Memoirs...

Front matter

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Preface

The memoir of my dear father was begun, as he tells us, with the view of leaving it as a legacy to his children, but in his latter years, he was willing that the experience of his long and eventful life, should be used in any way to promote the "Cause of Truth."

A few judicious friends have carefully read the manuscript left

by him, and they encourage me in the belief that the instructive

matter it contains is worthy of publication, and will be valued,

especially by those who knew and loved him.

C.J.

Lincoln , Loudoun Co., Va., jd Mo* ist, i88i<

<^ 6

Chapter I

Birth and parentage — Some account of his ancestors — Death of his mother — Early religious impressions — Reading the Scriptures — Removal to Fairfax — Goes into his uncle's counting-house in Alexandria — Self-improvement — Reflections upon the Classics. Page I.

Chapter II

Edward Stabler and Dr. Dick — Teaches in a Presbyterian Sabbathschool — Establishes with others a First-day school for colored people — Religious exercises. 1820. Page 9.

Chapter III

Attends a Methodist class-meeting with William Lamphier — Reflections thereon — Receives a prize for his poem " The Country School- House" — Correspondence with George P. Morris — Becomes a contributor to the New York Mirror — Religious controversy in the Society of Friends — A sermon by Margaret Judge — Death of Rachel Ellicott — Poem on Affliction. 1824-25. Page 13.

Chapter IV

Co-partnership with Dr. Bond — Marriage — Bridal tour — Poem upon Lake George — Labors for the Colored people — Formation of a Benevolent Society — Joins a Colonization Society — Petition to Congress for the Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia — Illness and visit to the Red Sulphur Springs — Poem. 1825 to 1829.

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter V

Again visits Red Sulphur Springs — His health much improved — Removal to Occoquan — Visit from Daniel Quinby — He accompanies him as far as Richmond and Petersburg — Death of a little daughter — Publishes a letter on Christian doctrine — His first appearance in the ministry — Reflections upon the ministry — Indulged meeting granted at Occoquan — Writes "Conversations on Religious Subjects " — Joins George Truman in a religious visit to the meetings of Fairfax Quarter — Goes as companion for George Truman to visit the families of Friends of Baltimore — Visits Dunning' s Creek with a Yearly Meeting committee — Attends New York Yearly Meeting. i829-'35. Page 37.

Chapter VI

Publishes a volume of Poems — Business at Occoquan proves unsuccessful — Removes to Loudoun Co., Va., where he opens a Boarding School. 1839. Page 49.

CHAPTER VI L

He travels in some of the counties of Virginia, on a religious visit — Death of his father. 1841-42. Page 52.

Chapter VIII

Visits some meetings within the limits of Indiana Yearly meeting — Endeavors to heal dissensions there —Writes an Epistle to Friends in the State of Ohio. 1844. Page 58.

Chapter IX

He writes a series of articles upon Slavery — Letters to George Truman and Issac T. Hopper — Letter to his uncle, Phineas Janney — Attends the Quarterly Meeting at Red Stone, in Pennsylvania — Enters into a canvass for free schools in Virginia — Goes to Richmond as delegate to an Educational Convention — Letter to a Slaveholder. i&14-'46. Page 86.

CONTENTS. Vll

Chapter X

Attends Ohio Yearly Meeting — Answer to Wm. A. Smith's Defence of Slavery — The Grand Jury indicts him for it — He defends himself and is cleared. 1849-50. Page 96.

Chapter XI

S. S. Randall suggests his writing the Life of Penn — Two letters

from him on the subject — Engaged in the work — Visits his friend

■ S. S. Randall, who assists him in revisir^ his book. i850-'5l.

Chapter XII

He obtains a minute to attend Philadelphia, New York and Genesee Yearly Meetings, with some of the meetings composing them — Some account of his religious exercises while on this journey — Proposition brought to Yearly Meeting for an equitable division of property held by our branch of the Society — Not then carried, but adopted in 1864 — Hopes entertained of a more cordial feeling between the two branches — Accepts an invitation to visit Thomas Evans of Philadelphia, who expressed himself satisfied with the Life of Penn — At his request adds some doctrinal matter in the next edition — Letters to Caleb Carmalt — Letters to S. S. Randall and Jane Johnson on the Life of Geo. Fox. • 1 85 1. Page in.

