Scope and Content
(& Sherington)
Folio vol., orig. parchment binding, 276 pp. written throughout.
p.1 (partly obscured) note of dates of QM 1765 to fit in with Oxford QM: (pasted on above) printed Queries, 1791;
p.2 Printed Advices, 1791.
General:
the minutes are at first very fragmentary, but improve, and are full from c. 1787; In the early years those present (5-12) are noted, frequently with sums of money (6d.-1s.), and brief notes of disbursements; Latterly the minutes are more regular, and subs. 1787-91 are entered in columns at end of vol.
Routine business:
Appointmt. of reps.;
YM epistle;
Queries;
Removal;
Marriage.
Indications as to organisation:
YM
p.213- liberal subscription required for new mtgho. in London for better accommodation for YM 1790
p. 223 each family to have copy of 1790 YM epistle (consideration of advices) 1791
QM
p. 96 proposal to join Beds QM - "it would be for the benefit of this meeting"; to be laid before both QMs; "the judgement of the meeting (i.e. QM) for us to continue as we are". 1764
p. 197 proposed junction with Oxfordshire QM copy of QM minute "concerning joining with Oxford" received
p. 251 women's QM mentioned 1793
MM
p. 173 junction with Sherington MM 1783 Weightily considered (Sher. Friends being present at request of QM) & agreed: MM to be said: Hogsty End 8; Leighton 2; Sherington 2
p. 174 elders & overseers: QM reminds (continues) 1784;
P.193. QM appoints Friends to visit to see 1787
p. 207. overseers apptd. & Preparative Meetings settled; 5 Friends to report further
p. 156,p. 203-4 clerk: apparently Jos. Brook, c.1779-89, followed by Jn. Grant 1789
p. 173 registrar 1783
p. 80 meetings etc.: "weekday meeting at this place" has been discontinued some time - revive
p. 236 neglect of meeting for worship on weekday (commented on by QM in view of answers to Queries - drowsy & lukewarm state of mind) 1792
p. 232 finance: each PM to double sum paid to MM 1792
Queries:
p.266: actual answers given 1794
1. meetings for worship & discipline kept
2. love & unity preserved (when differences arise, due care to end speedily)
10. poor properly inspected & relieved; good care to educate their children
13. marriage out of society: early care to admonish
14. overseers: 2 to each PM; removal: rules observed
15. recording (sufferings, births, mar., bur., title-deeds, legacies) observed
PM references:
P. 184. Olney: trustees mostly dead - new trust
p. 187signed 1785-6
pp. 188-9 Buckingham new mtgho.: sub. of £12.12.0 1786
p. 263 Holding of PMs. & their business: copy of YM minute 1794
Membership & extension work: rise of Leighton PM
p. 124 Josh. Gilks & Mary Brooks to visit the young convinced persons at Leighton 1771
p. 125 (this mte. discontinued for a time)
pp. 135, 138, 141, 149, 150 "from a belief that many are truly convinced of our principles at Leighton Buzzard, who are not in circumstances to attend this meeting... agree to hold our next MM at Josh. Brook's ho. at Leighton" 1773-4-5 etc
p. 148 MM approves weekday meeting at Leighton (9th hr., 5th day morning), and 1st day (11th hr., 1st day); and weekday meeting at Horwood (9th hr., 6th day) 1777
p. 158 Gt. Horwood meeting to move to Nash 1779
p. 170 proposal that MM should alternate between Hogsty End & Leighton held up by QM 1782
p. 211 Leighton meeting to be every 1st day, 10th hr. 1790
pp. 229, 238 cttee to visit sundry persons who have frequented our meetings for worship: Tho. Wheeler reports (report not given) then, but see subsequently: 1791 241-2 report: Elin (?) Peel, Elin (?) Ward admitted; "a good degree of innocence & simplicity., appeared to be convinced of Friends' principles" 1792
p. 268 another vague report 1794
Discipline:
pp. 74-8 Wm. Church's misconduct 1759
pp. 80-1 Ric. Markes 1761
pp. 82-5 marriage by priest (Mary Bushby) 1761
pp.125-6 marriage (Eliz., dau. of Jos. Brown, Luton)
p. 93 marriage out of society 1764
p.99 disownment of 6 Friends (children of 3 former Friends: marriage out of Society, absence etc.) 1765 With omnibus clause:- "Several, both men & women, born of parents professing with us, who are removed as such a distance that it may be difficult to find them... joined themselves to other societies or do not walk consistent...we declare all such persons to be no members".
