACHOCK . J BIRKETT .

T o . SO O . H s . S LOM . CHAPMAN RICHARD N

O H R SO . SARAH HOLME . J HN RIC A D N

O O . O . J HN HOLME . TH S RICHARDS N

L KI L . FFOSSI CK . WM . I NS L HANNAH B GEO E . ox . . WAKEFI LD MARTHA

FF E . ! O . RANS . SALK LD ELI A RICHARDS N

H O . ROB E RT RICHARDSON . MARY RIC ARDS N

O SO . J OHN RICHARDS N . JANE RICHARD N

W SO . RE O . M . RICHARD N , jun MARGA T PEAC CK

O E W . I SAAC RICHARDS N . JAN ARD

S . DANIEL FFOSSI CK . ANN GA KIN ” ISAAC BROWN .

In only two instances of t h e many exami ned are any of t h e witnesses those who have signed

a -a e s a in with a m rk, v ry m ll proportion an age not learned . I N THE 44 EARLY FRIENDS NORTH .

Th e scrupulou s care which distinguishes t h e keeping of these registers of marriage is evident h A also in t e records of birth and death . s to t h e

s ma be sai a e are e e e birth , it y d th t th y nt r d with

s s a e e e a i s a e crupulou c r for g n r t on , and th t with th ir

e t h e e ees t h e a s n e l h lp p digr of M ud , of Su d r and

t h e e s es ea t h e Wes r a es Bick r , of Gat h d ; t ay , Co t ,

a a es a s e e Ch pm n , Holm , Dixon , Rich rd on , H dl y ,

W s and e am es are es s e il on , oth r f ili , tabli h d for

centuri es .

AS t h e e s ea ese are a to r cord of d th , th , in m ny

s a es t h e s e e s t he e e al s a e in t nc , uppl m nt to g n r t t

en a e a e r al t he mi u es m t of pl c , d t of bu i , of n t to or t h e memorials of those who were called then ” s ne ese es es is Public Friend . O of th t timoni to

a e a an ea s e ur am S mu l M u d , rly Mini t r in D h

e a a Quarterly Meeting . Som f cts as to t h e f mily are s a e is e e a t t d in it , from which it vid nt th t W llia a son ar a au Wa eﬁe i m M ud ( of B n by M d , of k ld) se e Wearside an d e e a ess ttl d on , b cam Prof or ”

u it s ea ea i s . His e e of Tr th in rly Br k ng forth n ph w ,

a u e Lee s a e his l e S m l , born at d , c m in youth to iv at e a was e an d was se Sund rl nd , convinc d , rai d up to bear a public Testimony to t h e Light of J esu s .

Wh e h e di e 1 0 a e 6 e s e n d , in 73 , g d 3, N wca tl Monthly Meeting deemed it it s du ty to recommend to posterity t h e good Example of this ou r dear deceased

e h ad ee al ﬁe Fri nd , who b n found well qu i d for ” t h e t h e s e es i work of mini try , liv ly in T t mony , M AND ARRIAGES CERTIFICATES . 45

s o r e an d x e a a s ea ound in D ct in , E mpl ry in t dy ”

s . And a s 1 0 a es piou Conduct l o in 73 , t timony was given on t h e death of our worthy an d well ” e e e W a a e e an b lov d Fri nd , illi m M ud , of Sund rl d ,

his e e a li e his a ﬁ a s an d his to x mpl ry f , qu li c tion ,

“ ” eminent Services in t h e Church and Ministry . Other memorials an d testimonies were issued b s e t h e e n ee s — for e a y om of north r m ting , D bor h

Wa e e La e o Wa e an d a e rd ll , wif of nc l t rd ll , d ught r o f an d a a e Wa s a John M rg r t lton , of Bi hop Auckl nd , who were early convinced in t h e mornin g of t h e Day wherein Truth was publi shed by George Fox ” an d others . Th e Quarterly Meeting issued on e for J eremi ah

H e 1 6 8 at B enﬁeldside be a e unt r , born in 5 , , who c m a e - n s e s e s es w ll know mini t r , vi iting div r counti

an an d O e a e d t h e ea ee in Engl d , ft n tt n ing Y rly M t ” at L n e his e - ea ing o don , who di d in ighty fourth y r ” - having been a minister about Fifty eight years .

