Scope and Content
p.6 YM Queries, n.d. (after 1723)
p.7 YM (before 1723)
p.7 note of query on defrauding customs added YM 3/4/1723
p.8-9 YM Queries 1759
4 QM Queries
5 list of meeting, n.d. - Market St., Cranfield, Biggleswade, Sewell, Turvey Park, Clifton, Dunstable, Pulloxhill, Langford, Luton, Ampthill, Stotfold
7 statement on disputed question of disowning a minister (Wm Gibson), n.d.
subject matter:- YM & Meeting for Sufferings:-
attendance (representatives regularly appointed, e.g.
p. 9: 2 Friends to go;
p. 95 5 named (Thos Finch, who is also to go to mtg. of ministers & elders; Edm Humphrey; Wm Brown; Jn Pryor; Jn Freeth) -in fact only 3 went (p.97)
Correspondents appted. from time to time, e.g.: (for Suff.)
39 Jn Chester in London, Jn Frith, Luton, 1734
66 Jn Chester having died, and Dan Brown removed into the country: new corresp. are Simeon Hagen & Jn Masterman
104 Simeon Hagen having d., Jn Elliott jr, 1759
134 Rich Chester, Cannon St., in place of Rich. How decd., 1766
149 Dan Brown sr. in place of Jn Freeth decd. 1770
170 Jn Freeth in place of Dan Brown decd., 1775
Character of YM usually reported, e.g.
64 large & edifying, 1748
93 large & v. comfortable, 1756
135 affairs were conducted in great love & condescension, 1766 139 hardly so large as sometimes, 1767
144 pretty large - love & unity, 1768 147 to good satisfaction, 1769 179 large - business conducted with condescension, 1777
182 highly favoured meeting, 1778
Regular items relating to YM:
epistle read & distributed (copy to each MM), e.g.
p.12 50 copies subscribed for, 1760 (p.108);
Luton has 20 copies, Pulloxhill 30 (p.113);
queries, passim; and see list of queries at end pp.6-9
sufferings reported to YM (e.g. p.143)
sufferings must be taken "legally by warrant", 1782 (p.193) collection for the service of truth
7 to be collected from meetings for worship and brought to next QM; Dan Brown & Jn Robins to remit to the Friends in London that are ordered to receive it, 1709; amount realised £9-6s 9d
9 care to be taken for collection (not done), 1713; amount £7-19-0, mainly Market St. & Sewell
12 some meetings have not collected, 1717 amount £1717-18s 0d. Market St. & Dunstable £4 3s 6d
(Shefford) (? Stotfold) & Clifton £1 7s 6d
Cranfield £ 6s 0d
Pulloxhill £3 0s 0d
Total £8 17s 0d
21. amount 1722-3
Market St. £9 13s 0d
Pulloxhill £2 8s 6d
Luton £1 2s 0d
Total (receipt sd. R. How) £13 3s 6d
43 amount 1736
Market St. £ 7 14s 6d
Pulloxhill £ 2 19s 0d
Luton £ 1 1s 0d
Total £11 14s 6d
57 amount 1745
Market St. £ 3 8s 0d
Pulloxhill £ 2 2s 0d
Luton £ 15s 0d
Total £ 6 5s 0d
58 YM asks for generous & speedy collection for Friends that have suffered in late rebellion 18/4/1746 amount
Market St. £ 4 10s 0d
Pulloxhill £ 6 11s 0d
Luton £ 17s 6d
Total £11 18s 6d
84 amount
Dunstable £ 4 0s 0d
Pulloxhill £ 5 5s 0d
Total £ 9 5s 0d
101 Generous collection required, 1758
119 amount:- 1762
Pulloxhill £ 6 15s 0d
Luton £ 3 10s 0d
Total: £10 5s 0d
136 speedy & generous collection required, 1766 (bring to next meeting)
137 not quite finished
138 amount:- 1767
Luton £ 3 4s 6d
Ampthill £ 6 9s 6d
Total £9 14s 0d
Rich Chester present, one of our correspondents, received the money to carry it to Meeting for Sufferings
154 amount:- 1771
Ampthill £ 5 12s 6d
Luton £7 1s 9d
Total £12 14s 3d
169 amount:- 1774
Ampthill £ 6 12s 6d
Luton £ 6 6s 6d
Visitation arranged by YM, 9/4/1761 P. 112: "we were here visited by our Friends Jn Emes, Jn Griffith, Thos Corbyn, Sam Stott, Jos Roe, Sam Spavold, Isaac Sharpless, of the number of those appointed by YM last year"; "a paper of remarks of the state of our meetings were delivered by them to us" (to be communicated to MMs); p.113 remarks read again, but MMs. not yet finished
178: national visitation of MMs & QMs, 1777 Appointed (special) QM 19/4/1776; most of the members of each MM attended. The visiting Friends were Isaac Sharplass, Edm Gurney, Alse Grey, Jn Kendall, Rich Chester; they left an epistle of advice to be read in each PM
Records of YM P.
