John Wilsford, Quaker writer

John Wilsford--a Quaker originally from Nether Broughton, Leicester County, England--lived in Burlington County, New Jersey in the 1690's. He is perhaps known primarily as an ancestor. His wife's name was Alice. Their three surviving children were John, Mary, and Sarah. In 1695 John married Rebecca Baker. He apparently died not long after. In 1697 Mary married James Moon of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, son of James and Joan Moon. In 1698 Sarah married William Croasdale. Sarah and William had one son who died as an infant. So probably all of today's descendants of John and Alice Wilsford are from the line of their daughter Mary Wilsford and James Moon.

Not so well known is the fact that during John Wilsford's time in England, he was one of the many Quakers who were persecuted for their faith. More importantly, he authored several important writings concerning the Quaker religion.

Below are some excerpts from sources which mention him. Note that his surname was also spelled Willsford and Wilford.

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http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=47304&strquery=Quaker

'Charles II, 1662: An Act for preventing the Mischeifs and Dangers that may

arise by certaine Persons called Quakers and others refusing to take lawfull

Oaths.', Statutes of the Realm: volume 5: 1628-80 (1819), pp. 350-351.

URL:

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=47304&strquery=Quaker

Date accessed: 28 September 2014.

...

Recital that Quakers have maintained that the taking an Oath is unlawful,

and refused to take Oath; and that they met together to the endangering the

public Peace.

Any Person maintaining such Doctrines, refusing to take lawful Oath; or by

printing, & maintaining such Doctrine; if such Persons depart from their

Habitations, and assemble to the Number of Five, &c; First Offence,

Penalty.; Second Offence, Penalty.; Distress.; If no Distress, or

Non-payment of Penalty.; Imprisonment for First Offence.; For Second

Offence.; Penalties how employed.; Third Offence, Abjuration of the Realm,

or Transportation.

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http://books.google.com/books?id=WkYtAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA944&dq=%22John+Willsford%22+%22Leicester%22

A Descriptive Catalogue of Friends' Books: Or Books Written by Members of

the Society of Friends, Commonly Called Quakers, from Their First Rise to

the Present Time, Interspersed with Critical Remarks, and Occasional

Biographical Notices ...

Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith, 1867 - Quakers

p.943

...

WILLSFORD, John, of Nether Broughton, in the Vale of Belvoir,

in Leicestershire.

----- The LYING SPIRIT and False Aspertions turned home again.

Or an Answer to two Reviling Letters about the Peoples

Right to Tythes, sent to the People call'd Quakers in the Vail

p.944

of Bellvier, by Clement Needham, a Presbyterian; who writes

himself A Farmer in the County of Leicester.---By J. W.

4to. Printed in the Year, 1673. 3 1/2

----- An EPISTLE to the whole Flock of God, to be read in their

Assemblies, or elsewhere. Let this be dispersed only among

Friends. (John Willsford.)

4to. No Printer's name or place. [1676.] 1

Written in " Leicester County Goal, the 14th day of the 10th Moneth,

1676.

----- A General TESTIMONY to the Everlasting Truth of God ; Partly

intended for the Inhabitants of Nether-Broughton, in the

County of Leicester. Wherein there is some short Relation

of the Manner of my Convincement; and also, some few of

the Sufferings which were inflicted upon me, by some of the

said Inhabitants, for my faithful Testimony, which I bare

for God and his blessed Truth, &c. &c.

4to. Printed in the Year, 1677. 2 1/2

"Written in Leicester County Goal, the 11th of the 11th month, An.

Dom. 1676."

----- A Few Words in Love to all those BISHOPS, PRIESTS, and

MAGISTRATES, and Others, who have a Hand in Persecuting

the INNOCENT, and yet look to be Excused, because, as they

think, they have Law for what they do, For them to Weigh

and Consider in the Fear of God, Aud then see How far

they will stand Justified in his Sight. John Willsford.

Broadside, 1680. 1

----- His Testimony concerning his dear Friend, Giles Barnardiston.

Written the 3rd day of the 12th month, 1680. ... ... 1681.

See TESTIMONIES.

He went to New Jersey, and there died, and was buried at Burlington,

the [sentence terminates abruptly]

...

P.710

TESTIMONIES,—continued.

...

----- The Life of Christ magnified in his Minister, or, certain

Testimonies thereof, relating to his faithful Servant, Giles

Barnardiston. "Who departed this Life the 11th day of

the 11th moneth, 1680. "Which were given forth severally by

Samuel Cater, William Bennet, John Furley, Thomas Bailes,

Jonathan Johnson, John Wilsford, Thomas Burr, John Corn-

well, Samuel Waldenfield, Edward Melsupp, Jacob Baker,

Benjamin Bangs, "William "Welch, Elizabctli Gibson, Hester

Melsupp, Mary Gridle, and George Whitehead. To be dis-

persed only amongst Friends and Friendly people.

London, Printed for John Bringhurst, Stationer, at the Sign

of the Book in Gracechurch street near Cornhill.

Small Svo. 1681. 4 1/4

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https://archive.org/details/collectionofsuff01bess

A Collection of the Sufferings of the People Called Quakers: For the

Testimony of a Good Conscience from the Time of Their Being First

Distinguished by that Name in the Year 1650 to the Time of the Act Commonly

Called the Act of Toleration Granted to Protestant Dissenters in the First

Year of the Reign of King William the Third and Queen Mary in the Year 1689,

Volume 1

Joseph Besse

L. Hinde, 1753 - Dissenters, Religious - 638 pages

p.330

...

CHAP. XXIII.

LEICESTERSHIRE and RUTLAND.

...

p.335

...

[Right margin: Sufferings for Meeting.]

