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The following information is from "The Newlin Family: Ancestors and Descendants of John and Mary Pyle Newlin" (1965) by Dr. Algie I. Newlin and Harvey Newlin, page 525:
The only descendants of Nathaniel and Catherine Hadley Newlin, remaining in North Carolina after the great migration from Spring Meeting, was the family of Joseph and Ruth Farlow Newlin. Joseph was Presiding Clerk of Spring Meeting when that body gave permission to the preponderant number of his family to change their residence to Indiana. Around 1930, Oliver Newlin, the eleventh in Joseph's family of thirteen, stated that he had heard since...
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The following information is from "The Newlin Family: Ancestors and Descendants of John and Mary Pyle Newlin" (1965) by Dr. Algie I. Newlin and Harvey Newlin, page 525:
The only descendants of Nathaniel and Catherine Hadley Newlin, remaining in North Carolina after the great migration from Spring Meeting, was the family of Joseph and Ruth Farlow Newlin. Joseph was Presiding Clerk of Spring Meeting when that body gave permission to the preponderant number of his family to change their residence to Indiana. Around 1930, Oliver Newlin, the eleventh in Joseph's family of thirteen, stated that he had heard since childhood that his father resigned his position in Spring Meeting in 1827 with the intention of moving to Indiana. After visiting Ruth Farlow Newlin's relatives in Randolph County, Ruth's family ties were so strong that they moved to Randolph County instead of migrating to Indiana. This change of mind was significant in that it started an important branch of the Newlin family in that area of North Carolina.
Joseph's home, near what is today Sophia, North Carolina, was located on the famous Plank Road, known as the 'Appian Way,' that extended from Fayetteville, NC to Salem, in the same state. At his home, was the station, or stopping place for the coaches on the Plank Road. He was, for a number of years, the postmaster of New Market, NC. At a later date his daughter, Ruth Emily, held this position and his son, Duncan, was its last postmaster.
In 1890 it was said of New Market: 'This is an old settled place, and was the home of Capt. John Bryant, a Whig, who was shot in his old house by Colonel Fanning. The place afterwards came into the possession of Shubal Gardner, who had a store there and was regarded as a big man. He owned a number of lots in Johnsonville and at one time drove a heard of beeves to Philadelphia.
'Joseph Newlin bought the property in 1840 and called it New Market and for many years carried on an extensive store and tin shop.' (J.T. Blair, "Reminiscences of Randolph County, Asheboro, N.C.," 1890, p. 49)
Joseph Newlin's interest in education is exemplified by his long service on the Board of Trustees of New Garden Boarding School. His term of service began in 1837 and continued until his death, August 20, 1865. During the last twenty years of this term he was the Board's presiding officer, and this included the school's most difficult period, that of the American Civil War. His twenty year term as 'Clerk' of the Board of New garden Boarding School was the longest in the history of the school.
The following is quoted from Dr. Algie I. Newlin's "Friends 'at the Spring:' A History of Spring Monthly Meeting" (1983), pages 68- 69:
The only descendants of Nathaniel and Catherine Hadley Newlin who did not get into the stream of emigrants leaving Spring for the Middle West were Joseph and Ruth Farlow Newlin and at the time their three little children. Oliver Newlin, Joseph's eleventh child, said that his father resigned from his position as clerk of Spring Monthly Meeting with the intention of moving to Indiana to join his relatives there, but a farewell visit to Ruth's relatives in Randolph County brought a change in their plans; instead of going to Indiana they removed to Randolph County to be near Ruth's relatives. This took place in 1827.
Among the numerous emigres from Spring Meeting Joseph Newlin became one of the most prominent. He bought the New Market Inn, located a few miles south of High Point, operated a tin shop there and for a number of years was postmaster of the New Market post office. He and a partner owned and operated a mercantile business at New Market. He was part owner and secretary of the New Market Foundry. Joseph was a stockholder in, and secretary of, the Union Manufacturing Company, a textile mill at Randleman, North Carolina. He owned stock in the Fayetteville to Salem Plank Road. The New Market Inn was a regular stopping place for the stage coach which operated on the plank road. In addition to all these interests Joseph Newlin was engaged in land speculation on a rather extensive scale. His active interest in the Society of Friends matched his interest in economic activities. In different periods he was clerk of two different monthly meetings and his work with the New Garden Boarding School was outstanding. He was named to the board of trustees of New Garden Boarding School in 1837, the first year of the operation of the school, and he served on the board for twenty-nine years. He was clerk (chairman) of the board for twenty-one years. These interests and activities place Joseph Newlin among the more noted emigres from Spring Monthly Meeting.
The following is a reprint of an article dated April 24, 1938 about Joseph Newlin's tavern from "The Randolph Tribune" newspaper of Asheboro, North Carolina:
YE OLD TAVERN, LANDMARK OF PIONEER DAYS, STILL STANDING IN NEW MARKET
A few miles above Randleman on the High Point Road in New Market Township stands one of the earliest landmarks of pioneer days in Randolph County. It is a symbol of the sturdy and cultured type of pioneers who set up well-built homes in a country hitherto uninhabited except by Indians. There is something about this old landmark that seems to shout, "Mine is an interesting story."
Just who built this huge house is uncertain, but the earliest known occupants were Sidney Porter and his wife, Ruth Worth Porter, who later removed to Greensboro. The place became the property of Joseph Newlin, who cultivated the fields which yielded rich harvests. Joseph Newlin was thrifty and a man of enterprising spirit and therefore secured a license to use his large house as a tavern and "House of Entertainment for Travelers," and also for the post office.
Back when the Plank Road became an important artery in the business of the state, travel was fairly heavy, the stage coaches making three trips each weeks. The rattle of the coach could be heard long before it came in sight. So that the landlord would know how many passengers were on board, the driver would blow long and short notes on his bugle. Horses were changed when the coach stopped.
Besides the stage passengers there were travelers on foot, on horseback, and in rude carts, wagons, and sulkies; the more well-to-do came in carriages. Goods bought by merchants from the northern markets were hauled from Wilmington and Fayetteville by wagon teams of six to ten covered wagons. The teamsters usually camped in the wagons to guard the load and the horses and mules. Lots were provided for these animals and also for the droves of hogs which were driven from the mountains to market. Fences had to be built "horse-high and hog-tight."
The landlord's license demanded that "he furnish a field for wagon camps, good, wholesome, clean lodging and diet for travelers, and stabelage, fodder, oats or pasture as the season required." He was also ordered "not to suffer or permit unlawful gaming in the house on the Sabbath day, nor to suffer any man to tipple or drink any more than is necessary, nor to use unseeming language." The landlord was left to judge what quantity of strong drink was necessary.
