Letters, 1825-1831

ca. 100 items

The following notes for letters from 1825-1831 were provided by Julie Holcomb of Baylor University. There were almost no content notes after 1 mo 1828. Each entry follows the pattern: Date, Place, From, To, Content tags and Content notes.

11 mo 5th 1826 Flushing George W. Taylor Jacob and Elizabeth Taylor [parents]

Family news; certificate to Flushing Requests a certificate be directed to Flushing Monthly Mtg.; reports that he has been in a gloomy mood being away from friends and family; describes the landscape and community of Flushing: wealthy citizens who have made money in the city and then retired to the country

11 mo 18th 1826 Flushing George W. Taylor Jacob and Elizabeth Taylor [parents]

Family news; religious views; Quaker schism "This is a time notwithstanding our many outward inestimable privileges, which demonstrates the necessity of there being a shepherd who is of ability and disposition to extend a kindly care over his dependent flock; and guard them from the incursions of the ravenous beast that roam at large in the pastures of his heritage -- When it is indispensably necessary that the sheep should keep near the good Shepherd that they may hear his voice and follow him and not be led astray by the voice of a stranger -- For I verily believe, that by not keeping near the true Shepherd we may become so accustomed to the voice of the Stanger. That we may mistake him for the shepherd and thus be led away from the true sheepfold, when we shall be left a prey to hideous wolves who spare not the flock. -- As respects myself I find it best to keep on the watch, and exercise my own judgment amidst the class of opinions, in keeping near to that one which I have long depended, believing that notwithstanding I have fallen short of my duty in many things, the goodness of that Being on whom I am dependent for everything visible & invisible, regarding my sincerity on the whole, will preserve me from the jaws of the devourer, who yawns over these scenes of worldly conflicts, eager to seize on those who venture on tottering precipices."

11 mo 30th 5th 1826 New Garden Elizabeth Taylor [Sister] George W. Taylor

Family news; Quaker schism "Mother, Thomas & myself were at Quarterly Meeting, which was very large indeed, as it was reported Elias Hicks was to have been there, but it was not so as we understood since that he had no minute to attend our Quarter, he was at Darby and Wilmington and Stanton and from there on to the Southern Quarter at our meeting we had the company of Eliz'th Robinson [Robson?] and George & Anna [?] Jones all English friends Eliz'th spoke a great deal she occupied nearly all the 1st meeting excepting George J spoke a little time. Eliz'th had a meeting next day at West Grove. We have had no strange speakers at New Garden thee left us; after the partitions were closed at Quarterly Meeting there was a young woman, who made quite a tasty [?] appearance appeared in ministry it seem'd as it might have been the first time as she seem'd very much agitated indeed, after meeting I made considerable inquiry who she was. I understood she was a girl that had lately become a member of Friends, but I could not find out her name. -- I saw a J. Wilson had returned from his visit to Baltimore Yearly Meeting but he had no opportunity of speaking as the meeting was wholly occupied."

11 mo 30th 1826 Flushing George W. Taylor Elizabeth Taylor [Sister] Family news; GWT school Describes his students and the school at Flushing

12 mo 8th 1826 New Garden Elizabeth Taylor [Sister] George W. Taylor Family

news; certificate to Flushing; Hicks; Quaker schism "-- Yesterday Mother, Joanna, and myself attended monthly meeting at New Garden we had the company of Mercy Ellis a friend from Muncy who occupied nearly all the first meeting -- there was not much business before the meeting. They certificate was spoken for, I did not hear who beside John Thompson were appointed to prepare one. Enoch Swayne also had one requested to London Grove." [. . . ] "Elias Hicks had a meeting last first day at Wilmington on his return from the southern Quarter, and on 2nd day he was in Newcastle, several of our neighbours went to W -- to hear him and returned very much in favour with his doctrine, believing all that had been slightly spoken of him was false. I suppose he told them it had been said of him that he denied the scriptures, but it was false for he had loved them from his youth up and that few (he believed) had receive more instruction there from. I suppose he appeared much affected when speaking of what he had been accused, he said he was now of the exact belief that has been for 40 years. We all would have liked very much to have heard him, but on account of having company we were all prevented from going; J and M A Starr were there. I heard the meeting was very large indeed."

12 mo 14th 1826 Flushing George W. Taylor Jacob and Elizabeth Taylor [parents]

Family news; Hicks; Quaker schism; religious views Writing in response to E's letter -- worried about his parents -- is it his father's consideration of buying a farm in Lancaster County, or is it E's news of Hicks? Thinks it's the latter -- "But if my anxiety for you could in any way be understood, I should feel a comfort in the knowledge of it -- Many tears have escaped and not in the most private places when I have thought of you" -- worries about his parents' salvation

1 mo 4th 1827 New Garden Jacob Taylor George W. Taylor Family

news; certificate to Flushing; Comly; Quaker schism Enclosed his certificate from New Garden MM; John Comly was at West Grove "last third day and preached a very great sermon. I was told there is some talk that he is to be at New Garden tomorrow, I do not know that I have anything more very particular to inform thee of at present."

