THE QUAKERS SETTLE IN IOWA, AT SALEM

Hardly had the wigwams of the Indians disappeared from the "Black Hawk Purchase" on the west bank of the Mississippi River, before the Quakers appeared. In the year of 1800, the Quakers of the Society of Friends of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia could be counted by the thousands. Ten years later they were nearly all gone. So bitter was their feelings towards the traffic in human slaves in these states, that they sold their lands and chattels at a great sacrifice and left these States never to return. They migrated northward into Western Ohio and Indiana.

In the summer of 1835, a heavy ox wagon covered with white canvas and laden with the necessities for a long journey might have been seen slowly winding its way out of the pine clad hills of the Carolina's. The occupants; Isaac Pidgeon, his wife and seven children, one of the few remaining Quaker families of that region having disposed of their plantation for $400 and were on their way to the home of his sister, who had married and moved to Rushville, Illinois. (One source says he left the Carolina's in 1831 and stayed at his sister's for four years.) Fifty-two days later he arrived at his sister's, left his wife and children and pushed on across the Mississippi to about thirty miles and camped on the banks of what is now Little Cedar Creek, about 1 1/2 miles south of the present town of Salem. Here he located his claim and after cutting and stacking some wild prairie grass for feed for his stock, he returned to Illinois for his family and livestock. Shortly after their arrival, in the fall of 1835, a son, Isaac Pidgeon, Jr. was born. This was the first white child born in Salem Twp. Henry County, Iowa Territory.

About the same time two travelers on horseback might have been seen winding their way westward from the Ft. Madison ferry boat, as Aaron Street and his daughter arrived from Indiana. Aaron Street is quoted as saying to his daughter at this time "Now have mine eyes beheld a country teeming with every good thing. Hither will I come with my flocks and my herds, with my children and my children's and our City shall be called Salem, for thus was the city of our Fathers, even near unto the sea coast." The Street family is said to have helped with the founding of Salem, New Jersey; Salem, Ohio; Salem, Indiana; and Salem, Illinois. Shortly afterwards Peter Boyer arrived from Indiana and together Street and Boyer laid off a town site on land staked out as claims by Street and Boyer. Having lost their surveyors chain on their trip out, they used a grapevine for a measuring rod, cutting notches in it for desired widths of the streets and alleys. They were so accurate that nearly 100 years later, an engineer used their original corners to check the street and frontages for the towns new paving. Aaron Street was the first post master and Peter Boyer had the first hotel. At first you had to travel 70 miles, to Illinois, for provisions and many privations had to be endured. Soon word of the new settlement reached Friends in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

In the fall of 1836, a party of men, on horse back, from Cherry Grove Monthly Meeting in Indiana came and checked out the land. On June 17, 1837, nine families; including the above men, arrived from Wayne County, Indiana. They included Reuben, Henry and Abram P. Joy; Dr. Gideon; Stephen, Lidia and Thomas Frazier; Thomas Cook and Levi Commack. They made the trip of over 300 miles in 37 days. They brought seven covered wagons and drove their livestock along.

Four weeks later came the four Hockett families: Steven; Steven Jr.; John and Harrison. In the fall came the Hammers, Beards, Hoskinses, Johnsons, Osborns, Garretsons, Thomases, Teases, Canadas, Lewellings, Wilsons, Jessups, Hiatts, Emerys, Hinshaws, MENDENHALLS, Cooks, Stantons and the Commons.

About the middle of the eighth month in 1837, a conference was held at Isaac Pidgeons home arranging for religious meetings. For 8-10 months they held weekly services at the house of Henry W. Joy. In September 1837 a committee traveled to Vermillion Monthly Meeting in Illinois requesting a Preparative Meeting, followed almost immediately by a request for monthly meeting status in Western Quarterly Meeting. Bloomfield, Indiana granted the request and "Salem Monthly Meeting of Friends, first opened and was held in Salem, Henry County, Iowa Territory on the 8th Day of the Tenth Month 1838." On the very day that the monthly meeting was established a committee was compose of Henderson Lewelling, Aaron Street, John Hockett and ENOS MENDENHALL to secure a house to hold meetings in. For eight months they rented Peter Boyer's home for $24.50 per year. A five acre lot was purchased for $25 in the 5th month 1839. A hewed - log meeting house with two rooms each 22 ft. square at the cost of $340 was erected and completed in the summer of 1839. The roof was covered with 3 ft. boards. Attendance ran about 300 people. A burying ground was added and enclosed with a rail fence. The graves were laid out in rows and a book was provided for the recording of the burials. This cemetery was later moved to the Friends and East Cemeteries. In the first month 1839, Stephen Hockett and Ruth Pidgeon proposed marriage - the first Quaker marriage west of the Mississippi.

