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in Current
Rhoda M. Coffin, Her Reminiscences. Addresses, Papers and Ancestry, 
edited by Mary Coffin Johnson (New York : Grafton Press, 8 £  by 6, 
pp. 291) is a most interesting and stimulating record of a noble life, 
devoted to the good of all, especially of the low and degraded. Service 
of many kinds is recorded. Here is how the Whitewater Meeting House 
(Ind.) was taken in hand for cleaning, c. 1848 : 
" The old Whitewater Meeting House built many years before [1827], 
had never been cleaned, though thousands had occupied it. The large 
gallery used but once a year at the Yearly Meeting was particularly in a 
bad condition. We decided to clean it. ... It was very hard work, 
and many thought our efforts meddlesome. ' It has served us thus and 
why could it not now. It is pride,' said one. . . One of the dear Friends 
walked back and forth before the house wiping away the tears, and when 
I went to try to comfort him, he said, ' Water will rot out all the sills, and 
there are them windows, they have never been taken out before, and have 
never let a drop of water in. Rhoda, thee did it, coming here with thy 
new f angled notions.' . . The Church had it cleaned yearly after that " 
(pp. 58-61).
The Addresses and Papers, occupying about half the book, deal with 
work on behalf of prisoners, the insane, Indians, home and foreign missions 
and " children of the street." There is also a sketch of the life of 
Sarah J. Smith, a well-known Quaker philanthropist, who died in 1885.
R. M. Coffin (1826-1909) was the wife of Charles F. Coffin, now resident 
in Chicago, 111.
Here is yet another book to add to the list of Quaker novels  Sampson 
Rideout, Quaker, by Una L. Silberrad (London : Nelson, 7^ by 5^-, pp. 41 1, 
2S.). Miss Silberrad dedicates her work "To J. H. F., a member of the 
Society of Friends, and the best man I know "  this is Joseph Hoyland 
Fox, of Wellington, Somerset. It is interesting to learn that the author 
has frequently attended Meeting at Buckhurst Hill, the home of 
Elizabeth Fox Howard, author of " Damaris of the Downs," as two scenes 
in this volume  a visit to a Friends' meeting, and a visit to a graveyard in 
the dead of night  have a general resemblance to portions of " Damaris." 
A warm appreciation of Friends' principles runs through the narrative 
(e.g. pp. 1 80, 201, 230) ; the principal events cluster round the ruined 
house and stable at Ashcombe in Dorsetshire, near to which is Ashmore, 
an old Quaker property, from which John Eliot, the lord of the manor, was 
committed to prison for non-payment of tithe, c. 1770. " Darry Leven " 
is modelled somewhat after Bampfylde Moore Carew, " the King of the 
Gipsies," who lived in Devonshire in the early eighteenth century, but one 
is sorry for the touch of fatalism which consigns Darry to " live out his life 
his own way, and go to his own place " (p. 407). Would a Quaker of the 
early day have accepted freedom as a result of subterfuge ? (chap. xvi.).
The Annual Reports for 1910 of The Academy of Natural Sciences of 
Philadelphia (founded in 1812) are to hand. Various members of the
88
FRIENDS IN CURRENT LITERATURE. 89
Vaux family have for many years taken great interest in this institution 
 the present treasurer is George Vaux, Jun., who is said to possess one 
of the largest and best private collections of minerals in America.
The Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, for May, has a four-page article 
on "A Quaker Post-Bag," written by (Rev.) Alfred Barraclough, and 
illustrated by views of Barlbrough Hall, church, and village.
There is an interesting conspectus of the early history of Friends in 
New York and on Long Island in the Year Book of New York Monthly 
Meeting, isth Street and Rutherford Place.
The great work upon which Prof. G. Lyon Turner, M.A., has been 
for some time engaged is now completed, Original Records of Early Non- 
conformity under Persecution and Indulgence (London and Leipzig: 
Unwin, 2 vols., 10 by 6f, pp. xxii. + 1348, £2 ios.). The documents here 
reproduced fall into two groups Episcopal Returns and State Papers. 
The former are the Returns made by order of Archbishop Sheldon in 
1665, 1669, and J 676, of the Conventicles of various sorts in each parish, 
the number of attendants, their social position, and the Teachers usually 
present. The State Papers refer to the licences granted under the 