ANNO 1668. On the 19th of the Month called April, Matthew Whatoff,

Thomas Burbridge, Richard Frank, William Pollard, John Whatoff, and William

Fawkes, taken at a Meeting, were fined five Marks each. In this Year also,

Patrick Levingston, a Scotchman, taken out of a Meeting at Syson, was com-

mitted to the County Bridewell at Leicester for six Months. John Wilford,

Thomas Hanson, Constance Blanchly, and Anne Ford, were taken at a Meeting

in Harby, and committed to Prison. John Wilford was again imprisoned four-

teen Days for a Meeting at his House : This was done by the Procurement

of the Priest of Nether-Broughton, who was heard to say, that Wilford would

soon be imprisoned the third Time, and, then banished. And to a Person who asked

him, What must become of the poor Man's Wife and Children ? the hard-hearted

Priest replied, Let them all perish together.

...

ANNO 1670.

...

p.336

[Left margin: A moving Case of J. Wilford, a poor Man.]

In this Year [i.e., 1670] many were fined for their religious Meetings by the Conventicle

Act, and had their Goods taken away by Distress to the Amount of 107 l. 19 s.

4 d. Among these was John Wilford, who was fined 20 l. for Preaching.

When the Officers came to seize what he had, for he was very poor, they

heard his Children crying, Father, will they take the Loaf ? This moved them

to Compassion, insomuch that they trembled and wept, and departed for that

Time : But shortly after returned and took away his Cow, the only One he

had, by which the poor Children were deprived of Milk, though not of Bread :

In short, all the Goods he had being insufficient to satisfy the Fine, the Officers

made Return of the Warrant, declaring upon Oath, that they had not left him

worth any Thing.

...

p.337

...

[Right margin: Cruel Persecution at Lon-Claxton.]

ANNO 1675. In this Year a Book was published, and presented to the

King and Parliament, intitled, The continued Cry of the Oppressed for Justice,

from which we have taken the following Certificate, viz.

" FOR a Meeting at Long-Claxton or Clawson, four Persons were sent to

" Prison, and so much Goods at divers Times taken from some of the

" laid Meeting, that they had not a Cow left to give the young Children

" Milk : Their very Bedclothes, working Tools, and wearing Clothes, escaped

" not the Violence or Avarice of the Persecutors , the total Sum amounted

" to above 236 l. Nor did this satisfy our Persecutors, for they cruelly drag-

" ged some Women in the Streets by the Necks, till they were near stifled,

" tearing the Clothes off their Heads and Backs. One Woman that gave

" suck was so beaten and bruised on her Breast, that it festered and broke,

" with which she hath endured many Weeks Misery and Torture : Another

" Woman of seventy five Years of Age was violently thrown down upon the

" Ground by one W. Guy Constable ; the Men were sorely beaten, drawn and

" dragged out of the Meeting, some by the Heels, some by the Hair of the

" Head, and some so bruised, that they were not able to follow their Day-

" Labour. Others they whipt in the Face till the Blood ran down. There

" was one they furiously trod upon, till the Blood gushed out of his

" Mouth and Nose. To complete the Matter, the Informers took away from

" one of the Prisoners his Purse and Money, as if he had not been a quiet

" Neighbour, but a Prisoner of War : Nor was this accidental, but Design :

" No short Fit of Cruelty upon an extraordinary Provocation, for at this

" bitter Rate have they treated them for several Months.

" Edward Hallum

" William Marriott

Witnesses, " John Wilford

" William Smith

" Richard Parker."

Hence the Reader may form a just Idea of the violent Manner in which

the Informers usually proceeded in breaking up and dispersing those Meetings,

the Particulars of which Abuses it would be scarce possible to enumerate.

...

P.339

ANNO 1680.

p.340

[Left margin: 1680. } Close Prisoners a long Time.]

There lay at this Time closely imprisoned in Leicester Goal, Samuel Harper

of Harborough, Daniel Fox of Thrussington, John Wilsford of Fenny-Stanton in

Huntingtonshire, Samuel Brown of Leicester Apothecary, John Elliott of Nor-

kilworth Husbandman, and John Johnson of the same Place Shepherd : The

five last mentioned had been Prisoners about four Years in November 1680, on

Writs de Excommunicato capiendo, having been prosecuted in the Ecclesiastical

Courts for not going to the publick Worship. For which Cause also Michael

Woodcock, Elizabeth Hill, William Bromston, John Stevenson, Henry Brown, John

Brooks, and William Webster, suffered Imprisonment.

...

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A mention of Percival Towle. (It is presumed here that this individual is the same Percival Towle of Burlington County, New Jersey, who mentioned John Wilsford in his will dated 26 October 1691.)

http://books.google.com/books?id=dqNAAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA393&lpg=PA393&dq=%22Percival+Towle%22

A Collection of the Sufferings of the People Called Quakers: For the

Testimony of a Good Conscience from the Time of Their Being First

Distinguished by that Name in the Year 1650 to the Time of the Act Commonly

Called the Act of Toleration Granted to Protestant Dissenters in the First

Year of the Reign of King William the Third and Queen Mary in the Year 1689,

Volume 1

Joseph Besse

L. Hinde, 1753 - Dissenters, Religious - 638 pages

p.361

CHAP. XXV.

LONDON and MIDDLESEX.

...

p.392

...

ANNO 1663.

...

p.393

...

[in right margin: Commissions of P. Towle.]

On the 22d of the Month called March, ...

A few Days after, Percival Towle, a Baker of Ratcliff, Was also committed

to Newgate for not pulling off his Hat as he passed by the Lord-Mayor and

Richard Brown in the Street.

...

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http://books.google.com/books?id=t5M5AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA22&lpg=PA22&dq=%22John+Wilsford%22

The Journal of the Friends' Historical Society, Volumes 6-7

Friends' historical society, London

Headley brothers, 1909 - Society of Friends

p.22

...

