Briefer Notices

BRIEFER NOTICES By John and Barbara Curtis Pennsylvania Folklore, vol. XXVII, no. 1, Fall, 1977, has an article, pp. 10-18, by William T. Parsons, " Orders What's To Be Done at the Plantation ': The Isaac Norris Farm Accounts 1713-1734." The account books are now in the possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Rosenbach Museum in Philadelphia.» » * E. P. Richardson, an authority on early American art has an article in Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, vol. CII, no. 1, January, 1978, pp. 3-26. "West's Voyage to Italy, 1760 and William Allen" deals with a little known aspect of the artist's life when he was developing his particular artistic talent in historical painting. * * * Anita Schorsch, a Quaker and an expert on neoclassical antiques, has published two works in this field which have relationship to Quaker history. Mourning Becomes America: Mourning Art in the New Nation appeared first and is now followed by Pastoral Dreams, which draws on the resources of art and literature in such varied sources as American primitive painting, English portraiture, needlework pictures, rugs and prints. The photographic reproduction is excellent and includes seldom seen examples of the work of Quaker artists Benjamin West and Edward Hicks. Pastoral Dreams is published by Universe Books, 381 Park Avenue, South, New York, N.Y. 10016. * * » Richard K. McMaster has had his paper on the historic peace churches in the American Revolution published. The title is "Neither Whig nor Tory: The Peace Churches in the American Revolution." The article appeared in Fides Et Historia, vol. IV, no. 2, Spring, 1977, pp. 8-24. * * » The Haviland Records Room of New York Yearly Meeting at 15 Rudierford Place, New York City, reports the retirement of Mary Cook as archivist and the appointment of Elizabeth Moger to carry on this important service for the Yearly Meeting.» * » The Friends World Committee for Consultation has published two small volumes in 1977 that are of interest to historians. The first is Friends in the Americas, edited by Francis B. Hall. Much of the material in this book appeared earlier under the title of American Quakers Today, edited by Edwin B. Bronner and reissued several times with revisions and corrections after an initial appearance first in 1966. Hall has revised and updated this work which is available through Friends United Press at Richmond, Indiana. Francis Hall has also prepared an edition in Spanish, available from Friends United Press with the title Los Amigos in Las Americas. 64 BRIEFER NOTICES65 The history of Quaker missionary activity in Cuba is made available in a publication of Friends United Press having the title Friends in Cuba. The author is Hiram H. Hilty. In this volume he traces with authority and care the progress of Friends from the first Quaker witness in Cuba in 1900 through the formation of the Yearly Meeting down to the present time. * » » The annual meeting of Friends Historical Association was held on November 28, 1977, at the meeting house at 4th and Arch streets in Philadelphia. Mary Hoxie Jones, President of the Association, reported on the business of the association during the past year. A large and attentive audience heard an excellent paper by Elizabedi Gray Vining about the Philadelphians exiled to Winchester, Virginia, during the winter of 1777-78. * # * The Conference of Quaker Historians is planning a meeting this summer, to be held at Quaker Hill, Richmond, Indiana, July 8-10, 1978. The topics to be considered, by means of papers and subsequent discussion, are: "Quakers and Slavery," and "Yearly Meetings in the Third World." Further information may be obtained from Hugh Barbour, Earlham College. QUAKER RESEARCH IN PROGRESS By John and Barbara Curtis The editors are desirous of keeping this column up to date on any projects involving Quaker history. We try to keep informed in a variety of ways, but we depend largely on information sent to us directly by scholars, as well as data gained from contacts at the two Quaker Collections in the Philadelphia area: Haverford College Quaker Collection and Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College. Please write to John and Barbara Curtis, editors, Quaker Research in Progress, and send to 631 Walnut Lane, Haverford...