JOSEPH TOWNSEND'S NARRATIVE.

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in, it is deferred for another month's weighty consideration.

The 7th of the 3d month. The weighty subject of visiting Friends' families, coming again under the close and solid consideration of the meeting, it was favoured to appoint Hugh Judge, Samuel Trimble, Joseph Townsend, James Gibbons, and George Martin, who were requested to unite with women Friends, and proceed on that weighty service as the pointings of best wisdom shall direct; and make report of the same when they may find their way open therefor.

But the way not then opening for women Friends to go into a nomination, the matter lay under consideration until the 5th of the ensuing 12th month; when the following named Friends were appointed by the women's meeting, to wit: Edith Sharpless, Deborah Gibbons, Abigail Williamson, Margaret Brinton, Sarah Talbot, and Rachel Townsend; who with men Friends concluded to meet at Concord that day week. At which time Friends met (except two) and after a time of close searching of heart, and solid deliberation on the subject, it was proposed to meet again the fourth-day following, and the two who were absent to be informed thereof.

The time proposed being the 19th of the 12th mo. 1781, Friends again collected; and after solidly conferring together on the subject, it was thought best for those who saw their way clear to engage in the service, to meet at Chichester meeting, on the next first-day. Accordingly, the following named Friends, viz: Hugh Judge, George Martin and Joseph Townsend, Deborah Gibbons, Sarah Talbot and Rachel Townsend met as proposed at Chichester meeting, where they had also the company of Samuel Smith

of Philadelphia. He and Hugh Judge were both favoured in an eminent manner to speak to divers states present; also to set forth, in striking language, the uncertainty of our stay in this perishing world, and the necessity of being in readiness for that final change which was hastening on us all. The meeting then concluded in solemn supplication. In the afternoon, we sat with the families of John Smith and William Lamplien.

12th mo. 24th. Second-day morning, Friends collected at Francis Townsend's, where Abigail Williamson met with them, and they proceeded to visit the families of Nathan Pennell, Jacob and Charles' Dingee's, John Buckly, Deborah Sumption, and Benjamin Reynolds. Next day, visited the families of Joseph Smith, Prudence Ford, Nathaniel Squibb, John Rhoads, and Francis Townsend. 26th. Had opportunities in the following Friends' families: Robert Booth, William Eyre, John Eyre, William Booth, Samuel Carpenter, Prudence Shelly, and Edward Grissle.

27th, and fifth of the week. Rachel Townsend being unwell, the rest proceeded in visiting the families of John Talbot and George Martin; then attended meeting at Chichester. In the afternoon, had religious opportunities with Richard Dutton's and Jonathan Richards' families. Thence George Martin and Sarah Talbot returned home, and the rest had a solid season with Hannah Dutton and her family, in the evening. Lodged there, and next morning had a sitting with Jacob Hibbert and his family, where G. Martin and S. Talbot again met us. Thence we went to Hannah Rigby's, Patience McClaskey's, and Thomas Wilson's, where John Eyre joined us, and

went in company to visit the families of Isaac Pennell, Joseph Brown, and Joseph Askew.

The service now appearing to be generally gone through in this branch of the monthly meeting, we went home with John Eyre in the evening. As we had been favoured to unite in a harmonious labour for the discharge of religious duty, and the promotion of Truth and righteousness from place to place, through the course of this visit thus far, and now being likely to separate for some time, our minds were humbled, and drawn into solemn silence together. Under a thankful sense of Divine favour, earnest desires were raised, and awful supplication to Him who had been our support in every trial, that we might be preserved in that love which we had so evidently experienced while together in this service.

27th. Hugh Judge and Deborah Gibbons returned home; but we, appreheading a visit to the school at Chichester might be profitable, attended thereto, and it was a time of favour. Friends then having in a good degree discharged their duty so far, appeared to feel released so as to return to their several habitations.

The committee having proposed to meet at the time of our monthly meeting at Concord held the 9th of the 1st month, 1782, to deliberate on the further prosecution of the object of their appointment;— toward the close of said meeting, Hugh Judge opened a prospect which had for a considerable time attended his mind of paying a visit to the members of Hopewell monthly meeting, in Virginia, and some other meetings thereaway. His concern being united with, the following Minute was made.

"Our friend, Hugh Judge, laid before this meet

ing a religious concern to pay a visit to most, or all Friends' families within the compass of Hopewell monthly meeting in Virginia, with some meetings on his journey. Which having engaged our solid attention, we unite with him therein;-he being a minister in good esteem amongst us, who much desire his preservation in the Truth, and safe return with the reward of peace."

Hugh Judge left home in order to engage in this visit, on the 29th of the 1st month, 1782, and came to my house that evening; in the course of which, he proposed my accompanying him in the journey. After some deliberation on the subject, I felt willing to engage with him in the concern, and next day about noon we set out, the weather being very cold, and reached Isaac Taylor's near the Gap tavern.— Next day, we crossed Susquehanna on the ice, and reached York-town: lodged at Elisha Kirk's; and on the 1st of 2d mo. we proceeded to the mountain, which was said to be ten miles over. We ascended at a place called Nicholson's gap, and passed the night on the mountain at a place where the people did not seem prepared to accommodate travellers. This, with the severity of the cold weather, was very trying to us. Next day we crossed the river Potowmac, and lodged at Edward Beeson's, in the edge of Virginia; and on first-day attended the meeting of Friends at Middle Creek; from thence we reached Richard Ridgway's in the evening.

2d mo. 4th. We sat with Friends at their monthly meeting at Hopewell. It was large and measurably owned by the Divine presence; and my companion, Hugh Judge, having laid his minute before the meeting, Friends united with him in his concern,

and appointed Richard Ridgway to accompany us in performing the same. There was likewise a woman Friend at this meeting, with a minute from Fairfax monthly meeting, under something of the like concern. The meeting also appointed a number of Friends to engage with her, as way might open.— At the close of the meeting, we all conferred together, and two of the women Friends appeared disposed to go with our company to Smith's creek, about fifty-five miles distant from Hopewell. We accordingly set out next morning, and lodged the first night at David Brown's; where we met with several Friends from York county, on a committee of the Quarterly meeting, who were going to the same place, and whose company was truly acceptable. Next day, we came to a place called Stover's-town, or Strasburg, mostly settled by Dutch people of different denominations; and the minds of some Friends being turned towards the inhabitants of that place, a public meeting among them was proposed to be held that afternoon. This being approved, and notice given, great numbers assembled, and the opportunity was a time of favour, though laborious; I trust, however, that it will not be easily forgotten by a remnant. That evening, we arrived at Joseph Allen's within the verge of Smith's creek meeting.

7th. This morning, being five in number, we entered upon the arduous work for which we had left our several habitations, and sat with the family of Edward Bond: then attended their week-day meeting, and went home with Jacob Rambo, eight miles. After a religious opportunity with his family, we went twelve miles, most of the way through uninhabited pine woods, to Solomon Mathews' at Lin