An d a e a e as e Old is a noth r n m , w ll known of , th t of ” e Wa e e an a Rob rt rd ll , of Sund rl d , county Durh m , ’ “ d es e in s s as e a a e crib d Gough Hi tory , r m rk bl ” an e a a a e in t h e s ne wh o for xtr ordin ry t l nt di cipli ,

a a e e e a La as e p id , l t in lif (with Rob rt B rrow , of nc t r) , a re s s e a e a an d a ai a ligiou vi it to Am ric , B rmud , J m c , w t h e e here h e died in y ar 1 696 . Asquith in Yorkshire gave a testimony for

n Dodsh on a s e ea s Joh , mini t r nigh Thirty y r ; t h e a e ee one i a e Wh ea e Qu rt rly M ting for El z b th tl y , 6 I 4 EARLY FR ENDS IN THE NORTH .

f M —on e r m o I ves ton . an y ot hers are given f o

Gisborou h for L e an en and g uck Cock, Anti t ” rt ri e is e esse in e s wo hy F nd, xpr d nin ty word ; another was so long that th e superior meeting s s a ce is retu rned it to be shortened . Their ub t n t h e sa e t h e c n ers n t h e serv es ra e s m ; o v io , ic , t v l , and s al s ri al t h ni s e w t h e peci pi tu gifts of e Mi t r, ith conclusion that t here was a decent burial or a solemn gat hering at t h e interment in one or other of t h e ancient burial grounds of th e Society . VI .

BU RIAL PLACES .

HE provison of burial places h as been referred

as one t h e a e s a e e difﬁ es to of m tt r th t w r , culti

e t h e Society h ad to ov rcome . Burial in gardens was evidently an expedient that would not long h i en e . t e ea e a s s as dur But in rl r d y , thi w not

W s e — unusual . At e t Bowd n West Boldon

n ea e a e e e e at eas hi ee r Sund rl nd , th r w r l t t rt n interments in ye garden of Christopher Trew h — e e s e s u e a an d itt int rm nt of Fri nd of S nd rl nd ,

s e e al an d a son and a dau h Shield g n r ly, including g

t e L h as ee se e er of Rob rt inton , who b n v ral times

s e t t h a e . n e a e ass ses n m d On Ty id , Gl hou , in

1 688 e a Tit t or son a a - ass , B nj min y , of bro d gl ’ a e was e hi s a e s ar e and a m k r, buri d in f th r g d n m ny

e e e e a e s and others w r int rr d in g rd n ﬁelds .

ar 1 6 n s n a At D lington , in 75 , Joh Dob o w s bu ried ’ in a a e a s a e 1 6 6 a e M rg r t Cr wford g rd n in 7 , Gr c ’ Robinson was buried in h er father s orchard at

Cockerton .

- Burial grounds were provided . At Sunderlan d t he Lord stirred u p y e minds of Richard Willson E E 48 ARLY FRI NDS IN THE NORTH . an d William Maud to purchase a more convenient

r ace du e e h e om Bu ying pl , which in tim t y gott acc plish ed an d Similarly at most of t h e centres of

t h e e . As ears e s e Soci ty y w nt by, om of these a e al- n s e e s se e nci nt buri grou d w r di u d , but th ir s as s es e t h e u al e i s ers th e tory , ugg t d by b ri r g t of i Soci ety s interesting . In literally nameless ” a es a t ese ea e s m a gr v , of m ny of h rly Fri nd it y ’ be said in Longfellow s lines

I n th e ear t h e i e li e nk n wn an d nn i e h t of c ty th y , u o u ot c d , ai th e i es i e e in and ﬂ wi n besi e h e D ly t d of l f go bb g o g d t m , h san s hr in ear s wh ere h eirs are t f T ou d of t obb g h t , t a rest an d or

ev er.