Declaration of Indulgence of 1672. The value of these volumes can only
•
be fully realised as the books are consulted. The following is a specimen 
of the many references to Friends : 
Ely Diocesse Conventicles 1669.
Parishes & Conven- 
ticles in them.
St. Trinity in Ely
St. Maries in Ely, 
at Francis Bugge 
his house, Com- 
ber
Sutton at the 
house of Edwd 
Wright
Sects.
Quakers
Quakers
Numbers.
12 or 13
usually inconsider- 
able ; once of 
late 30 or 40.
about 40
Quality & Abbetors.
Meanest
Mcchanicks
Meane condition
Some rich, some 
very poore. 
Many of Evill 
fame, That live 
in Adultery & 
Fornication.
Teachers.
Uncertayne & 
sometime ye 
meetings are 
silent
John Browne of 
Norwich a late 
speaker there
John Crooke 
John Ansley
The last entry is not definitely stated to refer to Friends, but it was 
probably a Friends' Meeting, ministered to by John Crook, late Justice, of 
Bedfordshire. The descriptions of those present may refer to the 
absence of marriage according to established form.
The first volume contains the two-fold text, and the second volume 
gives a classified summary and also indexes to places, teachers, house- 
holders, etc. The names of many Friends appear in the lists of teachers 
and householders.
90 FRIENDS IN CURRENT LITERATURE.
A standard biography of Elias Hicks [1748-1830] has been written 
for the Friends' General Conference Advancement Committee of Phila- 
delphia Yearly Meeting (Race Street), by Henry W. Wilbur, and to this 
Elizabeth Powell Bond, late Dean of Swarthmore College, Pa., has contri- 
buted an Introduction. The foundation of this record of a remarkable life 
is, of course, " The Journal of Elias Hicks," published in 1832, but help 
has been obtained from printed sermons, and from many private letters 
previously unpublished, the result bearing evidence of very careful 
preparation. The home of Elias Hicks for about sixty years was a farm 
in Jericho on Long Island. At seventeen he was apprenticed to learn 
carpentry, and later he was a surveyor. At twenty-two he married 
Jemima Seaman. A list of his descendants forms an appendix to the 
book. He was " recommended to the Meeting of Ministers and Elders " 
as a Minister in 1778, and he travelled extensively. There is little in his 
journals relative to the opposition to his ministry, from which resulted 
mainly the Separation of 1827-8. " These silences in the Journal 
are hard to understand. Undoubtedly, the troubles of the period were not 
pleasant matters of record, yet one wishes that a fuller and more detailed 
statement regarding the whole matter might be had from him than is 
contained in the meagre references in his personal correspondence or his 
published Journal'' (p. 46). He was a preacher first and foremost  
" it seemed impossible for him to avoid the preacherly function in even 
his most tender and domestic missives" (p. 76). Of his family of eleven 
children, the sons, four in number, were of weak constitution and all died 
before manhood. " It surely seems strange that a man who was the father 
of eleven children, that his only source of personal ' reproof' concerning 
them was a little matter of ' wearing their gown sleeves long and pinned 
at the wrist.' This probably is a fair illustration of what may be called 
the conservatism of Elias Hicks touching all of the peculiarities of the 
Society of Friends " (p. 80). Later in this admirably-written biography 
we read, " During the last ten years of the life of Elias Hicks he was simply 
overburdened answering questions and explaining his position touching 
a multitude of views charged against him by his critics and defamers " 
(p. 114). It might have been better had fewer questions on deep and 
mysterious themes been asked and " answered " ; at any rate the strong 
and public opposition to his religious pronouncements brought him 
everywhere multitudes of hearers (see p. 55).
The book bears as title The Life and Labors of Elias Hicks. A few 
chapter headings will reveal something of the contents: Some Points 
of Doctrine; First Trouble in Philadelphia; The Braithwaite Contro- 
versy ; Ann Jones in Dutchess County; Friendly and Unfriendly 
Critics; After the " Separation" ; Recollections, Reminiscences and 
Testimonies.
The new volume from the pen of Thomas Hodgkin, D.C.L., The 
Trial of Our Faith and other Papers (London : Macmillan, 9 by 6, pp. 344, 
73. 6d. net) contains addresses on George Fox and James Parnell, to 
which we hope to refer later.
NORMAN PENNEY.


English

Friends in Current Literature

Green, Joseph J.

Dr. Lettsom's Rural Fete at Camberwell

CONTENTS
ii Account of Ministering Friends from Europe 
who visited America, 1656 to 1793
Presentations in Episcopal Visitations, 1662-1679.
By G. Lyon Turner, M.A. 
Silence—and Decline
The Conversion of Joseph Phipps
Humphrey Bates to George Fox, 1660
Bergson on Literary Research
Martha Fisher to Margaret Fox, 1673
George Fox and Thomas Lower to William Penn,
George Fox to William Penn, 1675
John Matern, Schoolmaster
Richard Shackleton to Abiah Darby, 1784
Record of Friends Travelling in Ireland, 1656- 
1765.—I. 1656-1712/13 .. ..
The Teaching of Hannah Barnard 
The Annual Meeting 
Farewell to Kidsley Park
Lindley Murray Hoag and the Ghost at Ury
The Enlargement of Devonshire House in the 
Eighteenth Century
" The Man of Honour, Occasion'd by the Postscript 
of Pen's Letter "
Corks for Sale, 1678 .. .. ..
Friends in Current Literature. By The Editor
Notes and Queries:—
Abiah Darby—Old Lancaster Records—Gilbert 
Heathcote Rodes—Quakers and Gild Records 
—A Lancashire Quaker Referred to by Lord 
Macaulay—Poultney, of Maryland—" The First 
Publishers of Truth "—Erratum—Thomas and 
Susanna Brown, of Va—Records of Wales- 
Jacobs' Biscuits—Dutch Prisoners—Women 
Writers—MS. of The Journal of John Wool- 
man—Timmins Family—Lindley Murray and 
Elizabeth Frank—Macaulay and Edinburgh 
Friends ..
117
133
137
138
140
141
142
143
146
149
153
157
180
18 r 
185 
187
188
188
189
190
Officers for the Year 1913-1914 , 
Balance Sheet for the Year 1912
196
201
202


