John Wilbur Letters to his Family, 1852-1855

Letters to his family 1853­-1855. 16 letters (7 letters, 9 manuscript copies) with typed abstracts as follows:

8 mo. 16, 1853 Hopkinton, addressed to Wm. and Mary Hazard topics: -Would like William [Hazard] to act as traveling companion -JW has strong concern to make this journey [to Great Britain] -London Yearly Meeting to blame for letting certain doctrines emanate from them -Wishes to sail by 8th or 15th of next month

9 mo. 2, 1853 Hopkinton, addressed to Wm. R. Hazard topics: -Selection of traveling companion, wants William but some feel companion should not be family member -Will write to John Lippincott (Phila.), inquire if he will go -10 [mo.] 1853 Liverpool (England), addressed to "my dear children, grandchildren and friends" topics: -Arrival at Liverpool and voyage over -Went to Margaret Crosfield's -Called on Thomas Thompson, principal elder -Expects to go soon to London -Expresses apprehension at possible conflicts and differences of opinion in his travels

10 mo. 24, 1853 John Rickmans, Wellingham, addressed to "my dear children, friends and grandchildren" topics: -Satisfactory time at Manchester -Visit to Birmingham and stayed with Samuel King -At London visited by Robert Foster and Samuel Cash, members of committee of the Meeting for Sufferings, they tried to dissuade him from pursuit of his concern -They will announce in all meetings that he is not member of Society of Friends -Gives detailed description of their conversation -JW feels he is still member as disowned contrary to Discipline -JW feels London Yearly Meeting made mistake in recognizing larger body of Friends as New England Yearly Meeting without an investigation -JW's opinion is that London Yearly Meeting is responsible for the dissension among American Friends -Attended meeting of whole Committee of Meeting for Sufferings, consisting of Thomas Norton, Samuel Fox, Samuel Gurney, Robert Foster, Samuel Cash, George Stacey, Peter Bedford and Thomas Chalk -Gives detailed account of discussion -Refers to action of Phila. Yearly Meeting, London Yearly Meeting

11 mo. 5, 1853 [England], addressed to "my dear children, friends & grandchildren" topics: -Stays with Daniel P. Hack at Brighton -Experience at meeting -Friends not in sympathy with him -Hack advises JW to return to America and become reconciled -JW discusses beliefs and reasons for disownment -Visits other meetings -Met with Peter Bedford who was very unsympathetic -Spoke in meeting, Peter Bedford announces to Friends that JW not a member of Society of Friends -Goes to London, Meeting for Sufferings passed minute advising Friends not to receive JW as a minister -Attended Devonshire meeting and spoke

11 mo. 14, 1853 Sudbury in Suffolk, addressed to "my dear children, friends and grandchildren" topics: -Describes meeting at Tottenham and remarks he made -Paul Beaven objected to his speaking in their meetings -JW's speaking supported by Dr. Edward May and another Friend -Visited Sudbury, saw graves of Sarah Grubb and husband, spoke at meeting -JW thinks leaders of Friends in England are trying to keep together and avoid separation, yet many young people leaving -Sends copy of the proceedings of the Meeting for Sufferings

12 mo. 10, 1853 Manchester, addressed to "my dear children, friends and grandchildren" topics: -Visited Bakewell in Derbyshire -Stayed with William Gauntly, an Elder of sound mind -Attended meetings at Sheffield, had good service but rebuked at close -Says circular from Meeting for Sufferings in London prejudiced Friends against him -JW has written his own circular and sent it out -Plans to go to Rochdale, Marsden, Bradford, Leeds, Carlisle and Glasgow

12 mo. 31, 1853 Glasgow, addressed to "my dear children J.S. and S.S. Kenyon" topics: -Family matters -Discusses circular letter his friends have distributed and the good effect it has had, no one has objected to his speaking in meeting since it was published -The "British Friend" has come out in his support -Lydia A. Barclay has come to Glasgow, she has helped them with their expenses -Discusses plans for trip to Ireland

12 mo. 31, 1853 Amos C. Wilbur to nephew John W. Foster (this letter written on same sheet as above letter) topics: -Circular of Meeting for Sufferings has brought criticism to Gurneyites "British Friend" in support of JW -Plans to have six subscriptions of "BF" sent home -Plans for rest of trip 1 mo. 12, 1854 Amos C. Wilbur to brother Thomas Wilbur (this letter written on same sheet as above letter) topics: -Trip to Ireland and reception there

1 mo. 14, 1854 at J. & C. Sargent's near Moate, addressed to "my dear friends, children & grandchildren" topics: -Travels from Glasgow to Belfast to Lisburn -Friends there aloof -Went to Jacob Green's where treated well but Friends there unwilling to enter into discussion -Coldly received at Charles Wakefield's (CW was formerly opposed to JJG but now thinks highly of Gurneyite leaders in Ireland) -JW thinks Friends in Ireland shouldn't have recognized larger body in New England -Visited Dublin and spoke in meeting -Expects to go to Clonmel, Waterford and Bristol -Attended meeting at Moate, spoke and gives account of what said

1 mo. 28, 1854, addressed to "my dear friends, children & grandchildren" topics: -Arrival in Bristol -Irish Friends very favorable to Gurney -Visit with Eliza Southall Hunt of Bristol and her attitude toward Gurney -After meeting at Bristol, a principal member advised JW to desist from attending meetings as was probably doing more harm than good -Describes sermon he gave -Lydia A. Barclay wants books by JW -Going on to Birmingham, now lodging with [Sarah (Wheeler) Tanner] wife of William Tanner, only living child of Daniel Wheeler

2 mo. 6, 1854 Croyden near London, addressed to W.H. Wilbur "my dear son" topics: -Arrival in Bristol -Attended several meetings on way to London -Now plans to attend meetings in London and in area -Then to Birmingham and Liverpool and plans to embark 1st of next month -Plans to go by way of Bakewell to meet Lydia A. Barclay -JW says he has fulfilled his duties "in such a manner as to bring sweet peace & solid satisfaction" -JW feels power of Gurneyites depreciating

8 mo. 21, 1855 Hopkinton, addressed to Mary Hazard (another letter on back by Phebe Foster to Mary Hazard) topics: -Mary Hazard's health -Suggests visit to New England would be helpful -Personal letter

11 mo. 14, 1855 Hopkinton, addressed to Wm. R. Hazard and Mary Hazard topics: -JW expects to arrive in Poughkeepsie on 5th day -Family news -Attendance at Fall River Quarterly Meeting nearly double in number to those at first -Nantucket, Berwick and Salem Meetings have grown -Friends in England interested in separation in New England -Documents bearing on all aspects of separation published in "British Friends"

11 mo. 19, 1855 Hopkinton, addressed to Mary Hazard "my dear daughter" topics: -Met Anna Mekeel at depot in New York -Also met John and Sarah Paddock on boat -Says health is no worse after visiting Hazards