I n a es ea th e S e s e es s G t h d , ( it ob cur d , ) li J o hua

e a es a e s an d Middl ton , nc tor of b ron t bankers ; in e la es s W l a a Sund r nd , r t i li m M ud ; in Darlin g

t h e ra e t h e ﬁ s Skem eside i ton , g v of r t Pease s nu known an d unnoticed t h e last resting- place of John Langst affe cannot be told ; an d thus h t e e es t h e . e e s throughout c ntr of North Th r i ,

e e a e a th e s how v r , noth r p rt of tory to be told . Th e Society h ad long an obj ection to t h e ﬂat t er s ing inscription on gravestones . In 1 7 1 7 it drew attention anew to t h e vain an d empty

s e e e s e t h e e cu tom of r cting monum nt ov r d ad , advised their removal with di scretion and con

e s veniency . Shi lds eems to have been an oﬁen der Th in thi s respect . e Quarterly Meet ing endea v ou red to have them removed from all t he buri al

u s and e s se a had een gro nd , in tim mo t of tho th t b

VII . L L O DEN FAMI IES .

NE of t h e most interes ting features of t h e records of Friends is th e light they throw

on t h e changes of fam ilies . Men tion h as been

e more than once mad of Joshua Middleton . His

a e e a e th e W f th r , John Middl ton , dr p r , of Bull ynd ,

a li was a e a iff. e D r ngton , for tim borough b il Th son Joshua was born in 1 647 entered business

and was as we a e e e sl ﬁ e , h v quot d pr viou y , n d for

his attendance at meeting . He removed to New

s e a e 1 6 0 . He was ﬁrs a ed ca tl not long ft r 9 t m rri ,

a t h e e e ee t h e a e ccording to Gurn y P digr , to d ught r

a e se dl Rebeckah of Timothy Dr p r , con y to

a t h e ass ses and a a n Tyz ck , of Gl hou , widow g i

a e Molleson L . to J n , of ondon

e as e h e e a e n e e w t h e In N wc tl , b c m co n ct d ith

ass a e and hi s a e ﬁ es t he i s t h e gl tr d , n m gur in l t of

glass manufacturers on Tyn eside . He h ad two

s an d a e s . t h e a e s t h e son two d ught r Of d ught r ,

s t h e e sa a e was ea e record of Soci ty y , Eliz b th cl r d

a e 1 01 Pere reen a for marri g in 7 to g Tyz ck , of Norrige an d whilst staying at Norwich at h er ’ s s e s th e se a e an a e a e i t r , cond d ught r , H n h , b c m M 1 OLDEN FA ILIES . 5

e a e se n e . 1 1 a ng g d to Jo ph Gur y In 7 3, Joshu ’ Middleton announced his daughter s intention of

a a e ri e s of t h e ee e m rri g , F nd Monthly M ting wer “ ” a e e ppointed to inquir into h r clearn ess . They ” a e a e a sa s a a an d th e e g v l t r ti f ctory ccount , coupl

e e as t h e e sa s e a s e w r , r cord y , l ft to ccompli h th ir ” marriage in ye Wisdom of Truth . These u n

li s e e a s a e a e es s a pub h d d t il h v loc l int r t , for Jo hu

e was a a m an an d hi s dau h Middl ton D rlington , g ’ e s ea - a a e s a e a i n t r gr t gr ndd ught r c m to D rl ngto ,

on e 1 82 as t h e e se ease an d an e in 5 , wif of Jo ph P , oth r

. n a as Hannah C . Backhouse Of Han h Middleton

e one h er es e a s h as sa sh e Gurn y , of d c nd nt id , ” w as a e e a a e a e v ry com ly wom n , with nic f c , an d sh e was t h e original of t h e picture known as

t h i a e ess hi a n e e - n e fa r Qu k r , to w ch o c w ll know v erse was attached