William Tompson's Legacy of £5 to John Wilsford6 was a well-timed gift. As

the eloquent Minister and leading controversialist of the Quarterly Meeting,

he had endured not only much imprisonment, but the utter stripping and

forfeiture of his all. His wife and little ones had fled for bread to her

friends in Hunts, whence he Went with them to found a safer home in America---

a loss to this Meeting, as he was an eminent gain there.

...

6 The home of John Wilsford (Willsford, Wilford) was Nether Broughton, in

the Vale of Belvoir. His writings included a reply to Clement Needham's two

letters written to vindicate the right of tithes, 1673; an epistle to

Friends from Leicester County Jail in 1676; a recital of his sufferings,

addressed to the inhabitants of Nether Broughton about the same date; and in

1680 he addressed "Bishops, Priests and Magistrates" on persecution. His

emigration to West Jersey took place about 1684. In 1691, he published "A

Brief Exhortation to all who profess the Truth." The date of his death does

not appear.

See The Friend (Phila.), vols. 28, 29; John Gratton, pp. 55, 408.

[ http://books.google.com/books?id=ee7Q3afAHsgC&pg=PA55&lpg=PA55&dq=%22John+Wilsford%27s

A Journal of the Life of that ancient servant of Christ, John Gratton

John GRATTON

Assigns of J. Sowle, 1720 - 432 pages

p.55

[1673]

Next Day I went to a Meeting at Broughton,

at John Wilsford's, where a Baptist got privately

to hear, who was reached, and confest to the

Truth of what I spoke, as John told me after-

wards.

...

p.408

AN

EPISTLE

TO

FRIENDS in Pennsylvania.

Truly Beloved Friends,

1693.

Mahlen Stacy, John Wilford, George Wood,

John Blunstors, Francis Davenport, Samuel

Jennings, Job Bunting, and all other Dear Friends

as if named, that live near you inwardly or out-

wardly, my sincere Love in the blessed Truth ten-

derly salutes you all, with your tender loving

Wives and Families, earnestly breathing to the

Lord the Fountain of living Waters for you, that

you may be kept and preserved living, faithful

and fruitful in the blessed Truth, in which alone

our Souls are made capable to rest with God, in

all times of Trouble, Praises to him for ever!

... ]

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http://books.google.com/books?id=wE09AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA405&dq=%22John+Wilford%22

The Friend, Volume 28

The Friend., 1855 - Society of Friends

p.405 [middle column]

...

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

Of Ministers and Elders, and other concerned members

of the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia.

...

JOHN WILFORD

John Wilford, or, (as it is often printed in old documents,) John

Wilsford, of Nether Broughton, in the vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire, was

convinced of the Truth, soon after George Fox was commissioned to go forth

and proclaim it throughout his native country. His marriage probably took

place as early as 1660, and a few years afterwards we find him labouring in

the ministry of the gospel.

What his occupation was we do not know, but we find that he soon had a

flock of children growing around him, and that he was able to earn but a

scant supply for their wants. In the year 1670, he was fined £20 for

preaching, and when the

p.405 [right column]

officers of the law came to seize his goods to satisfy the fine, they found

little upon his premises. His poor children, struck with sorrow at the

sight, and fearing that the bread which was to satisfy their hunger, would

be taken, began to cry out, " Father, will they take the loaf?" The scene

proved too much for the officers ; they were struck with compassion,

trembled and wept, and after a time without taking anything, departed. This,

however, would not pay the claim, and they returned, taking the cow, by

which the poor children lost their supply of milk. All the goods they could

find being insufficient to satisfy the claim, they made return of the

warrant, declaring on oath, "that they had not left him worth anything !"

In the year 1673, he came out first as an author. His book here for a

title " The lying spirit, and false aspersions turned home again." The book

was an Answer to a man, named Clement Needham, who had written two letters

vindicating tithes.

John argues in reply to his Presbyterian opponent, that all tithes were

done away in Christ; that the spirit which brought up tithes among those

called Christians, was not a right spirit; and that the impropriator had

less right to tithes than the poor had, or even the priest. He then adds a

few words of warning to those who send their sons to universities to be made

ministers of.

He concludes with the following letter to his antagonist :---

" C. Needham,---I find drawings in the bowels of love to write unto thee,

and desire thee to employ thy wisdom, strength and precious time in and for

the use and service of thy Creator, and against oppression that the poor

groan nnder even as the children of Israel did under Pharaoh's taskmasters.

Do not spend them in and for the use and service of the proud priests and

impropriators, the beast and false prophet, except thou art able to prove

they are of God, and their wages right according to His law, lest thou prove

a servant to the devil; for he is the root from whence all evil springs.

Thou canst not serve two masters.

If thou wilt persist in opposing the Truth, and the requirings of God's

Spirit in the hearts of his people, be it known unto thee, that New

Jerasalem which is coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride

adorned for her husband, (which thou writest against, and spendest thy

precious time to oppose,) will prove a burdensome stone too heavy for thee

to overturn.

Now it is in my heart to put thee in mind of thy unhandsome and

unchristian-like dealings towards us. First, the time thou didst send thy

letter to us, was when Friends of Clauson, where thou didst direct thy

letter, were under suffering and grievous threatenings by John Reay,

proprietor of the same town, whose envy was, and is, beyond the bounds of

Christianity. Here thou seemest to add affliction to the afliicted, and to

strengthen the hands of evil doers. Again, after thou hadst sent thy first

letter, I sent one in love to thee; for the end that thy understanding might

be opened to see the rise and ground of tithes, and what spirit brought them

up, hoping a word to the wise might have been sufiicient. Instead of

accepting my love, then vilified me with reviling words, as one that seemed

to have neither common sense nor reason, and said, 'Thou wast unwilling that

the nakedness of our pretence to Truth, should be exposed to censure through

the ignorance, folly, and confidence of so weak a defendant.' Here then

didst manifest thy pride, as if thou scorned to meddle with me; much like

Goliath, the Philistine, who defied Israel, and disdained David. Then (Thou)

brought forth another monstcr more odious than the first,-and

p.406 [left column]

we, being silent awhile, thou didst put them all in print; and for no other

end, as I can see, but to reader as odious to the whole nation, and to open

a gap for further persecution.

