The John Woolman Memorial Association

66BULLETIN OF FRIENDS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY. THE JOHN WOOLMAN MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION. BY AMELIA M. GUMMERE. On the outskirts of Mount Holly, New Jersey, along what was once the Springfield Road, now Branch Street, stands a little old brick house, gable-end to the road, which tradition for a century past has called John Woolman's house. An occasional visitor has been in the way of doing reverence there to the memory of the Quaker philanthropist, and going his way, to be told of the doubt as to Woolman's ownership. Several years ago the New Jersey Legislature started a movement to purchase the quaint old place as a Woolman Memorial, but failing to find any deed for his purchase, that body gave up the attempt. Several private individuals have from time to time become enthusiastic over the possibilities of such a memorial to Woolman, but until the present, nothing has been accomplished. During the past year, while at work on the Journal (which, it is hoped, will be published during the coming winter), the writer ? has frequently turned over a page in Woolman's private account book,1 to which was stitched, with a bit of silk, a small paper in Woolman's handwriting. It is a memorandum headed " Specifications for Building a Brick House, 1771." The page to which it was sewed, already threatening to tear away, contained the payment made to various workmen who furnished the bricks, made the great iron door-hinges, did the mason work or glazing, etc. Upon examining the paper one day last winter, the sudden thought arose that these dimensions were very curiously close to those of the house in Mount Holly. A prompt visit there proved the identity of the building at once. Every item was exact; not an inch variation was found in the measurements, and the iron strap-hinges on the doors, the situation of fireplaces and stairways, and even the number of panes of glass in the small windows in the attic, were all as described in these specifications. 1 Woolman's Manuscript folio of his Journal (final copy), his private account books, marriage-certificate and letters are now owned by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. THE JOHN WOOLMAN MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION. 67 This was the confirmation of a persistent tradition, but the present disturbed period hardly seemed the proper time to ask for contributions for its purchase, although no birthplace or other home of Woolman now exists. In June last, however, the wife of the Irishman, who for seventeen years has lived in the old house, sent word that certain alterations were contemplated which, if carried out, would quite ruin its quaint originality. A hurried visit resulted in securing a three months' option on the house and an acre and threequarters of ground for $1,800. Three years earlier it could have been had for $1,200. The summer months were passed in making appeals for money. Several persons, on account of family association, or through admiration for the life and character of Woolman, came forward voluntarily with contributions and enthusiastic letters; very few of those who were asked for contributions failed to respond . Interest in the undertaking is widespread. New England Friends are almost as largely represented as are those in Philadelphia ; and non-Quakers who love Woolman—and they are many—sent in their contributions and appreciation. Ex-President Eliot, of Harvard, in making his contribution, told us that he sent it because of his high appreciation of the character of Woolman. Ex-President Hazard, of Wellesley, wrote, " You are quite right in thinking I am interested in your project of preserving John Woolman's house. I hope that you will have the notes of specification and the memorandum of bills for the workmen, which you say you found in his manuscript, printed, so that they can be kept in the house itself. I am very glad to send a small contribution toward its purchase." One Boston contributor wrote, " I have read and reread Woolman many times." It was gratifying to find how widely appreciated Woolman has been, and the work of raising the necessary funds therefore became an agreeable one, since almost every letter brought some cordial...