Philadelphia Monthly Meetings of Friends, Miscellaneous Papers 1682-1767

PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY MEETING OF FRIENDS MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS 1682—1767 Sandra M. Hewlett, CGRS * A marriage intention entered in the minutes of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of Friends [PMM] started a search that unearthed a resource containing numerous clues to family relationships and insight into persons and events. [PMM Minutes, 27 2nd month 1744] Isaac Lobdell and Rebecca Cresson declare their intention to marry, her father being present, declared his consent, and Isaac producing his mother’s consent in writing and likewise a certificate 1 from Newark Monthly Meeting, held at Centre the 7th inst. To find the original letter–and the name of Isaac’s mother–a search was initiated at the Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore, through a roll of microfilm simply titled “Miscellaneous Papers.” It contained a cache of letters and other documents spanning the years 1682–1927, including letters from parents giving their permission for a son or daughter to marry, letters of remorse written by Friends whose conduct came to the attention of the meeting, letters from Friends acknowledging a bastard child, and subscription lists initiated to raise money for Friends in distress. Disappointingly, the letter from Isaac Lobdell’s mother was not in the collection. However, because many of these letters presented additional information perhaps unknown to descendants, a sampling was extracted to demonstrate the rich details found in this correspondence. In 1904, the well-known Chester County genealogist Gilbert Cope sorted, arranged and numbered this collection for the period 1682—1739; and created an index by topic and name (not, however, an every-name index). The remaining eleven boxes of loose papers covering the years 1740—1927 were filmed in chronological order but remain unindexed. Many of the early documents are so darkened as to be almost unreadable on the microfilm.2 * Sandra M. Hewlett, CGRS, 26 Fariston Road, Wayne, PA 19087-3415, is a former member of the boards of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania and of the New England Historic Genealogical Society and a current member of the board of the National Genealogical Society. 1 Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Minutes [hereafter PMM Minutes] 1715—1744, Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, microfilm MRPh383, page 367. 2 Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia, Miscellaneous Papers, 1682—1927, Friends Historical Library, microfilm MRPh398 for 1682—1767. Additional years 1768— Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 43 (2004) Final copy 31 January, 2010 213 214 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 LETTERS OF PERMISSION Because the manuscript Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Minutes on microfilm is available only at Swarthmore and Haverford, we generally rely on three published works for information about marriages: William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy.3 Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Minutes from 1682—1775 were published in thirty installments in this journal between 1898 and 1945. 4 Anna Miller Watring, Early Quaker Records of Philadelphia, includes the Men’s Minutes.5 [See Editor’s Note at the end of this article.] Mr. Cope’s index lists fifteen parental consent letters. A sampling of these letters was compared to the microfilmed minutes and one or more of the three sources above. It was found that confirmation of parental consent was always noted in the Monthly Meeting Minutes, but in every case, details that were in the original letters were not recorded in the minutes. Selected examples are given here. Usually the information learned from the permission letters relates to the parents of either the bride or the groom. In this example, we learn a location of residence for the groom’s mother and stepfather, we learn a given name for the mother,6 we get signatures for both, and–even more significant–we learn that the stepfather’s name is incorrect in the minutes. 1927 are on microfilm MRPh399—405 [both hereafter cited as PMM Miscellaneous Papers]. 3 William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 6 vols. (Ann Arbor, Mich.: Edwards Brothers, 1936—50) [hereafter cited as Hinshaw]. Philadelphia Monthly Meeting is in volume 2. 4 “Early Minutes of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of Friends,” Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [called Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania before 1948, both hereafter cited as PGM]). 1(1898): 251—98; 2(1902): 93—171; 4(1910): 76—94; 6(1915—17): 64—96, 201—17, 295—308; 7(1918—20): 70—87, 179—91, 251—63; 8(1921—22): 76—94, 174—89, 261—274; 9(1924—26): 35—38, 164—72, 236—47; 10(1927—29): 56—60, 123—32, 238—41; 11(1930—32): 9—20, 127—36, 230—38; 12(1933—35): 30—38, 151—59, 260—67; 13(1938—39): 24—36, 210—24; 14(1942—44): 34— 49, 160—69, 267—75; 15(1945): 99—102. 