Quaker Records


Early Quaker Records of Rhode Island

These are the notes that I made back in 2006 while browsing through the microfilmed copies of the various early Quaker Records housed at the Rhode Historical Society in Providence, Rhode Island. I tried to record all of the instances of the name Chase or Chace that I could find. Unfortunately, I was not able to get through all of the pages as the records of course are quite lengthy and I just simply ran out of time. But, the following are my notes of what I did find while I was there. Recorded are some itneresting quarrels, some drunkenness, yearning for military duty against the pacifist nature of The Society of Friends, and even a person named "Preserved Fish," yum. It is clear that our ancestors were very human and normal indeed. You will find my comments italicized in the text below. I have kept the spelling of the original documents and if I was unsure of a word, it has a question mark in parenthesis after it (?). If you find [sic], this is a standard notation which means that this is indeed how it was in the original and is not a mistake in transcription. If you see ***, this means that I skipped more than a few words in the text, usually a few sentences or a paragraph because it was not essential for my notes. Also, it is probably handy to know that during the era when the Quaker Minutes were recorded, the letter "y" was sometimes used as a sort of shorthand "th" in various forms and in the notes you will find "ye" which means "the" and "yt" which means "that." Oh, and one last thing, the dates below are in Day-Month-Year order. I hope you enjoy.

Newport Rhode Island Monthly Meeting Minutes 1676-1773

Part I

First mention I find of any Chases in the Rhode Island Monthly Men's Meeting Records is "At a monthly meen & womans meeting at our meeting house in portsmoth ye 25th day of ye 3d moth 1701 ="

Wm Chase Sone of wm Chase of Sansey and Sarah Carter of ye eerSand place Daughter of Robert Carter of ye Sand Township appeared at this meeting & published theare intentions of marriag; Theye are Desided(?) to wait till ye mext [sic] mens meeting; & friends have appointed Jabes and Jeames Tuckere to Enquire Conforming yal Clearness and make Reporte to our mext meeting"

And in the same record Abraham Chase is appointed with others to attend the next Quarterly Meeting

Then on the 24th day of ye 4th moth 1701 "Wm Chase of Swansey & Sarah Carter of ye Sand Township:/ appeared a gaynd ye second Time at this meeting and signified theare Stedfast Intensions of marriag:/ Enquirid heearing exam(?) made Did find nothing to hinder Them proseding: [indecipherable] and Left to theare Libertey; to Consumate theare marriage in ye desent order of truth & and to have a Certificate of Theare proceeding: with not Less ye(?) twelve witnesses with theare friends & Relations hand to It."

William Chase is mentioned again in 16-7-1701

On 14-8-1701 William Chase reports that the Wickapimsett meeting is not willing to be wholly removed to the other side of the river (which river) because some of the Friends are not capable of getting over to the other side. John Reade said he was willing to give the use of his house to friends to have the meeting.

10-09-1702 -- William Chase chosen to attend Quarterly Meeting

5-11-1702 Nathanial Chase desires a "sartificate from this meeting." John Borden & William Chase are appointed to enquire Concerning his Conversation and Clearness.

2-12-1702/3 Nathaniel Chase wishes to marry Abigail Shearman the daughter of John Shearman of Dartmouth.

20-5-1703 "William Chase brought the book of George foxes epistles to this meeting."

On a Certificate for Joseph Borden who wished to travel towards "Pensilvania" dated 20th Day of 5th Month 1703, is found Benja Chase and Hannah Chase.

14-7-1703 "Friends appointed & Chosen by this meeting to make an end of all Differences between Abraham Chase and Thomas Earle are Danniel Gould & Joseph Wanton, Abraham Anthony & John Easton & to make return what they have done to ye next monthly meeting any three of the aforesaid friends to Deside the Difference The Day appointed is the 28 of this month."

19-08-1703 -- "This meeting hath aded Ebenezer Slocum, John Gould & William Barker to the four before Chosen to make an end of all Differences between Thomas Earle & Abraham Chase & all things where in friends are Dissatisfied with them & to pass righteous judgment & to make return to the next monthly meeting what they have done." "Samuel Chase is desired to appear at the next monthly mans meeting to give satisfaction to friends." Eber Chase is mentioned.

09-09-1703 "Samuel Chase appeared at this meeting & satisfied friends wherein he had done amiss." Eber Chase mentioned again.

On a certificate of 09-09-1703 are found the names of Joseph Chase, Wm Chase, Eber Chase, and Abraham Chase.

7-10-1703 "This meeting should have been at newport but the quarterly meeting being at portsmouth on the same day It was thought fit to act in both.

