Quakers in New York

Nine Partners Meeting House

Who were the Quakers? The Quakers is officially the Religious Society of Friends, but were nicknamed Quakers because they said to “Quake insight of the Lord”. It is a Protestant denomination. There is, like all churches, a long list of beliefs if you really dig into it. Some of the basics are their belief in peace— they were the original Conscientious Objectors— and simplicity. In the early days, the women often wore more somber colors in their dress such as grey and deep plums and such. You would not see a Quaker woman with a lot of lace about her clothing or much jewelry either. In modern times they have gotten away from different styles of dress, but will often opt for simpler options and less jewelry about them. Another difference in the early days was their way of speaking. Grammar was different then and “you” was considered formal and spoken to your superiors. “Thee” and “Thou” were used with your equals. As they considered everybody equal, they used thee and thou in speech. Over time our speech changed, and this was dropped from their vocabulary as it was from everybody’s until now it is a quaint idea that nobody follows.

Where are there any today?
Your backyard! Even if you don’t live in this state, there are likely some around you, and you don’t realize it. They really aren’t any different from any other religion. Yes, Quakers believe in peace and simplicity, but so do a lot of other people. They aren’t a religion that tries to set themselves apart from others and keep themselves separate.

Here are the places that I’ve discovered relatives in New York State:

Long Island. This was probably the first settlement of Quakers in New York. They were there starting about the late 1600s or into the early 1700s. Their main meeting house and most of their population centered around the present-day city of Hempstead. From there, some of them went to New York City for work and moved into the city.

From Long Island, many Quakers migrated over to the Hudson River and north. Other large settlements were in Dutchess County and what is now Putnam County. Do you happen to remember the property dispute between Connecticut and New York late in the 17th century? Probably not, as I know in my classes, it was quickly glossed over if it was even mentioned. It produced a piece of land not quite 2 miles wide running the length of the Connecticut border, about 60 miles, called the Oblong. The Oblong Meeting House has a bit of history. The land was donated for its building, much like other denominations’ churches. During the 17th and 18th centuries, this was one of the most thriving Quaker communities in the country. During the Revolutionary War, the pacifist Quakers were called on for help. Their meeting house was used for sick and wounded soldiers of General Washington’s Army.

There were other meetings around the area, Nine Partners and Crum Elbow amongst them.

Some ancestors came from New England and settled north of Albany in the White Creek area of Washington County. Seth Chase, whom I wrote about not long ago, was a Quaker owning a tavern in that community. That family later migrated farther north to Peru in Clinton County. where another Quaker Community was.

From Dutchess County, some went to central New York and established meetings at Scipio and Union Springs in southern Cayuga County. That is as far west as I know my Quaker families to have gone. Some moved farther west, but they are not of my direct line. For many of them, subsequent generations left the religion and joined other Protestant denominations. My great-grandmother, Maria Titus was born a Quaker, but as far as I know she didn’t follow the religion as an adult and neither did her offspring.

One thing that stands out for me is that Maria Titus did not follow the Quaker faith, at least not too strictly. In her adulthood was an event that occurred upon her death. First, she and her husband, John Ward are buried near his family at Evergreen in Scipioville. Not a Quaker burial ground. Second, when the heirs split up some of her belongings, they put all kinds of teacups on a table and allowed each grandchild to choose one. The first choice went to the youngest grandchild who was 8 at the time. He told me that he was attracted to the gaudiest cup on the table and chose that one— a white cup with bright gold trim all over it in an abstract design!

Lodema Tobias Titus, my last direct Quaker

Ancestors Behaving Badly: Seth Chase

Seth Chase's Tavern in White Creek

 Seth Chase had immigrated from the Beekman Patent in Dutchess County to Washington County, New York sometime between 1761 and 1763. We know he renewed his license to operate a tavern in September 1789. These licenses were for multiple years, thus he must have been operating a tavern for many years. In fact, some testimony proves that he was operating it during the War for Independence.

The tavern in Washington County was in a small settlement called White Creek. Most, if not all of the settlers in the vicinity of White Creek at the time were Quakers. Seth was a member of the Society. This, in part, sets the stage for some of the questions we have about Seth Chase. The Society of Friends, as the Quakers were officially named, were pacifists by nature. They chose to keep the peace and not take sides in disputes, particularly military matters.

Washington County is in the northeastern part of New York State. It lies north of Albany, where the settlements of the Hudson River tended to become sparser as they reached northward. To the east are the Green Mountains of Vermont. To the west are the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. This description is given to say that this settlement was small and off the beaten path. However, even there, the war touched the inhabitants.

Correspondence with friends and relatives elsewhere in the colonies, of course, would bring news of what was happening. Even people who tried to remain neutral would be drawn into thoughts and debates over what should be done. Should we remain neutral? Should we side with the Loyalists and stay with Great Britain? Should we side with the rebels and create our own country? Those thoughts were going through everyone’s minds.