5 Anna Miller Watring, Early Quaker Records of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2 vols. (Westminster, Md.: Family Line Publications, 1997, 1998) [hereafter cited as Watring]. 6 Note that she may have been a stepmother, as suggested in the Appendix to “The Record of Some Resident in the Vicinity of Middle Ferry, Philadelphia, during the Latter Half of the Eighteenth Century.” PGM 9(1924): 46. Elizabeth Armitt, a non-Friend, wife of Thomas Armitt, was buried 14 2nd month 1722 (Thomas, also not a Friend, was buried in 1726); Hinshaw 2:441. Thomas’s will names his wife Elizabeth; Philadelphia County Wills E:4. However, in the 1748 will of Christopher Taylor of Tinnecum Island, Chester County, he mentions that his deceased wife made a will without his consent and that some of his legacies are in deference to her wishes. Those legacies include £50 each at marriage or 21 to Mary and Elizabeth, daughters of Joseph Armitt; Chester County Wills C:94. Final copy 31 January, 2010 2004] Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Miscellaneous Papers 215 [Hinshaw] ARMITT. 1738, 9, 9. Joseph, s Thomas, Phila., Pa., m Elizabeth Lisle, dt. Maurice, Phila., Pa. at Phila. Mtg.7 [PMM Minutes, 29 7th month 1738] Joseph Armitt and Elizabeth Lisle appeared a second time and declared their Intentions of Marriage. He produced a paper signed by his Mother in Law and her Husband Christopher Hunter signifying their consent.8 [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] Tinacum 24th 8 mo. 1738 To the Monthly Meeting at Philada these are to certifie that wee have given our free consent that our son Joseph Armitt should accomplish his mariage with Elizabeth Lisle. [signed] Christopher Taylor 9 Elizabeth Taylor Because these early letters were often handwritten, they may give unexpected insight. In addition to the signatures and the mother’s given name, this example offers a glimpse of the parents’ attitude about the marriage. They seem miffed, apparently because their daughter didn’t inform them about her choice of husband. [Hinshaw] BRYAN. 1746/7 [sic], 12, 17. Samuel, son Thomas, Phila, Pa., m Sarah 10 Head, dt. John, Phila., Pa., at Phila. Mtg. [PMM Minutes, 26 10th month 1746] Samuel Bryan & Sarah Head declared their Intentions of Marriage . . . Samuel produced a certificate from the Two Weeks Meeting in London . . .11 [PMM Minutes] The Friends appointed to attend Samuel Bryan’s marriage report that it was accomplished . . . and the Friends appointed to deal with John Head report that though he does not give a satisfactory reason for his declining directly to give his consent to his daughters marriage yet he fully expresses his concern that anything he has said should be interpreted that he would approve of his childrens proceeding in Marriage in any manner 12 contrary to the Good Order of our Discipline. [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] Loveing friends as to the intended marriage of Samuel Brian and daughter Sarah. The consent of parents acording to good order is expected. But its not to be had at this time. For as it have bine their own act and deed from the beginning so it must be to the end–yet if they continue their intentions I shall not forbid marriage my wife is of the same mind as I am–no more to saith. From your friends [signed] John Head 7 Hinshaw, 2:454. 8 PMM Minutes, PGM 9:166; Watring, 1:253. 9 PMM Miscellaneous Papers 1682—1739, page 300. 10 Hinshaw, 2:475. 11 PMM Minutes, PGM 9:238; not in Watring. 12 PMM Minutes 1745—1755, page 30. This accomplishment is not reported in either published minutes, nor is there any mention of the permission problem in them. Final copy 31 January, 2010 216 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 Rebekah Head 13 the 27 of 11 mo 1746 In this example, the nameless grandmother of the bride is identified, thereby also identifying her mother and maternal grandfather, not necessarily easy to do with common surnames. [Hinshaw] MIFFLIN. 1747, 3,7. John, s. John, Phila., Pa., m Hannah Taylor, dt. 14 Joseph, Phila., Pa., at Phila. Mtg. [PMM Minutes, 24 2nd month 1747] John Mifflin & Hannah Taylor appear’d the second time & declared they continue their Intentions of Marriage with each other, the young woman’s grandmother sent a certificate of her 15 consenting thereto . . . [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] To the Monthly Meeting of Friends held in Phila d the 24th of the 2 mo 1747 Dear Friends I am unable to accompany my grand Daughter Hannah Taylor in person, therefore this is to acquaint you, that I am consenting to her marriage with her friend John Mifflin. And I remain your Lo Friend her Sarah [S] Fisher 16 mark [Hinshaw] TAYLOR. 