FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA MAGAZINE OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY, VOL XXVll, p 340-343. FRIENDS AND THEIR MEETING HOUSES AT CROSSWICKS, NEW JERSEY. BY JOSEPH S. MIDDLETON On the 16th of Sixth month, 1677, the ship "Kent" arrived at New Castle, Delaware, with 230 passengers. Among them was Thomas Foulke and other Friends. In the Eleventh month of the same year came the ship "Willing Mind," with 70 passengers, who landed near Salem, New Jersey. This was followed soon after by the "Martha," from Hull, with about 114 passengers, who landed near Philadelphia. The next that arrived was the "Shield," from Hull, which came up the river and landed at Burlington in Tenth month, 1678. A large portion of these passengers were Friends from England, who settled in Pennsylvania and adjacent parts of West New Jersey. Thomas Foulke, Samuel and John Bunting, Francis Davenport, Thomas Gilberthorpe, Thomas Lambert, William Satterthwaite, William Black, Samuel Taylor, and others, migrated eastward from the different landings and formed a settlement among the Indians on the Cross-weeks-ung, or divided creek (Crosswicks). In order more clearly to comprehend the original settlement, our minds must revert to the primitive condition of the Indian settlement, neither roads nor bridges, but paths or trails through the woods and canoes to cross the creek. The Friends established a crossing on the farm of Francis Davenport, now occupied by Walter Bird, known as the David Rulon or Job Sutterly farm. This was called "Davenport's crossing," or the upper ford, the lower ford being near where the Camden and Amboy Railroad crosses the creek below Yardville, near the junction of Doctor's Creek with Crosswicks Creek. A forcible reminder of the Indian village or settlement is the crooked street through the village of Crosswicks, being the original trail or pathway through the forest. A lone survivor of the original forest remains standing in the yard in front of the Meeting-house, a noble oak, with arms uplifted, as though saying, " I am monarch of all I survey," and appealing for protection. Could it but reveal to us what has passed beneath and around it, what history would be unfolded! The first record of a meeting for Divine worship by the Society of Friends at Crosswicks was at the house of Thomas Lambert in 1677. In 1684 the meeting was held at the house of Francis Davenport. Prior to the erection of a meeting-house it was the custom to hold meetings for worship in the house of some Friend in the neighborhood. On the "2nd of ye 8th mo., 1684," the monthly meeting was established and held at the house of Francis Davenport. The record is signed by John Wilford, Francis Davenport and William Watson, and recorded as "Chesterfield Monthly Meeting of Friends," by which name it is known at the present time. The first marriages recorded in the meeting were: Samuel Bunting to Mary Foulke, daughter of Thomas, 1684. In 1686, Samuel Taylor and Susanna Horsman. In 1686, Anthony Woodward and Hannah Foulke. In 1687, Richard Harrison and Ruth Buckman. "At a monthly meeting held at the house of Francis Davenport, ye 7th of ye 11th mo. 1685 it was directed that deeds of Trust for the burying ground at Chesterfield be made from Thomas Foulke, Grantor, to Francis Davenport, Samuel Bunting, John Bunting, Thomas Gilberthorpe, Roger Parks and Robert Wilson." At the meeting in the 12th mo. the committee reported it executed and placed in the hands of Thomas Lambert of Nottingham (township). "At a monthly meeting held at the house of Thomas Lambert ye 5th of ye 1st mo. 1691 it is proposed to have a meeting house built at ye burying ground at Chesterfield." At the meeting in the 6th mo. it was "agreed to build the house on the south side of the creek, most Friends think best to have it at ye Grave Yard." At ye meeting held at Francis Davenport's ye 7th of ye 11 mo. 1691, Francis Davenport, Samuel Andrews, William Wood, Samuel Bunting and Thomas Gilberthorpe, are appointed to treat with carpenters about building a meeting house at or near the Grave Yard in Chesterfield." "At a meeting held ye 4th of ye 10 mo 1692 they reported they have let the work unto John Greene." "At a meeting held ye 2d. of ye 12 mo. 1692 John Wilsford Jr., Robert Murfin, Edward Rockhill, and John Abbot were appointed to receive a Deed of Trust for land to build the meeting house on." This deed, dated 3rd mo. 3d, 1692, conveyed six acres of land from Samuel Bunting and John Bunting to Robert Murfin, John Abbot, Edward Rockhill and JohnWilsford for a consideration of ten shillings. The first meeting recorded held in the new meeting-house was "ye 6th. of ye 8th mo. 1693." "At a monthly meeting held at the meeting house in Chesterfield ye 4th of ye 11 mo. 1693 the committee reported they had settled with John Greene about ye meeting house building according to agreement, paid him £40, and for buy work one pound, also two shillings given him over and above." "There remains on hand £4. 11s. 1d. when all ye subscriptions are paid in. Also paid for lime 6s. 8d." "At a monthly meeting held ye 3rd of ye 1st. mo. 1697, a committee was appointed to build a frame stable for the for the accommodation of horses, 18 by 24 ft, with 6 feet posts to be near the meeting house, to be planked on the inside three feet high, to be well clapboarded on ye outside, well shingled with oak shingles & finished before ye 12th month next." "At a monthly meeting held ye 7th. of ye 1st. mo. 1706 it is considered at this meeting that it is necessary that a meeting house be built, and pursuant thereunto, this meeting appoints Francis Davenport and William Wood to care about the letting of Forty thousand bricks to be made in order thereto. They reported ye 2nd of ye 3rd mo. 1706 that they agreed with William Mott for 40,000 bricks for 40 Pounds, and John Farnsworth for 200 bushels of lime. At the meeting in the 11th mo. Samuel Bunting, Francis Davenport, William Wood, John Tantum, Thomas Lambert, and Robert Wilson were appointed to agree with some carpenter for doing ye carpenter work of ye meeting house proposed to be built." At a monthly meeting held ye 6th of ye 12th mo 1706 the committee reported they had agreed with John Tantum to do the carpenter work. William Wood was appointed to give notice to workman that Friends are ready to treat with them about ye bricklaying, &c, and Friends appointed to make agreements are Samuel Bunting, Francis Davenport, John Tantum, William Wood and Thomas Lambert. John Farnsworth promiseth to have two hundred bushels of lime delivered at his mothers's landing, he to have four pence per bushel fot his carriage of the same." "At a monthly meeting held ye 6th of ye 1 mo 1707, Friends appointed to agree with workman reported they had agreed with them to begin about the first of ye third month next. John Tatum and Thomas Lambert are appointed to agree for shingles to be made and brought up, for covering of said meeting house." There seems to be no report when the house was finished.