John Wilbur Letters to his Family, 1831-1848

9 letters (8 letters, 1 manuscript copy), 8 with typed abstracts as follows: 9 mo. 23, 1831 Stockport, Cheshire (England) addressed to wife and children topics: -anxiously awaiting letters from home -visited meetings in Lancashire and Cheshire -going to Liverpool for Quarterly Meeting -gives account of meetings and places visited -expresses appreciation for traveling companion George Crosfield 7 mo. 13, 1832 Tideford, Cornwall, addressed to Mary Hazard topics: -serious illness of one of his children and fear he may not see her again in this world -letter has note from Lydia Wilbur, Jr. for her sister dated 9 mo. 25, 1832 5 mo. 2, 1837 Hopkinton, addressed to Mary Hazard topics: -serious illness of "our dear child" and asks for further news of her condition 4 mo. 9, 1841 Hopkinton, addressed to "my dear children" topics: -family news -marriage of daughter Susan -family gathering on First day -nearby farm for sale, wishes Hazards could buy it -state of affairs in New England, expresses fear that serious crisis approaching Society of Friends -describes in detail his arguments with Gurneyites -"P.S. Be very careful not to expose this letter to anyone not faithful to primitive doctrines" 3 mo. 21, 1842, Hopkinton, RI, addressed to "My dear children," " in which Wilbur writes of the Gurneyites' personal visits and letters to him, hoping to change his position and that he senses a crisis ahead topics: -family news -death of child of Thomas -Gurneyites annoying JW by personal visits and letters (trying to get him to change his position) -JW expects crisis Gurneyites may enter a complaint to Monthly Meeting 1 mo. 23, 1845 New York, [N.Y.], addressed to Wm. R. Hazard topics: -arrival in New York -printing of JW book begun [A narrative and exposition of the late proceedings of New England Yearly Meeting, N.Y. : Piercy & Reed, 1845) -will stay 2 weeks and read proof sheets -attends Quarterly Meeting in New York, describes sermon -NY Friends concerned that separation will spread to NY -discusses number of Friends necessary to constitute Quarterly Meeting 12 mo. 28, 1847 Hopkinton, addressed to Wm. R. Hazard topics: -Hazards exchanged property and moved to a new house -discusses Gurneyites and impossibility of making them see soundness of pure Quaker principles -asks for explanation of attitude of Theresa and Mead Atwater 7 mo. 22, 1848 Hopkinton, addressed to "my dear children, William and Mary Hazard" topics: -family matters -numbers of Ohio Friends attended Yearly Meeting -finds no misgivings or dissatisfaction at being detached from Gurneyites -discusses basis on which the Committee of Conference proposes to restore unity and harmony, project doubtless undertakes to arrest proceedings in Phila. and Ohio and turn attention of Friends in Ireland from contemplated disavowal of Gurney's doctrines -discusses Gurney's doctrines -William has got a water remedy establishment at Spring Grove, near Pawtucket -family marriages (grandchildren) 10 mo. 16, 1848 Fall River, addressed to Thomas Foster topics: -attended meeting in New Bedford, Dartmouth and West Point -had interviews with ministers of different denominations at Nantucket which all felt were satisfactory -wants them to bring roll of papers (from his drawer) containing the interrogations and answers relating to Fall River case and bring it with them when they come to Quarterly Meeting -JW wants [Ethan] and Samuel Sheffield to bring copies of such minutes on their books as relate to JW's application to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings for restoration of membership