Chapter XIII

Attends Philadelphia and New York Yearly Meetings, and some Meetings belonging to them — Interviews with Richard Mott and Stephen Grellet — Letter to Dillwyn Parrish. 1854. Page 130.

Chapter XIV

Receives a minute to attend Ohio and Indiana Yearly Meetings, and to appoint and attend some meetings within their limits — Is taken with a hemorrhage from the lungs in Illinois — Attends meetings in

Vlll CONTENTS.

much weakness — Reflections upon the state of the Society of Friends in the West — Salutations from London Yearly meeting read at the Representative Committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting — A reply to it by him and some others — Some account of the life and death of his son John. 1857. Page 153.

Chapter XV

Visit to Warrington and other Meetings belonging to that Quarter- Attends Philadelphia and New York Yearly Meetings, and some Meetings composing them — Journey to Eastern Shore of Maryland. 1859-60. Page 172.

Chapter XVI

Goes to Philadelphia to attend to the publication of History of Friends — Civil war begins — County occupied with Southern troops — Battle of Ball's Bluff — Goes through the lines to attend Baltimore Yearly Meeting— Is arrested when he returns — Interview with General Evans — After four days' detention is released — Occupation of Waterford Meeting House by Southern troops — Attends Quarterly Meeting at Sandy Spring and other meetings — Tribute to Miriam Gover — Goes with a committee to visit some of the subordinate meetings of Baltimore Yearly Meeting — Death of a sister — Visit to Philadelphia and New York Yearly Meetings — Passage from Extracts of Baltimore Yearly Meeting — Engaged in writing third and fourth volumes of History of Friends. 1861-63. P a £ e 1 ^»

Chapter XVII

With a committee, visits Friends in Iowa who have applied for the privilege of holding a Quarterly Meeting. 1864. Page 209.

Chapter XVIII

Citizens of Loudoun arrested by Union troops — Goes to Washington to procure their release — Interview with General Sheridan and other military commanders— Part of the prisoners liberated on pa-

CONTENTS. IX

role, others kept as hostages for exchange — Attends Baltimore Yearly Meeting — Again lays before the meeting his concern that an equitable share of the property shall be offered the Orthodox Friends, which was united with — An extract from the minutes of the meeting— Goes to Philadelphia— A serious accident on the train— General Sheridan's raid in Loudoun — Much distress there — Help solicited from the North, which is cheerfully given — Closing of the war— Death of President Lincoln. 1864-' 65. Page 218.

Chapter XIX

With a Minute of Concurrence, with his brother, Asa M. Janney, as companion, attends the Yearly Meetings of Philadelphia, New York and Genesee, and some of the Meetings composing them. 1868. Page 236.

Chapter XX

Reflections upon his sixty-ninth birth-day — Meets the Committee on Indian Concerns, in Baltimore — A proposition before them from General Grant, that they should take charge of some of the Western Indians — They accept the charge — Part of the Indian committee wait on the Secretary of the Interior and Commissioner of Indian Affairs — Meets the Indian committee in Baltimore, where his name is proposed for Superintendent of Indian Affairs — Accepts the appointment — Makes preparations for a long absence from home. 1869. Page 249.

Chapter XXI

Arrives in Omaha — Names of Agents — Meets with a cordial welcome — Holds a Public Meeting — Visits the Winnebago and Omaha Agencies — The hardships the Winnebagoes had met with from the Government — Writes a petition to the Government for the reimbursement of a large sum of money — Congress refunds it — The first Council — The allotment of land in severalty discussed and agreed to — Addresses them on Religion and Morality — Goes to the Omaha Agency, where the same subjects are discussed in Council with the Chiefs. i869- , 7i. Page 254.

X CONTENTS.