N or n or e s are w an in t h e ai gold g m t g to m d , I n n ea t simplicity lik e this arrayed P lai n n ati v e beauty more delights t h e hear t n Tha n all t h e glitt erin g orn ame ts of Ar t .

e e a e Hannah Middl ton Gurn y, d ught r of t h e

e e h ad se e al l en Darlington m rc r , v r chi dr , four

ma an d a r a es e e reaching turity , by m r i g of th s ,

es a la e a oa e Fr t h e famili of B rc y , B v n , H r , y , B u x

an d ma n an e can a e asso iation ac ton , y oth r tr c c b k I t is o h re e t to t h e n orth . w rt p a ing t hat Hannah " G rne t he a r uaker at te e N M . u y , f i Q , nd d orwic h

Meeting h abited in the richest silk dresses ” dark purple . 2 E L 5 AR Y FRIENDS IN TH E NORTH .

s a e ma be sa a h e Of Jo hu Middl ton , it y id th t was long a leading Friend in Durham Quarterly

M H e an d a eeting . e sign d prob bly presented in ’ 1 02 t h e ea ee s ess t h e een 7 , Y rly M ting Addr to Qu h e was frequen tly t h e host of Thomas Storey ; an d after h is death a little pamphlet of hi s was “ r n e e r e A Tender and Com as p i t d (or r p int d) , p si on ate Call to P rofane Swearers and takers of the ” h ol N ame o God i n vai n — a e s a e as y f , r mon tr nc much n eeded n ow as then .

A a e - n e Th e es e a s priv t ly pri t d book, D c nd nt o f o a se e a s t h J hn B ckhou , Y om n , hows that e family h ad a share of persecution to encou nter

in Lan as e . a se oss e c hir John B ckhou , of M Sid ,

ea an e a e a e his e a ah . Y l d , b c m Fri nd , with wif , S r

He was a e a ee s i 1 660 t k n from m ting for wor h p in , an d conﬁned for some mon ths in Lancaster Castle .

He e 1 6 0 e ess hi a es e di d in 9 , xpr ing in s will d ir that his body may be bu ryed at t t h e burying ” place at Hildert on . Of t h e six children of John d an a a a se e . a ah S r h B ckhou , two di d young H nn ’ was a e at a La as e s se m rri d , Rich rd nc t r hou , ” el an 1 682 s an d a a Y l d , in , to John Cumming ; S r h

a w s married at th e same place to George Robinson .

A son a es a se 1 668 was , J m B ckhou , born in , mar ’ e e Hu bberst s se 1 6 1 t o ri d in Rob rt y hou in 9 ,

a J n et Godsalv e . This J ames Backhou se was t he

a e ee e t h e e W i a f th r of thr childr n , third b ing ill m

a se ea a 1 6 i . W i a a B ckhou , of Y l nd , born 9 ill m B ck OLDEN FAMILIES . 53

as t h e r house w long a minister of Society of F iends . He was a yeoman and a dealer in yarn an d his e es son a es a se orn at ea a ld t , J m B ckhou , b Y l nd in came to Darlington married at Stockton

1 6 a e e e an d es a s e i se in in 74 J n H dl y , t bli h d h m lf t h e e e a es and a er a s e n a n t xtil tr d , ft w rd b gu b nki g

