Baltimore to Waynesville in 1805: Extracts from the Memoirs of Rebecca Wright Hill

Notes and Documents Baltimore to Waynesville in 1805: Extracts from the Memoirs of Rebecca Wright Hill Edited by Dorothy G. Harris* The publication of the volumes of Hinshaw's Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy dealing with Ohio called to our attention die tide of Quaker migration that flowed steadily from the eastern and soudiern states into Ohio and Indiana in the early eighteen hundreds. The fine introductory account in the Hinshaw volumes is authority for the statement that between 1804 and 1807 no less dian 1,697 persons were received on certificate by Miami Mondily Meeting, the focal point in southwestern Ohio for the Quaker pioneers.1 Among these Friends was a Baltimore miller and his family, accounting for twenty-one of die persons received by Miami in 1805-6.2 Their experiences in crossing the mountains and the Ohio River are probably typical of those of Friends who made the journey in these years. It took two months of rugged wagon travel. The following account of the trip as seen through the eyes of the twelve-year-old daughter in the family, and recalled in her later years, was found in the possession of an Indiana Friend now living in Richmond. * Dorothy G. Harris is Acting Librarian of the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 1 William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy (Richmond, Indiana, 1946) , IV, [7]. A meeting for worship was established at Miami (now in die town of Waynesville) about 1801. The monthly meeting was set up in 1803 under Baltimore Yearly Meeting (see Hinshaw, V, [17] ) . Ohio was admitted into the Union in 1803, having formerly been a part of the Northwest Territory. 2 The Wright family party that left Maryland in October of 1805, included the parents, Jonathan and Susanna Griffith Wright, and the following children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren: Thomas Rachel and her husband, Benjamin Farquhar Children: Uriah, Cyrus, Allen, Jonathan, Josiah, and Susannah. Phoebe and her husband, Oliver Matthews Children: Joel, William, and Ann. Elizabeth Mary Jonathan Joel? Susanna > Minors Rebecca 24 Notes and Documents25 When I was twelve years old, my parents with their whole family (except dieir eldest son) emigrated from Maryland, Baltimore Co., to what was then called die Miami or Western Country. Having previously laid the prospect before the Mo. Mtg.,3 which was received with sympathy and approval by Friends, they were granted certificates directed to the Mo. Mtg. next adjacent to the place we might settle. For my fatiier was uncertain where he might fix his habitation should he be favoured to reach the end of our long and perilous journey. We left our former home on the 10th of 10th mo. 1805, and proceeded to a wood, through which we had been accustomed to walk to meetings. There we found baskets of provisions, brought by our neighbors and friends, it being about noon, who spread cloths on the grass and leaves, and laid on refreshments. We sat down and partook togedier of a parting meal. It was to us a solemn passover . . .and that spot was long rendered memorable .... We bade a long farewell to our dear friends and proceeded forty miles to Pipe Creek to die residence of our brother-in-law, Benjamin Farquhar. We were here joined by his family making in all twenty-one in number. We now commenced our journey anew, our eldest brodier accompanying us some miles on our way. But the time arrived when we must separate, a father from his son, a motiier from her first-born. Brother and sisters bid a final adieu, for such it proved.4 We saw him turn his back and ride slowly from us. Our eyes followed him until he was lost in die distance .... We felt it was the demand of imperious necessity and were in good degree made willing to resign him to die protecting care of his heavenly Fadier. We continued our journey toward the setting sun which seemed to beckon us forward. I sometimes imagined its last beam rested on our far-off habitation . Crossing the mountains the road was rough and precipitant. 3 Gunpowder Monthly Meeting, established in 1739, is in Baltimore Quarter of Baltimore...