While the Anglicans continue to agonize over female bishops, Quaker women like Mary Pennell were leading congregations and preaching on both sides of the Atlantic some 300 years ago. Born Mary Morgan in the parish of Nantmel in 1678, she migrated to Pennsylvania at the age of sixteen, presumably with her brothers John and Hugh Morgan. In 1703 Mary married and in 1722, by which time she had had six children, "became a Quaker Minister and traveled through the
eastern states, England, Ireland and on the Continent."
Mary Pennell left a sister Amy (1689-1762) back home in Radnorshire who had married a farmer from a non-Quaker background called John Griffith. In 1726 a visitor from Pennsylvania inspired Amy's fourteen year old son John to travel out to the colony accompanied, at his father's insistence, by an older brother Thomas and their eight year old sister Martha. In time they would be joined by two other sisters Mary and Sarah.
The Quaker congregation at Talcoed, Nantmel provided the following certificate to accompany the young adventurers:
Mary Pennell left a sister Amy (1689-1762) back home in Radnorshire who had married a farmer from a non-Quaker background called John Griffith. In 1726 a visitor from Pennsylvania inspired Amy's fourteen year old son John to travel out to the colony accompanied, at his father's insistence, by an older brother Thomas and their eight year old sister Martha. In time they would be joined by two other sisters Mary and Sarah.
The Quaker congregation at Talcoed, Nantmel provided the following certificate to accompany the young adventurers:
"To the Monthly Meeting or Quarterly Meetings of Friends and Brethren
in the Province of Pensilvania in America but more particularly to the Monthly
Meeting of Friends at Abington in the Sd. Province --- whereas three children
Thomas Griffith about 18 years of age and John Griffith his brother about 14 years of age and Martha Griffith their sister about 8 years of age, all born
in
the Parish of Nantmeal and County of Radnor in South Wales, Being the Sons and
Daughter of John Griffith and Amy his wife, inhabitants and Land holders in the
Parish and County aforesaid, are by the order and free consent of their sd
parents intending in a few days to go aboard a Ship Belonging to the Port of
Bristol, Whereof Edward Foy is Captain, In order to Sail in Sd Ship (if God
permit) to the City of Philadelphia in the Sd. Province. There to be delivered
to their uncles, John Morgan, Hugh Morgan or either of them or to Mary the wife
of John Pennell who is their Mother's sister, who all of them if living are
settled inhabitants in this Sd. Province to the intent that they the Sd. John
Morgan, Hugh Morgan and Mary their sister may take care of them and dispose of
them as they shall think best and in case their relations doe perform what is
desired and hoped for by the Sd. parents. --We then the persons hereunder
named who are members of the Meeting which the Sd. parents belong by order of
our Monthly Meeting held at Talcoed the 10th instant doe desire that the Sd.
three children or either of them may be disposed of according as Friends of the
Sd. Meeting of Abington shall think most expedient, and as to their Sd.
children's descent we give you to understand that their Parents are Honest
Friends having each of them a Public Testimony for the Truth wherewith Friends
have Unity; and we further Desire (as well on the behalf of the Sd. Children
who are hopeful as also for their parents and their aged Grandmother's sake who
is an Honest Woman, namely Sarah Rees) that you will as need shall require,
advise or assist the Sd. children in Order that they may be settled to Honest
Friends,further and we, according to our power shall be willing to answer what
you or any of our Brethrenvshall in Love desire of us who are your Loving
Friends. Signed at and by Order of our MonthlyMeeting at Talcoed the 10th of
the 4th month 1726"
This younger John Griffith (1713-1776) also became a Quaker minister eventually settling in Chelmsford, Essex. His journal published in both England and Philadelphia is available here.
It's clear from reading about these Radnorshire Quakers that they were at home with the English language and that marriage to fellow Friends was more important to them than any national or regional loyalty. They were also better educated than others of their class, the small farmers, weavers etc. Take a look at the signature of John Griffith's sister-in-law Alice Pugh, a farmer's wife from Llandegley. At a time when many would have made a mark or signed with a scrawl it has the look of a hand well used to using a pen:
This younger John Griffith (1713-1776) also became a Quaker minister eventually settling in Chelmsford, Essex. His journal published in both England and Philadelphia is available here.
It's clear from reading about these Radnorshire Quakers that they were at home with the English language and that marriage to fellow Friends was more important to them than any national or regional loyalty. They were also better educated than others of their class, the small farmers, weavers etc. Take a look at the signature of John Griffith's sister-in-law Alice Pugh, a farmer's wife from Llandegley. At a time when many would have made a mark or signed with a scrawl it has the look of a hand well used to using a pen:
4 comments:
Very interesting!
Do you know where the MM Talcoed was held? I've been to the Pales was it near there? Also the John Griffith who had the sister in law Alice do you know where he lived?
Thank you
Bill Griffith
Here's the location of Talcoed, its a few miles west of the Pales
https://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/13344/details/friends-meeting-house-and-burial-ground-quaker-lower-talcoed-gwystre-nantmel
Thanks
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