SkerneSI de . s a es a o se Wes on Thi J m B ckh u , of t ” L e a li on h ad s s na an odg , D r ngt , two on , Jo th

rn 1 a e Ann ease Ma 1 and (bo 747 , m rri d to P , y , 774, died and J ames (born 1 757 an d died It is through these J ames an d Jonathan Back house that t h e Durham banking family traces it s a es r a t h e Lan as an e e nc t y b ck to c tri y om n ,

a es and a se a e t h e J m John B ckhou , who br v d commitment to Lancaster Castle for their religious belief . And their descendants have in cluded many who have served an d are servin g t h e Society and t h e s a e t h e a s a es a se t t , from d y of J m B ckhou (whose name is in t h e list of Quarterly Meeting

e s a an a se e n n as a cl rk ) , of Jon th B ckhou , w ll k ow

n s e and an e s . mi i t r , m y oth r Nor can t h e descendan ts be forgotten of that

a ease se a r a e li a e Edw rd P , who m r i g to E z b th

Cotes in 1 735 we have recorded . Two of their

e e e se an d Ann — t h e a e childr n w r Jo ph , l tt r of whom became t h e wife of Jonathan Backhouse . “ se ease h ad s s — a t h e a e Jo ph P two on , Edw rd , f th r ” a a s an d se a a ass of r ilw y , Jo ph , phil nthropic o

a e a s an d W e e . a ease ci t of Cl rk on ilb rforc Edw rd P , R I N THE EA LY FRIENDS NORTH .

t h e a e ai a s e n an d e th f th r of r lw y , liv d lo g , l ft ree

s ns ea a e his a in t h e o , ch of whom m d m rk world

e s a r se in e e an d John , by r ligiou l bou , Jo ph comm rc in Parliament ; and Henry in Parliament an d in

t h e promot ion of peace . Their business survives t h e many trade transmutations ; and t heir dos cen dant s still inﬂuence Du rham and t h e north . Th e name of Edward Browne is forgotten almost

u e a t wo ent uri es a o h e was one in S nd rl nd , but c g of it s leading citizens . He served his appren tice s e e and e 1 1 0 e a a hip th r , r moving in 7 to Ir l nd , certiﬁcate of hi s walkin g as became t h e Truth was sent to Brethren in t h e Nation of Ireland .

e n t h e Wea 1 1 h e a ri e R tur ing to r , in 7 5 m r d , en e e a l in s ess a so e t r d l rge y bu in , built hand m

a s a e a s a s - se ses m n ion ( ft rw rd cu tom hou ) , with hou “ a n 1115 a a ns ee e et c . an d djoi ing for c pt i , k lm n , ,

e a t h e ea 1 2 h e e a e a ru . th n , bout y r 7 9, b c m b nk pt He wrote a paper of condemnation of his

hi s e s hi s e ﬁ a e conduct to Fri nd , which with c rti c t was sent on to Cork th e certiﬁcate being signed

ee r e s i a es . by thirt n F i nd , includ ng John B yn , R

e a e a an d La e Wa e Holm , S mu l M ud , nc lot rd ll ; an d in Cork h e died in 1 730 . Let u s turn now to a family who once so per vaded Raby meeting that it might almost be said to have been composed of t he Dixons and their ’

e a es . a ee at e e s r l tiv From m ting H nry Drap r , at eadl e e was a e r s n e e H am , th r t k n to p i o , G org M OLDEN FA ILIES . 55

a . On e his s s a s e e Dixon , of R by of on , l o G org

1 6 1 was t h e a e s e a and Dixon , born 7 , Qu k r t w rd

t a as e . e h e butler a R by C tl (Singularly nough , h i a l e e ess s e . h ad a pr d c or , C ri t n Midd brook , j un , also house steward and butler to Sir Christopher

a e was a e and e in V n , who Fri nd , who di d

e e e a e a n a a . George Dixon s rv d Gilb rt V n , b ro B rn rd Th e second Quaker butler at Raby marri ed Sarah

e a e a e an owerser Greenwood , who b c m l t r amongst Friends ; and numerous descendants of ’ e s th e s e a s a t h Dixon , including worthy t w rd gr nd