After thy many arguments, and pleading papist laws, thou drawest thy

conclusions,-' If ignorance will not, nothing else can excuse us before God,

or man, from being more criminal than common notorious thieves.' Further,

thou sayest, 'Malefactors do or may sulfer death by law for stealing things

of small account; but your robbery is of great value; and consequently the

laws are ver favourable towards you !' a sad consequence Were ever such

conclusions drawn against an innocent people? Truly, when I read them, I

could but say, there is a snare laid for our lives. It brought to my

remembrance the cruelty of New England persecutors. How just thy charge is,

I hope, is or will in due time be manifest.

From thy true friend,

JOHN WILFORD,

Who could be glad to see a persecuting Saul, become a preaching Paul."

Broughton, Eighth mo. 3, 1673.

He adds a postscript relative to the manner of treating his antagonist,

and desires the reader to "consider C. N.'s wicked charge and unhandsome

dealings towards me, and the rest of my Friends. Weigh them in the balance

of equity, and then see if I could do any less than I have done; or, whether

I have done any more than lay the load on the right horse. Further,

consider, that notwithstanding Christ Jesus so loved the world as that he

laid down his life for it, yet when the Jews rose up in envy against him, he

told them how they had killed the prophets, and stoned them that were sent

unto them. Mat. xxiii. Likewise, when the Jews rose up in envy against

Peter, he told them how they crucified and slew the Lord of life. Acts ii.

3,4. And Rev. xviii. 6, 7. 'Reward her, even as she rewarded you, double to

her double, according to her works.' Some may say, 'Art thou pleading for a

carnal weapon?' I answer, nay. The saints' weapons are not carnal, but

spiritual. The Lamb's sword proceedeth out of his mouth. If any have an ear

to hear, let him hear. Here is the wisdom and patience of saints. He that

killeth with the sword, must with the sword be killed. So I leave, desiring

every one to mind the light of Christ Jesus, which gives a true

understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom."

In the year 1675, John Wilford with others, were concerned in preparing a

book published with this title, "The continued cry of the oppressed for

justice; being a further account of the late unjust and cruel proceedings of

unreasonable men against the persons and estates of many of the people

called Quakers, only for their peaceable meeting to worship God." In this

work there is this certificate relative to the sufferings in Leicestershire.

" For a meeting at Long-Claxton or Clawson, four persons were sent to

prison, and so much goods at divers times taken from some of the said

meeting, that they had not a cow left to give the young children milk. Their

very bed-clothes, working tools, and wearing clothes, escaped not the

violence or avarice of the persecutors, who cruelly dragged some women in

the streets by their necks, till they were near stifled, tearing the clothes

off their heads and backs. One woman that gave suck was so beaten and

bruised on her breast, that it festered and broke, with which she hath

endured many weeks' misery and torture. Another woman, of seventy-five years

of age, was violently thrown down upon the ground by one

p.406 [middle column]

W. Guy, a constable. The men were sorely beaten, drawn and dragged out of

the meeting, some by the heels, some by the hair of the head, and some so

bruised, that. they were not able to follow their day labour. Others they

whipt on the face till the blood ran down. There was one they furiously trod

upon, till the blood gushed out of his mouth and nose. To complete the

matter, the informers took away from one of the prisoners his purse and

money, as if he had not been a quiet neighbour, but a prisoner of war. Nor

was this accidental, but design. No short fit of cruelty upon an

extraordinary provocation, for at this bitter rate have they treated them

for months.''

This certificate is signed by John Wilford and four of his neighbours,

and we can easily trace some of his own sufferings in the account, although

names are not given. In the year 1676, John Wilford again came forth into

print. His mind had been exercised for the well being of his Friends in

religious communion, and he addressed them in " an epistle to the whole

flock of God." Of this I have been unable to find a copy.

(To be continued.)

----------

...

p.413 [middle column]

JOHN WILFORD,

(Continued from page 406.)

In the year 1677, John Wilford published "A General Testimony to the

Everlasting Truth of God; artly intended for the inhabitants of Nether

Brougliton, in the county of Leicester." In 1680, he was again in print,

this time, with "A few words in love to all those bishops, priests,

magistrates and others, who have a hand in persecuting the innocent." This

last publication was doubtless written in prison, as we find that John

Wilford was, in that year, in the gaol of Leicester where he had been for a

considerable time.

Soon after, the year I have not discovered, John and his family removed

to West Jersey, and settled near Chesterfield. When about 1684, a meeting

was established for discipline at Chesterfield, John and two of his Friends

prepared the following introductory remarks to be placed in the first book

of minutes.

"It hath pleased the Mighty God and great Jehovah, in this last age,

after the great night of darkness and apostacy, which hath spread over

nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, since the glorious days in which the

apostles lived, by his outstretched arm, and by the word of his eternal

power, to gather a people who were weary of all dead forms, and outside

professions, into a waiting frame of Spirit; where we durst not think our

own thoughts, nor speak our own words, relating to his kingdom and way of

worship.