The guests were to choose from the following menu:
"Good West India rum," one half pint for one shilling
"Good peach brandy," one half pint for one shilling
"Hot breakfast," one shilling
"Common dinner," one shilling
"Extraordinary dinner," one shilling six pence
"Lodging per night, with clean sheets," six pence
"Corn per gallon (for the stock)," one shilling
"Supper," eight pence
"Stable for the night, with fodder," one shilling, eight pence
"Pasturage for the night," eight pence
Today the old tavern, known formerly as one of the best on the Plank Road, is a barn, sheltering the owner's stock and housing the hay and fodder. The chimneys have crumbled to dust, the front door has been replaced by a big swinging barn door, and the steps are gone. An investigator will find that there were eight rooms downstairs besides the dining room and kitchen. On the second floor were a large hall and six bedrooms. At the top of the narrow stairway the third floor consisted of two big loft rooms. The remaining windows are very narrow, the ceilings are low, and the wood has been painted several different colors. There are several original handmade doors. The fireplace used eight-foot logs.
At one corner of the house is a huge, long rock which some say was an "upping block," others a doorstep.
In "History of the Pearson Family of Wayne County, North Carolina 1700-1981" (1982), Ruth Pearson Harper, who quoted this article in her chapter on the Newlin family, comments:
Joseph Newlin did not move to New Market until after 1826. The use of English money must surely have ceased some time before he owned the tavern. The prices quoted must have been taken from an older document. The small photograph that accompanies the article shows a very plain, totally unadorned building. The chimneys are gone and the porch, if there ever was one, is gone too. On the side is a "shed" room which may have been the kitchen of the tavern.
While researching the Newlin family, Dr. Algie I. Newlin (1895-1985), Professor of History and Political Science at Guilford College, corresponded with two of Joseph Newlin's great-granddaughters, Mary Alice Davis Allred (1918-1997) and Emily Davis Pugh (1922-2004), daughters of Hessie Newlin Davis (1891-1979), who inherited many Newlin family papers and antiques. These cousins graciously supplied Dr. Newlin with much information and donated a lot of furniture and papers to the Friends Historical Collection at Guilford College. Among these items was a handwritten diary of Joseph Newlin, an account of his 1852 religious trip to Quaker yearly meetings in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and New England. This was 130 pages long, written in pencil which Dr. Newlin deciphered in 1983. He suggested publishing this diary for the "Southern Friend," the journal of the North Carolina Friends Historical Society, but this never materialized as he died shortly after. Dr. Newlin also stated in one of his letters that Joseph Newlin had a circulating library, and some of his books were also given to the Friends Collection, including an 1854 Gazeteer of the United States. Two Bibles of the Joseph Newlin family were among these, one belonging to Joseph which was published in 1831 by the Bible Association of Friends in America, and a smaller one which was published in 1817 and was identified as "Ruth Newlin's Book." Dr. Newlin found a handwritten letter among the papers dated July 12, 1864 from Jonathan Worth to Joseph Newlin. In his September 12, 1977 letter to Mary Alice Allred and Emily Davis Pugh, Dr. Newlin comments, "At that time Jonathan Worth was Treasurer of North Carolina. It was in the last year of the Civil War. He was later elected Governor of North Carolina. At that time North Carolina was in a hot political campaign, with incumbent Governor Zeb Vance challenged by W.W. Holden, one of the most controversial political leaders in the history of North Carolina. Worth was from Randolph County and he and Joseph Newlin were apparently very good friends."
In the Reading Room of the Friends Historical Collection of Guilford College's Hege Library is a cellarette that belonged to the Joseph Newlin family and was donated by his Davis great-granddaughters in the late 1970s.
Perhaps the most valuable item the Davis sisters donated to the Guilford College Friends Collection was a desk which their aunt, Miss Hettie Newlin (1893-1964), inherited from her father Oliver Newlin. It probably belonged to Ruth Farlow Newlin's grandfather, Nathan Farlow, as it was mentioned in Nathan's 1832 will.
There are small illustrations of portraits of Joseph and Ruth Farlow Newlin in Dr. Newlin's 1965 Newlin genealogy, but they cannot copy and Joseph's face is barely distinguishable. It has not been determined where the original pictures are which these were copied from. There is a better picture of Joseph's father, Nathaniel Newlin (1768-1867), in the book, and apparently there were many copies made of this picture taken in Indiana as several extant ones are still in the possession of Nathaniel's descendants in both Indiana and North Carolina.
Joseph Newlin's home and tavern no longer stand. The tavern was located near Marlboro Friends Meeting at Sophia, North Carolina on Marlboro Church Road near where it ends at U.S. Highway 311. The land Joseph owned bordered along present-day Highway 311, began where the elementary school is now located, and was across from the present golf course between Sophia and New Market. His home was the lifelong home of his son J. Oliver Newlin (1842-1934) and later of Oliver's daughter "Hettie" Newlin (1893-1964). After her death, her niece, Mary Alice Davis Allred (1918-1997) and her husband W. Lawrence Allred (1921-1994) had her home demolished and replaced with a rancher on the site, and they also restored barns on the property.
*******************************************************
"Joseph Newlin
Randolph County
North Carolina"
1983 Transcription of the 1852 Diary of Joseph Newlin (1797-1865)
by
Dr. Algie Inman Newlin (1895-1985), Professor Emeritus of History at Guilford College
Courtesy of the Friends Historical Collection of Hege Library, Guilford College
5800 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410-4175
The following is a rough-draft article that Dr. Newlin typed up with the intention of publishing a biography of Joseph Newlin and a transcription of his diary in the Quaker publication "The Southern Friend: The Journal of the North Carolina Friends Historical Society," but he died less than two years after he prepared this sketch around 1983 and it was apparently never published.
The above name and address are on the cover page of a small pocket notebook which contains the handwritten diary of Joseph Newlin. The diary gives with frankness, and in considerable detail, Joseph Newlin's account of his travels from Randolph County in North Carolina, through Baltimore Yearly Meeting, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and into New England Yearly Meeting. The journey covered the period from March 20 to June 11, 1852, a period of thirteen weeks, more than 130 years ago. This diary was found in one of two boxes of old letters, deeds, tax receipts, and other papers brought to me by two of Joseph Newlin's great-granddaughters, Mary Alice Allred and Emily Pugh. These two are my distant cousins but they are much closer than that to me. My great-great-grandfather James Newlin was the first of the six children of John and Mary Pyle Newlin, and their great-great-grandfather, Nathaniel Newlin, was the youngest in that family. This makes these two sisters my fourth cousins, if my system of counting kinship is not in error.
I am supposing that this diary had lain largely unnoticed through three generations of the descendants of Joseph Newlin. I spent the better part of two weeks looking through the contents of these two boxes and in deciphering and typing the diary. I am delighted to find it, because I feel that its contents make an important contribution to the history of Friends in the 1850s.