The Friends appointed made return to this meeting what they have done between Thomas Earl & Abraham Chase is as followeth,

Daniel Gould Abraham Anthony John Gould Joseph Wanton, Wm Barker by appointment did meet at our old meeting house ye 10th day of ye 9th mo 1708

To hear & Determine Cases as should be layed befor them by Thomas Earl & Abraham Chase. Thomas Earle accused Abraham Chase with going to the train band & answering to his name which Abraham Chase owned & condemned it before us, which we also condemn to be contrary to our profession, Thomas Earl further charged Abraham Chase to be amongst ye soldiers which Abraham Chase Denyed but upon search & evedence from the Captain of the company & several other evidences Doe find yt Abraham Chase was there a mongst soldiers & others near there about & came & answered to his name which we find he hath gone about to evade the distance from the company: in soe much yt wee find he hath spoken yt which is false which is for Condemnation, and whereas Thomas Earl Did likewise goe to the train band & answer to his name there is also for condemnation and whereas Tho Earl hath at sometime sat in time of prayer with his hat on is disorder & for condemnation and it is our Judgment until they are reconciled & Can forgive each other their trespasses that they bee silent & forebear offering their gifts in publick until they are reconciled."

"Thomas Earl having formerly condemned his going to answer to his name at the train band hee does still condemn it & also does Condemn his disorder in setting with his hat one his head in time of prayer,

This is to Certifie That Abraham Chase & Tho Earl hath Condescend to each other & have freely forgiven each other all trespases & have for a Confirmation of ye same have burnt all the papers relating to former differences & never to remember it again soeas to rake any part of it up again."

20-04-1704 Joseph Chase mentioned

In trouble again

18-05-1704 "Whereas Thomas Earl hath made complaint to this meeting Concerning some friends att wickapimsit namely William Chase Joseph Chase and Abraham Chase this meeting hath taken care to Choose seven friends to hear & determine between ym & to make return to the next mans meeting what they have done The friends Chosen are Ebenezer Slocum Jacob Mott, Thomas Cornell William Barker, Jacob Mott Jnr Richard Borden Tho Cornell Jnr any five of the before Chosen agreeing shall have full power to determine between them, the place appointed for the above said friends to meet in portsmouth meeting house the twenty fifth of this instant about the tenth hour of the day. This meeting is ended."

15-06-1704 "Abraham Chase appeared att this meeting & acknowledged the Judgment which friends past against him & satisfied friends & desired to be in unity with friends which they accepted of."

30-11-1704/5 Certificate signed for Isaac Chase

14-06-1705 "Thomas Earle Complained to this meeting yt Abraham Chase refused him his hand also James Tucker in behalf of Ralph Earle scandalous reports of him Jacob Mott & John Easton are appointed to visit said Abraham Chase & endeaver to reconcile their difference & make report to the next monthly mans meeting. *** The matter relating between Abraham Chase & Thomas Earle the other frinds nominated not have Conveniency to Issue ye same this meeting hath seen cause to nominate four frinds to hear & determine the same yt is all differences the friends nominated are Gideon Freeborne Matthew Borden Abraham Anthony and Francis Braiton *** Also the aforenamed & four persons are impowered to hear the matter Relating between sd Abraham Chase & James Tucker in behalf of Ralph Earle & to make a final Issue of the same & to make report to our next monthly mans meeting."

09-08-1705 "The Difference between Abraham Chase & James Tucker (In behalf of Ralph Earle) is ended to this metings satisfaction."

19-07-1705 "Wee whose names are underwritten being the major part of the men appointed by the mens meeting of the people of god called quakers & fully impowered to inspect into all the differences wch is between Abraham Chase & Thomas Earle & issue the same & Abraham Chase not appearing according to ye time appointed we having searched & enquired into the matter so far as we were Capable our Judgment is that the said Thomas Earle shall carry & be have himself Lovingly toward the said Abraham Chase & yt the said Abraham Chase do forbear to offer his gift in publick until Thomas Earle and he be reconciled as brothers to the meetings satisfaction witness our hands Portsmouth the 19 of ye 7th mo 1705

Matthew Borden

Abraham Anthony

Francis Braiton"

"Abraham Chase Reply to this meeting was yt when he refused Thomas Earle his hand yt at yt time he was not well in body & mind but for time to come he should not refuse his hand but desires to Live in unity with Tho Earle & peace with all people -- Abraham Chase"

26-01-1706 Joseph Chase represents Wickapimsit at MM. Joseph Chase and Thomas Earle report that there are some differences between William Chase and Daniel Baker.

23-02-1706 William Chase and Daniel Baker appeared for Wickapimsit. Joseph Chase mentioned as looking into how far behind the Wickapimsit meeting is in completing their meeting house.

The meeting called Wickapimsit was changed to the 27 of 8 mo 1713. Page 177 Part I

18-04-1706 "William Chase not giving full satisfaction to this meeting therefore he is desired to attend our next monthly mans meeting in order to give satisfaction to friends for his out goings and transgressions against truth."