Within a few years Quakers moved through Iowa. Salem set off Cedar Creek Preparative Meeting on October 28, 1841 and it is maintained to this day. In Minutes of Preparative Meeting, Book One, we note that John Hockett was named clerk of the Men Friends and Elizabeth Hinshaw was named Clerk of Women Friends. These preparative meeting continued for 14 years. Eight acres were bought from Stephen Hockett in 1842, for $3.00 per acre. $500 was raised for the building of the first meeting house. Seats were mostly of rough boards, supported at each end with blocks of wood. 10th month, 13th day 1855 the first monthly meeting was held at Cedar Creek. Stephen Hockett is head of the Mens Monthly Meeting and Peninah Trueblood is head of the Women's Monthly Meeting.

A hedge fence was set out in 1863. A new meeting house was finished in early 1876 costing $1,133. The old house and benches were sold for $63.04. The house of 1875 was rebuild, as at present, in 1914-15, with bathrooms added much later. (It was always fun to use the outdoor toilets, since we didn't have them at home.) The 1876 church was divided with men on the right and women and children on the left and they entered at two separate doors. The church is considered the oldest Quaker Church building in Iowa because the 1875-76 structure is in the middle of the present structure. (See pictures p 21d & 21e)

The Pastoral system was adopted in 1896. Tamar Maddock as the first paid pastor. John Coffin assistant. We read, "As such they to be given the head and timing of the meeting. We should give them the honest prayers and help and should give Tamar at least $500 in money."

In February 1841 an Indulged Meeting was opened at Pleasant Prairie (Pleasant Plain.) While these two were forming north of Salem, there were four new Quaker communities forming to the south and east called Pilot Grove, New Garden, East Grove and Chester Hill. All these prospered for a time but soon these Quakers moved on elsewhere and these meetings closed.

In 1843, a division in the church arose over the slavery question. While all Friends were opposed to slavery, a few took up active measures in the interest of slaves and in violation of existing laws. They established stations where runaway slaves were to be secreted until they could be forwarded to Canada by the 'underground railroad'. Large numbers of slaves fled their masters and were helped to Canada in that manner. A majority of the Friends Church thought it was wrong to violate the law in this way. As a result the active abolition members withdrew from the Meeting and erected a meeting house of their own. After the Civil War was over and the slavery question settled the ABOLITIONISTS returned to the original meeting and transferred their land and burying ground to the Meeting. The two cemeteries are separated from each other by a 2 ft. strip of land.

In 1846 a new brick meeting house 35' x 70' and two stories was built for a cost of $3,000. On May 20, 1848 a large and enthusiastic company assembled to attend the first Quarterly Meeting beyond the Mississippi. In 1867 the upper story became Whittier College and in 1874(75) the whole building was devoted to it. In 1885 the college burned to the ground and was rebuilt. But it struggled after that and the last Baccalaureate Degree was in 1899. In 1911 the Academy was closed. When Whittier College took over the brick building, a frame building 45' x 56' was erected in 1875 for the new meeting house at a cost of $2,500. It was divided into two rooms with outside doors to each. The men entered the door on the right and the women and children the door on the left. The men at services only removed their hats when all arose, and when addressing God in prayer. In conversation they addressed all as Thee and Thou. On April 5, 1879 the custom of sitting on opposite sides was discontinued. On February 27, 1912 this building burned. Shortly after a new site was purchased, closer in and that same year the present building was erected.

FACTS ABOUT IOWA YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDS

1838 First monthly meeting at Salem, Iowa formed.

1860 45 Friends meetings in 18 different counties and five Quarterly Meetings.

1866 7,652 members in Iowa Yearly Meeting.