Joseph Newlin was a prominent member of the Society of Friends in North Carolina during the period in which he lived, and his prominence stands out during the whole history of Friends in this state. He stands shoulder to shoulder with his first cousin John Newlin, of Saxapahaw, among the leading members of the Newlin family in the South. He was born in the southeastern part of what is now Alamance, within the limits of Spring Monthly Meeting, on July 21, 1797. He died on August 20, 1865, New Market, in Randolph County, at the age of sixty-eight. On September 20, 1820 he and Ruth Farlow, daughter of Isaac and Mary Holiday Farlow, were married at Marlboro Meeting House. Joseph Newlin was twenty-three years old and Ruth Farlow was nineteen at the time of their wedding. They lived for seven years within the limits of Spring Monthly Meeting. In 1826, Nathaniel and Catherine Hadley Newlin [Joseph's parents], and all of their descendants except the family of Joseph and Ruth Farlow Newlin, joined the wagon train of emigrants to Indiana.
Joseph and Ruth Newlin are said to have decided to move to Indiana to join their relatives in that new state, and Joseph resigned his position as Clerk of Spring Monthly Meeting in preparation for that move. They went to Randolph County to visit Ruth's relatives before beginning the long journey. This visit proved to be fatal to their plans to migrate to the Middle West. The ties with the Farlow family were too strong; they decided to move to Randolph County instead. On September 29, 1827, they received from Spring Monthly Meeting a certificate to transfer their membership to Marlboro Monthly Meeting, Ruth Farlow Newlin's home meeting.
Joseph Newlin's capability and versatility were revealed by the many interests in which his life was deeply involved. In 1837, the year in which New Garden Boarding School began its long career, Joseph was named as one of the fifteen members of the Board of Trustees of that institution. He served on this board for twenty-nine years, twenty years of this period as chairman of the board, longer than any other chairman during the history of the Boarding School. His term as chairman covered the period of the Civil War when New Garden Boarding School met one of its most serious crises.
In the economic realm Joseph Newlin's interests and achievements were varied and important. In some of the interests he was deeply involved. His farming enterprise and landholdings were extensive. In 1840 he bought the New Market Inn, located a few miles south of High Point and three miles from Marlboro Meeting House. The Fayette-Salem Plank Road went by his house, and the stagecoach made the Inn one of its regular stops. The New Market Post Office was located at the New Market Inn, and for several years, Joseph Newlin was its postmaster. Joseph and a partner owned and operated a mercantile establishment, a store which dealt in commodities as varied as from a sewing needle to a corn planter and other farm equipment. He was secretary of the New Market Foundry of which he was a major stockholder. He was a stockholder in and secretary of the Union Manufacturing Company, a textile factory located in Randleman, North Carolina. He owned stock in the Fayette-Salem Plank Road, which passed his home.
In spite of his extensive business interests, he entered actively into the spirit and work of the Society of Friends. His important position in the yearly meeting school has already been mentioned. At the time of his decision to move to Marlboro Meeting, he was the clerk of Spring Monthly Meeting. A few years later, he became Clerk of Marlboro Monthly Meeting.
On January 1, 1852, Marlboro Monthly Meeting granted Joseph Newlin a certificate for a religious visit which would take him to at least four other yearly meetings in the United States. The certificate reads:
Our beloved Friend Joseph Newlin informed this meeting that he believed that it would be right for him to accompany our friend Daniel Barker in a religious visit to most or all of the yearly meetings in North America and some of the meetings belonging thereto as set forth in the certificate. After a time of weighty deliberations thereon the meeting unites with him therein and encourages him to attend thereto as best wisdom may direct he being an elder in unity with us.
The diary, which Joseph Newlin kept on this journey, is a rather unique and a very valuable item in the history of American Friends in that day. It is a day-by-day record of the journey: the places through which he passed, the names of the people who entertained him for a meal, for tea or for a night, the person who provided transportation while Joseph was within the limits of a local meeting, the meetings attended, his evaluation of the spiritual and numerical strength of many of the meetings, his comments on the farms and the farming country through which they passed, his visits to textile mills, copper manufacturing plants, city waterworks, and the Friends schools in the yearly meeting which he visited.
The information given by the diary indicates that the major purpose of the journey was of a religious nature, to meet and get acquainted with Friends in other meetings, to attend their meetings for worship, and their meetings for business, and to attend session of the yearly meetings. But the journey was not all consumed by this interest. His wide experience in agriculture, business, and manufacturing kept him alert to these features in the communities through which he passed.
The diary is as follows:
Left home 7th day, 3rd Mo. 30th arrived at the Newlins same day 33 miles first day remained at Jno Newlin's [his first cousin John Newlin 1776-1867 and wife Rebecca Long Newlin 1787-1873 who lived in Alamance County, NC] attended Spring Meeting. 2nd day left Newlin's traveled by his kindness to Hillsboro, 18 miles where we dined at Union Hotel kept by _____________ Howelton—procured a hack to Henderson depot of ____________ Morris, for which conveyance paid $6 each--$12. Left Hillsboro at 2 o'clock, travelled 19 miles and lodged at Joseph Woods, paid 75 cts left there early in the morning of the 23rd of the Mo and travelled 31 miles to HENDERSON depot. Our driver was Wm. Rogers. Put up at the B. Debnam, staid one day. 24 of mo. wrote my wife and Columbus Smith paid $4 for tickets for two seats to Gaston paid bill at hotel &2. Left Henderson at 3, 20 P.M. arrived Gaston at 7 o'clock. 42 miles. Supper and breakfast at Pugh's paid $2250 [?] took hack to Weldon at 8 arrived at 10 oclock P.M. 13 miles, paid $4 left Weldon 3 oclock arrived at Franklin depot at 5 oclock 43 miles paid for dinner 50 cts and ticket $5.00 and for hack man to Alfred Rick $1.50. 6 miles west from Franklin depot where we found hospitable quarters 5 miles northeast from Jerusalem the county seat of Southampton County, Va. 15 day 26 attended Black creek preparative meeting held at 2 oclock PM and back 10. I understand it to be so arranged for its more distant members that they may attend the monthly Meeting next day 7th day 27 a beautiful morning as it has been for two days past. (Last fourth day very quiet morning we leave our very hospitable friends house to attend Lower Monthly Meeting held at Alfred Ricks and wife Mary Ann.)
Julia W. Ricks
Jerusalem
South Hampton Co.
Va.
Held at Black Water, 5 miles after meeting dined at Wm Davis's 1 ½ miles from the meeting house. Travelled to James Griffin's 20 miles where we lodged. 1 day 28 cloudy and cool. Sommerton Meeting is about 20 miles and about south 10 degrees east from Black Creek. It is in Nancemond county. Attended Sommerton Meeting and returned to our quarters and wrote home number 2. 2nd day morning 29 of mo. Still at the house of our kind friend James Griffin himself not a member although convinced of Friends principles and I see not why he may not become a member unless it be the smallness of the number of Friends hereaway. His father-in-law, John Hare lives with him who is a fine friend. James Griffin's wife's name is Mary.