p.131 a deficiency for some years in entering YM mtes. in the book of records under their proper heads - W. Brown & Geo Exton to do, 1765 (see also p. 135) (P. 136 Wm Brown has finished entering, 1766) Printed copies: YM said there should be a copy in each county; p.48 Jn Frith says it has come; MMs to pay (Market St. £1-5-0, Pulloxhill 15s., Luton 10s.) 1739
Family visitation
73 YM ask QMs & MMs to appoint "judicious Friends" to visit families, 1751
74 QM reminds MMs. of this, 1751
126 QM reminds MMs. of this, 1764 (not completed)
131 Luton MM not finished - to do by next mtg., 1765
132 Luton MM had done 18/12/1765
165 MMs. to do, 1773 (esp. as regards tithe)
195 Ampthill MM (with 2 from Hitchin) visited "several" on the Stotfold & Potton side, on the whole to good satisfaction, 1782
196 Luton MM have made some visits
Parliamentary matters
18 Sufferings wants Friends appointed to solicit MPs to forward the petition that may be presenting about affirmation "No Friends concluded on at present", 1721
70 act about affirmations recd., 1750
73 two Friends appted. to attend when required, 1751
101 how many acts of Parlt. are required?
111, 118 militia act: counsel's opinion recd., 1760; remarks, 1762
188 militia paper recd, from Sufferings, 1779
191 Oaths: Sufferings wants to know if any have made oath before judge: no instance, 1780
Miscellaneous P. 55 printing of sufferings proposed, 1744
74 change of calendar - advice on
133 enclosure: Sufferings writes to desire Friends to be careful to give early advice to them conc. the enclosure of lands, that Friends may be careful not to hurt their testimony agst. that oppressive yoke of tithes, 18/2/1765 (NB: Aspley?)
Philadelphia Meeting for Sufferings
178 epistle received, 1777
QM business 64 to begin at 11th hour, 1748
89 to circulate in future: 3rd month Luton, 6th Pulloxhill, 9th Ampthill, 12th Pulloxhill all to begin at 11th hr., 1755
123 in future 12th month at Ampthill, 1763
126 Ampthill MM emitted to appoint reps., but 4 Friends came from Ampthill MM, 20/6/1764
152 in future: 3rd month Ampthill, 6th Luton, 9th month Ampthill, 12th Luton, 26/9/1770
QM queries to be answered each qtr., (except 1st, when YM queries)
Ministers & elders:-
99 to meet at 4th hour, the day before QM, 14/12/1757
103 3rd hour, 20/12/1758
115 4th 16/12/1761
Routine matters: sufferings passim; one Friend is apptd. to transcribe in vol.; quite often he has not done so; p.46 YM minute on sufferings 1660-5: consid deferred queries passim (for list, see end p. 4)
Junction with Herts.:
201 This meeting, being sensible of its declining weak state, and how acceptable as well as profitable it might prove, could a junction with some other county or counties be formed, .... (appt. cttee. of 7) 23/6/1784
203 cttee report; met twice; suggest joining Herts. (meet twice a year at Hitchin); approved; Rich Brown & Geo Exton to attend QM Hertford
205 cordial reception; weightily considered; unanim. approbation; at Herts. QM 21/3/1785; the Herts. meetings to be Hertford, last 2nd day but one, 3rd mth. & 3rd day after YM Hitchin last 2nd day but one, 9th & 12th month 10th hour; there to be 8 reps. for YM; & the usual correspond.; the select mtg. previous evening, 6th hour; (NB: reference to rec. of last YM); 23/3/1785
P. 207 approval of YM (minute given) 1st joint meeting at Hitchin, 9th month
MMs constituting QM (see also YM collection)
attendance (some examples)
Market St. p. 13 (1718) Jn Robins, Dan Brown, Jn Chester P. 15 Jos Dean, Rich Dodd, Mordecai Larance, Jn Chester
Langford p. 13 Edw Freeman, Thos Hallowfel, Wm Richison P. 15 Jn Freeman, Jn Sibly, Thos Fallowfield; (last reps. p.62)
Pulloxhill p. 13 (Friends short in respect of apptg. - to be careful for next) P. 15 Thos Hunt, Thos Hale, Jos Dunham, Jos Barber P. 107 N. Adams, F. Exton, T. Smith, J. Bennell
Dunstable p. 107 (1759) Jn Pryor, Edm Humphry, Jos Brown, Jn Freeth jr.