1886 Yearly Meeting officially adopted a pastoral system.

From 1887-1890 for four years 7,430 conversions were reported in churches of Iowa Yearly Meeting. 2,595 added to the membership and during 1891-1896 there were 3,878 added to the membership.

1892 12,289 members in Iowa Yearly Meeting. (largest membership)

That number included:

Oregon Yearly Meeting, who set off in 1893 with 955 members.

California Yearly Meeting, who set off in 1895 with 1166 members.

Nebraska Yearly Meeting, who set off in 1908 with 1,679 members.

1896 17 Quarterly Meetings and 10,642 members, 80

Endeavor Societies with 3,195 men, 135 Sabbath schools with 5734 enrolled, 71 pastors and William Penn College with 270 students.

1963 46 churches left and 14 Quarterly meetings.

DATES YEARLY MEETINGS ESTABLISHED

1661 New England

1668 London

1672 Baltimore - called Maryland until 1774

1673 Virginia - discontinued 1884

1681 Philadelphia

1695 New York - includes meetings in New Jersey, Vermont and Connecticut.

1698 North Carolina - includes meetings in South Carolina and Georgia.

1813 Ohio

1821 Indiana

1858 Western - included western Indiana, Illinois and early Iowa.

1863 Iowa

1869 Canada

1872 Kansas

1891(2) Wilmington (Ohio)

1893 Oregon

1895 California

1908 Nebraska

YEARLY MEETING PARENTAGE

Yearly Meeting Established Year

Baltimore Ohio Yearly Meeting 1813

Ohio Indiana Yearly Meeting 1821

Indiana Western Yearly Meeting 1858

Indiana Iowa Yearly Meeting 1863

Indiana Kansas Yearly Meeting 1872

Indiana Wilmington Yearly Meeting 1891

Iowa Oregon Yearly Meeting 1893

Iowa California Yearly Meeting 1895

Iowa Nebraska Yearly Meeting 1908

THE NUMBER OF QUAKERS IN THE WORLD IN 1982

The following statistics from the Friends World Committee for Consultation are approximate, for changes are occurring constantly. These figures are given for the purpose of furnishing some idea of the numbers of Friends in the world.

It has been estimated that Friends represent less than .8 of one percent of the population of the United States, and only .007 percent of the world's population ... .

AFRICA (42,488)

Burundi 2,200

East Africa includes Kenya 40,000

Pemba 140

Southern Africa 148

THE AMERICANS (132,102)

United States 114,440

Bolivia and Peru 12,000

Canada 1,086

Central America 3,500

Colombia, Costa Rica 66

Cuba 300

Jamaica 450

Mexico 230

DATES YEARLY MEETINGS ESTABLISHED and THE NUMBER OF QUAKERS IN THE WORLD IN 1982 are based on Appendix D and Appendix E found in THE CAROLINA QUAKER EXPERIENCE , 1665-1985 copyrighted by Seth B. Hinshaw and used by his permission.

I would guess that one out of every ten Americans has some distant Quaker ancestry, with the Carolinas, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas areas reaching up to one out of every four and most of these people don't even know it. I hope that the above material gives you some perspective on the role of the Quakers in our world from the past and into the future.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS-1830 til 1901

Haverford, PA Haverford College 1833

Greensboro, N.C. Guilford College 1834

Richmond, IN Earlham College 1847

Swarthmore, PA Swarthmore College 1864

Wilmington, OH Wilmington College 1870

Oskaloosa, IA William Penn College 1873

Newberg, OR George Fox College 1891

Canton, OH Malone College 1892

Wichita, KS Friends University 1898

Whittier, CA Whittier College 1901

From Frontierwomen - The Iowa Experience by Glenda Riley, copyright 1981, there are some interesting facts. Iowa's population was 43,112 in 1840 and shot up to 192,214 in 1850 and up to 674,913 in 1860 and to 1,194,029 in 1870. Iowa's expansion was also clearly illustrated in terms of people per square mile. Using 55,475 square miles as a base figure for Iowa, the number of people per square mile jumped from .8 in 1840 to 12.2 by 1860. The Iowa pioneer period formally ended in 1870 when the United States Bureau of the Census declared the Iowa frontier closed.