It is nearly clear this morning and a considerable part. We walked ½ mile to Wm Hare (son of Jno, whose wife is Ann daughter of Jno Kenneday of Wayne Co., N.C.) where we dined and about 2 oclock left for Suffolk 12 miles conveyed by our friend Jno Hare. Suffolk is a considerable town and quite a business place. Took cars at 5 oclock and 45 minutes arrived at Pourtsmouth 6 and 15 minutes 17 miles where we took steamboat for Baltimore at 7 oclock PM and arrived about 5 next morning 200 miles.
3 mo 0—3 day took hack 1 mile to Doc Thomases where we were very kindly received and took breakfast and dinner. Since leaving friends in Va we paid tickets from Suffolk into Portsmouth $1.50 and tickets from Pourtsmouth to Baltimore $10.00 contingencies on boat 75 cents
Left Dr Thomases at one oclock by hack for John Scott (accompanied by his son John Thomas Scott who resides in the city with a view of their Gunpowder Meeting 18 miles arrived 5 oclock which is held at the house of John Scott. On our arrival we found that he was on a religious visit and that we could not have the pleasure of his company.
4th day 31st of month Cool and rainy this morning. Jno Thomas Scott is Clk of Thomas R. Matthews and Sons, No. 10 Bowlys Wharf, Baltimore. We found John Scotts mother Elizabeth Scott living at his house in the 84th year of her age. Her husband Thomas Scott having been dec'd about six months in the in the 85 year of his age. Both of whom have had their trials in their day. Jno Scotts wife Elizabeth is not a member, neither her children yet are particularly friendly yet observe not too much the peculiarities of Friends. I am informed that the Hixites are numerous in the neighborhood and that many of them seem to evince a more friendly feeling than formerly toward orthodox Friends. It being preparative meeting day which was held at the Scotts house notice being given several of the neighbors came in and sat with us which was a favored meeting. There being but two members present the preparative meeting was adjourned one week which would be in time for monthly meeting which is held at Baltimore next day. After taking dinner at the house of our friend Jno Scott we set out for the city about two oclock and arrived in the city about 6 oclock, 16 miles to Dr. R.H. Thomases. In passing out to Gunpowder meeting we saw many good farms most of the land not naturally good but much improved which is easy to be done here they having the materials at hand to do it with.
on our arrival at the city we met with our friend Thomas Wells whom we were glad to see.
5 day morning 4/1/52 this is a beautiful morning and the city presents a busy scene, a continuous clatter of drays, waggons, carages, hacks etc. I attended friends meeting on couftland Street. After meeting returned to Hugh Balderston to dine on our way to his house we called to see the remains of two sisters who had died yesterday the one about 85 the other about 75 years old the one an elder and both much esteemed by the Society of Friends. It was indeed a solemn sight to behold these two sisters laying there side by side in their grave clothes. The elder sister's name is Elizabeth and the younger Hannah Robberson their remains were conveyed to the meeting house and a solemn meeting held on the occasion which no doubt was a tendering time to many minds present. After the 3 oclock meeting we returned to Dr Thomases went to Miles White who were very kind—returned to Dr't Thomases and had a good nights rest
5th day 2 of 4 Mo—Clear & pleasant at about 8 oclock we leave in the cars for Deer Creek Meeting In leaving the home of our hospitable friend R.H. Thomas and wife Phebe we feel thankful that we are able to find that our country is as it were dotted with those of our friends who speak the same language and are minding the same things
At 8 oclock AM we took leave of our kind friends Dr't Thomas and family and took omnibus for depot charge 12 pence paid by the kindness of John Griffith of Union, Loudon Co. Va. Took rickest at depot 75 ? each= $1.50 to Havre de Grace on the river Susquehanna 42 miles which we traveled in 1 hour and 20 minutes where we parted with our friend Thomas Wells he going to Philadelphis direct we here took passage in steamboat to Port Deposit 5 miles for which we paid 25 cts each = 50 cts
From Baltimore to Havre de Grace is a little north of east and from Havre de Grace to port deposit is southwest Here we wait about three hour s for the arrival of the Philadelphis mail boat. At 2 took stage went about 2 miles at the canel across the river where we met John Worthington so of son of Doctor Thomas Worthtington come to meet us. We here paid 25cts our stage fare to this place and accepted the conveyance sent on to Dr Worthington 6 miles where we were kindly received. This I hope being another dotted spot where where the same things are minded and the same language spoken.
I would here make some description of the country but understanding that we pass back the same way and hoping to have a better chance of viewing it I defer the description until tomorrow.
7th day 3 of 4 Mo. Clear and cold quite a frost this morning. We are now in Raiford [Harford?] County Md. Attended Deer Creek Meeting today. Meeting small returned after meeting to Elisha Cooks to dinner. Conveyed to meeting and to Cooks by the Worthington who met us yesterday at the canal. At meeting I met with a woman by the name of Elizabeth Smith who informed me that she was granddaughter of Nathaniel Newlin of Darby her husband's name is Gideon C. Smith who lives about 3 miles from Deer Creek Meeting house. Post office Darlington where I letter no. 3 to my wife.
After leaving Baltimore we travelled through what appeared to me as well as I could as a poor country til we came to Havre de Grace. The river here is large whose banks are high and cragged. Five miles above is Port Deposit and is navigable there for a steamboat and __________________.
After leaving Port Deposit we travelled up the rive about a mile which is mostly settle, being being barely room for two sets of buildings on either dide of the road between the river on one side and the rocky and cragged hills in some places rising perhaps some 200 feet above the road. I should indeed think this an unsafe place for me to settle. At this place there are great quarries of beautiful granite rock which appears to have been intensively worked at the upper end of this town is the great bridge over the Susquehanna River where we are informed is from end to end 1 and ¼ mile long but not all bridge there being two or three islands, which disconnect the bridge. The last portion of it being over the canal on which we saw several boats passing and drawn by horses walking on the banks of the canal—After leaving the canal we pretty soon came to a good quantity of land which continued as far as we travelled which I supposed to be about 20 miles to bring us back to Port Deposite, the lands are exceeding rolling and hilly and mostly cleared and naturally good but not improved in a high degree
We left our friend Cook to go forward to the next meeting conveyed by his son George Cook. We came back and crossed the river on the same bridge from the bridge to William Wariegs where we now are is about 5 miles the land on this side of the river is not so good as the other take its advantages and disadvantages it is no better than our own land nor have I yer seen any that is.
1st day 4/4 snowed a little last night quite cool and some cloudy this morning We are now at the house of William Mauny (?) where we arrived last evening about ¼ past 8 oclock. We attended meeting today at Nottingham which is ½ mile from William Waring in Cissel [Cecil] County MD. After meeting returned to our quarters and and dined and were conveyed by Friend Waring 8 miles to Little Brittain in Lancaster Co. Pa., where we had an appointment at 4 oclock which we attended and put up at the home of Joseph Bellence. In travelling the distance from Netty born (?) we crossed the notable Mason Dixon Line about 1/3 mile from here but could not observe material change of air
The address of Joseph Balance is Kirks Mill, Lancaster Co., Pa.