" Being thus brought down by the mighty power of God, we were the more

capable to receive counsel and instruction from him, who, through and by his

Son, Christ Jesus, the true light that lighteth every one that cometh into

the world, appeared in us, and taught us his way and worship, which is in

Spirit and in Truth. This he taught us while we were in Old England, our

native land, which, through the great mercy of the Lord, was in this latter

age the first of nations where the Lord appeared in so mighty a power and

bright shining glory, to the gathering of thousands into his fold, whereby

his people became a body, of which Christ is the Head.

" Then the Lord our God, as he did unto Paul and the elders of the

churches in the apostle's days, beget a godly care in the hearts of some of

his people, whom he had gathered and brought into a living sense of his work

in this day; and also of the mysterious working of the enemy of all good,

who, in all ages, as the Scriptures of Truth fully testify, laboured by his

subtlety and transforming, to draw the Lord's people into looseness and

disorder, that so the precious truth and pure way of the Lord might be

dishonoured, and his worthy name blasphemed; we say, the Lord hath set some

as watchmen upon the walls of Jerusalem, and hath laid a godly care and

necessity upon some of his people, that in all things the churches of Christ

may be kept sweet and clean; and that marriages and all other things

relating to the church affairs may be performed in the good order of the

gospel of peace. Therefore, in the wisdom and counsel of God, it was seen

meet that Firstday and weekly Meetings might be appointed and diligently

kept unto for edification, and the worshipping of God, and that Monthly,

Quarterly, and Yearly Meetings, might be appointed and diligently kept unto

by all such who are of an honest conversation, as becomes Truth, and hath

the weight of the Lord's work in these days, and the care of the churches

upon them, for the settling

p.413 [right column]

and ordering the affairs thereof; and to admonish and give advice unto such

as stand in need. And the Lord, by his providence and mighty power, hath

brought some of his people out of their native country, over the great deep,

into this wilderness, and remote part of the world, as West Jersey, and

places adjacent; where he hath laid the same weight and care upon some of

us, as he did in our native land,--that all things may be well among us to

the honour of his great and worthy name, which is the ground and end of the

following book.

JOHN WILFORD,

FRANCIS EVENPORT,

WILLIAM WATSON."

John afterwards added the following :---

"All dear Friends, both men and women,--When you come to meet about

business, as well as at other meetings, wait to feel the power of God, so

what you do in things relating to church affairs may be done in that power

which is over deceit and disorder. Then, if any should be so stubborn or

wilful as to oppose what you do, or resist your counsel or advice, they will

oppose and resist the power of God, which is the higher power, to which all

should be subject, both in themselves and in others in whom it appears;

which power will stand over all that is unruly and rebellious.

" And as to women's meetings, I certainly know they have a service for God

and his church, and the Lord's power doth often attend their assemblies in a

wonderful manner; and he hath made them, and will make such who keep in the

power of God, to answer the end for which they were created, viz., to'be

help-meets, as the woman was in the beginning, while she stood in God's

counsel; but when she lost that, and took counsel of the serpent, she became

hurtful to the man. So all should keep in the power of God, that so they may

receive counsel from Him. So will they be co-workers and fellow-labourers,

and help on in the work of the Lord; the older instructing the younger, as

the holy women did in the days of old. Dear Friends, in the love of God, are

these few lines written, and in the same I desire they may be received.

JOHN WILFORD."

" 1st of Tenth month, 1687."

To the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia, in 1688, John was a

representative, and was appointed one of them to draft the Epistle to

London. Early in 1689, with the unity of his Friends, John paid a religious

visit in New England. Returning about the middle of the year, he gave a very

satisfactory account to his Friends of the service he had been enabled to

perform, and of the openness he had met with. At the Yearly Meeting, Seventh

mo. 4th, that year, he was appointed one of a committee to draw up a paper,

" earnestly to incite the Quarterly Meetings to the keeping up a godly

discipline, and a tender inspection over the youth; and whatever other

particulars they shall find needful. They are also desired to draw an

Epistle to London, giving a salutation of love, and informing them of the

blessed presence of the Lord being with this meeting."

At the Meeting of Ministers, held First mo. 1st, 1690, John presented an

Epistle for its consideration, which he had prepared for general service. It

was read, approved and directed to be printed. A copy I have not been able

to find.** At the next Meeting of Ministers, held in the Fourth month, John

was appointed one of the committee to examine all writings of Friends

proposed to be printed.

**[Note regarding this epistle:

http://books.google.com/books?id=d09DAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA17&dq=%22Wilsford%22+%22epistle%22ACenturyof

Printing: The Issues of the Press in Pennsylvania,1685-1784, Volume1

Charles Swift Riché Hildeburn

Press of Matlack & Harvey,1885.

p.17

WILSFORD.(JOHN) An Epistle for General Service. Phila-

delphia: William Bradford. 1690. 25

For a notice of the author, see "The Friend," Vol. 28, pp. 405 et seq. This

Epistle was printed by order of the Philadelphia Meeting, but I have not been

able to find a copy.]

In the following year, he published the following :--

"A brief exhortation to all who profess the

p.414 [left column]

Truth, to come clear out of Babylon, and not join

with any hurtful or unseemly practice, nor make

marriages with unbelievers, but be a separate peo-

ple from every unclean thing, that God may re-

ceive you.

"My dear and Well-beloved Friends,--There is

or hath been a long time, a great travail and exer-

cise upon me for the prosperity of Sion, and the

tranquillity of new and heavenly Jerusalem, that

she may be the praise of the whole earth, and that

her spiritual government may spread over nations,

kindreds, tongues and people, where the Spirit

hath sat, which hath led people from God into

Babylon, which is confusion and disorder. What

shall I say ! My soul is grieved and pained within

me, when I take a view of the numberless hurtful

things that this Spirit hath led people into. That,

which on the other hand is comfort unto me, is,

that the Lord our God, in his unutterable loving

kindness, hath made bare his holy arm, and caused

his glorious light to shine in the hearts of many

thousands, discovering mystery Babylon, the mo-

ther of harlots and all abominations, in a great

measure. Praise be to his great name, forever.

