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CERTIFICATE OF REMOVAL FOR LETITIA PENN, 1701. 35 in the long southern journey, all which were very agreeable to her and singularly helpful; these, with many other marks of regard she experienced , will not easily be erased from our remembrance, and I hope your reward will be of an higher nature than anything I can do by way of return.14 . . . Rachel Wilson's own feelings on her return safely home are thus expressed in the concluding words of her journal : My husband met me at Lancaster, where we parted, and great was the thankfulness, that filled both our minds under a sense of the many preservations both by sea and land. I found all my children favoured with health. My husband had not had one day's illness during my absence, nor I whilst on the continent of America.15 " She died, aged 54, in the house of Richard Chester, at Stoke Newington, near London, having been a minister thirtysix years, and her remains were interred at Bunhill Fields. She left eight children, and through them numerous descendants, many of whom became devoted Christians, and centers of influence , both in the Society of Friends and outside its borders." " It is evident from all that has come down to us that she was no ordinary woman. The verdict of a Philadelphian is no doubt true, " She was a remarkably interesting and eloquent speaker and was much admired by people of all classes." le CERTIFICATE OF REMOVAL FOR LETITIA PENN, 1701. From our Monthly Meeting held at our Meeting House in Philadelphia the 27th of the 7th Mo. [September] 1701. To our worthy & well beloved Friends & Sisters in London, Bristol, or wherever these shall come—Grace Mercy & peace from God the Father be greatly multiplied amonst you all— 14From a MS. copy of the original letter in the Library of the Histor. Soc. of Penna. 15" Mem. Anna Braithwaite," p. 45. 16The Friend (Philadelphia), xx, 108. 36 BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Amen.—These may certify you that our loving & well beloved friend Letitia Penn, intending to cross Seas with her honorable Parents, has for good order sake desired a Certificate from us & we can freely certify all whom it may concern that she hath well behaved herself here very soberly & according to the good instruction which she hath received in the way of Truth being well inclined courteously carriaged & sweetly tempered in her conversation amonst us—& also a diligent comer to Meeting. & we hope hath plentifully received of the Dews which has fallen upon God's people, to her settlement & establishment in the same —she is clear from any engagements on the account of mariage, as far as we know, & our desires are earnestly for her preservation that she may faithfully serve the God of her Fathers, that so her green years being seasoned with grace, may bud blossom & bring forth ripe fruit to the praise of God, and the comfort of his people, which is the true desire of your friends & Sisters in the near relation of the unchangeable Truth. Signed in behalf & by appointment of the Meeting. (Copied by H. L. 4 Mo. 1811.1) Note.—Letitia (1678-1746) was the fifth child of William and Gulielma Maria (Springett) Penn. She seems to have been a lively and selfwilled girl. She is often referred to in Penn's letters as " Tishé." She accompanied her father to Pennsylvania in 1699, and insisted on returning to England with him in 1701. She married William Aubrey, of England, in 1702. Though satisfactory to her father and step-mother at the time, William Aubrey was a most troublesome and exacting son-in-law. Penn speaks of him as " a scraping man that will count interest for a guinea." He died 1711, and Letitia survived him fifteen years. There were no children . After the above certificate was granted, James Logan says, " It was discovered of her . . . that she was under engagement of marriage to William Masters," some of the signers were so dissatisfied at what they had done that it was proposed to retract it. William Penn, Jr., said, W. Masters " could prove no engagement." See H. M. Jenkins, " The Family of William Penn," pp. 61-66; "Penn and Logan Correspondence," i...

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