During all this, the Battle of Bennington was fought on August 16, 1777. Bennington is a town in Vermont, however, the battle was actually fought in Walloomsac, approximately 10 miles to the east in New York. Part of the Saratoga Campaign, the battle was a strategic success for the American cause. Why is this so important? Looking at the maps of where the battle was and where Seth Chase’s Tavern was, you will see that they are separated by not miles, but perhaps hundreds of feet. His farm was the first one north of the battlefield. Just over a rise of a hill, or just beyond the trees behind the tavern perhaps, troops could be seen moving around. Careful plotting would be needed to discover just how close they were, but they were not very far off.

This battle and the usual gossip around a tavern would have caused at least some trouble for an innkeeper. It would be hard to keep quiet and not express some opinion on the matters at hand. For Seth Chase, this would result even previous to the battle, in him being considered a Tory and in October of 1776 he was sent for 14 days in Albany goal and then to Exeter, New Hampshire for a year, where he was kept confined with other “traitors to the American Cause.” He would not have seen the troop movement of the Battle of Bennington himself, but the family living there likely would have. What a difficult time this must have been for the entire family!

So, the question as always in the relatives behaving badly series: Was Seth Chase behaving badly? Was he a traitor to the American Cause? The testimony that sent him first to Albany and then to Exeter definitely indicates that he was on the side of the Tories and was trying to help the British in their battles. His wife, upon his direction, pulled a paper from her bossom that gave the countersigns to get people safely to the King's Army. I would say he was behaving badly, as was Sarah, his wife. However, unlike many loyal to the British cause, he kept his property and continued living there for many years before moving to Peru, in Clinton County, where he died. He never fled to Canada at the end of the war and his punishment seems light compared to others. I wonder if the fact that he was an innkeeper in an area that tried to remain neutral, but of course, would have pressure from both sides, had anything to do with this?

Map Showing His Land

Wordless Wednesday: White Creek Meeting Cemetery

Wordless Wednesday: White Creek Quaker Cemetery

New York State Archives

Name: New York State Archives

Address: 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12230 11^th Floor

Phone: (518) 474-8955

Website: http://www.archives.nysed.gov/

Parking: This will take you to a map and information on parking near the library. I have had good luck with the Cathedral parking lot whenever I have visited the library.

Hours:

Monday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Situated in the state’s capital, the New York State Archives is simply put, the archives for the entire state. It is situated in downtown Albany, a couple blocks from the state capital and at the southern end of the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. The building also contains the New York State Library and the New York State Museum.

Monday through Saturday, the doors to the building open at 9:30 in the morning. Upon entering, you are in a large room with information and guard counters as well as kiosks with information about Albany including bus schedules. At first it can be confusing as archways lead off in all directions. If you have time, feel free to explore through these arches—they are parts the New York State Museum which is free admission. In the northeast corner is the museum gift shop, which among other items, sells many books about the history and culture of the state.

Walking towards the back, you will see a desk for the security guards of the building. On either side of their area are banks of elevators. Turn towards the right and you will see these are marked with the various public floors. The Archives are on the 11^th floor.

Does this information sound familiar? It should, the above was taken almost word for word from my previously write-up of the New York State Library and for very good reason. Although two different places, they are in the same building and take up much of the same space.

The archives have many restrictions, but don’t fear. They are also very happy to guide you through what you need. The registration process is very quick and simple; just make sure you have an official picture identification with you- probably your driver’s license. Once you register, you’re good for the year.  There are lockers available to stow any of your stuff that you have along and can’t take in with you. The pictures on this post were taken in the archives with just one stipulation- I was not allowed to take any pictures of people. Luckily, it was just about noon and not many people were working there at the time!

Once you are registered, you will be assigned a table in the archives. Shortly, the items that you requested will be brought out to you. On my most recent trip, I had so many items I was looking for in the library, that I did not plan any time to use the archives. However, in the past I have looked at various manuscripts that people have prepared about families that I am interested in. Some were family trees, and some were letters and such. 

This past December, I had the opportunity to look through a bound atlas of maps of the Wallumschack Patent along the upper Hudson River coming out of the 16 January 1791 deed of partition. These were not the original maps. But rather it is, a late 19^th century copy of them. The maps show the lines and divisions of lots in what is now Washington County and across the border in Vermont. Not much information found, except there is that detail of Lot 12. What is that name just north of where Little White Creek runs through? Why, yes it does say “Seth Chase.” Seth, better known in my research as “grandpa times 5,” was a Loyalist at one time, but remained after the Revolution. He ran a tavern somewhere in present day Washington County both before, during and after the Revolution. Did I say somewhere? I think that house symbol in the corner of the property might give a clue. Comparing this map with a present day, we can tell almost exactly where that tavern stood!

Of course, not everyone can find a direct ancestor listed on a map, but you never know what you might find that is either direct or indirect information about your New York ancestors if you explore the archives