pp. 115-7 Jn. Exton's disorderly walking 1768
pp. 128-9 Martha Morris; Jn. Wooding; 1772
p. 141 Mary Cook, nee Hart 1775
pp. 158-9 marriage out of society 1779
p. 160 disorderly conduct 1780
p. 163 life & conversation not agreeable: report - Jn. Bennett doth not think himself a member, nor has any desire to be one" 1780 p. 169 Ann Ward disordered with liquor 1782
p. 176-7 disorderly conduct 1784
pp. 179, 185 marriage out of society 1784-5
p198-9, 201, 209, 217, 219 Josiah Wheeler being dealt with by Gracechurch St. meeting for pilfering & other painful conduct 1788-1790 - a watchful eye to be kept on him; he drinks to excess; has left his parents; eventually sorrow for former conduct, tenderness & susceptibility, is reinstated by Gracechurch St. mtg.: 1788-90 Marg.: "Was there ever such a precedent? 2¾ yrs. kept on the books for a boyish trick - what will not prejudice do? JW"
pp. 202-3, Sam. Richardson's maid is with child by him - visit & disown 1789
p. 207 Jn. & "Leehair" Richardson disowned (long absent)
p. 248 misconduct of Jn. Hawgood - signs of sorrow
pp. 249, 253-4 marriage out of society (Sar. Marshall disowned) 1793
Travelling Friends:
p. 80 Isaac Richardson from Whitby 1761
p. 106 Mary Brook to visit mtgs. in London 1766
p. 115 Mary Brook concern to visit Warwicks. & Northants. 1768
pp. 120-1 Mary Brook Oxfordshire (satisfaction in journey) 1770
p. 127 Mary Brook London 1771
p. 142 Mary Brook Yorks., esp. Leeds, Sheffield 1775 (Satisfaction & peace of mind)
pp. 147-8 Mary Brook London (good satisfaction) 1776
National visitation: also QM:
p. 81 Isaac Sharples, Geo. (Been or Boon?), Josh.Wheeler, Wm. Dodson, Wm. Tomlinson 1761
p. 148 Edm. Gurney, Jn. Theudal (?), Geo.Beckett, Tho.Gilks 1771
p. 190 Wm.Rathbone, Edw. Gulson, Ric. Reynolds, Ben.Middleton, Robt.Horsenail, Ben. Evens,Ric.Chester 1786 (V. acceptable & instructive)
p. 191 (from QM) Tho. Ball & Wm. Cole (because weekday mtgs. at Hogsty End & Sherington have dropped) 1786
p. 193 (from QM) Robt. Eeles & Jos.Gilks (to see about overseers in PMs) 1787
p. 213 Wm. & Esther Tuke, Eliz. (Elin?) Hoyland, (do.?) Tuke, Robt. Eeles (v. acceptable)
Books: pp. 86, 91, 98, 115, 222
p. 223 to be catalogued (Sherington cat. complete) 1792
p. 235 objection to "the whole being kept at Hogsty End as heretofore" - but to remain, except such as any Friend applies for 1792
Ackworth school: p. 183 application for Eliz. Barringer, 8 yrs; Ticket procured: £8 8s.0d 1785 Reports (e.g., p.194) Subs. (e.g. p.159: £6.5.0 in 1779) 200 £8.5.0 - from £1.1.0 to 2s.6d.
(?)poor: note, e.g.
op. 205 Tho. & Ann Bradshaw: 2 daus. Hannah & Mary, 1789
p. 232 report on; later they move to Yorks.
Individual Friends:
p. 87 Ric. How's marriage
p. 170 Pet. Bassett one of 3 reps. to QM,1783
pp. 181-2 m. Ann Dollin, London, 1785 (He has no parents living)
p. 200 Josh Knight apprentice to him (From Thaxted MM)
Accounts: (v. little information)
p. 88 weeding the graveyard, 1762
p. 92 wood for new hedge & a little gate, 1763
p. 120 Friends' horses, ls. 1770
p. 126 mowing & making hay 1771
p. 127 building a place to put the hearse; 1771 & several jobs about the mtgho.
p. 150 (means test) Wid. Ward has a legacy, so drop her from the collection at present 1777