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.
...
================================================================
================================================================
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:
or
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
...
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NOTES ON THE CHILDREN OF JOHN WILSFORD
John Wilsford + Alice
| | |
John Wilsford + Rebecah Baker Mary Wilsford + James Moon Sarah Wilsford + William Croasdale
Births:
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 for Sarah Willsford
New Jersey > Burlington > Chesterfield > Monthly Meeting Minutes, 1659-1885
p.11
John Willsford’s Children.
John Willsford Son of John & Alice Willsford
was born the 19th: day of the 1st month 1666 at
neither Broughton in Leicestershire in Old England
Mary Wilsford daughter of said John & Alice
was born the 6th day of the 4th: month 1671
at the same place.
Sarah daughter of John & Alice was
born the 11th: day of the 9th: month 1673
at the same place.
...
p.11 A
Alice Willsford, Wife of John Willsford was buryed
the 31st: of the 1st month 1688
-----------------------
Marriages:
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 for Rebekah Baker
Pennsylvania > Bucks > Falls > Monthly Meeting Minutes, 1683-1730
At A monthly meeting At
The meeting House ye. 3.d. 2/mo 1695
...
John Wilsford of ye. Province of west Jersey and
Rebekah Baker having this day declared their
Intentions of taking each other in marriage
it being ye. first time.
...
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 for Sarah Wilsford
Pennsylvania > Bucks > Middletown > Monthly Meeting Minutes, 1664-1807
At our monthly meeting the 1st day of
5th month 1698.
...
4. William Croasdale signified his intentions of
taking Sarah Wilsford to wife and it being the
first time the meeting appointed Jeremiah Lang-
horne and William Hayhurst to inquire into his
clearness and make return there of to our next
monthly meeting.
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 for James Moon
Pennsylvania Bucks Falls Monthly Meeting Minutes, 1683-1730
At A Monthly Meeting at the
Meetinghouse ye 3d ye 1/mo 1696/7
...
[next page]
...
James moon Junr. Declared his Intention of
Taking Mary Wilsford To wife it being ye first
Time Joseph Kirkbride and Edward Lucas are
Appointed to make Inquiry into his Clearness
...
-----------------------
Births of grandchildren:
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 for Simon Moon
Pennsylvania > Bucks > Bucks Quarterly Meeting > Record of Births and Burials, Beginning in 1680
Births : 1698
...
John Son of James Moon Jur. & mary his }
wife Born ye 12th day of ye 9th month } 1698
...
Births 1699
...
Wilsford Crosdale ye. Son of Willm Cros:}
: dale & Sarah his wife Was Born : ye. 26th of 6th } 1699
...
Births : 1700
...
Simon ye. Son of James & Mary Moon }
Born ye. 11th Day of ye. 4th month } 1700
...
Thomas ye Son of James & mary moon }
Born ye 4th day of ye 6th month } 1701
Burials
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 for Wilsford Croasdale
Pennsylvania Philadelphia Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Arch Street Record of Certificates of Removal, 1682
Wilsford the son of William Croasdale and
Sarah his wife, was buried the 24th of 9th month 1700.
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