2nd day morning 4/5/52. Having remained at Joseph Ballances through the night he conveyed us 18 miles to Robert Moores arrive a little after 13 oclock. We came here with a view of attending their M.M tomorrow. I commenced snowing last evening and continued until about noon today which makes a snow about 6 inches. We have been conveyed today in a close carriage and have not had so agood a view of the country as I could desire. Some of the country is ver beautiful especially the limestone valley through which we passed though not quite so fine as the Paul Cameron land in North Carolina. Today we passed through Christians where the socalled Christiana Outrage was perpetrated on the owner of some slaves whom he was endeavoring to capture under the fugitive Slave law last year.
I met with Rebecca Kirkwood who lives in Limestone Valley who informed me that Thomas Newlin's mother was her step grandmother
Robert Moore informs me that that his grandmother was a Holliday.
3rd day morning 4/5 Snowed some last night and is still snowy and the weather is indeed gloomy for this seeson of the year especially to a North Carolinian.
Wrote to Julia W. Ricks of Jerusalem, Southampton Co., Va on the subject of enjoying her as a female teacher at New Garden Boarding School. Attended Sadbury Monthly Meeting. Dined with our friend Robert Moore and wife, Elizabeth. Robert conveyed us 14 miles to worship at New Garden to Thomas Passmore's in Chester County where we lodged. The road is very muddy owing to the thawing of the snow.
This friend reminds me continually of T.T. Hunt both in size manners and address.
4 day morning 4/7 Clear and cool this morning. Left at 8 oclock, conveyed by our friend Robert Moore 6 miles to New Garden M.M. which was considered large when we consider the state of the weather. After meeting we are conveyed by our friend Robert Moore to Thomas Sanborn where we with a number of visiting friends dined—and We remained there through the night. I believe I may say that this is another dotted spot of earth where where this family are speaking the same language and minding the same things. How pleasant to the pilgrim traveler to find these pleasant abodes although they may be few and far between.
5 day morning 4/8/52. We are at the house of our frind Thomas Sanborn. It is cloudy and has commenced rainy after a spell in the morning. Our friend Thomas Sambon taking us in his carriage convey by Lydia Hayes his mother-in-law and if I mistake not a mother in Israel. Her maiden name was _____________________.
To London Grove M.M., 4 miles, which is small and ____________________ Daniel had proposed an appointment at the old London Grove meeting house held by the Hicksites, but friends at the M.M. although approved by a number of Friends of New Garden M.M was rejected by a few friends at London Grove. At first Daniel was queried with which of the bodies of New England Friends he would recognize and that on his answer to the question would depend whether he could make the appointment. Which question he did not answer, and was denied the appointment.
Although waving the objection to that of former and present different M.C. is M. of s I [?]. And if I am not much mistaken will cause much sorrow in this part of TR land. After meeting called at the home of Benj Hoops an aged and infirm friend which was a satisfactory visit after which we returned to the house of our friend Thomas Samborn by whose kindness we are conveyed.
5th day 4/9/52 Clear this morning it commenced snowing and which snowed most of the night. The fresh snow lay on the ground some 3 or 4 inches deep. The weather seems now more moderate and the snow is fast disappearing. If I am not much mistaken there is more dense gloom in this land than in our own dear home. My soul is bowed, I trust in humility before the Lord that He may guide and preserve us in the many trials that seem to await us that we may hereby be preserved from that destroying enemy that is abroad in this land and is making many inroads in in a most masterly and artful manner.
Wrote home today
No. 4
Thomas Samborn
New Garden
Chester Co.
Pa.
About 3 oclock we went over to a widow (Sister of Thomas Samborn) Elizabeth Chambers
Her four children 3 sons and one daughter where we had a sitting and took tea and had a satisfactory visit returned to our present home in the eveining having travelled 3 miles, being accompanied by Thomas Samborn and wife, which is pleasant and agreeable to us. On our return from widow Chambers we stopped a few minutes at Joseph Chambers which was a short but pleasant visit.
7 day 4/10. Clear this morning and likely to be more pleasant. Snow mostly gone. Conveyed by our friend Thomas Somborn 7 miles to William Walters who sends respects (?) to D______ Clark.
Accompanied by our dear friend Elizabeth Hayes to whom we feel much attached and earnestly hope that her and family may be preserved in the right way.
Left this morning to attend Kennet meeting near ______ When we dined and attended the meeting at 2 oclock which was mildly large After meeting went to Aaron Sharpless having travelled this day about 15 miles. Here we found our friend Mary Kite who has not long returned from a visit in N.C. with whom it seemed pleasant to meet.
1 day morning 4/11 Cloudy this morning.
Nottingham meeting nearly north from Port Deposite. Little Betta west Sadsbury, North Havre de Grace E and S.E. London Grove _____________ E to Birmingham, E Concord, S.E. Concord to city West.
From Port Deposit north to Nottingham 5 miles from Nottingham N.W. 8 miles to Little Brittain. Thence to Sadsbury North 18 miles.
Thence E of S.E. 20 miles to New Garden, thence north 4 miles to London Grove, thence Parkersville E 11 miles—thence to Birmingham East 3 miles, thence to West Chester N.W. 4 miles thence E. 27 miles to Philadelphia.
Attended Birmingam Meeting dined at Daniel Garrets where we parted with our dear Friend Thomas Samborn and Lydia Hayes. We were conveyed by Aaron Shapless to Concord Meeting at 4 oclock 6 miles had meeting 12 miles travel. Here was hard labor but Daniel was favored in the Then minister William Scattergood in the meeting evinced disunity and after the end after the meeting withheld his hand he spoke to Daniel that he had no unity with such ministry. If their meeting is not at a low ebb here then I must admit that I have not the spirit of judgement and if there is not a more faithful discharge of duty by elders in watching over the ministry, these same ministers who I feel to have the entire away and are in a manner exercising a kind of priestcraft over the brothers and more especially over the dear sisters. We have not, I believe been at a meeting where where the number of females did not exceed the males. This state of things must ere long produce distress in theseland. I may here say that it is sorrowful to observe that at many of the meetings to which we have been are new houses built by the orthodox friends, it is indeed distressing and more especially so when I reflect that all this was brot about by the unsound and unauthorised ministry
In travelling through this part of the land we have been with the Wilbur party so close that we are not certainly aware that there are another party but would judge that if there is one that it is small and much depressed than are many minds that are very tender but what can they do under the weight of priestcraft that so heavily and sternly besets them—from present indications in our travels a scysm in the society is at hand and one that is everyway to be deplored as I may say that I believe
That they cannot give a just or satisfactory reason for such a cource. Oh how my spirit mourns when I view this subject and more especially do I mourn the untimely fate of so many innocent souls.
David Garrett lives within one mile of Burmingham Meeting House of ffriends a new house and about 50 yards from the old meeting house held by the Hicksites who hold their meetings at the same time, here to us the ground whereon the great Battle of the Brandywine was fought and the meeting house was used for a hospital for the wounded which there
to be stained with blood to the present day. After meeting at Concord we returned to Aaron Sharpless where we lodged.