Ampthill p. 189 (1780) Nich Adams, Jas Humphry, Chris Bennell, Jn Bennell; p. 126 appt. omitted 1764
Luton p. 189 Rich Brown, Jos Brown jr., Jn Pryor, Jn Freeth
P. 33 a particular account of each MM to be brought annually to QM next before YM, 1730
51 Luton Friends report that, with consent of QM & MM, a meeting settled to be once in 4 weeks, Luton, 1741
64. After visit from Rich Austin & Jn Gunnis, Langford MM, "as their number is but small", to be joined to Pulloxhill MM, 1748; 2 mtgs. in summer at Clifton for ease of Langford Friends (3rd & 8th months), the first 6th day (i.e. May & Oct) (see also 68)
69 to be an MM at Clifton, 21/1/1749-50 (Clifton uneasy)
76 a women's meeting settled by Pulloxhill MM, 1752; QM approves 80 Markyate MM to move to Dunstable, 1753 "and the 1st day meeting to Luton from Market St."
108 Dunstable MM moves to Luton, 19/3/1760 "desires leave to removed their M & weekday mtg. to Luton - this Meeting agrees" Family visitation
121 each MM to do, 1763
123 not much progress
125 Some progress, 1764
Overseers 124 Ampthill has not done - do before next meeting 14/2/1763
125 Ampthill completed as far as able 21/3/1764 (NB this has dragged on - see pp. 118-9, 120-1; difficulty seems to be Pulloxhill, 1762; the apptmt. is reqd. by 8th query)
PMs & meetinghouses (see also some refs. under MMs)
P. 61 new trust deed needed for Biggleswade mtghouse & ground, 1747
51 a meeting once in 4 wks. at Luton, 1741
65-6 Fleethaven burying-gd. fence is down, to be repaired; (p. 67) nothing can be found in the registry at Bedford of a will leaving this. 8 Dunstable: Friends of Market St. & Sewell desire QM's approbation for settling a meeting at Dunstable
65 1st day meetings begin at 11, 1748
68 Friends on Clifton side somewhat uneasy about the management of their meetings, 1749 (this results in Clifton MM 1750 - abortive)
151 Stotfold Friends "all in the custom of paying tithe": 6 Friends to visit & report, 1770. 151 "most" visited Friends in and about Stotfold; "had an opportunity" with most; "some seasonable advice was dropped" & left for consideration, 26/9/1770
176 Dunstable: in future the second 1st day in each month, 1776
188 Pulloxhill: to be dropped between 10th month 1779 and 5th month 1780 (i.e. Nov - Apr)
Books
7 Reissue of epistle by Fox: caution to shopkeepers, merchants & factors; to be read annually in QM
35 each MM asked how many copies they want of Anth Pearson, Great case of tithes (Pulloxhill 12, Luton - Market St. 18), 1731; p.82 20 more, 1754.