Amen.

" Dear Friends, that which ought to be the

concern of all, to whom the Lord hath so largely

appeared, making us a kind of first fruits to him-

self in this latter age, is, to see that we come clear

out of Babylon; that we be not partakers with her

in any of her hurtful things, which have been

brought in, in the midnight of darkness and popery.

The cry is now, (the same as,) John heard many

years ago, ' Come out of her, my people,---partake

not of her sins, lest ye also partake of her plagues.

For strong is the Lord that judgeth her.'

"Now, dear Friends, her worship, in all her

finest dresses and names,under what profession

soever, ye that are come in the least measure al-

most to believe in the blessed light, I doubt not,

see over it, and cannot join with it. Yet bear with

me a little. There may be things that some may

stick in, or not so clearly see, as they should or

might do, if they well minded the light. We

read of some of old who had much good in them,

yet were short in some things. Some, in all ages,

have seen before others, for a time. Those who

were truly faithful to what they did know, not

regarding the friendship of the World, nor yet its

frown, had their understandings more and more

opened, and were made instrumental to convince,

to strengthen,and to confirm others.

" So, all dear Friends, dwell in the light, that

you may clearly see every little thing that is to

be denied, and the tendency of every spirit, prac-

tice or custom, that may be hurtful, either in our

day, or to succeeding generations. Christ told

his disciples, ' they were as a city set upon a hill,

which could not be hid, and the salt of the earth.'

The salt is to season that which otherwise would

be unsavoury. Oh! the Lord help all his people

well and truly to consider this weighty thing, that

in our commerce with all sorts of people, God's

pure witness may be reached in them, and every

appearance of evil, borne testimony against. The

Lord is about to make a clean separation; he will

not bear much longer, as he hath done in the time

of ignorance. Therefore, let us all see that we do

not uphold or countenance any vain custom or

practice that hath been brought up in the dark

night of apostacy, or that may be of an evil ten-

dency. Rather let us dwell alone in those things.

What if we be not reckoned among the nations, as

was prophesied of old. The prophet Isaiah, speak-

ing of gospel times,said, 'Depart ye, depart ye,

go ye out, touch no unclean thing, be ye clean that

bear the vessels of the Lord.' The apostle saith,

'Be ye separated, saith the Lord, and touch not

p.414 [middle column]

the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and I

will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my

sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.'

This is a precious promise. What if we be slighted

by the world, because we cannot join with them

in any excess of riot or evil custom ? The apostle

said, 'The friendship of this world is enmity with

God.' Hath not God put enmity between the two

seeds?--how then can they have affinity together,

though there may be commerce in things civil?

Let this be well minded in all our marriages. The

apostle said, ' Be not unequally yoked with unbe-

lievers. For what fellowship hath righteousness with

unrighteousness? and what concord hath Christ

with Beliel, or what part hath he that believeth

with an infidel?' Joshua said to Israel of old,

'If ye do in anywise go back and cleave unto the

remnant of these nations, and shall make marriages

with them, they shall be snares and traps unto

you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in

your eyes, until you perish from off the good land.'

Did not this come to pass? and had not we need

to take great care in this matter? Truly, I see

rather more need (in this country) than we had

in our native land. Many come to our meetings,

and will get a Friend by the hand, that know

little of Truth in their hearts. Therefore, it con-

cerns our Monthly Meetings to inspect well into

this matter, that we may not become a mixed peo-

ple, and the Lord be angry and spue us out.

Abraham commanded his servant 'not to take a

wife for his son Isaac of the daughters of the

Cananites, but of his kindred, and the like charge

Isaac gave Jacob.' When marriages with outward

kindred were forbidden, they were to marry with

such as kept the ordinances of God. Doth not

our Society stand in that which is heavenly and

spiritual, which may be called a spiritual kindred,

with whom we may, in the fear of God, join in

marriage? If any hasty marriage happen, when

a man or woman doth not stay a convenient time

after the decease of the husband or wife, Friends

should show their dislike, and not countenance

them at all, that we may be witness against all

unrighteousness of flesh and spirit. 'Know ye

not that the saints shall judge the world?' but if

we join with any uncomely action, it will judge

us."

(To be continued)

----------

http://books.google.com/books?id=f344AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA5&dq=%22John+Wilford%22

The Friend: A Religious and Literary Journal,Volume 29

John Richardson, 1856 - Society of Friends

Vol. xxix. no.1.seventh-day, ninth month 15, 1855. No. 1.

p.4 [right column]

...

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

Of Ministers and Elders, and other concerned members

of the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia

JOHN WILFORD.

(Continued from page 414.)

“Take heed of too much observing the custom

of making great feasts at weddings, or of joining

the world therein. Let all wait to be guided in

God's wisdom, that so all things may be done to

His honour ; for marriage is a weighty thing, and

ought to be solemnly performed in the fear of

God,---not in revelling and lightness, as many of

the world have done. Let no unseemly word or

action be once mentioned amongst any that pro-

fess the truth of God. Let all Friends take heed

of making, or joining with them that do make

appointed feasts some small time after a child is

born. I, with many of the Lord's people, have

seen much evil therein, and have been constrained

to hear our testimony against it. Yet let all be-

ware of covetousness in that and other things;

providing things honest in the sight of men. The

Apostle Paul said, ‘whatsoever things are true,

just, honest, pure, lovely, and of good report, if

there be any virtue, think on these things.’ They

should be minded in our marriages, births, and

burials, that all may be in a comely, solid order,

out of all extremes: so we shall overcome evil

with good, and leave a good pattern to posterity.