Chapter XXII

Some account of the Pawnee Tribe — They are suspected of the murder of a white .man — The Superintendent holds a council with the chiefs on the subject — Four Indians are delivered up and taken to Omaha — Their trial— After twenty-two months' imprisonment they are admitted to bail — The chiefs and Superintendent and Agent become responsible for them — Superintendent visits some of the Agencies with a deputation of Friends — Congress appropriates $30,000 for Indian civilization — Letter to a convention of Friends held in Philadelphia — Letter to Benjamin Hailowell — Letter to Commissioner of Indian Affairs. 1870. Page 264.

Chapter XXIII

Letter to a Joint Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs — Resigns his position — Letter from W. H. Macy relating to it — Barclay White is appointed as his successor — He is taken sick with intermittent fever— Returns to his home in Virginia. 187 1. Page 281.

Chapter XXIV

Attends Ohio Yearly Meeting with James M. Walker as companion —

•They visit some meetings belonging to it — Attends Indiana Yearly

Meeting. 1873. Page 288.

Chapter XXV. 1875-80

Goes as one of a committee to attend the opening of Illinois Yearly Meeting— Fiftieth anniversary of his marriage — Verses by T. M. J. — Attends the Yearly Meetings of Philadelphia and New York — Visits the Centennial Exposition — Attends Warrington Quarterly Meeting and the meetings composing it — Death of A. M. Janney — Reflections upon his seventy-seventh birth-day — Goes to Washington on Indian affairs — Attends Philadelphia and New York Yearly Meetings — His closing record — Attends Waterford Quarterly Meeting — Attends the opening of the new meeting-house at Washington — Illness and death — Extracts from memorial prepared by Friends. 1874-80. Page 298.

Memoirs of Samuel M. Janney.

Chapter I

Birth and parentage — Some account of his ancestors — Death of his mother — Early religious impressions — Reading the Scriptures — Removal to Fairfax — Goes into his uncle's counting-house in Alexandria — Self-improvement — Reflections upon the Classics.

It has often been to my mind a subject of serious consideration, whether it would not be right to leave behind me some account of my life and religious experience, for the benefit of survivors.

At an early period I kept a diary, in which I wrote occasionally, as a remembrancer for my own use, and I have some memorandums "relating to several of my journeys in the gospel ministry. But I have been prevented from keeping a regular journal of my life ; partly by the apprehension that I could write nothing on the subject worthy of preservation, and partly by the pressure of other engagements.

It has, however, occurred to me, that I have experienced many preservations and deliverances, for which I am indebted to the unmerited mercy of my Heavenly Father, and that some account of these, together with the most interesting incidents of my life, might be an acceptable legacy to my children.

2 Memoirs of Samue? M. Janney.

Being now in my fifty-seventh year, I am admonished, by the approach of old age, that this work, if ever done rightly, must be commenced soon, and prosecuted at such intervals of leisure as I may be able to appropriate to this purpose.

I was born in Loudon county, Virginia, the nth of ist month, 1 80 1 ; being the eldest child of Abijah and Jane Janney, who were members of the religious Society of Friends, and much esteemed among their neighbors. They were good examples of integrity, meekness and purity.

My paternal ancestors for many generations were Friends, and so far as I can learn, they were exemplary members of the Society. The earliest among them of whom we have any certain account, was Thomas Janney, of Cheshire, England. He was convinced of the principles of Friends about the year 1654, when the Society first arose in that country.* The next year after his convincement, being then in the 2 2d year of his age, he received a gift in the gospel ministry, and being faithful to the teachings of the Holy Spirit, he improved in his gift, and became instrumental in promoting the cause of truth.

In his native country he suffered loss of goods and imprisonment for his religious testimony.-)- In the year 1683 he came to Pennsylvania, with his family, and settled* in Bucks county, which was during the time of William Penn's first visit to America. He served as a member of the Governors Council, and is mentioned in the letters of William Penn in terms of regard. % He traveled extensively as a minister of the gospel ; having visited Ireland, and many parts of England, before his emigration to America; and

* Piety Promoted ; Vol.1. Philad. Memorials of Friends. 1787. f Besse's Sufferings of Friend s; Vol. I, pp. 100, 104, 105. J Proud's History of Pennsylvania.