The first white settlers in Iowa was probably Moses Stillwell and his wife Maria, who were illegal squatters near Keokuk in 1828, on government owned land. In 1829 Dr. Issac Galland and his wife, Hannah Galland, moved into the same area and she shortly had a daughter. Tradition has it that it was the first white child to be born in Iowa. In 1930 Dr. Isaac Galland erected the first school house in Iowa in an Indian Village occupying the site of the present day Montrose, in Lee Co.

Early settlers found Iowa to be very different from the eastern United States. In eastern United States wood was very plentiful. In eastern Iowa they still found enough wood for homes, barns, fences and fuel. In Tippecanoe and Salem Townships, many people owned ca 10 acres of non - farm land, often along a creek, that was used just for the harvesting of wood. The Trueblood's and Maxwell's did. In some portions of eastern and central Iowa, there was only enough wood to construct buildings, so they had to burn prairie hay, corn cobs and etc., for fuel. In the Northwestern portion of Iowa there wasn't even enough wood for buildings, thus the sod house or the house dug into the side of a hill.

Not until after 1832 when the Black Hawk Purchase Treaty removed the Sauk and Mesquakies from a section of eastern Iowa and Iowa became a territory in 1838, did Iowa begin to quickly fill up with settlers.

From Prairie to Corn Belt, Bogue, p 23-24 "The 'typical' pioneer ... ,was apparently, a married man between the ages of twenty-five and forty-five who had started his family before he moved to the ... Iowa frontier."

If you look at our relatives who came to Iowa it would prove this to basically a true statement, except our men were older, with an average age of 45.5 years. For some it was the end of the trail and for some it was a stop of a few years then on to Kansas, Colorado and etc.

OUR RELATIVES WHO CAME TO IOWA

NAME AGE # WHO CAME STAYED MOVED ON

Matthew Trueblood 32 5 Son Wm. D. stayed and Matthew to Kansas

William Draper 60 3 died Oskaloosa, IA

Jacob Maxwell 48 10 YES

Enos Mendenhall 55 5 YES

Benjamin Bogue 40 10 Son Joseph til 1896 then to Kansas and Colo.

David Roberds 24 4 returned to IN and back to Iowa and stayed.

William Trueblood 60 5+ YES

To refresh your mind the Mendenhall's came in 1837, the Maxwell's in 1840, the Roberd's in ca 1841, and back ca 1860. The William Trueblood's came in 1847, the Matthew Trueblood's in 1850, the Bogue's in 1841 and back in 1851. The Draper's came last, in 1854.

Cedar Creek Homecoming; Brief history of Church October 14, 1956 article

The history of Friends goes back more than three centuries to the founder of the Society of Friends George Fox of England, from his words: "I found Peace when I heard a voice which said, There is one even Christ Jesus that can speak to thy condition. When I heard it my heart did leap for joy."

"We believe in God the creator of all things and in Jesus Christ His beloved; and only begotten Son In whom we have redemption through the blood, even the forgiveness of sins, for which that he was crucified for us; rose the third day, and that he ascended into heaven, and now sitteth at the right hand of God."

Friends are known by their missionary spirit. No suffering, or sacrifice is too great to be endured, for spreading the gospel to many parts of the world.

The first Quakers or Friends as there were called landed on the shores of New England July 11th, 1656. Their story like others was one of persecutions, progress and pioneering. Many left slave states for free territory, as slavery advanced. Some went from North Carolina into Indiana and Ohio, then into Iowa. Friends always have been concerned for the people of color. The Indians and the freed-man.

The first settlers came to Salem in 1835. Most every school child has heard or read of the underground Railroad Stations. Salem, Iowa was one in the 1860's. Several of the older homes still show evidence of such. Custom: The chief outward feature of the Quaker (as they were called in derision) was their dress and address. Men's broad brimmed hats and ladies scuttle bonnets were a protest against the extravagance, pomp and cast of society, for the dressing of fine lady was more complicated than rigging a ship of war."

The men at services, only removed their hats when all arose when addressing God in prayer. In conversation they addressed all as thee and thou.

What a quaint picture this would be today: A large two roomed house with raised seats in the back and high gallery in front. Men with their broad-brimmed hats, sitting on one side, with low partition between. And the ladies with their plain silk scuttle bonnets on the other side. A Holy hush fell over them at times.