16-05-1706 "Samuel Chase represent Wickapimsit."

13-06-1706 "William Chase appeared att this meeting & gave a few lines under his own hand which satisfied friends"

03-10-1706 "Wheras John Borden & Thomas Earle could not get the Deed of the land of Wickapimsit meeting house of William Chase without promising to pay sd Chase five pounds John Borden Richard Borden & George Thomas doe offer to pay the mony & receive it afterward of the meeting which this meeting doth allow off."

02-10-1707 "Isaac Chase proposed to this meeting that their meeting house att Wickapimsit wanted finishing and a yard to be fenced in which is referred to the next monthly meeting."

30-10-1707 Eber Chace and Isaac Chace both spelled thus in meeting minutes.

23-01-1708 Joseph Chace spelled thus in the meeting minutes.

Part II Page 21

23-10-1708 "William Chase making Complaint to this meeting Against John Faire"

17-03-1709 "This meeting doth order & appoint Joseph Chase & Thomas Earle to Lay out what Part they think suitable of the land whereon the meeting house of Wickapimsit stands belonging to friends for a burying yard to Remain particularly for that use & they to make return to the next monthly meeting."

27-10-1709 "Whereas Joseph Chase Informed this meeting that Jonathan Bowers hath made Some Disorderly proseedings In Relation to truth this meeting think fit to Refer yt matter to the next monthly meeting & Joseph Chase is Desired to acquaint sd Bowers yt this meeting desires him to attend our next monthly meeting.'

31-12-1709/10 Jonathan Bowers "his Disorderly proseedings in taking his wife out of the order & method established amongst friends."

25-01-1710 "Joseph Chase proposed to this meeting yt Jos: Chase son of Wm Chase Desires a sartificate from this meeting of his Clearness & Disintanglement Relating Marriage And in order these unto this meeting Do appoint Joseph Chase & Richard Borden to make Inquiry..."

30-03-1710 "A sartificate was Granted & signed by this meeting for Joseph Chase son of William Chase"

26-10-1710 "Att this meeting was Gathered for the Relief of Abraham Chase seven pounds on shilling & six pence & sent to him by the hand of Isaac Chase."

30-11-1710 "Friends at swansy acquaint this meeting yt for some time William Chase hat meet in one Roome & the rest of friends there meet in the other Roome."

30-10-1712 "Whereas there was a Report brought to this meeting of Benjamin Chase being lately over taken with drink This meeting Doth appoint Joseph Wanton George Thomas & Saml Hicks to go to sd Chase & Labor with him for to Clear truth Relating his Drunkenness & make report to the next monthly meeting."

27-11-1712 "The friends appointed at our last make Report they have been with Benjamin Chase & Laboured with him & he not giving this meeting satisfaction therefore the same friends are still Continued to labour with him & to Desire him to attend our next meeting In order to give Satisfaction which if he Refuse the are Desired to draw up a paper of Condemnation In order to be signed the next meeting. *** Benjamin Chase appeared at the meeting where he hath drawn up a paper to Condemn his being over taken with drink which this meeting Both Comply with & order sd Chase to Read the same att the House of the Widow Hixes at Dartmouth & this Meeting Doth appoint Joseph Anthony to goe with him & see that he doth performe it & make report to our next monthly meeting."

Why at the Widow Hixes? Was she the purveyor of hard drink in the town? A floozy? What gives?

24-12-1712 reports "The Representatives of Portsmouth make Report that Francis Alloway hath been overtaken by Drink therefore this meeting doth order sd Alloway to make publickly Condemnation by a few lines under his hand at the House where he had the Drink and Preserved fish with George Thomas is to acquaint him of it & see he Doth do it...? 24-09-1713 Preserved Fish is a person!!

Got through 1st month 1715. Pick up there.

A Serious Examination of George Leiths pretended serious call to the Quakers inviting them to return to Christianity.

Stopped reading at page 32 Part II.

At Page 226- 227 -- "At our monthly meeting held at Newport on Rhoad Island the 30th of the 1st mo.th 1725. The visiters of Swaney make Complaint to this meeting against Joseph Chase is he hath broke his Contract & thereby hath brought Reproach upon thruth upon which Complaint this meeting think proper to appoint. Wm Barker Thomas Richardson Jospeph Wanton Richard Borden & Joseph Anthony & they or the major part to make inquiry into sd. Complaint & to Determine & give Judgment to the next monthly meeting."

"Att our monthly meeting held at Newport on Rhoad Island the 30th of the 9m.th 1725 The Complaint staged against Joseph Chase is Ended & made up according to the Return of the Committee appointed on that behalf."