1716, 2,2. Joseph, Phila., Pa., m Sarah Fisher, dt John, Phila., Pa., at Phila. MH17 The location of the residence of the parents appears in many of the letters. In this example, we find that the mother of the groom is remarried and that she calls her daughter-in-law-to-be “Jenny,” rather than the “Jane” we see in the record books. [Hinshaw] HARVEY. 1771, 1, 3. Job, s Joseph, Phila., Pa., m Jane Harman, dt. 18 Tubal, Phila., Pa. at Phila. Mtg. [PMM Minutes, 28 12th month 1770] Job Harvey and Jane Harman appeared the second time and declared the continuance of their intentions of marriage 19 with each other, his mothers consent was produced by him in writing . . . 13 PMM Miscellaneous Papers 1740—1767. This letter is undated and unpaginated. 14 Hinshaw, 2:597. 15 PMM Minutes 1745—1755, page 33; PMM Minutes, PGM 9:240; not in Watring. 16 PMM Miscellaneous Papers 1740—1767, MRPh398, unpaginated. 17 Hinshaw, 2:664. 18 Hinshaw, 2:544. 19 PMM Minutes 1771—1777, MRPh384, page 424; PMM Minutes, PGM 14:43; not in Watring. Final copy 31 January, 2010 2004] Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Miscellaneous Papers 217 [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] 11th mo. 10th 1770 Mt. Holly Ellinor Mills gives her permission for her son Job Harbey [Harvey] to marry 20 Jenny Harmon. Again, one of the most valuable elements of the Miscellaneous Papers is in identifying women, in this case the remarried mother of the groom, with her place of residence, which points to the wills of Ebenezer and his mother.21 [Hinshaw] ROBINSON. 1772, 7, 7. Ebenezer, Philadelphia, Pa., m Mary Lincon, 22 wd, Phila., Pa., at Phila. Mtg. [PMM Minutes, 29 5th month 1772] Ebenezer Robinson and Mary Lincoln . . . declared their intentions of marriage . . . her mother being present expressed her consent, & he produced the consent of his mother in writing, and she being a widow the Friends appointed to make Enquiry concerning him are also to Inquire into the state of her late Husbands affairs, to see that they be settled 23 for the benefit of her child agreeable to his will, or the laws of the Province. [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] 5th mo 19 1772 Bristol My son Ebenezer Robinson has my permission to marry with May [sic] Linkhorne. [signed] Mary Jackson24 Hinshaw tells us that John Maule, son of Thomas of Salem, married in 1709. What it doesn’t tell us is that his parents so trusted their son, that they gave permission for his marriage when they didn’t know who their child’s intended would be. [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] 17th 9th mo. 1708 Salem in New England To all faithful friends . . . know ye that I Thomas Maule and my wife Naomi, father and mother to John Maule, do freely give and consent that our said son marries to whom he sees good . . . [signed] Thomas Maule25 20 PMM Miscellaneous Papers. 21 1774 will of Mary Jackson, of the Borough of Bristol, widow, names son Ebenezer Robinson; Bucks County Wills 4:53. 1809 Will of Ebenezer Robinson, late of the City of Philadelphia, now of Bristol Borough, brassmaker, names wife Mary; Bucks County Wills 8:149. 22 Hinshaw, 2:639. 23 PMM Minutes 1771—1777, MRPh384, page 61; PMM Minutes, PGM 14:162; not in Watring. 24 PMM Miscellaneous Papers. 25 PMM Miscellaneous Papers. Final copy 31 January, 2010 218 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 [Hinshaw] MAULE. 1708/9,1,17. John, s Thomas, Salem, Mass., m Charity Jones, dt Robert, Phila., Pa., at Phila. MH26 LETTERS OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT An acknowledgment is a formal, written statement of apology by an offending member to the meeting for having acted in a manner contrary to the rules of discipline.27 As this investigation shows, for the three examples that follow, the acknowledgment was not included in the published minutes. In the case of the first acknowledgment, the transgressor was a prominent member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting in its early years. [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] I John Moon do acknowledge and confess yt I have been too familiar with my maidservant who hath [presented?] a child . . . And I desire yt all people may take warning by my fall and I hope I shall find favor & forgiveness with God & his people . . . [signed] John Moon 28 Elder The reason for this acknowledgment is one we wouldn’t usually think of as requiring such an action. [Hinshaw] BROWN. Lusce, w Joseph, d. 4.14.1705 29 [PMM Minutes, 31 3rd month 1706] Joseph Brown produced a Certificate from Salem Monthly Meeting which was read, and likewise desired a Certificate, in order to his taking a wife . . .30 [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] To Friends of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Whereas I have offended against truth and [ grieved?] you by my too early looking after a second wife sooner than the good order of truth and practice of faithfull friends in that case allows of. I doo hearby acknowledge my fault [_] and freely condemn the same desiring forgiveness of the Lord and of you to pass it by wch is the request of your friend. 