2nd day 4/12 Cloudy this morning. We are at the home of our friend Aaron Sharpless. I am now in the neighborhood of my ancestors who so far as I have been able to learn are Newlins, Mendenhall and Pyles and Hadleys but as generation having succeeded generation, while the relationship seems involved, obscured and uncertain yet I have no doubt that my self am connection descendant from Nicholas Newlin who emigrated from Ireland and settled in this part of the country in 1682, being about the leave the country for the city & thought I might remark that we have passed through a country of the most improved land that I ever saw. These lands are naturally good and improved to a high degree. There are many stone buildings in this country both dwellings and barns and other outbuildings after dinner with our friend Aaron Sharpless and family we were conveyed by Aaron 4 miles to West Chester which is a considerable town where we took the cars for Philadelphia at 3 oclock and arrived at 5 oclock 30 miles most of the land over which the rail road passes is
Not yet very good or much improved yet we were frequently in view of the great value and good, on our arrival at the city we were very kindly received by our friends Isaac and Rebecca Collins which is indeed pleasant to us. (paid $100 for ticket here [?]).
3 day 4 mo. 13 Rather mild to bit cloudy. Visited Jane Johnson, Doct. Beasley say E. Lewis, Isiah Tatum, and conducted by Joseph Rakestraw to Neeth Meeting which was large there being a marriage solemnized—and John Wilbur being present sitting at the head of the meeting and spoke __________________________.
After meeting dined at the home of our friend Samuel Balderston affording us a pleasant visit. Called to see Benjamin Warner who has lately lost his wife. He reposed a ride 6 miles to Germantown which we accepted. Returned to our home in the evening Went and took tea with some aged Friends ____________ Marshall. On our visit to Germantown we called to see Abraham ______________ aged 89 years but is green in truth.
4 day 14 of 4 mo. Clear this morning. Attended 12 Street Meeting today which which was large. Dined at Doct. Beasley's Returned to our quarters and set out for Burlington, N.J. accompanied by Stephen G. Collins and Ann Collins children of Isaac Collins. Called to see Stephen Grelet who is in low state of health but alive and well in the truth who is in his 79th year. After taking tea with our good friend Stephen Grelett we walked to see our friend William Allinson where we expect to lodge.
We crossed the Delaware River in steamboat where we took cars. 18 miles to Burlington.
5 day 1/15 Cloudy and rainy. We are at the home of our friend William T. Allison whose Wife's name is Rebecca W. ________________ Whose aunts reside in that family—Mary Allison aged 84 years, Elizabeth Allison blind from birth, Abigail Allison. (Margaret Parker Shrewsbury, N.J.). Visited family of ______________ I. Smith where there was an aged blind woman Friend. Attended the meeting at Burlington which was as solid as any we have attended since we set out on our journey. After meeting called again a few minutes to see
our beloved aged and afflicted friend S. Grallett. After which called at the house of kind and benevolent Friend Susannah R. Smith where we dined and spent a few hours very agreedly. In the evening returned to the city accompanied by Delvin Smith son of our host, 18 miles. In the evening we were visited by T.S. Mile, J.R. Hubbard, & Dugan Clark.
6 day 4/15. Clear and present. Went to barber and had my hair trimmed and was shaven. At 10 oclock attended meeting for sufferings which (was) conducted in good order. After meeting dined at widow White.
Where remained for some time and went to the office of Friends Review and in the evening dined with Josiah Tatum and returned to our lodging
7 day 4/17 Beautiful and clear morning. I may here remark that John Wilbur was not at Meeting for Sufferings yesterday as was expected. I have no doubt but that he has much weakened the party here which had adhered to him be being a man that shines better in the distance. He is an old man said to be near 80 years old and there is nothing remarkable or fascinating in his manner or address as far as I could discern and to all appearance quite insufficient to be successfully the leader of a party. This is my offhand opinion of him. Wrote home yesterday No. 5.
Attended Select Yearly Meeting today at Mulberry Street Meeting House, which was a rather formal one in their order. There is if I can properly discern, Much of that a spirit to be felt that tends toscatter and divide. It is said that John Wilbur was at meeting.
Dined at Enoch Lewis and took tea at Thomas Kimber after which returned to our lodging.
1 day 4/18. Somewhat cloudy this morning. Attended meeting at 10 oclock at 12th Street and dined at Jane Johnsons and at 4 oclock attended Arch Street Meeting and took tea at Marmaduke C. Copes. John Wilbur was at Arch Street Meeting and made a labored effort to preach but the life and power being wanting it was poor. It is indeed passing strange that he under existing circumstances should have one adherent and it is evident that he and his adherents must come to naught unlifting what (?)
2 Day 4/19. Quite rainy and stormy this morning. Attended the opening of the yearly meeting this morning. When the usual routine of business commenced John Wilbur being present one expression in regard to stand they have taken in relation to New England Y.M which was that it was time to act as by a document recently published by the larger body of New England. It is evident that it does not intend to retreat from the position and why indulge it longer. Adjournmentto 4 oclock P.M. dined at Samuel Bettle's Jr.
Meeting met at 4 oclock a friend Israel W. Morris bore a testimony against John Wilbur sitting in the meeting which was followed by a number of other friends and by some retorts from the Wilbur party. William Evans and Samuel Bettle Jr. objected to a discussion of the subject as being an unprofitable one well if so why not throw it out of the meeting at once—it is very evident that many know that they cannot maintain their position then why not have the magnanity to frankly acknowledge and retreat
After meeting took tea at John Whitel—where where Cordelia Bays put up.
3 day 4/20. Still cloudy and rainy. I have contracted considerable cold. How I desire for to have some fair North Carolina weather. There is a marked difference between the two countries in relation to weather or the atmosphere there being a weight in the atmosphere which does not belong to N.C. Went to Eliza Henchman's to breakfast which was indeed a pleasant visit, here I met with a kinsman David Updegraft of Ohio grandson of Ann Taylor
who descended from the Newlin family of Chester County, Pa.. Attended meeting at 10 oclock which passed off pretty quiet except that R.H. Thomas was denied in his concern to visit the women's meeting denied it. Uriah Hunt attended meeting at 4 Arch. These two sittings were mostly occupied in reading queries and answers upon which the state of society was considered. Judging from the answers we might suppose that the state of society was pretty good, but when we judge it by other means we find the state is a deplorable one.
All growing out of the insubordination of one poor old man—John Wilbur. The very valuable epistle from London Y.M. was on the subject of divisions in our society was was on a proposition to send it to the womens meeting a considerable discussion arose and the women were denied the privilege of reading it it was mildly urged that women Friends should should have the reading of it which was tactishly refused by quite a number of the Wilbur party such as "physician heal thyself." The state of things here are most unpleasant and where and how these things are
to be remedied I cannot now see, unless there unless there was more of a disposition to yield on the part of the W – John Wilbur continues to occupy his seat in the M-altho quiet. Took tea at Moses Brown's where there was quite a number of Friends among the Eliz. Gurney.
