Dear Friends: Rachel Moore of Sadsbury Monthly Meeting (52 Ancestors #17)

There is something about seeing an original record, even if you’ve seen a published abstract. Seeing the handwriting, seeing the exact words… Somehow, it makes the event more “real.”

Ancestry.com just released 11.5 million Quaker records. Actually called the Religious Society of Friends, the Quakers were early proponents of gender and racial equality. It’s cool to think of your ancestors being actively for equality, but for genealogists, it gets even better. The Quakers were excellent record-keepers!

I’ve known for some time that I have Quaker ancestors. Up to this point, I’ve used the standard references, such as Hinshaw’s Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy and I have found good information. (Even more information is in store with these new records!) I just found the certificate of removal of my 4th-great-grandfather Nathaniel Dickinson of the Exeter Monthly Meeting in Berks County, Pennsylvania “to proceed in marriage with Rachel Moore Daughter of William Moore Deceased” of the Sadsbury Monthly Meeting:

Nathaniel Dickinson certificate of removal

Nathaniel Dickinson certificate of removal. From the Certificates of Removal, Exeter Monthly Meeting, Berks County, Pennsylvania. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1944.

“From our Monthly Meeting of Exeter held there the 31st of 10th mo 1787 –
To the Monthly Meeting at Sadsbury
Dear Friends,
Application being made to us by Nathaniel Dickinson for our Certificate in order to proceed in marriage with Rachel Moore Daughter of William Moore Deceased a member of your Meeting. Those may Certify that he has a birthright of a membership with us, and on inquiry we Do not find but that he is clear of marriage engagements amongst us. We remain your Friends.
Signed in & on behalf of said Meeting, By
Thomas Lightfoot Clerk”

There is so much I love about this record. It tells me that Nathaniel Dickinson was of the Exeter Monthly Meeting. (The Philadelphia Yearly Meeting lists Exeter as still being in Douglassville, PA.) He was a birthright Quaker, meaning that his parents were Quakers when he was born.

It’s the details of my 4th-great-grandmother Rachel Moore that I really like, especially since females tend to be so hidden in the records. She is of the Sadsbury Monthly Meeting, near the border of Chester and Lancaster counties, Pennsylvania. Her father was William Moore, who was deceased by 31 October [10th month] 1787.

Nathaniel and Rachel (Moore) Dickinson had several children, including my 3rd-great grandmother Rebecca Dickinson.

There are examples of various types of Quaker records on Ancestry.com’s Quaker Collections page. There is also a free research guide.


Disclaimer: I am a Community Manager for Ancestry.com. I was not asked to write this post, nor did I write it while “on the clock.” I would be excited about these new records even if I didn’t work for Ancestry.

6 thoughts on “Dear Friends: Rachel Moore of Sadsbury Monthly Meeting (52 Ancestors #17)

  1. Helen Holshouser

    Thanks for this great information Amy! I have some Quaklers in my background as well! I can hardly wait now to see what I can find! I did not realize you worked for ancestry, which I have to say, I love, love, love! most of the time! ! LOL

    On a personal note, I am having some health difficulties, nothing new for me unfortunately, but I may or may not be able to keep up with my blogging over the next 3 to 6 weeks. If I do not have a 52 weeks entry, it would be for that reason. I am having a heart cath on the 6th of May, then possibly hand surgery following that , depending on what they find of course. I have chronic heart disease, but have been sicker lately. My left hand has become so weak its hard to type, seeing a hand specialist soon! Hope if I have to take a recess, you will allow me to return, because i am enjoying this and it is encouraging me to do something I’ve wanted to do for a long time! Thanks for your leadership and support. Helen

    Reply
    1. Amy Johnson Crow Post author

      Hi Helen! Who knows — maybe we’re cousins! So sorry to hear about your health problems. Sending good thoughts that everything goes smoothly and that your recovery time is quick. As for “allowing” you to return — there’s nothing to allow! The 52 Ancestors challenge is meant to stress-free. Write when you can. It’s completely up to you.

      Take care!!

      Reply
      1. Marsha Moses

        Amy, I think it possible that you and I connect on this Moore family that you posted information with connection to Sadsbury MM…..I am working on my connections to various Monthly Meetings in PA this weekend and would be happy to exchange information. I am pretty much a novice in this area right now….learning quickly….but I have a few pieces of information to share with you if you find the time. marsha moses
        mosesm@earthlink.net

        Reply
  2. Peggy L.

    Amy, what a wonderful post! It is beginning to look like I have some Quaker ancestry, as well. I stopped at Hopewell Meeting House in Winchester, VA on my way home from Fairfax, VA in March, and was astounded. Many of my surnames in both Pennsylvania and Virginia are also found in Quaker records, so I may have some more homework to do!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Peggy L. Cancel reply