37 Abstract of sufferings: Pulloxhill 4; 1732
40 Barclay's apology reprinting, 1734: Market St. 5, Pulloxhill 10, Luton 2
42 Moses West (M 30, P 20, L 10) 1735
64 Story's jnals. left by his will (M 3, P 4) 1748
67 Dav Hall's books: 4 doz. to be bought, 1749
85 Ben Holme's life & works: 6; 1755
110 "Printed epistles conc. the schools rec'd & read", 1760
112 Books being listed
114 Book of epistles to be subscribed for, 1761
124 Fox's journal 4s. each (8 ordered), 1763
128 Jn Lucas Caution to Friends agst. conformity with the world: 60 copies, 1764
129 Jn Alderson's book distributed: 20: 1765
140 Sufferings suggests reprinting Penn's works, 1767 (p. 143) Jas Humphry & Rich Brown sub. 8s. each & Rich Chester took the money, 1768
147 Tithe: "some small books" to be distributed as Friends see occasion, 1769
152 Poor Friends: strict enquiry to be made if they need Bibles or books, 1770 (arises out of YM epistle) (p.154, few, but those will be supplied), 1771; (p.158 none wanting, 1772)
160 Robt Barclay, The anarchy of the ranters, (20 rec'd from Mtg. for Suff.), 1772 (10 to each MM)
161 Chas Marshall, The way of life (12 copies) (6 to each MM) p. 168 Mary Brooks, Treatise on silence (8 copies: 4: 4), 1774
175 Jn Fotheringal's letter to the Friends apptd. on the national visit, 1776 175 Jos Phipps' Animadversions on tithe
183 Thos Carrington, 1778
190 D. Rutty's treatise on Christian discipline, 12 1781
192 collection of books rec'd, 1781
204 100 books on state of oppressed Africans, 1784 204 40 Anth. Benezett on the slave trade, 1784
Finance: (see also YM collection), bequests etc. (see also poor) 142 Jn Freeth sr. reported state of money left QM for poor Friends in county: £46 23/3/1768 £6 to Ampthill MM to distribute at discretion £40 to be retained by him @ 4% promissory note;
161 money with wid. Freeth to be transferred to N. Adams & R. Brown - they to buy land, 1772; Also with that in Jas Humphrey's hands;
170 purchase of land complete, but deficiency £2-3-6, 1775
180 rent paid, 1777
199 report on funds, 1783
Marriage :
83 rules rec'd & read: copy to each MM
Plainness: 1753
79 QM orders YM's testimony of 1718 to be transcribed & read in each particular meeting
Poor:
16 Langford Friends oppressed with their poor, having many aged people among them: Market St. & Pulloxhill contribute, 1720; (p. 18) further complaint; M & P 10s. each, 1721 (p. 21) again;
45 share in bequest of Thos Smith of Aylesbury, 1737
46 Rubard Cook, Dunton, £5 to poor Friends of Biggleswade, Langford, Clifton, but there are now no poor Friends there, 22/1/1737-8
121 gift of Abian Darby to Friends' children in Beds. distributed to MM, 1763
122 £10 from Sus Saunders late of Clifton "to poor Friends who take no collection", 1763; (Jas Humphry has it and is to produce 8s. interest p.a.) (p. 127) the interest divided between Sus Answers & Mary Emmerson, 1764; (other names from time to time, e.g. Abe Sheffield, 1768;
Queries:
45 answers always to be bought by MMs. in writing (ordered some time past), 1737-8
88 Dunstable has not brought, 1755 Agreed to answer queries every half-year, autumn & spring qtrs. 1755 p.
94 Pulloxhill deficiency as to 8th (overseers) to do before next meeting, 1762; (This drags on till 1764, p. 125)
171 Luton answered verbally: they omitted to draw up answers, several Friends being absent at YM, 1775
Records:
14 Thos Hale & Jos Barber to transcribe mtes. into the great book & regulate the former mtes, 16/10/1718 they have made some progress, but old mtes so irregular that it can't be done; new book to be bought & Jn Chester transcribe what he can regularise; he has got a new book, but can't bring the old mtes. into order - he is to do what he can, & return the old book to Pulloxhill to record sufferings
115 mtg. houses: each MM to bring records to next QM 1761 (p. 116) some brought, but not complete, 1762 pp. 117-26 Sewell records can't be found; p. 129 Sewell writings found "so that minute dropt", 1765; each MM to bring list of trust for each mtgho.;
130 mtg. houses: Ampthill MM brought trust lists, 1765; p. 131 Luton brought list: found that new trusts are needed for Dunstable mtgho., Dagnall bur.gd., & Pulloxhill mtg.ho.; p. 132 Both MMs report they have chose new trusts where wanting, but writings not complete, 1765; p. 133 not yet done; p. 140 Dunstable writings complete, 1767 143 money in QM hands for poor: accounts to be lodged in the chest at Pulloxhill, 1768;
171-4 registers for births, marr., bur.: what books are needed? 1775; received, 1776 (p. 174); cost £6-9-0 174 title-deeds to be properly entered, 1776
Schools:
116 Wm Brown presents a paper on schools; to be sent to one of our correspondents for Suff., 1762
184 Ackworth School: considered; nothing at present, 1778
185 Ackworth School: 2 correspondents apptd. 1779
186-7 Ackworth School subscription: 20 subscribe £39-7-0 (subscribers: Adams, Bennell (2), Brown (4), Cubbage, Exton, Fossey, Humphry, Morris, Pryor (2), Richardson, Shegg, Squire, Sale (2) (the most is Wm Brown £5-5-0; least 5s.)
