Search

Comments on Wilburite-Gurneyite strife in the Meeting, the disownment of Wilbur, and a planned appeal.

Spiritual journal of Quaker minister reflects on anxieties and provides details of Preparative, Monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly Meetings. Travels to Baltimore, Philadelphia, Providence, and Dearfield, as well as visiting local families in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Opposes slavery and notes when Meetings address it, referencing anti-slavery lectures and the free produce movement. Barred from an African-American congregation. Many references to Amos Harvey.

Comments on her isolation and reminisces about friendship. Millerites are abundant and are expecting the destruction of the world. Notes abolition sentiment in Indiana.

Edward Hicks's bill for items purchased from Parrish, mostly relating to his alphabet blocks. Apologizes for not being able to sell more sets of alphabet blocks for Hicks, despite advertising in newspapers. Price gives details on some of Hicks's boxes of alphabet blocks. Notes on the Quaker Monthly Meeting, George F. White, and the "wild notions, which has distracted many of our friends." Religious reflections on suffering and grief. Bemoans a colleague's abolition sentiments, "for they only bind the chains more sorely upon the poor slave, & makes the Free coloured Man fly from many of the Slave States-- they are very far from being the real friends of the Bond Man." Brief notes on abolition societies' "splitting into parties & divisions, which will hurry them into oblivion."

Laments the death of Thomas Kite and its impact on the Philadelphia Quaker community. Details of his recent travels in snowy weather and William's poor health. Describes attending various Quaker meetings. [Located in Oversize Manuscripts]

Has been installed as assistant teacher at Friend’s Select thanks to an aunt's intervention. Discusses social niceties and negotiations surrounding visits, including an outing to the Franklin Institute, and attempts to avoid men's advances. Expects separation in Baltimore and struggle in Philadelphia. Need to insist on testimony against Gurney. Wishes she was a member of the Meeting of Sufferings and compares herself to John Quincy Adams.

Financial details of paying off a mortgage. Harvard has few Quaker books but a growing demand. Friends' Book Committee forwarded books and pamphlets, although they, too, are running low on items relating to the Gurneyite schism. Requests publications for A. Sewal’s history of the Friends. Cope and Roberts have gone to Ohio Yearly Meeting to comfort Friends in the controversy.

Farm work has become too much for Ellen Kimberly and her husband, and they are going to retire from business and move to Salem, Henry County, Iowa. Salem has a large Seminary, with excellent teachers. Describes school accommodations and education in Iowa. Concerned that niece is socializing with a rough crowd and visiting bad neighborhoods. Mentions John Ellyson's steam saw and grist mill operation and a horse-riding accident.

Reminiscences about her time in Michigan and laments the decline of correspondence that follows marriage. Family updates and preparations for visits. Worried about Joseph Gibbons possibly moving to California. Mentions health concerns, division of family land, finances, prices of food, and the appreciation of bonnets. Notes a visiting minister from Tennessee who seems "inclined to Gurneyism" and displeasure with ministers visiting members without approval.

Compliments Rebecca's talents as a historian. Yearly Meetings will be trying until they come to a decision on “the great question” and laments the slow progress on resolving the divide. Discussion of actors on both sides of Wilburite separation, illness, and the American Medical Association at Cincinnati. Description of domestic duties, family visits, and travel.