“ There is one thing more, which, for the sake

of our youth and a few others, I cannot well omit,

the observing the time called Christmas. This

the false Christians set up, as they did many other

days, called saints’ days. These, the Lord hath l

aid a holy constraint upon His people to bear

their testimony against, though some have not

been so clear as they should have been therein.

New Friends, this is that which God by his light

and spirit opened in my heart many years ago.

When they had in a great measure lost the saints’

life and Christ’s day within them, then in the

darkness they set up saints’ day and Christ’s day,

as they call it, without them,—at which times more

wickedness is acted than at other times. I could

say much about that and other things set up in

the night of darkness, but these things were of

weight upon me. This is the sense which God

hath given me,—that none who profess Truth

should make any show of observing these times,

either in apparel or provision, or going visiting,

or neglecting their usual business. Some may

object that they have known Friends appoint

meetings on that day, or about that time. I

answer, True, but for what end ? Has it been to ob-

serve the time? No such matter,—but to catch

people when they were idle,—and to labour to

bring them from the observation of days without

in vanity, to the day of Christ within. That they

may walk in the light of it, and be saved from

their sins.

“Written the 25th of the 1st month, 1691, by

your travailing brother, “JOHN WILFORD.

p.5 [left column]

“Postscript. There is another thing comes

afresh upon me, which I cannot well omit. It

seemeth an uncomely thing, and sheweth too little

love to the former wife or husband, for either man

or woman to be concerned or to keep company

with any in the way of marriage, too soon after the

wife or husband be dead, although they may stay

a year before they marry, yet if they keep compa-

ny, or be too soon concerned on account of mar-

riage, it is not of good savour. All who profess

the Truth should be good examples to them that

are without, that they, seeing our sober, solid, godly

conversation, coupled with fear, may have cause

to glorify God in our behalf, in the day of their

visitation."

In the same pamphlet containing the “Brief

Exhortation,” the following production of John

Wilford’s pen is inserted :—

“A short testimony for the good order of Truth,

as it is established and preached amongst the people

called Quakers ;” showing how by degrees the

Lord in His love led us into it. Written partly

for the opening the understanding of the weak

and honest hearted, and for convincing opposers

and gainsayers. '

“Dear Friends and People—When first the

Lord Almighty cast his eye of pity towards us,

we were a poor people, scattered upon the barren

mountains and parched heaths, where some of us

wandered from mountain to hill,—from one pro-

fession to another. We sought the living amongst

the dead, but found him not there; for he was

risen. Our rest, some in one profession and some

in another, was polluted, and we were troubled,—

being as sheep without a shepherd. Then we

cried unto the Lord, and sought secret places to

pour out our souls before Him, as well as we

could, crying for the holy guidings of His pure

spirit; for we were at a loss, and knew no bottom

to stand on. In this day of distress, which was

more than tongue can declare, the Lord in his un-

utterable loving kindness opened his way unto us,

and showed us, that we should wait in his light

and spirit within us, for that which was to be

known of God was manifest within. Then we

durst not give our own meanings to the Scriptures,

or other writings of holy men, but came to know

a time of true silence, for which my soul hath

great cause to praise the Lord. He showed me,

and many more, that we must wait upon him out

of our own thoughts, imaginations, or conceivings.

Then was judgment laid to the line, and right-

eousness to the plummet. Our sins were set in

order before us, and there was no help nor strength

left in us. Of ourselves we could do nothing but

lie down under the judgments of the Lord, and

abide the day of his coming, until judgment was

brought forth unto victory, and he was pleased to

reveal his own righteousness, and overshadow us

with his loving kindness, and cause us to drink of

the still waters of Shilo, making our hearts to be

glad, being overcome with his love. Then we

said, O Lord! show us more and more what thou

wouldst have us to do,—for thou hast won our

hearts, and overcome our souls, and we are given

up to do thy will, whatever it cost us. As we

continued waiting upon Him in His light and spirit,

our understanding was more and more opened,

and our numbers increased, the net was cast

into the sea, and gathered of every kind, for the

Lord made us fishers of men. Then he shewed

us that there was need of discipline and order

amongst us touching marriage, and many other

things. If any offended they should be dealt with

as Christ taught in the 18th Chapter of Matthew,

and as Paul said, ‘ warn them that are unruly,’—

and further, ‘ We command you brethren, withdraw

yourselves from every brother that walketh disor-

p.5 [middle column]

derly.’ Yet it was the mind of Christ, and also

of the apostle, that if a man was overtaken with

a fault, those that were spiritual should labour to

restore him in the spirit of meekness; and that

those who opposed themselves should be instructed,

that if God, peradventure, would give them re-

pentance, to the acknowledging the truth. As

we continued waiting upon the Lord, he led us by

degrees, according to our measures, into this way

and method, and we have laboured to instruct,

advise, and council one another. Though there

be diversities of gifts and operations, yet it is by

the same spirit that worketh all in all,—to the

edifying of the body of which Christ is the head;

to the end that there be no schism, but true unity

and harmony amongst all the members. Indeed

one member cannot suffer alone. It is the nature

of the body, if one member be out of joint, to en-

deavour to bring it in again. If it cannot be

gotten in, but becomes putrified, and in danger

of hurting or spoiling the whole body, the skilful

chirurgeon will advise to cut it off, rather than

the whole body should perish. This is not de-

lightful to the body, but sorrow and pain to lose

a member. It is seldom done until all the Friends

of a Monthly or Quarterly meeting, whereunto

such an offender belongs, are clear of him. It is

the labour, care, and desire of Friends, that if any

professing Truth, should be overtaken with a fault

by which Truth may suffer, that they may see it,

and repent and clear Truth themselves. Let not

any think it to be a light thing to be so stubborn

and rebellious as to cause the body or church of

Christ to disown them. Although the Papists

have assumed to themselves, for filthy lucre's

sake, that power which God never gave them, yet

there is much in Christ's words, who never spake

unadvisedly, when he saith of offenders, ‘If he

neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee

as a heathen man or a publican. Verily I say

unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall

be bound in heaven ; and whatsoever ye shall loose

on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. Again, I say

unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth

touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be

done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in

my name, there am I in the midst of them.’

