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many days; so that it seemed as if I had got into another world.

I returned early in the morning to Wessahickon; and my year being up soon after, I left the place where I had been hired, not being easy to stay there any longer, and came to Philadelphia. Some Friends there took notice of me, and understanding how I was circumstanced, were thoughtful about me. Several proposals of business were made, but way did not open to close in with any of them; until Susanna Lightfoot, who was then in the city, mentioned that she had heard her brother William Lightfoot say he wanted a miller. This information was brought me by two men Friends, who also told me that if I was free to go, some Friends wished to see me. Feeling a perfect freedom to accept this proposal, I went along with the messengers, and found divers Friends met together at John Morris's; Susanna Lightfoot and her husband were two of the number. This was the first time I ever saw Susanna to know her, and. also the first time that ever I had been reached by any body's preaching: but now I was much, broken under what she had to say to me.

'After this, I set forward for Pikeland in Chester county, and reached there in less than two days. I soon agreed with William Lightfoot to tend his mill, and continued with him about three years and a half. In the summer of the first year I was there (1773) I made application, and was received into membership with Friends at Uwchlan monthly meeting. I stayed with William until I was married to Susanna Hatton, daughter of Susanna Lightfoot, in the 9th month, 1776. I then went to live with Thomas Lightfoot, my wife's step-father, and worked on his farm some

what more than one year. In the spring, 1778, we went to farming upon part of his plantation, at which we continued for upwards of two years.

I should have noted, that about the time that I was thinking of taking a wife, and had made some move towards it, Friends were about recommending me as a minister: but they concluded it was best to let one matter be gone through with first. They therefore put off recommending me till after I was married, and then I was regularly acknowledged by Uwchlan monthly meeting as a minister approved by Friends.

In the year 1780, having rented a grist-mill of Thomas Newlin, near Concord meeting-house, we removed thither from Pikeland, and resided there about three years or more. During this time, with the unity of Concord monthly meeting, I made several religious visits to Friends. Twice I travelled into Virginia in the service of Truth; the first time, having Richard Ridgway for a companion, I visited all the meetings belonging to Hopewell monthly meeting, and went over the Alleghany mountains to see the few Friends who resided there. In this journey I was from home about seven or eight weeks. Having Joseph Townsend, a Friend of Concord monthly meeting to accompany me in my second journey to Virginia, I visited the families belonging to Hopewell monthly meeting, before it was divided. Richard Ridgway also accompanied us in this arduous service, and I was about seven weeks from home, in performing it."

It does not appear that Hugh Judge kept any written account of these two visits. Among his papers, however, is found a narrative kept by his companion

Joseph Townsend, of a considerable part of his second journey to Virginia, while engaged in visiting families. As this is preceded by a particular account of the rise and progress of a family visit to the members of Concord monthly meeting, in which Hugh Judge and himself were both engaged, it is thought proper to insert it here, with but little abridgment. This is done to preserve a history of the care, the travail, and the concern of society for the preservation, encouragement, and welfare of its members, at that period. To the promotion of these objects, the visiting of Friends in their families was then thought to contribute much, through the blessing of the heavenly Shepherd, on the labours of love, the christian sympathy and wholesome counsel thus administered.The names of the families visited are retained, with a hope that some profitable reflections may be associated therewith, in the minds of some of their descendants, or among the few Friends who may remain in those places, at the present day, should this account fall into their hands.

Joseph Townsend's Narrative.

"At Concord monthly meeting, held the 3rd day of the 1st month, 1781.

The ancient practice of visiting families, as recommended by the Extracts from our last Yearly Meeting, being weightily revived at this, the solid consideration thereof is referred to next meeting.

At the monthly meeting, held at Concord the 7th of 2d month, the weighty subject of visiting families being again revived, was solidly attended to, but the way not opening, at present, to proceed further there

JOSEPH TOWNSEND'S NARRATIVE.

13

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