afterwards he several times visited the Churches not only in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, also in New England, Long Island, and Maryland. In 1695 he went, in company with Griffith Owen, to visit his brethren in England, where, after about eighteen months' service in the work of the gospel, he was taken ill, and died in the 1 2th month, 1696, in Cheshire, aged about 6$ years, having been a minister about 42 years. §

In a "Testimony concerning him from Friends of Falls Monthly Meeting,' ' they say: "We loved and highly esteemed him for his work's sake, being an able minister of the gospel, sound in doctrine, endowed with wisdom and a ready utterance, and favored with openings into the mysteries of the things of God's kingdom. He was not forward to offer his gift, having a true regard to the Giver, who said formerly, ' Cast the net on the right side of the ship/ therefore 'his bow abode in strength.' And though the Lord had furnished him with such excellent qualifications, he had so learned self-denial as not to glory therein, but was ready to prefer his friends before himself, and give them the right hand of fellowship ; being careful to keep the testimony of truth clear on all accounts, saying, 'Those that appear in public are doubly bound to do so.' He was of a cheerful and peaceable temper, and innocent and blameless life."

When approaching the close of life, he said : " My care j hath been for my sons, that they may be kept in the fear of God. I have been a good example to them ; I have a care upon me that they may be kept humble while they are young ; that they may bend their necks under the yoke of Christ. If I am taken away, I am very clear in my spirit

\ Bouden's Hist, of Friends in America; Vol. II., p. 120.

I have answered the requirings of God. I have been faithful in my day, and I have nothing that troubles my spirit ; my spirit is very clear.*

Jacob Janney was the grandson of Thomas Janney. He came from Bucks county, Pa., to Loudon county, Va., about the year 1745, being one of the earliest settlers in that neighborhood where Goose Creek Monthly Meeting was afterwards established. He was, I believe, an Elder of the meeting. His wife, Hannah Janney, who long survived him, and attained to the age of 93 years, was an Elder, highly esteemed, as appears by a memorial from the meeting to which she belonged. They had a large family, mostly sons, and one of them, Israel Janney, was my grandfather, whom I well remember as a dignified and exemplary man 5 an Elder of the meeting, and much respected in the neighborhood. In the education of his large family of children, of whom seven sons and two daughters attained to maturity, he was careful to maintain obedience by strict discipline, and they nearly all became useful members of society.

My father, who was the eldest son, adopted a mode of parental government less rigorous than that of his father, and he was enabled, through the power of love and the influence of a consistent example, to educate all his children, of whom twelve attained to maturity, in the principles and practice of virtue.

My mother was of Scottish descent, being the daughter of John and Hannah McPherson, who were exemplary and consistent Friends. At the time of their marriage, they were members of Hopewell Monthly Meeting, Frederic county, Va.

^Smith's Hist, of Friends in Penna. Hazard's Register; Vol. I, p. 213.

Memoirs of Samuel M. fanney. 5

I have been told by many persons who knew her, that my mother was a very lovely woman ; but I had not long the advantage of her tender care and counsel, for she was removed by death when I was about twelve years of age. I welL remember being called from my bed at night and conducted into her chamber, to take my last farewell and to receive her dying benediction.

This brief sketch of my ancestors is intended as a memorial of their virtues, and an incentive to their numerous descendants to pursue the same course of obedience to the divine law, by which our happiness and usefulness here will be promoted, and our eternal felicity secured in the life to come. May we ever remember that righteousness cannot be transmitted as an inheritance ; but each succeeding generation must encounter the temptations and trials incident to this state of being; a victory over sin can only be achieved by reliance upon divine aid, and obedience to the voice of God in the soul. So far from deriving any real merit from the virtues of our ancestors, we may, by neglecting to follow their example, incur a greater responsibility and a heavier condemnation. The rebellious Jews boasted that they had Abraham for their father, while they were without the faith of Abraham and destitute of his virtues.

There is, however, an advantage derived from preserving the memorials of a virtuous ancestry, and frequently recurring to their example as a means of inciting us to goodness. This consideration, I believe, frequently operates beneficially upon the youthful mind. For my own part, I can feelingly adopt the language of Cowper : —

" My boast is not that I deduce my birth From loins enthron'd, and rulers of the earth; But higher far my proud pretensions rise, The Son of parents passed into the skies."