31 [signed] Joseph Brown 26 Hinshaw, 2:594. 27 Jack Eckert, Guide to the Records of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (Haverford, Pennsylvania 1989), 269. 28 PMM Miscellaneous Papers 1682—1739, page 10. Although this letter is undated, Gilbert Cope placed it to suggest it was written 1685—1695. 29 Hinshaw, 2:341. 30 PMM Minutes, PGM 6:21; Watring 1:189. 31 PMM Miscellaneous Papers 1682—1739, page 31. Cope placed this letter in the 1705/1706 time period. Final copy 31 January, 2010 2004] Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Miscellaneous Papers 219 Salomon Cresson’s apology seems a bit less than total–notice that he justifies his harsh words against his tenant. [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] To the monthly meeting of friends next to be held in Philadelphia Dear Friends It is now a considerable time since some imprudent conduct of mine brought me under the notice of the meeting. And a conscious [_] of the offences for which I had been dealt with induced me to send such an acknowledgment as I thought might have been satisfactory to my friends but I am since informed was not, and therefore ordered to be returned to me. By what mistake, I know not it never came to my hands again. It gives me great un[_] of mind that in advanced age I should have so misconducted my self as to deserve your reproof, or my acknowledgment, but so it was, that through my unwatchfulness and the solicitations I met with, I was [_] on to drink rather more than was fitting for me to have done, and [_] induced to use [_] [_] in conversation with a tenant of mine (tho for him being guilty of any such gross wickedness as some folks suggested??) which I must [ owe?] did not become my years and much less the profession I make with you of the holy Truth. From a [_]–and sorrow–for which I now condemn myself & my folly I was guilty of, and hope with divine assistance? [words scratched out] so to behave myself as to obtain forgiveness of my past offence and avoid any occasion of censore for the future. [signed] Salomon Cresson 32 Philada ye 23rd ye 12 mo. 1738 LETTER OF DISOWNMENT The distance from the meetings in England to the meetings in Pennsylvania caused logistical problems due to the necessity of obtaining statements of clearness for marriage from the individuals’ original meetings in England. Apparently, the certificates that Friends brought with them when transferring should have contained such a clause, but that does not seem to have been the case consistently. [PMM Minutes, 31 10th month 1686] This meeting having taken into consideration the omission or want of that clause relating to marriage in Certificates of many friends who come into these parts, Therefore they desire James Claypoole, Robert Turner, Thomas Fitzwater, John Hayton, John Goodson, John Shilson and Thomas Hooton to write to the yearly meeting in London to desire their care in that behalf. 33 However, the matter does not seem to have been fully complied with, as shown by the following set of records. [PMM Minutes, 25 8th month 1700] Patience Lloyd & Marget Cook presented Thomas Davies & Mary Little to this meeting, who declaring their intentions of 32 PMM Miscellaneous Papers 1682—1739, page 308. Note that in most compiled sources, his given name is spelled Solomon. 33 PMM Minutes, PGM 2:105; Watring, 1:153. Final copy 31 January, 2010 220 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 marriage the first time, and he producing a Certificate from the monthly meeting of French Hay [sic] in the County of Gloucester in Old England . . . Pentecoast Teague & William Forrest are desired to make Enquiry. . . . William Southeby, Pentecoast Teague & William Forrest are desired by this meeting to write to the monthly meeting at Frenchbay in County of Gloucester in Old England to know whether Thomas Davies Certificate was had from them.34 [PMM Minutes, 29 9th month 1700] The matter concerning the forgery of a Certificate on the behalf of Thomas Davies done by himself, being proved to the satisfaction of this meeting. Friends thought themselves obliged to deal with him, being he offered to take a wife amongst us therefore Edward Shippen, Samuel Carpenter, John Jones, John Parsons, Da: Lloyd & Anthony Morris are desired to deal with him, in order to have him do something to take the shame upon himself, & repent of the abuse he hath put upon friends in England and here also.35 [PMM Minutes, 30 11th month 170[0/]1 A letter from the monthly meeting of Frenchbay in the County of Gloucester was read wherein they declare that Thomas Davies never had any Certificate from them . . .36 The Miscellaneous Papers show the final outcome when five years later, he was disowned. This action is not recorded in the minutes. The