These are weighty sayings of our Lord, and ought

to be well considered on all hands. Was it ever

known that any member prospered, being separated

from the living body whereunto it did belong.”

After some directions about marriage, he thus

concludes :— '

“All, dear Friends, who have the concerns of

Truth and the care of the church upon you, wait

to feel the living power of God in all your gather-

ings, and the mind of the Spirit, that all things

may be done in the wisdom of God, which is from

above,—pure, peaceable, and easy to be entreated,

to every good thing. All, both male and female,

wait to know your several services in the church.

The body is not one member, but many. The eye

cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee,—

nor the head to the foot, I have no need of thee;

but every member has its proper service. Though

the man is not without the woman, nor the woman

without the man in the Lord, yet they have their

particular service in the outward family, and in

the spiritual family, or church of Christ. Let

them that read, understand. Does not the good

woman take care that nothing be lacking in the

family? and are not good men one with them in

it! Oh ! dearly beloved Friends! my soul loves

you, and I desire that all may feel the unity of

the spirit, which is the bond of true and lasting

peace. The Devil is labouring to make divisions

all the world over, and can we expect to be free

p.5 [right column]

from his temptations? Therefore we had need

watch and pray, that we may be delivered from

evil, that we all may be as lively stones built up!

a spiritual house to offer spiritual sacrifices accept-

able to God by Jesus Christ, that we may show

forth the praises of Him who hath called us out

of darkness into his marvellous light. This is

the earnest desire and prayer of your friend, who

at the close of this epistle is filled with the love

of God to all the flock.

“Written 4th of Second mo. 1691.

“JOHN WILFORD.”

It appears that John Wilford saw the outward

tendency of some Friends before the full outbreak

of George Keith, and he was constrained to lift

up his voice against the spirit which was depart-

ing from and condemning Friends’ ancient testi-

monies. His faithfulness may have been blessed

to the saving of some from being carried away by

Keith, and he doubtless had peace in his labours,

although much spoken against and reviled. Caleb

Wheatley, who had been so far carried off as to

feel an obligation resting on him to make a public

acknowledgment, says :—“Long before George

Keith set up his separate meeting, my mind was

at times gone out of the pure fear of God into my

own reason and conceivings, and in that I took in

hand to judge of Friend's testimonies, and therein

speak evil of that which through God's goodness,

I now see I understood not—and particularly

against John Wilford, who often gave us warning

of what is now come to pass, telling us in the

power and demonstration of God’s pure spirit, that

if we went from the guidance of God's spirit unto

our own imaginations and huntings, to study God's

secrets, it would gender to strife and contention,

and we should be like heads and horns, pushing

and rushing one at another ; which is too appa-

rent.”

There is just such a spirit prevalent at the pre-

sent day! It commenced with great apparent

searching and investigating into religious things.

Human art with all its arguments has been at

work, with the aid of biblical commentators, in

making buildings of knowledge, reaching, it may

presume, heavenward. Pleased with their Babel-

like structure, which, as they have framed it all,

they think they understand, the architects begin

to scoff at the more spiritual testimony of their

fathers. One can see no use of enforcing the

doctrine of the Light of Christ and obedience

thereto, as of necessary consequence to salvation ;

another finds no necessity in keeping to sim-

plicity in marriages, burials, and in graveyards with-

out monuments; and others again, are prepared

for laying aside the plain garb and plain language,

regarding them as “stumbling blocks.” Caleb

Wheatley says of his connection with the Keith-

ites, “I had no true peace with them. I often

cried for life, when I could not feel it amongst

them, but instead thereof, sorrow and anguish of

soul. If I had kept to the guidance of God's pure

spirit, and the light of Christ in my own heart,—

which some of them in my hearing have under-

valued, saying, they thought I had known better

things, when I said I ought to believe in the light

within which reproveth for sin. I say, if I had

kept to this I had never joined with them.”

John Wilford was one of the Committee of the

Meeting of Ministers which prepared the testimony

against Keith. He lived to see the party which

that apostate carried with him, broken to pieces

and scattered in fragments into various societies.

He was a diligent attender of Yearly Meetings,

and in the year 1698 paid a religious visit

throughout New England. This is the last

notice we find of him. John Whiting, in his

Catalogue of Friends’ books printed in 1708, after

p.6 [left column]

enumerating sundry publications of John Wilford’s,

says, “He went to New Jersey, there died, and

was buried at Burlington.” He does not mention

the time of his decease, but it was near the com-

mencement of the last century.

(To be continued.) [sic - Apparently this is the conclusion of the biography of John Wilford/Wilsford.]

================================================================

Read to entire book The Lying Spirit by John Wilsford, printed in 1673:

https://books.google.com/books?id=dl2c9wfYZyMC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

or

https://books.google.com/books?id=dl2c9wfYZyMC&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=%22The+Lying+Spirit+and+False+Aspertions%22

The Lying Spirit and False Aspertions Turned Home Again. Or an Answer to Two Reviling Letters about the Peoples Right to Tythes ... by Clement Nedham, Etc

John WILSFORD

1673 - 27 pages

...

================================================================

NOTES ON THE CHILDREN OF JOHN WILSFORD

John Wilsford + Alice

| | |

John Wilsford + Rebecah Baker Mary Wilsford + James Moon Sarah Wilsford + William Croasdale

Births: