Uwchlan Meeting Minutes – Revolutionary War
FROM RECORDS OF UWCHLAN MONTHLY MEETING. (Extracted by Gilbert Cope)
6-8-1775: “The Preparative meeting informed this Meeting that Richard Thomas hath so far deviated from our Peaceable Testimony again Wars ei rightings as not only to Persist in acting as a Committee Man of the present association but hath consented to be a Captain of a Party of Men in learning the art of War. Therefore Robert Valentine & Cadwalader Jones, with the Committee formerly appointed are ordered to take an opportunity with him and labour in Christian love to Convince him of his Error &: make report of their service to next meeting.”
8-10-1775: Report is made that “he continued in the same mind as heretofore & that he would not blame friends to Testify against him,” and a testimony is signed against him.
Isaac Cadwalader is complained of 7-6-1776, for mustering in order to learn Warlike Exercise. Disowned 11-9-1775.
Thomas Lloyd complained of 7-6-1773, for having “Joined with the People in their military Exercise.” 8-10-1775: Has declined mustering with the People to learn war. 11-9-1775: He is listed afresh and gone away with a Recruiting party: disowned.
John Lloyd complained of 12-7-1775, “for Mustering in order to learn the Discipline of War.” Disowned 3-7-1776.
9-5-1776: “The preparative Meeting informs This that for some Time past Reports have prevailed of John Jacobs having joined with Things in the House of Assembly inconsistent with our Testimony against Wars and Fightings; and upon being treated with thereon by the overseers he refused to give a candid satisfactory Account of his Conduct; and it is apparent in the public Prints that he is now a Member of a Convention instituted in order to change the Government; which in its Consequence must be attended with Wars and Bloodshed, and highly reproachful to our Christian Profession: Therefore Joshua Baldwin, Evan Jones. Cadwalader Jones, William Beale and Simon Meredith are appointed to labour with him in order to convince him of his Error, and report “of their service to our next Meeting.”
10-10-1776: “The Friends appointed to visit John Jacobs report thev all had an Opportunity with him together; that he did not appear to be convinced of the Inconsistency of his Conduct with the Profession he has made of the Truth, but endeavoured to justify Defensive War. Therefore William Beale, William Kirk. Simon Meredith, Ronert Milhous & Jonathan Coates are desired to visit him, and in a brotherly manner to endeavour to restore him to a sense of his Deviation, and report of their service to next Meeting: and that they also mind to treat with him concerning his slave, as they may find ability.”
11-7-1776: “The Friends appointed to visit John Jacobs report they all had an Opportunity with him; that he continued his Arguments for defensive War, and justified his being a Member of Convention, and that they thought generally that there was no Prospect of his making proper satisfaction to this Meeting; having by Report been very active lately in the same Cause which has heretofore given so much uneasiness to Friends. William Lightfoot and Jonathan Coates are appointed to prepare a Testimony against him and acquaint him thereof and produce to next Meeting for Approbation.” He was disowned 12-5-1777, and the testimony against him ordered to be read at Uwchlan Meeting.
Benjamin Jacobs complained of 3-6-1777. “for that he has so far encouraged the carrying on War as to sign the Money issued for that Purpose; Therefore William Pearson, John Baldwin and Hugh Judge are appointed to visit and endeavour to convince him of his Error, and report o£ their service to next Meeting.”
1-10-1777: “The Friends appointed to visit Benjamin Jacobs report they all took an opportunity and treated with him according to Ability; that he received them civilly, but still insists he apprehends he has done nothing contrary to Discipline in that part of his Conduct for which he was complained of, and rather desired to be disowned from Friends, and that no more opportunities might be taken with him : but this Meeting being tender towards him appoints Robert Valentine. Joshua Baldwin and Thomas Lightfoot to take further pains and Labour to convince him of his Deviation from our Principles, and report to next Meeting.”
5-8-1777: The committee report “that he received them civilly and heard them with Patience, and said little, but signified he remained of the same mind as formerly, and could not condemn his Conduct until he saw that it was wrong.”
7-l9-1777, a similar report was made, “yet at the Instance of Robert Valentine, who has a desire to labour further with him on the sorrowful occasion, his Case is continued Till next Meeting.” He was disowned 10-9-1777.
12-10-1778: “William Owen has so far deviated from our peaceful Principles as to take the Test or Affirmation of Allegiance Oath, as it is called. Thereby making himself a Party with those contending for Government with the sword contrary to the Advice of Friends.” Disowned 9-9-1779, though he admitted he had done wrong but was not able to condemn it properly.
Nathan Cadwalader, Jr.. who had been under dealing for other matters, is complained of 3-4-1779, for taking the Test, and disowned 4-8-1779.
4-8-1779: “The preparative Meeting also informs This that William Beale has manifested a refractory Disposition by not satisfying Friends concerning some Reports of his having taken the Test, but rather justified the taking it; therefore Robert Valentine and Simon Meredith are appointed to treat with him on the occasion and report to next Meeting.” Disowned 7-8-1779.
Joseph Crossly complained of for neglecting meetings and for consenting for his father to pay his substitute fine for him, was disowned 7-8-1779.
Jonathan Rogers makes acknowledgment 3-9-1780, for paying a double tax in lieu of taking the test.
9-7-1780: “The preparative Meeting brings a Complaint against John Jacobs for holding in Bondage a Negro Man of proper Age to be free; also for paying a Bounty Tax, and for assisting to lay a Tax on the Inhabitants for the Purpose of supporting War. We therefore appoint Robert Millions, Elihu Evans and William Milhous to take a solid Opportunity with him and endeavour to bring him to a proper sense of his Deviation from our Principles and make Report of his Disposition to next Meeting.” Disowned 12-7-1780, and the testimony to be read at Uwchlan Meeting:.
Joseph Downing complained of 11-9-1780, “for paying a Tax laid for the Purpose of raising a Bounty to hire soldiers.” Disowned 7-5-1781.
Richard Downing, Junr., complained of 12-14-1780, “for paying a fine in Lieu of personal service in the Army and a Tax laid. in order to raise a Bounty to hire soldiers.” Disowned 1-10-1782. He admitted he had done wrong but would not give a written acknowledgment.