e e s e e er e ee and an e n ph w , G org , colli y ngin r inv ntor

al as an d e e ah th e s e a e of co g , J r mi , a tronom r, h v risen to fame and fortune . Th e story of th e oil pai nting of An Israelite ’ e Indeed h as been often told . Georg Dixon s employer is said to have made a bet that his steward would u se t h e plain language u nder any cir cumst anoes ; and winning t h e bet h e used t h e

n e a t h e ai t h e sses mo y to p y for p nting , now in po

e s sion of a Darlingt on family . Anoth r tory not so well known represents a descen dant of his who

e e e an le e e e as as t he e r c iv d il gibl l tt r king writ r , Wilt thou send a m an to read thy letter ! The Richardsons were and are an inﬂuential

a as e e a s th e e e s t h e T z acks f mily ; w r l o H dl y , y ,

Dodsh ons s s Ch i chases s s , Rob on , p , King , Kitching ,

a es s s W s s and e s . ma Co t , Alli on , right on , oth r It y be of interest to give th e mere names of t h e 56 EARLY FRIENDS IN THE NORTH .

Friends who were representatives above 1 60 years ago . Th e ﬁrst record of t h e names of represen tatives

t h e a e ee was 1 and e to Qu rt rly M ting in 743, th y

' are given from t h e P reﬁarat z ve Meetings thus

e as e e a e and Wm . L e N wc tl , R gin ld Holm ittl ;

e s e e Wa eﬁe e a a Shi ld , G org k ld ; Sund rl nd , Edw rd

Wa n ee a se i lto , John Fr m n ; Shotton , Jo ph K ng ,

ae s n a e Mich l Dodg on Stockto , John Smith , S mu l M k . a a e Wm . ac elaw e n ers H ll ; Y rm , , B nj Flou d ;

a li saa L s e m s e D r ngton , I c ind l y , Tho a Colw ll ;

a e a es s a La t R by, H nry Co t , Jo hu Dixon ; r ington .

a Allin son e e Wri s k a J cob , G org ght on ; Auc l nd ,

n als n e e a es a W i Joh D to , G org Co t ; Durh m , ill am

ae B o a a e hn a Chilton , Mich l ot h n ; D rw nt , Jo Br nt

n a se e . i gh m , Jo ph Hopp r

Two remarks may be made on this li st . One

e ese a e La e e W so r pr nt tiv from rtington , G org right n , was ss a e a e t h e a ess es po ibly r l tiv of h pl girl at Bow , whose death from a broken heart forms t h e subj ect of t h e poem Edwi n and Emma .

As a is e i e e a e e to Durh m city , it b l v d th t th r never were any large number of Friends resident

e a e ed e e there . Th e Quarterly M eting g th r th r

a a en e e as di d a s at occ sion lly for conv i nc , it l o ’ Nich olas s Lan es e . 1 2 t h e a e . ch t r In 73 , cur t of St ” ’ ar s a s e u eeries at s a e s p i h , in n w r to Q , Bi hop Ch ndl r

s a sa s e e are 0 se ee e s vi it tion y , th r 44 hou k p r , of ” He a a one which 1 7 were Quakers . dds th t

58 EARLY FRIENDS IN THE NORTH .

inquired as to th e clea rness of women members

a a e and ss e e s es a e . for m rri g , i u d pi tl of dvic It is ’ two centuries since Raby Women s Meeting issued an epistle to recommen d that friends who have ’ daughters com d and coming up to marredg State “ should carefully advise them to be cautious in ” not giving in cu rredgem en t to any u ntil they se s e e th e sa e have riou ly w igh d m subj ect .