194 report on, 1782
197 "a subscription agreed" £12-6-6, 1783
Travelling or public Friends:
11 Susan Sandon: the Friends of Clifton & Stotfold asked when and where S.S. of their meeting died (to report before YM) 1715-16; Clifton sends an account of her (not given) 19/4/1716
25 Margt Payne asks for cert. to travel for the service of truth beyond the seas - given 1725 p.
58 Jn Gunnis to "northern parts", gt. satisfaction, 1746; (p. 61 to London 1747)
201 Rebecca Wright, New Jersey, & Martha Rowth, Manchester, 1784;
202 Geo Delwyn, New Jersey, 1784
198 Wm Dodson & Math Johnson, 1783, at QM 18/6/1783 (latter with cert. from Allandale, Northumberland)
Tithe (see also books) (see also Stotfold)
156 6 Friends to visit "those that appear deficient conc. the payment of tithes or priest's demands", 1772
159 those who were to visit the "unfaithful" report nothing yet done, 1772
161 visit to Friends of Stotfold, but found them in the practice of paying, 1772 "Some labour bestowed"; hope of effect, but fear small;
163 to continue, 1773 (drags on for a few more meetings)
Women's meeting
9 Martha Fulton on behalf of women Friends asks that after worship they may "sit together apart from the men" to wait on the Lord, and that if he see a service for them, they might be ready to do it, 1712 gtd. after some consideration
82 Wm Brown appointed by QM to write out the mtes relating to the women's mtg. as ordered in the epistle, and send one to each MM, 1754
Individual Friends noted: Wm Brown seems to be Clerk about 15 yrs (c.1765-80) and to be the originator of much tidying-up; Jn Freeth: p. 148 "loss of our valuable Friend 1769; testimony due to his memory; 4 Friends to draw up; p. 149 brought to meeting (but not transcribed)
QM ministers & elders: p. 12 elders' queries:- (ans'd to Yearly Select Meeting) n.d.
1. do public Friends travel without approbation and certificate of MM?
2. do ministers & elders attend mtg. for worship with families?
3. do some overcharge themselves with business to hindrance of service? (addn. -----)
4. love & unity? (addn.: is care taken to admonish?)
5. are ministers and elders careful to rule own families well? plainness? moderation? example to others?
6. are the advices (?1702 or 1732 - altered to 1775) read once p.a., & MM & QM?
p. 13-46 minutes 1759-85
13 Dunstable "not having fully come into the method" did not appt. reps., though most attend, 1759 Ampthill: 3 (in fact Dunstable never seems to appoint, the reps, are always Ampthill & Luton, from 1-3 each) place of meeting: Ampthill & Luton alternately. (The business is practically all formal; answers to queries drawn up; reps. to YM; ministers' & elders' epistle)
QM ministers & elders:
p. 24 Jos Worster produces cert. from Jordans MM - visiting Leics., Northants., Derby, 1771
28 extracts from Jn Woolman on ministry read, 1773 28 lists of families, 1773
34 select YM was "large & solid", 1777
37 select YM now to be 10th hr. on 7th day before YM, 1779
45 Geo Delwyn from New Jersey & some Friends from adjacent counties - v. acceptable, 1784
NB: These records of ministers & elders seem to correspond approximately with the (apparent) clerkship of QM of Wm Brown. (Microfilmed under ref. MIC 34/37)
NB: Post 1785. See
Beds. & Herts. QM Mens Minutes 1785-1865
Women's Minutes 1785-1865
Beds. C.R.O. MIC 51/3 also incl.
Register of Meeting Houses 1813
Register of Sufferings 1793-1828
Ministers & Elders Minutes 1785-1865