I remember that at a very early age I experienced the operation of divine grace condemning me for evil, and inciting me to goodness. I was sent to school when quite young, and soon learned to read, which became a source of pleasure and instruction. There were at that time very few books in the neighborhood. Those possessed by my father were, so far as I can remember, all of a useful character. Murray's Introduction to the English Reader was read in our school by the younger class, to which I belonged, and I recollect that during the reading of one of the pathetic pieces, I burst into tears, and could not proceed. In my youthful days I took great interest in reading the Bible, and so strong were the impressions sometimes made upon my feelings during its perusal, that I can remember now the very spot where I sat, engrossed with its instructive pages. When I read the narratives of the Evangelists concerning the discourses and miracles of Christ, I sometimes thought if I had only lived at the time when he was personally on earth, how gladly would I have followed his footsteps, in order to receive the lessons of instruction that fell from his holy lips, to behold the wonderful works that he did, and to partake of those spiritual blessings that he dispensed to his followers. But I have since learned that we of this generation are as highly favored as any that have lived before us ; because, like those of former ages, we may have access to the Father through the Son, by obedience to the manifestations of his light and grace in our hearts. We have also the advantage of perusing the Scriptures of truth, and of many excellent books calculated to promote piety and virtue ; and in addition to these high privileges, we live in an age and country where we enjoy civil and religious liberty. For the last of these blessings we are, under Divine Providence, greatly

Memoirs of Samuel M. Janney. j

indebted to our predecessors in the Religious Society of Friends, who by their labors and their sufferings were instrumental in reviving primitive Christianity and promoting the Redeemers kingdom.

After the death of my mother, my father, having sold his mill and farm in Loudon, removed to Fairfax county, and joining in partnership with two brothers-in-law, they built the mill called Triadelphia, about four miles west of Alexandria.

While residing at my fathers house, I attended school in Alexandria for a short time, and was then placed, at about fourteen years of age, in the counting-house of my uncle Phineas Janney, of Alexandria, who was a commission merchant and an importer of iron. I lived in his family during the remainder of my minority, and until I was married. To him and his wife, Sarah S. Janney, I feel greatly indebted for their kindness towards me, and their long-continued attention to my welfare.

At the time I entered the counting-house, I had made but little progress in my studies : Reading and Writing, the rudiments of English Grammar and an imperfect knowledge of Arithmetic constituted the sum of my school acquirements; but I had a great thirst for knowledge, and took much pleasure in reading.

The business I had to do occupied not more than half of my time, and my uncle had no objection to my reading suitable books in the counting-house during leisure hours. I soon reviewed my Arithmetic, and commenced Algebra, and my uncle sent me to a night school to learn the French language. Subsequently I went, as a night scholar, to the school of my valued friend Benjamin Hailowell, to study Surveying.

My taste for mathematical studies was not sufficient to induce me to pursue them with ardor, and the time for such pursuits being limited, I never attained to much proficiency in them.

Natural Philosophy and Chemistry were favorite studies with me, and in order to pursue the latter of these sciences with success, I induced a number of my young friends to join with me in forming an association. We purchased apparatus, performed experiments and delivered lectures, which became to us a source of much pleasure, and promoted our progress in scientific knowledge.

My strongest predilection was for literature, and I read with avidity almost every work that came in my way, except those that were considered pernicious, and even some of this class occasionally shared my attention, notwithstanding the repoofs of that Divine monitor which pleads with us in the secret of the soul, and condemns for sin.

In order to promote my improvement in literary taste, I joined a number of young men in forming a literary society, which met once a month to read and criticise original essays. This society became to me exceedingly interesting; it was continued for several years, and many of the essays were published in papers devoted to literature.

About this period I felt a desire to become distinguished for learning, and indulged in aspirations for literary fame. In order to assist me in the attainment of these ends, I commenced the study of the Latin Grammar. Before I had made much progress, my mind was brought under religious exercise : I wished to scrutinize the motives by which I was actuated ; and finding them not pure, nor, as I believed, consistent with the Divine will, I renounced the study. Since that time I have reflected much upon the subject of the ancient classics, and although I have felt my deficiency in that branch of learning, I cannot say that I have ever repented of the decision then made.