of
3OSEPH PHIPPS in the time of his youth was very gay, and addicted to the dissipating pastimes of the age ; his abilities were strong and lively, and delighting himself much in the Theatre (to which 
when in London he had free access), he wrote a play which 
got into the Duke of Richmond's hands, and which, after 
!iis mind had taken a serious turn, cost him some pains 
to rescue from the press, being offered one hundred pounds 
for the copyright.
He was by trade a shoemaker, but so little of an 
economist that sometimes from hunger he was driven 
to the necessity of eating his paste till he could finish a 
pair of shoes.
He was so far gone in speculative reasoning as to 
admit the belief that all things came by nature, but yet 
he sometimes had some serious reflections, and the 
thought would sometimes present to his mind, if there 
existed a Superior Being, what state was he in ! While 
he resided in London, a young man of the name of Hall 
was his companion in work, and whose mind inclined to 
religion. He one day said to Joseph, " What religious 
profession do you think is the best ? " Joseph replied, 
" If there is anything in religion, it is among the quakers." 
" Why," said William, " how came you to know anything 
of them ? " He replied, " I was brought up amongst 
them." " Oh," said William, " I wish you would go with 
me to one of their Meetings." " Well, one day perhaps I 
may."
Some weeks after, Joseph appearing seriously 
thoughtful, William said to him, " Where will you go 
to-day ? " "I was thinking," said he, " of going to the 
quakers' meeting." " I am glad of that," said William. 
They went to that call'd the Savoy Meeting, it happening 
to be the first day after the Yearly Meeting; they were 
there early, and on seeing Benjamin Kidd come in, William 
said, " Who is he ? Do you know him ? " " Yes," said
1 The following relation was given by J. P. himself to Thomas 
Wagstaffe. It is printed in Friends' Monthly Magazine, vol. i., 1830.
t38
THE CONVERSION OF JOSEPH PHIPPS 139
Joseph. " I have seen him in Yorkshire, he is a clever 
fellow." In the course of the meeting Benjamin Kidd 
preached particularly to the state of those two young 
men, who sat weeping under his testimony. He said, 
" I feel that what I speak is received, and I rejoice in it." 
They attended several of the succeeding meetings, and 
were both effectually reached. Jos. Phipps's vain asso­ 
ciates becoming a burden to him, he found it safest to 
quit them and return to York, where he was received by 
his friends with kindness. After a time, the wonted levity 
of his disposition began to unbend for want of being 
properly on his guard, and he was favoured to feel his hurt. 
About that time Benjamin Kidd coming into those parts 
was again opened into his state. The next morning he 
pack'd up his things and returned to London, and entered 
into the service of Joseph Walker, a valuable man.
Joseph Phipps was born in the city of York in 1708, 2 
a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Phipps of that city, both 
Friends. In 1753 he accompanied, not without some sense 
of apprehension, Ann Mercy Bell (c. 1706-1775), of York, on 
a remarkable open-air preaching tour of the city of London, 
an account of which was printed soon after. Seven years 
later, he married, at Norwich, Sarah Kendall, of that city, 
being described at the time as a coal merchant. The 
removal of himself and family to Norwich took place 
about 1766. He was a religious writer rather than speaker, 
some of his writings being of a controversial character. 
About 1770 he prepared and circulated an address, To 
the Youth of Norwich Meeting, which was reprinted 
eight times down to the year 1818, and he made one 
incursion, at least, into the realm of verse. In 1765 
Phi ?ps edited a new edition of George Fox's Journal— 
" Tie Third Edition corrected." His decease occurred 
at Norwich in 1787. A daughter, Sarah, married Ollive 
Sims, of Stockport, in 1788.
Several letters written by or to him are extant in D. 
—e.g. to Ann Gurney, 1777, from Ann Mercy Bell, 1744 
and 1757, from Mary Brook, 1774.
3 D.N.B. states that he was born at Norwich, but the Yorkshire 
Registers confirm the above statement.


The Conversion of Joseph Phipps

Lindley Murray Hoag and the Ghost of Ury

The Enlargement of Devonshire House in the Eighteenth Century

270 "GOING OUT FOR A HUSBAND AND WIFE"
that this acquaintance w^ her & so wth friends declarations 
in meetings hath brought him to see how falcely frds were 
asperst by the black coverings others threw on them, 
& y* he is now affected wth truth & the good ordr of it, but 
as this Seems not to me as yet to be Grounded on a sure 
foundation, J leaue you to Judge & must Still Comitt 
her to yr Care & tender loue to keepe truth, yorselues 
& her unspotted from the World, and if she hath alredy 
apeard to any of your Grief es J hope she may be Restored 
by your tender Gentle leadings. So with dear loue J 
salute you all & Remaine your Loueing friend
WM. BE VAN
Receud & deliued to ye meeting 
ye iQth of ye 2d month 1699.
[Addressed] For Edward Loyd 
mercht in Corne Street 
Bristoll.
[Endorsed] fifor the Mens Meting there 
p William Beuan of Swansey.
From Bristol MSS. v. 120.
" (Being ouf for a 2)u06an& and QBiffc "
Dolgyn, 16 ii. 1732. Went to meeting with Masters 1 and most 
of my Family where were our Friends Agnes Tomlinson2 Hannah 
Stevenson^ and Arthur Jones.* Agnes was closely concerned to advise
1 John Kelsall was employed by several members of the Pay ton 
family in their ironworks.
2 For Agnes Tomlinson (c. 1692-1756), of Preston, afterwards 
Hagger, of London, see THE JOURNAL, v. 191.
These three visitors had been at the Wales Y.M. recently held at 
Bala.
3 The births of several children of Daniel and Hannah Stevenson, 
of Kendal, are recorded in the Westmorland Registers between 1715 
and 1725, but Hannah is not among them. She was probably an earlier, 
unregistered daughter. The Burial Register records the death of Hannah, 
daughter of Daniel and Hannah Stevenson, in 1739, but does not state 
age at death.
4 Arthur Jones (1690-1742) was born near Bala, North Wales. He 
settled in Pa. in early life. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomcts 
Lightfoot, in 1717. The writer of " Biographical Sketches," which
"GOING OUT FOR A HUSBAND AND WIFE" 271
all to faithfulness and keeping up the Testimony of Truth, with many 
other good exhortations, &c. Hannah was concerned to declare that 
the Lord's visitation was to some in that place in order to bring them 
forth into the ministry, earnestly desiring they might freely give up to 
the Lord's requirings. They were also jointly concerned in a way of 
Jealousy lest any should join with something that was as the accursed 
thing, as going out for a Husband and Wife, and were fearful some there 
might have gone too far that way, warning them to return.
A. T. was also concerned to declare that she thought the stroke of 
death was nearer to some than they perhaps were aware of. There was 
a good and comfortable opportunity and a tender refreshing time.
In the afternoon they, with other Friends, came down to our house, 
where we had a good, solid, comfortable time, Hannah being drawn forth 
in an excellent manner to declare of the Lord's dealings with her, and 
though she was young and lately come to the Testimony in meetings, 
yet she was very deep and powerful, having heretofore been careless, wild 
and much inclined to the foolish vanities of the world, from which she 
tenderly desired young people might be turned. Agnes also had a very 
fine time, advising the young ones to keep to Truth, sobriety, obedience 
to parents, &c. Arthur was particularly concerned towards our chil- 
dren that they might come up in the way of Truth and be obedient to 
the guidance thereof in all things and avoid all hurtfull and evil things. 
It was a sweet and bedewing opportunity to our great comfort and 
refreshment and I greatly desire we may be truly thankful for the same 
and answer the Lord's love and kindness in such his visitations to us.
Diaries of John Kelsall, vi. 304^ MS. in D. (copy).
C I 755]' Some time this Spring (as I understand) Two women 
from America, their names (I think) Sarah Worral, & Elizabeth Ashbridge 
both died in Ireland, after having visited part of that nation & some 
part of this; One of them before She died left it as a caution to such as 
might be under a like concern, not to travel too hard intimating it had 
been fatal to herself & Companion who dyed but a very little before her.
From MS. in D. Memorandums relating to Travelling Publick 
Friends at Darlington, with other occurrences. 1754-5-6, p. 22. See 
THE JOURNAL, x. 258.
appeared in The Friend (Phila.), has this note about Arthur Jones 
(1856, p. 36) : " Perhaps his zeal may at times have overstepped the 
bounds of prudence, and have stirred up unpleasant feelings in some 
against him. In the year 1736, a Friend from England, then on a religious 
visit to this country, made an open attack upon him in the meeting at 
North Wales [Pa]. This occasioned a difficulty, and when the Friend was 
returning home the Yearly Meeting of Ministers declined furnishing him 
a returning certificate, until he had publicly condemned his attack on 
Arthur Jones." According to John Kelsall (Diaries, vi. 232*), "he 
appeared to be a very tender humble man," and " was concerned in 
Welch."


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Friends in Current Literature

Contents

Dr. Lettsom's Rural Fete at Camberwell

Contents

The Conversion of Joseph Phipps

Lindley Murray Hoag and the Ghost of Ury

The Enlargement of Devonshire House in the Eighteenth Century

"Going out for a Husband and Wife"

The Story of Martha and Mary

Jane Watson, of Edenderry, Ireland

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