No one was noisy or rude within those walls. Meetings were mostly in silence, and were dismissed by the one who sat at head of the meeting by shaking the hand of the one next to him, and how the children used to watch for the first move in that direction.

We find principles back of these. With all their seeming peculiarities, which as victories were won, they lost their meaning and were gradually discontinued. But the real message and principles are just the same today.

At Cedar Creek on Thursday October 28, 1841, a preparative meeting for business was opened. (Note: The first meeting set off from Salem was Cedar Creek M.M. January 1841.) Early in 1842, a committee was appointed to consider the amount of land needed for school lot, meeting place and burying grounds. Eight acres were bought at three dollars per acre from Stephen Hockett and he gave two acres, four rods square included with a common rail fence. (Hedge row set out in 1863) Spades to harness leather were bought at a cost of $2.50. Enoch Beard and John A. Hinshaw were named as caretakers. $500.00 was raised by the ration of apportionment for the building of the first meeting house. Seats mostly were of rough boards, supported at each end with blocks of wood. A new meeting house was finished in early 1876 at a cost of $1,133. The old house and benches were sold for $63.04. The house of 1875 was rebuilt as at present in 1914.

In 1906 one and one half acres was bought of Manly Mendenhall for $112.50 as an addition to the cemetery. And in 1944 the late Charlie Cooper gave an addition of ground 15 feet wide by twenty rods long. A graveled roadway was made through the cemetery.

In the early history there are found such familiar names as: Brown, Winslow, Beard, Trueblood, Jay, Frazier, Maxwell, Hockett and others. We might say, they cleared the way, these heroes, for the march of future years, the march was civilization, and they were its pioneers.

The oldest, closest relative living today of these pioneers is the grand-daughter of Enoch Beard Mrs Cora Livix of Mt. Pleasant.

The pastoral system was adopted in 1896. Tamar Maddock as first paid pastor: John Coffin, assistant. We read - "As such they to be given the head and timing of the meeting. We should give them our earnest prayers and help and should give Tamar at least $50.00 in money."

Other pastors. Bessie Ferguson, Anna and Melvin Smith, Fred and Effie Comfort,, Bessie (Ferguson) Collins, Alvin Barrett, Bessie F. Collins, Samuel Jackson, Allen and Izette Reynolds, Thomas Brown, Frank Conover, Dean Buster, George B. Evans, Bessie F. Collins, Charles Pearson, Esther Figgins, Linwood Johnson, Esther Woodward and Ardeth Anderson present pastor.

Cedar Creek Friends church will observe their 115 year by welcoming you to a Home Coming Sunday October 14. Basket dinner will follow the morning service. In the afternoon program will be a Home Coming message by Dr. Earnest A. Mathews of Mt. Pleasant.

Lois (Trueblood) Hallowell's notes for Homecoming speech

115 years on February 11, 1956

Brief sketch of the History of Cedar Creek Meeting

Cedar Creek Friends school house stood on this corner on land owned by Stephen Hockett, later bought by C.C. Meeting. Date of first settlement not known but soon after 1835. lower settlement part of Salem Mo. Mtg. An Indulged Meeting for Worship on first and 5th days was opened here Feb 11, 1841, under the care of a committee. On October 28, 1841 a Preparative Meeting was opened for business but still a part of Salem Mo. Mtg. Cedar Creek Mo Mtg. was established October 13, 1855. 101 years yesterday.

The meeting was held in the school house for a few years and then a Meeting House was built down near the cemetery. The District school system developed so the Mo. Mtg school was discontinued and the School house was sold in 1863. Early in 1876 the new Meeting House was finished - the main part of this House. In 1914 - remodeled as at present.

1st day Scripture School was opened - for summers in 1856 and in 1873 for 12 mo. Oak Ridge and West Grove Mtgs were set up by C.C. In 1872, we find 269 members recorded.