It is impossible to tell what would have been the result, if I had persevered, and become a classical scholar ; but in renouncing the study I sincerely believed I was doing right; and I hold that Divine Providence watches over individuals as well as over nations, and by his secret guidance shapes our destinies.

In looking back on my past life, I can see that in many cases disappointments and afflictions that I regarded as calamities, proved to be blessings in disguise; and many instances that appeared to be of little importance, led to unexpected and beneficial results.

Chapter II

Edward Stabler and Dr. Dick — Teaches in a Presbyterian Sabbathschool — Establishes with others a First-day school for colored people — Religious exercises.

About the time I was approaching manhood, the meeting of Friends in Alexandria was favored with the religious services of two ministers whom I highly esteemed, and from both of whom I derived instruction and consolation. These were Edward Stabler and Br. Elisha C. Dick.

Edward Stabler was the younger of the two, but had been much longer in the ministry. He was a remarkable example of uprightness and purity in conduct and conversation, and his ministry was highly appreciated by most of those who heard him. By the members of our meeting he was much beloved. His mind, originally vigorous, was io Memoirs of Samuel M. Janney.

enlarged by knowledge and strengthened by exercise ; he had a remarkable fluency of expression, and was sometimes eloquent. But it was in familiar conversation that he most excelled; for whatever might be the subject introduced, he could discourse interestingly upon it, and illustrate his views from the rich stores of his memory ; always endeavoring to blend instruction with enjoyment, and generally ending with some important religious truth.

He was always kind and attentive to me, and I made it a practice frequently to stop at his apothecary shop, in the evening, on my way home from the counting-house.

On these occasions he generally entertained me, and others who happened to be present, with the rich flow of his colloquial powers, dwelling much upon the beauty of holiness and the goodness of God. His sons were among my most intimate friends, and William, the eldest, afterwards became my frequent companion in religious services.

Dr. Dick had been a gay, fashionable man, and it was not till after he had passed the meridian of life, that he renounced the world and joined in membership with Friends. He was a man of considerable ability, eminent in the medical profession, and possessed of much general knowledge.

As a minister of the gospel he spoke forcibly, but not eloquently ; his manner was grave and dignified, and the matter of his discourses was to me very edifying. In conversation he was agreeable and instructive. After he retired from the practice of medicine, he lived in the country, not far from my father's residence, and I visited him frequently. Although he was an aged man and I very young, he seemed pleased to have my company, and I enjoyed very much his instructive conversation.

About this period of my life, being of an ardent and active temperament, and desirous of doing some good, I was for some time connected with a Presbyterian Sabbathschool, and went on First-day mornings, to their meeting-house, to assist in teaching the poor. When the duties of the school were over I generally left, in order to attend our own meeting. I do not remember how long this was continued, but at length, becoming dissatisfied with some of the doctrinal views inculcated in the hymns that were sung by the pupils, I withdrew from the school. Soon afterwards, being joined by a number of young Friends, we established a First-day school for colored children, which met in the second story of our meeting-house. It was attended by a large number, and I derived great satisfaction from our labors on behalf of that much-neglected people.

My mind was deeply interested in the momentous concerns of religion. I read the Bible diligently, and sought for Divine assistance in meditation and prayer ; but unhappily I did not always watch sufficiently against temptation, and was often brought under condemnation for sin. In this condition I could adopt the language of the apostle, expressive of a state he at one time experienced : "I delight in the law of God after the inward man, but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Oh ! wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? M This conflict I had to pass through, and it was not until after many years of vicissitude, sometimes rejoicing for victory achieved, at others mourning for defeat, that I was able to say, in humble thankfulness to the Author of all good, " The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. " From the memorandums made during this period, the following passages are taken : —

"8th month, 1824. — About this time my condemnation for sin increased to such a degree, that I was almost driven to despair, and sometimes doubted whether there was any hope of salvation left for me. Then, and not till then, did I give up my will unreservedly to God, who, in his unspeakable mercy, granted me consolation and help. From this time I hope, through his love and power, to date my conversion.