4 day 4/21. still wet and stormy (Emblematical of the yearly meeting). Attended the Select Meeting at 8 oclock John Wilbur was present and preached. The sitting concluded the sittings thereof for the year At the rise of which we wenr with other friends to Catherine Morris and took a cup of tea and attended the sitting
Of y. meeting at 11 oclock after which dined in the house of James Kite where we met with Mary Kite and Mary Passmore and Pennock Passmore her companion in her visit to N.C. During this sitting Daniel opened a concern to visit the women's meeting which was promptly refused. Attended the sitting at 4 oclock David White, on behalf of N.C.Y.M. opened the document prepared by the Committee of Conference which was promptly refused to be recorded by the meeting. The Wilbur Party seemed to reject it with some warmth.
I may here say that the present situation of Philadelphia Y.M. is far from being an enviable one, and I see not how they are to become reconciled to the other Y.M. but by humiliation because they have taken a ground that certainly is not tenable. After meeting tea with Jeremiah Hacker. This day had a letter from Wm Clark and one from my wife & sib Jno both of which was acceptable.
5 day 4/22. Somewhat cloudy this morning.
Nicholas Newlin
Lima
Delaware Co.
Pa.
5 day 4/22 More pleasant this morning. Attended ______________ St. Meeting and after meeting dined at William Eaves after which attended the adjourned sitting at 4 oclock. Nothing remarkable occurring After meeting went to tea at Thomas Savony with Nicholas Newlin both of whom live in Delaware County, Pa.
6 day 4/23. Partially clear this morning. Attended at 10 oclockat Catharine Morrises by appointment with
With Israel W. Morris, Philadelphia, Pa. to give him such information in relation to N.G.B.S. [New Garden Boarding School] as I might be able to do. I find that one essential point which they seem to hang on is whether we have that disposition to help ourselves that we should have. Attended the sitting of the Y.M. at 11 oclock which
after a sitting of about two hours the meeting concluded until the usual time next year. I may here observe that John Wilbur attended the settings thereof to the annoyance of many minds and I much doubt whether it was to thepeace of his own mind Poor old man, from my very soul I pity him.
Dined at Moses Browns after which we took a guant over the city and returned to our quarters.
7 day 4/24. Clear and beautiful morning.
After breakfast wrote to William Clark giving vague account of the Y.M. after which took a stroll over the city and returned to dine at our quarters.
Accompanied by Percival Collins visited visited the penetentuary and were shown the prison but not the prison we saw in the distance working on their little farm. How it is to be regretted that N.C. will not provide itself with a state prison. We visited the house of refuge for colored children which is indeed a humane institution. The indigent and orphaned colored children are here provided, not only provided with a temporary home and fed and clothed but are taught to labour and literature and religious instructions. I then visited Gerard College which is enclosed by a stone wall in a lot containing 40 acres. The collide (?) house is said to coveran acre of ground. There is marble steps the whole length and breadth of the building giving an ascent of perhaps 10 feet into a porch all roudnd the building perhaps 20 feet wide around the edge of which stand 34 marble collums about 6 feet in diameter and some 60 feet high and beautifully grooved and varved. These
Collums supportthe roof. In front of the entrance door stand athe statue of Stephen G Girard as large as life. Under which lies his body in tomb. Proceeding up many flights of steps until I ascended on the top of the building which is covered with thick blocks of marble from which I had a full view of the city AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY. From here we visited Fairmont water works, which is indeed great there being eight great power wheels some 20 feet in diameter and near that perhaps in length and breadth which are used to force the water up
into a bason some 130 above and here form a reservoir to supply a great portion of the city with water by means of conder clay (?) pipes. I had a wish to visit the gass works which I have not done seen no other light since coming to the city than gass light Took tea at Mary Ann Lloyd where lives a sister and of whom is a widow smf had 4 sons who are engaged in drygoods business Baly and Brothers.
1 day 4/25. cloudy this morning attended meeting today at Germantown 6 miles. Dined at Robert Smiths at Germantown Robert's wife's name is Hannah and daughter of John Mickle Whitehall by whose kindnesswe were conveyed there and back. Daniel attended meeting at 12th St. at 4 oclock I remained at our quarters to to write to my wife. Took tea at Charles Yarnall. A pleasa-nt visit in whom I found a connection he is to communicate such information relating thereto as he may be able to procure. Here I met with Bond Valentine having become acquainted with him at our Y.M. in 184
2 day 4/26. Took hack through city and called at widow Elizabeth White whom I mee [?] with Edith Griffith of Bellsville, Washington County, Pa.. Reaston G.M
Jesse Kinworthy, Brownsville, Fayette Co. Lydia H. Stanley, same address as Jesse Kinworthy both of Pa. Dined at Isaac Allen and had an opportunity with family and took leave of this family, whose hospitality and kindness we will I trust long remember. Oh what a place of rest it has been for us two weeks, and what a and what a favour it is to depart from there with peace and love abounding in, I doubt not, every heart. In the hurry of our parting I left my note bood and did not miss it until I was on board the steam boat and it moving for Burlington but after being in Burlington an hour or two I read my book containing a note from our beloved friend Rebecca Allen which was refreshing to___________________. We arrived at Burlington and called at the house of Rowland Jones where we remained during the night. Discouragements now press on me more heavily than at any time since leaving home March 18.
3 day 4/27. Rained some last night and thundered some and is somewhat cloudy this morning. I wrote to my friend Rebecca Collins acknowledging receipt of my note book. I also wrote yesterday to my wife. No. 6. And today to Allen U. Tomlinson on the subject of common fund, calling his attention to it and in giving him some account of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and the position which I understand it to hold itself—I have this language in my letter
"Philadelphia Yearly has already virtually acknowledged what they call the Smaller Body in New England, and it does seem to me that it is time for for our yearly meeting to take a decided stand—This virtual acknowledgement of the Smaller Body and the palpable violation of their Discipline in admitting John Wilbur to their meetings for discipline are subjects of too grave importance to be lightly passed by. It does seem to me that we as a yearly meeting should endeavor to inform ourselves more fully and correctly on this very important subject. There are many valuable minds hereaway who are prosecuted in great measure from participating in the affairs of the church (and ministers are to some extent deprived of exercising their gift, which those are holding forth an unauthorized or lifless ministry as held at times the minds of many otherwise fine friend have become bewildered. Al for the alone reason that they are not in favor of the smaller body of N.E. Many very precious friends hereaway have been and are at the present been very deeply tried whose heads it seems to me are at times a almost ready to hand down. May they take courage and continue to abide in the ________________ until our Great Master is pleased to say it is enough.
I also wrote to my father in the evening called to see our aged and green friend Stephen Grelet and spent about 1 hour and took tea with our friend Delwin Smith and at 7 oclock attended our appointed meeting which was pretty well attended After which we returned to our lodging at Rowland Jones.