HISTORY

More than 3 centuries ago - George Fox founder of Society of Friends was born in 1624. His parents were upright and religious people so his training must have been the best at that time but he became troubled is Spirit over what he believed to be the inherent Sin within him. At 19 he left home and wandered from place to place in search of soul rest. He sought counsel of Priests and religious people of England. One priest bade him take tobacco and sing psalms. This continued for more than a year until he came to the point where his confidence in Priests and faith in men were gone, had nothing outwardly to help him. We quote him, "Then, O then I heard a voice which Said, 'There is one even Christ Jesus that can speak to thy condition', when I heard it my heart did leap for joy." So much of interest but briefly from George Fox's pen "We believe in God the creator of all things and in Jesus Christ his beloved and only begotten Son, in Whom we have redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of Sins, that he was crucified for us, rose the 3rd. day and that he ascended up into Heaven and now sitteth at the right hand of God."

They were the friends of truth or seekers after truth. They believed in the absolute equality of man. No sacrifice was too great to be endured for the sake of the spread of the truth. Definite principles back of the seeming peculiarities which as victories were won, lost their meaning and were gradually discontinued but the real message and principles of Quakerism are just the same today as 300 years ago.

Quakers or Friends first reached the shores of New England in 1656 their story is one of persecution, progress and pioneering. Many left Slave states for free territory as slavery advanced. Some went from North Carolina into Ind. and Ohio and on to Iowa.

The Pastoral System was adopted in 1896. Tamar Maddock first pastor, John Coffin assistant. Bessie Ferguson came September 1900.

Skits Lois (Trueblood) Hallowell wrote

10 Mo. 28th 1841: Minutes of Preparative Meeting (Book 1)

We note from further minutes that John Hockett was named clerk of the Men Friends and Elizabeth Hinshaw was named Clerk of Women Friends. These preparative meetings continued for 14 yrs. We will attempt as best we can to re-produce 3 scenes from the early history of Cedar Creek. Our information has been secured by an intensive study of record books.

Time passes - 14 years to 10th m. 13th, 1855 which is the date of the first monthly meeting at Cedar Creek. Imagine, if you will please, this scene on the platform as representing 2 rooms. A partition runs throu' the middle separating the Men Friends from the Women Friends. The Monthly Mtg. including the Men and the Monthly Mtg. of Women Friends were held simultaneously. But today we will look in first on the Monthly Mtg. of Men Friends. Listen closely, perhaps you will hear the names of some of your ancestors called. Stephen Hockett is head of the mtg. (skit) And now we will look in on the Womens Mtg. Peninah Trueblood is head of the mtg. (skit)

We now turn back the pages of history a few years to 1846. In that year occurred probably the first marriage to be accomplished at Cedar Creek. We bring you some extracts from the Minutes of Salem Monthly Mtg. of Friends of which Cedar Creek was then a part. "Salem Monthly Mtg. of Friends held 4th mo 18th 1846. Charles Maxwell and Pamela Mendenhall propose marriage with each other having consent of parents. David Wilson and Reuben Dorland were appointed to inquire into his clearness of like engagements with others and report to next meeting." We also note from minutes of Womens Mtg. that Rachel Hockett and Betsy Hockett were appointed to inquire into her clearness of like engagements with others.

"5th mo. 23rd 1846 The Friends appointed at our last meeting in the case of Charles Maxwell proceeding in marriage with Pamela Mendenhall report they did not find any obstruction, but since they have not appeared in person at this meeting, the case is deferred to our next meeting." We also note the Women's Friends made a similar report.

"6th mo. 27th 1846 Charles Maxwell and Pamela Mendenhall appeared in this meeting and expressed a continuation of their intentions of marriage with each other and are therefore left at liberty to accomplish the same according to friends rules. Jonathan Langdston and Eli Lewis are appointed to attend said marriage, see that good order is observed, hand the marriage certificate top the recorder and report to the next mtg." An extract from Womens Mtg states "Rachel Hockett and Betsy Hockett are appointed to attend the marriage and see that good order is observed and report to next meeting."

We now take you in memory to a meeting for worship held at Cedar Creek on a 5th. day in July 1846. The men and women always met together for their Worship meetings. It is nearing the time to close the meeting. There may be a little stir of expectancy because a marriage is to be consummated. Acting in the parts are the great, great grandson (Keith T. Hallowell) and the great grand daughter (Beatrice Maxwell) the contracting Friends.

The man first "In the presence of the Lord, and before this assembly, I take Pamela Mendenhall to be my wife, promising, with divine assistance, to be unto her a loving and faithful husband, until death shall separate us." (I do not have the rest of the ceremony)