1 mo 17th 1827 Flushing George W. Taylor Jacob and Elizabeth Taylor [parents]

Hicks; Quaker schism; Flushing MM "L & family & J. Th. & family are very much opposed to E Hicks - I never heard so much spoken against him before I came here as since, & my hands have been filled with pamphlets relating to the disputes; some of which I read but I value my time rather too much to take pleasure in reading such stuff -- I have therefore laid them down & I think will not go to them again if they will not come to me -- They make Elias out a monstrous heretic, let them tell the tale - but I am not disposed to believe every thing I hear till I see & hear him myself"

2 mo 1st 1827 Flushing George W. Taylor Jacob and Elizabeth Taylor [parents]

Family news; certificate to Flushing; Hicks; Quaker schism Certificate was accepted today; "Elizabeth Robson was at New York at the Quarterly Meeting - Elias was at it also -- He was likewise at New York last first day as I am informed and spoke largely -- I have not yet seen him -- He is much spoken against by many how far justly I know not --But this much I hope that my salvation is not dependent on believing as they all do. I do not believe it is at all dependent on expressing myself as many do about one another -- 'By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one for another' -- If some general persecution were to arise, such as Christians of past ages have experienced were to, there would not probably be so much disputing about points which require not so much the exercise of the brain to comprehend them as the obedience of the heart."

4 mo 20th 1827 Flushing George W. Taylor Jacob and Elizabeth Taylor [parents] Family news; Quaker schism; GWT has apparently been home because he references a visit home; also mentions the split in Green Street Meeting: "I saw a letter from Joshua Kimber to L.M. to day, which mentioned that the Green St. meeting had separated itself formally -- And it also stated that Jesse Kersey has gone with them -- It is coming now to be a serious matter -- If the division becomes general through the country what an overturning there will be in the order of things -- It is a time, when as much as ever, it is necessary for each one of use to know wherein our confidence rests -- That it is not in the floating opinions & professions of men -- but in the unchangeable Light of Life, the immoveable Rock of refuge, on which we may safely depend, amidst the storms and tempests that agitate the ocean of Life -- I feel a particular solicitude at this time that my dear parents may experience the arm of divine support, to bear them up above all the conflicting things of the world, and enable them to look with a single eye to the Author and giver of good -- that they may love him above all, and thus secure a mansion of happiness in the expected world"

5 mo 3rd 1827 New Garden Elizabeth Taylor [Sister] George W. Taylor Family news; Quaker schism parents have returned from Phil.: "I will now bid thee adieu, with informing thee we have not heard any thing more respecting Green Street meeting than what thee mentioned in thy letter, any further than we heard there were a committee appointed by the Yearly Meeting to visit our Quarterly and Monthly meetings. We understand there are some of our friends stand in opposition to the committee. Though we do not know the result yet, as the time has not yet come, it seems to be a very serious time at present among friends. The dispute seems to be the prevailing conversation with almost every one, who had heretofore known nothing of friends principles. I think it a great pity, and also a shame for them to expose themselves so grossly."

5 mo 31st 1827 Flushing George W. Taylor Thomas Taylor [brother] Family news; Quaker schism; school fight Describes in detail a fight among children[?] -- quite graphic; more on the divisions among Quakers: " H. & I lodged at Robert Hicks -- Attended Rose St. Meeting mor & after both. Took a long walk before breakfast -- was in the City Hall - 'tis a noble splendid building -- At mee. In morn G Jones spoke very early before the mee was settled - besides spoke [?] Ths Shillitoe, E Robson, Phebe Johnson, Nicholas Brown & Ann Jones & some other person prayed -- At the close of the mee Elias got up & commended them for their sober conduct & patient waiting (3 ho.) & said he should be glad to see their on our own faces there at the that house in the afternoon. -- It was accordingly fill'd to the brim; A.J. & E.R. were at the other mee - in afternoon - T. Shil & P. Johnson spoke for some little time - at length Edward Stablin (a great speaker from Alexandria) rose and spoke eloquently for about 3/4 of an hour I should guess - then Elias rose & spoke for nearly an hour when I had to leave the mee. to go to the boat (at 6) E had just set down."

6 mo 22nd 1827 New Garden Thomas Taylor [brother] George W. Taylor Quaker schism "Stephen Galette was at NG meeting last second day & mother Joanna & myself attended it was a small meeting on account of a report being in circulation that he belonged to the orthodox party. A meeting of conference was held at NG on 1st day attended by a large Committee from the New Yearly Mee they wished to know the sentiments of our members and recommended a division stating that friends laboured under considerable disadvantages in the present situation of the Society that they did not wish to bias any person, but that it was necessary that a division should take place in order to have business done in an orderly & peacable [sic] manner, some of our most active members were not present. the meeting was small I expect on account of S G---, being at W Grove that day. The question was not decided but it was agreed that it should be forwarded to the next mo mee, -- The present deplorable situation of our society is I believe a subject of deep concern to many of our most worthy members but I believe it to be the general opinion that nothing short of a general division of the society will restore tranquility, but it is a thing that cannot be immediately done it will require time for due consideration as there are many who are yet as it were on a balance not understanding the ease well enough to know which party to side with, but I believe the greatest number of our NG freinds [sic] rather incline towards the LIberals or Hicksites."