marriage of Thomas and Mary was never recognized by the meeting, as shown by her burial. [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] Whereas one Thomas Davies late of Gloucestershire in old England who came into this country the last year a servant to Robert Clowd in the ship Sarah Whear of John Miller was Commander and after the said Thomas had been here some time he endeavord to take a wife but having no certificate from the place whence he came, and being impatient to stay until he could procure one thence [_] for the accomplishing his [_] did produce a forged certificate, and offered the same [_] meetting who takeing the same into [_] consideration did suspect it, and therefore took care to make Enquiery concerning it And found the same to be forged, as aforesaid, upon which Friends thought the [_] [_] to give forth a testimony against him, And that wee did deny condemn and disown all practices. Signed by the Appoyntment [_] of our Quarterly Meeting of the people called Quakers in Philadelphia the second day of ye 10th mo. 1706. [signed] Saml Carpenter Edw. Shippen Dad Loyd 37 Anth. Morris [Hinshaw] LITTLE. Mary (alias Davis), bur 7-16-1734.38 34 PMM Minutes, PGM 6:70; not in Watring. 35 PMM Minutes, PGM 6:72; not in Watring. 36 PMM Minutes, PGM 6:83; Watring, 1:178. 37 PMM Miscellaneous Papers 1682—1739, page 77. 38 Hinshaw, 2: 389. Final copy 31 January, 2010 2004] Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Miscellaneous Papers 221 The Miscellaneous Papers included many documents that came into the hands of the meeting, but occasionally there is no specific reference to the document in the minutes.39 [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] William ?Heskett Died in the parrish of Alhallows the Greate at ye signe of ye White Hart upon Dougate Hill [Dowgate Hill] and was buried the third day of May 1699 at the buriall ground in old Beadlam [Bedlam]40 by more fields [Moorfields] . . .41 [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] These are to certifie whome it may concern that William Heskett of ye p[ar]ish of All Hallows ye greate dyed of a feavor & was buried in Bethlem Burying Ground on the fourth day of May in ye year 1699 as doth appear by our Registers. Witness my hand this tenth of June 1700 Benj. ?Wheton keeper of ye Lord buring ground 42 SUBSCRIPTION As did many other denominations, Quakers tried to deal with the needs of other Friends. Some were far distant. In August of 1724, Indians threatened the settlement at Dover, New Hampshire. John Hanson, an anti-military Quaker, refused to move his family into the safety of the garrison. While he and his oldest daughter were at Meeting, their house was attacked, two of his sons were killed, and his wife, son, daughter, newborn baby, and servant girl were taken to Canada. The next summer John went to Canada and redeemed his wife and all but the oldest daughter at a cost of £700, for which he signed a note in Montreal. In 1727, John returned to Canada for his other daughter, but died on the way (his daughter remained in Canada, where she married).43 The names of about one hundred Friends at Philadelphia Monthly Meeting who contributed for his aid are in the Miscellaneous Papers. [PMM Minutes, 25 1st month [March] 1726] The friends appointed to the subscription to John Hanson of New England, . . . report that they had collected forty one pounds. . . . [PMM Miscellaneous Papers] At the Yearly meeting held at Philada the 1 mo. 1725. A motion being made that this meeting would take into consideration the distressed case of John Hanson a Friend and Inhabitant of the Eastern part of New England. Who had his wife, four children, and a servant woman carried 39 See Hesket-Spakeman-Edgcomb, elsewhere in this issue, for a discussion of this puzzle. 40 These places are just a few blocks north of All Hallows the Great. Bedlam Hospital, notorious for its treatment of inmates, was moved to near Moor Fields in 1675. 41 PMM Miscellaneous Papers 1682—1739, page 44. 42 PMM Miscellaneous Papers 1682—1739, page 45. 43 For details see Emma L. Coleman, New England Captives Carried to Canada between 1677 and 1760, during the French and Indian Wars, 2 vols. (Portland, Me.: Southworth Press, 1925), 2:161—66. Final copy 31 January, 2010 222 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine [Vol. 43 away captive by the Indians and all save one of his children Redeemed at a charge too heavy for the Sd friend. he having been obliged to borrow great sums to answer it. This meeting taking the same into consideration recommends it to Friends in the several Quarterly and Monthly meetings that a Free collection be made for that purpose and direct that whatsoever shall be gathered may be paid unto Isaac Norris, Senr or Junr at the Spring Philadelphia Meeting in order to be remitted to the said John Hanson. At a Monthly Meeting held at Philadelphia the 21st [?] of the 10th mo. 1725. The