a es e e e th e sex as ess E rly advic w r giv n to to dr . which may be summarised by saying that t h e ideal to be aimed at was to be adorned in modest e and a s se as th e appar l , to void Gown tt up

proud ffashi on mon gers of th e World wore . Women Friends h ad overseers of their own sex ;

e e s u s ad e they k pt th ir own ca h acco nt , h th ir own treasurers ; and they recorded th e att empts to restrain any of their si sters who showed a dis “ ” position to stray from t h e fold . Th e Select meeting may be indica ted as being held through

e e a s —t he a e s s e s and th e g n r tion , g th ring of mini t r ,

e e s e t a e ils t h e e ld r , that long h ld h t titl ; wh t ov r seers were in some meetings slowly appointed it being considered that a general care is pre ” terrable to a particular one . The Quarterly Meeting of Du rham is a great ee t h e e —one t Quarterly M ting of Soci ty , of he

fou r English ones with more than members . I t s membership h as v ari ed greatly ; it is th ought by some that in it s early days it s numbers were M OLDEN FA ILIES . 59 very large ; that they fell in t h e eighteenth cen

r and se t h e e ee as we a e tu y ; ro in nin t nth , but h v sai d t h e ﬁrst assu mption is founded on estimates .

1 01 ea e t h e e In 7 , Archd con Booth wrot to Soci ty for Promoting Christian Knowledge that t h e Qu akers are very numerou s in all t h e trading towns . At Darlington there are twenty families ;

n 0 at e a 0 at ai at Stockto , 3 Sund rl nd , 3 St ndrop ,

1 2 th e e s are t he ea , but numb r not for rly days ascertainable accu rately from friend or foe . But these early Quakers impressed t he county

t h e ass and inﬂuenced it for long . Into gl manu

u es t h e e e e e e t he a fact r of Tyn th y nt r d , into co l

a es a t h e e e a es tr d of Durh m , into t xtil tr d , into s at W and a and a e hipping hitby Sc rborough , l t r

a n an d e e e t h e s es into b nki g , th ir inﬂu nc on indu tri

e e s was wide and beneﬁci al . They inﬂu nc d al o th e moral an d spiritual life of th e great district . Their

e ee - ses e e s a e littl m ting hou w r , if m ll , found mor frequently then : in 1 689 there were ﬁfteen in — Richmond Mon thly Meeting from Masham to

a es — t he a a 1 686 e s H w , but f ct th t in two Fri nd were appointed to bargai n with some one to bring ling for thatch for Bai nbridge meeting

se i a es t h e ass el use t h e hou , ind c t cl of dw ling d in dales . Th e statemen t that th e bou nds of th e Quarterly Meeting extend from th e Tweed to Hawes is a reminder that there was on ce another similar 60 EARLY FRIENDS IN THE NO RTH . a e a av a uthority in Northumb rl nd , h ing Monthly Meeting at Embleton and others ; wh ilst th ere

e e ee s at e Aln erwi k w r m ting Embl ton , wick , B c , o an d n e or two other places . These all di ed ou t

e e e e e a e hl ee or w r m rg d in All nd l Mont y M ting ,

h e a e a a w ich b c m p rt of Cumberl nd Quarterly Meeting . An d t h e change points to one of t h e marked fea tures of transfer from rural to urban life in t h e denomination . Th e records of birth we hav e said can not be taken as exact proofs of t h e nu m bers of Friends sett led in localities ; but whilst in t h e decade 1 660- 1 669 there were in Durham

art e ee 2 s e s e e t h e nu m Qu rly M ting 35 birth r gi t r d , ber e i 1 0—1 was 1 2 h s t h e f ll unt l for 73 739 it 4, w il t growth of th e town meetings allowed a later in crease . Great is t h e change in Durham Quarterly Meet ing from t h e days when t h e Ch ay t ors were leading Friends in Richmond t h e Feat h erst on s in Allan “ dale and t h e Doubledays in J arrow . Th e faith less coldness of t h e times in measure settled on

t h e e an d a es s e . ll be Soci ty , ch ng till imp nd It wi

e t h a e a s e and ss w ll if e ch ng , ccompli h d po ible, leave t h e old freedom an d t h e old fearlessness an d friendliness of t h e ancient Friends and Brethren in t h e North .