8 mo 2nd 1827 Flushing George W. Taylor Jacob and Elizabeth Taylor [parents] Quaker schism "I might say a great deal about the state of society, but I should not know what you have not heard -- Here it is continually reiterated in our ears -- Some say there will be a division in New York Yearly Meeting before long -- but the Heterodox are so much the most numerous that they do not seem disposed to give up the property as they are obliged to do in Phil'a - therefore that will probably be the means in part of preventing a separation for a time -- Please give me a particular account of the proceedings in New Garden relative to a separation and tell me who are the most active on each side -- I feel more interested in that meeting than in any other."

8 mo 25th 1827 New Garden Thomas Taylor [brother] George W. Taylor Quaker schism; Green Street "Mother, E and myself attended our Qr mee on third day last and I will now give thee a short account of it, the common business of the meeting was transacted as usual after which it was proposed that an epistle from Green St Meeting should be read which was strongly opposed by several members & also by an orthodox committee present, composed of Jonathan Evans, Samuel Bettle, Edward Temple, and other whom I knew not. Richard Bernard, Thomas Barry , A Preston, M Preston and several others were in favour of its being read which was accordingly done it was then proposed to appoint representatives to attend G st meeting. This set the meeting in an uproar at once a great majority spoke in favour of both young & old spoke in favour of it while some opposed it sometimes there would be 5 or 6 or a dozen up at once, some for and some against it such a scene of confusion I never before witnessed. I cannot tell half of it, at length they became so disorderly that they were obliged to adjourn untill 4th day morning when representatives were appointed; I did not attend as I saw enough of it to the day before, but by what I have heard to a serious person it must have been a truly affecting scene to see as it were a band of brothers separating, and with tears in their eyes bidding each other farewell, Ah! what has become of that once peaceful society? they who famed for unity, love & harmony truly (as J Wilson expressed it) we have become a byword of the nations."

11th mo 15th 1827 New Garden Elizabeth Taylor [Sister] George W. Taylor Quaker schism "This day I attended a monthly meeting at New Garden adjourned from last week. The orthodox met also to day at West Grove. They all met together last week as usual and had the company of the Orthodox Committee they held meeting until almost night and after all, got little else than contending done. The orthodox women succeeded in appointing representatives to their Quarterly meeting to be held at New Garden; the men did not; I expect matters have been fixed to day with both parties as they have met separately. The Friends have appointed representatives to attend at Grove. I think I never attended a more interesting meeting than we had to day. we had several speakers Joseph Wilson spoke largely also Rachel Sharpless. Alice Wilson, Ruth Pyle, Levi Coates, and some others. The meeting was quite large and very comfortable. They concluded to hold their monthly meeting at New Garden also. The preparative meeting on the same days as usual the orthodox are to hold their meetings at West-Grove at the same time in meetings for worship they propose meeting together as usual as long as they remain quiet; not any of our family attended last week's meeting."

1 mo 10th 1828 West Chester, NY George W. Taylor Jacob Taylor [Father] Free produce; abolition societies; Ann Jones; Quaker schism 1 mo 17th 1828 New Garden Thomas Taylor [brother] George W. Taylor Abolition societies; Lundy; Colonization "Thee mentioned something about the Society now formed here for the abolition of slavery; Benjamin Lundy from Baltimore had a meeting at N Garden some time ago when a committee was appointed, but a as to what they are doing I do not exactly understand, but there is a society formed at West Chester called the Chester County Colonization society and committee appointed for each Township in the county to receive whatever subscriptions may be offered towards defraying the expense of Colonizing the Blacks in Liberia and elsewhere, any person paying one dollar annually may become a member and by paying twenty dollars he will become a member for life, It is my sincere wish that something may be done to better the condition of that injured people we see them every where around with a few exceptions brought up in the lowest state of ignorance nothing to stimulate them to industry or to a desire of improvement, not enjoying the privileges of citizens. It is no wonder they are what they are, B Lundy informed us that he went to Hayti on purpose to see the condition of them there (hearing so many bad accounts) he says the greater part appear perfectly well satisfied with their situation, and those who return are generally worthless characters or those who have been brought up house servants not willing to work for a living become dis[?] he visited several plantations and says they appeared to be very productive and flourishing. He made arrangements with the Governor to received all he could find willing to go, their passage &c is paid by the Government and Land given to work to the shares for those years in which time they are to pay it themselves, and then they have 15 acres of good Land given in "fee simple to them their heirs & c -- "