above minute was recommended for that purpose George Claypoole and John Jones are Desired to collect the Same and pay it into the hands of Isaac Norris as is directed by the sd minute. [about 100 names of subscribers are listed]44 EDITOR’S NOTE MINUTES OF THE PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY MEETING In working on the citations for this article, it became obvious that there were differences between the three versions of the minutes (one manuscript with limited availability and two published works), raising the possibility that there may have been more than one set of surviving “original” minutes for the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. We know that a copy of the original was made. In the introduction to “Early Minutes of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of Friends,” in the Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania [Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine] in 1898, the following statement, likely written by Gilbert Cope, appears: An examination of the writing shows that they have been transcribed about the middle of the last century [i.e., mid 1700s] by John Smith, a worthy member of the Burlington family, under whose scholarly hand the diction is doubtless improved, yet we are sorry to lose the quaint flavor of the original. 45 Unfortunately, the introduction gives no indication as to where the minutes being published were located. We have not attempted to identify the handwriting on the Haverford/Swarthmore microfilm. The PGM version of the minutes is quite similar in wording to the microfilm at Swarthmore and Haverford, but there are subtle differences, as shown below [punctuation and capitalization differences are not highlighted], but whether this reflects the regret expressed by Cope is uncertain. [microfilm] John Mifflin & Hannah Taylor appear’d the second time & declared they continue their Intentions of Marriage with each other, the young 46 woman’s grandmother sent a certificate of her consenting thereto . . . 44 PMM Miscellaneous Papers 1682—1739, page 248. 45 PGM 1:251. 46 PMM Minutes 1745—1755, page 33. Final copy 31 January, 2010 2004] Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Miscellaneous Papers 223 [PGM] John Miflin & Hannah Taylor appeared the second time & declared their Intentions of Marriage, the Young womans Grandmother sent a 47 Certificate of her consenting thereto. The second discrepancy is of more concern to modern genealogists. The wording in Anna Miller Watring’s abstracts sometimes varies from that in PGM, but that may have been to reduce space and provide consistency. She did not indicate where she examined them.48 More significant is that about half of the entries in the PGM abstracts are not in Watring. A detailed analysis was undertaken of several years of records. It appears that the Watring abstracts omit many certificates and rarely include first or second intentions from the minutes. Most marriages were recorded in the register, as was the Mifflin-Taylor marriage: [Hinshaw] MIFFLIN. 1747, 3,7. John, s. John, Phila., Pa., m Hannah Taylor, dt. 49 Joseph, Phila., Pa., at Phila. Mtg. But, as we can see from this example, if we settle for the fact of the accomplished marriage, we lose the knowledge that Hannah’s grandmother was living and the pointer to the letter in the Miscellaneous Papers that, in combination with other records, provided the identities of three of Hannah’s ancestors. The entries missing from Watring cannot be clearly predicted. For example, on the day that John and Hannah appeared the second time, PGM notes eleven items. Watring omits, in addition to the Mifflin-Taylor intention, two first intentions and a certificate received, but includes a first intention, a certificate received, and a certificate requested. We do not know if Watring chose to omit specific entries or if she was abstracting from a copy of the minutes in which the transcriber had made those choices. Anyone researching in Philadelphia Monthly Meeting would do best to use the PGM version. With the combined index on the CD-ROM version, this is not difficult, even though the abstracts spanned 15 volumes and 47 years. If the entry suggests there might be a document, then the Miscellaneous Papers may be worth an investigation. 47 PMM Minutes, PGM 9:240. 48 Lest any reader think that I am casting aspersions, I hasten to point out that in a book of deed abstracts I published, I did not indicate that I worked from microfilm purchased from the state, which is the same microfilm that is at the Family History Library. The microfilm was of the original volumes, resident in the county. It did not occur to me that other “original” versions might exist. The same was probably true of Cope and Watring. 49 Hinshaw, 2:597. Most, if not all, of Hinshaw’s entries for this meeting appear to be from the Registers rather than the Minutes. Final copy 31 January, 2010