4 day 4/28. Some cloudy this morning. Attended Ancocas [Rancocas?] m. called at the home of Granville Woolman who is aged 78 years and nearly blind. Here we dined adter which we went to Samuel Wells and spent a short time in the family there very agreeably. This friend is quite feeble and is in the 87 year of his age. Here we saw Ancocas [Rancocas] river which is a beautiful stream. This meeting is about 6 miles from Burlington to where we returned. We were conveyed to and from the M. by our kind friend Towlon Jones to whose home we returned and where we took tea with a number of other friends among whom were was Harrison Alderson of Cincinnati. Today we travelled over the most beautiful county that I have seen and am informed that the land was worth $100 an acre and let still it is not naturally better than the land in our own neighborhood.
5 day 4/29. Some clouds. Attended Mt. Holly Meeting in Mt. Holly which is the county seat of Burlington County. This was a select meeting. After meeting dined with Benjamin F. Taylor in whose home we had a sitting after which we returned to our home quarters in Burlington. We were conveyed today by Delwin Smith accompanied by Rowland Jones. After returning to Burlington I took a tour through and round the town. I ascended many flights of stairs say about 80 steps into the top of the house containing the resevoir of water for the use of the town from this elevation I had a common and very beautiful view of the city of Burlington. After which I took tea with Dilwin Smith here I drank tea made in William Penn's tea pot After tea I returned to Roland Jones where we lodged having travelled 14 miles.
6 day 4/30. Cloudy. Paid a visit to Elizabeth F. Gurney. She has a beautiful situation of 65 acres about 2 miles from Burlington. Attending with our friends Roland Jones and wife Ann we then accompanied Delwin Smith and Doct. Taylor attended Mansfield M at 4 oclock. After meeting conveyed by Danl. Satterthwaite 3 miles to his house where we lodged. This friend and his two sisters Mary and Elizabeth.
7 day 5/1. Rained much last night and is cloudy this morning. Attended Crosswick Chesterfield M today, 8 miles Conveyed there by Daniel Satterthwait ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SISTER Elizabeth. After meeting conveyed by D.S. to Samuel Allenson to dine 3 miles where we remained intil morning—his mother and three childred. 1 son and 2 daughters and an English woman, as governess by the name of Elizabeth Yates, composed his family. This English Friends has been in America for about one year.
1 day 5/2. Clear this morning—attended Trenton Meeting at 10 oclock their usual hour. Conveyed thense by Samuel Allison, at least 9 moles. After meeting dined at Philip P. Dunn in Trenton which is the capital of the state of New Jersey a situate in the county of Mercer on the Delaware River. It contains upward of 11000 inhabitants. After dining left at 2 oclock nine miles to Stony Brook where we attended Mo. At 4 oclock. After meeting went 3 miles to Thomas Lavender where we remained
Castle Howard he calls the place where he lives. In coming from the meeting here we passed through Princeton where there is a Colleage and Seminary.
2 day 5/3. Quite pleasant. Still at the house of our kind friend Thomas Lavenden and wife Sarah. Her sister Elvira Fetty Randolph who resides in this family. Our friend Thomas Lavender is not a member but a very friendly man and very interesting having been a sea captain which occupation
he followed many years. He took us in his carriage to the cars where we left about 8 oclock and arrived in Rahway about 9 oclock 30 miles and called at the house of our friend Joseph D. Shotwell. In coming here this morning we passed through the city of New Brunswick. Rahway contains about 5000 inhabitants. Dinner at Joseph Shotwells. Attended meeting at 4 oclock which was small, 9 men and 19 women. After meeting took tea at Jos. D. Shotwells after which was
conveyed 3 miles by Henry Wood to his house where we lodged. His wofe's [wife's] name is Elizabeth. They have 5 children and both raised in the city of N.Y.
3rd day 5/4 Clear and cool. At 8 oclock left for meeting at Plainfield 6 miles Which meetin we attended conveyed by our friend Henry Wood. The meeting was quite small after which we dined at Nathan Vails, who has been in N.C. with Elizabeth Winy about 40 years ago. His whose Hugh is teacher of mathumatics in Hover (?) Mo. School
Took cars at 2 oclock traveled 15 miles where we took a steamboat 15 miles and arrived at New York City about 5 oclock and went to Wm T. Motts.
In passing from Phila to New York through the state of New Jersey we have seen much good land and some of it more desirable than any land that I have seen say on an average worth $100. an acre. Still it is not equal to the N.C. lands. For me the atmosphere is damp and heavy.
Thrvel to here 912 (miles).
And offered none of that pleasant sweet atmosphere that is to be felt in upper N.C. The forest here appears to me to b vesioray (?) and gloomy producing a vivie [vivid?] sensation of lonesomness in the extreme.
In taking a hack—to our quarters and passing and viewing the crowd it seemed to me Tintenabia as described in the Empire of Nothing so many passing and repassing it seemed that they know not whither.
4 day 5/5. Fine morning. Attended monthly Meeting in New YORK.
The men's meeting as to no. is about the size of our monthly M. The women's meeting probably three times as large as the men's. Here some of the meetings which are transacted in harmony and condescention and with better feeling than we have been accustomed to feel since weaving the meeting of Baltimore friends. Here are very kind and a character of openness is felt.
At 4 oclock took cars to Poughkeepsie 84 miles at which place we arrived about 7 oclock and called at Samuel Adams where we lodged.
In passing to this place from New York the view of the country as well as I was able to observe is gloomy. The road is built on the east bank of Hudson or North river. It is mostly hilly or even mountainous and the road is made, in many places in the waterl by excavating six of these nabs between here and New york the largest of which is 900 feet in passing
through this it was decidely yhr most obscure darkness that I have felt. The river weems to be dotted with with fishermans craft and vessels of various kinds. Also
also the banks with their huts. These hills and knobs it seems can only be famous for the rock which they contain. There seemed to be little timber on them only a kind of shrubbery.
5 day 5/6. Fine morning. Conveyed by Sam Adams 16 miles to __________ Creek Meeting where Stamford Q.M. is held. We stoped at the house of our friend Paul Upton attended select QWM. Where was a portion of Committee appointed by Select Q.M. to visit Q.M. to visit Q.M. Among them was Thomas Willis and Richard Carpenter. After meeting wrote to wife, No. 7
6 day 5 mo 7. Fine clear nearly morning. Attended Stanford Q.M. today. Which was a small. I think & haveseen our M.M. large enough to number with it. After meeting dined at Smith Upton. The Old Creek Meeting house is perhaps a mile from friends. M. house.
The old house being held by the Hicksites which is in the meeting which acknowledged Joseph Hoag and wife on same day.—the Hicksite meetingwas held today many of them passed on the road leading by friends house. Oh what a painful state of things they have, so many professing to be friends and no Christian unity existing among them. Remaining at Paul Upton's. Mercury up to 90d.
7 day 5/8. Smoky and pleasant. James Congdon, Oswegoville, Duchess County, New York. Conveyed by our |
