John Wilbur Letters to Peleg Mitchell

Letters to Peleg Mitchell [of Nantucket]. 10 letters as follows

6 mo. 30, 1838 Hopkinton (also a typed transcript of this letter) topics: -Very full discussion of JW's attitude towards the writings and teachings of Gurney -JW expresses the fear that Friends are being unduly influenced by these teachings which are not according to the true Quaker principles

8 mo. 10, 1840 Dartmouth topics: -Theological discussion -Quarterly Meeting a painful time, gives detailed account -Monthly Meeting refused to give him a traveling certificate -John and Lydia Wilbur now visiting Seth and Mary Davis

9 mo. 21, 1841 Hopkinton topics: -Improved health -Recently visited daughter Anna at Pawtucket, had satisfactory meeting -Discusses JJG and his writings -Attitude of other Friends toward JW -Disapproves of actions of Gurneyites -Discusses general situation in Society of Friends

2 mo. 15, 1842 Horan Cottage topics: -Theological discussion -Describes a visit of a delegation of two from Yearly Meeting (P.P. and A.W.) -Discusses in some detail his conversations with representatives of Select Meeting -Nathan Douglas received a certificate for religious service in several Quarterly Meetings -At one meeting, Gurneyites left him standing on steps -JW sends message to Prince Gardner

8 mo. 1, 1842 Horan Cottage (also typed transcript of letter) topics: -Difficulty re: appointment of a Clerk -Discusses in great detail the "trial of the complaint" against JW by Yearly Meeting Committee -Gives extracts from letter of Lydia A. Barclay on conditions in England

3 mo. 1, 1843 Hopkinton topics: -JW says his friend William Evans advised appealing to Monthly Meeting against actions of Quarterly Meeting -Other friends advise against this -Gives reasons why it is thought such an appeal would be of no avail -Gives extracts from letter of William Evans -Has received letter from Ezra Comfort, gives extracts

6 mo. 9, 1844 Hopkinton topics: -Re: present unsettled state of things in New England -Urges that "sound Friends" should attend the approaching Yearly Meeting -Refers to "our worthy Friends" William Evans and Ezra Comfort

6 mo. 11, 1845 Fall River topics: -Compares the situation of Friends in New England who want to see primitive doctrines restored to the story of the Israelites in Egypt -Fears that recent deputation to the Island are not true followers of the Light, but have ulterior motive -Hopes that many Friends will attend Yearly Meeting -Invites Peleg and wife to come to house of Thomas and Ann before going on to Newport

3 mo. 7, 1847 Hopkinton topics: -Death of Laban Paddock, sympathetic to wife and son -Discusses situation of Friends as a religious body, less strength among Phila. Friends than 2 years ago -Fears small number of Friends in New England to stand for truth -"All others called Friends seem to be a combination of Quakerism and Gurneyism--alias Episcopalians!" -Conditions in New England different from rest of country -Discusses Hicksite separation and differences between that and present separation -Funeral sermon for JJG preached by Bishop of Norwich, JW thinks they were "hand in hand and one in spirit" -Lydia A. Barclay expects to move to Aberdeen, Scotland

7 mo. 7, 1853 Hopkinton topics: -Asks Peleg to act as his traveling companion in Europe -William Hodgson thinks it would be better that "one of our own Y. Meeting" go -JW offers to contribute $50 towards an outfit and committee will be responsible for the travel expenses