The following documents have passed through several hands including a Mr. Peck.  They were in the possession of author Elizabeth Banks, an early feminist relative, when she died in London, England.  Through the kindness and diligence of Mrs. Stevens, the woman who was disposing of Ms Banks things, the documents were shipped back to my mother, Gladys Middleton Porter in the United States.  Gladys was corresponding with Elizabeth Banks about genealogy just prior to Elizabeth’s fatal illness.  This correspondence is also still available.

 

Most documents have dates, a few do not.  The oldest document is a Bill of Sale January 13, 1728 before the colonies separated from British rule.  The documents center around Thomas Hough (pronounced Huff) and Quakers based in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania’s Bucks County area.  Some are from Loudin County Virginia.  Most provide insights into the Quaker life including hard times, debating issues, sickness and difficulties in keeping in touch.  These devout Quakers had great literary skills but lacked substantial financial wealth.

 

Researchers may be interested in the limited information (tidbits) regarding individuals with  surnames like: Ankritt, Banes, Brister, Buckmand, Budd, Cadwalader, Carter, Cook, Charleston, Craven, Courtly, Davies, Dawson, Dolen, Dungan, Folwell, Givin, Hart, Hedges, Hones, Holt, Huff Hough, Jackson, Jones, Lemmon, Luken, Longestseth, Graven, Gilbert, Parry, Gerrish, Hinton, Hanna, Humphrey, Johnson, Kirks, Kennedy, Lacy, Light, Marfort, Mulenberg, Naylor,  Nixon, Pierson, Peck, Prior, Roberson, Rogers, Sayre, Scott, Smith, Stanborough, Tergnssen, Thompkins, Todd, Trimbale, Trimball, Truehart, Tyson, Weekerly, White, Wilson, Worrell, Wright, etc..

 

There are roughly 80 documents.  They have been scanned and are available on the computer.  Each letter may require from 1 to 5 images in order to fully view both sides of multiple pages.  The letters have been preserved flat in dry storage but are brittle with age.  The documents suffer from their travels, sealing wax, stains, folding and re-folding, general decay, etc.  Often large sheets of paper were used that contain both the message and the outside address information.  The writing is beautiful.  Words have changed in terms of spelling.  Therefore, the documents are somewhat difficult to read quickly for content.  For research and readability they were translated to an easier to read via modern MS Word format.   You may wish to examine both.  With the exception of the undated material they are presented here in chronological sequence.

 

Date                               From                                       To

Jan 13, 1728                John Stanbrough                      Bill of sale

                                    South Hampton, Suffolk county, colony of New York 

                                    A Bill of Sale from John Stanbrough to Obadiah Cook

                                    witnessed by David Peirson, Silliam Hedges Jur.,

                                    Majesties justisce acknowledg by Daniel Sayre

 

No Date                       Thomas Hough                        Anna Lea??????ig

                                    Statement on what he wants in a wife

 

No Date                       List of marriages & deaths in T Hough’s writing?

 

No Date                       Provides the status on children and others

 

No Date                       Gethsemane writing

 

Debate questions:

                                    1.  Is not a private life more desirable than a public station???

                                    Proposed by Cyrus Cadwalader

                                    Isaac & Silas Hough + Nathan Hold against

                                    Cyrus, Joseph Hart, Oliver Hough in favor

 

                                    2.  Do we not experience greater happiness in hope than __truction?

                                    Nathan, Cyrus & Oliver against

                                    Joseph, Isaac and Silas in favor

 

Debating Notes

Sep 9, 1780                 Silas Hough in the Chair

                                    16.  Is not the deliberate seduction of the pain with an intention to desert
                                    under all its circumstances equal to Murder?

                                    For being equal, Silas, Wm. Folwell, Cyrus Cadwalader, Oliver Hough

                                    Against, Evan Banes, Joshua Hones, Nathan Holt

 

                                    17.  Whether or no ought interest to be the able consideration in choosing
                                    a wife?

                                    Unanimously ought not, unanimously agreed to

 

                                    18.  Whether or no can a man love his neighbor as himself?

                                    Agreed to unanimously

 

                                    19.  Whether rotation in power and magestry is necessary in a free
                                    government?  Adjourned till this day week 3 Nathan Holt Chairman

 

 No Date                      Death note by Sarah Vanpelt, Mentions husband Hendrick VanPelt  &

                                    Husband’s rat poison death not guilty plea sealed with her blood

                                    Husband Hendrick Vanpelt & Aunt Polly

                                    Mentions Marfort Executer, Mr Hart preacher

                                    Mentions leaving my child with Albert Mafort

 

No Date                       Edith Hough                            Thomas Hough

                                    (probably written by Edith Hart Hough about Eleanor Hough Craven)

                                    Great Grand Father’s sister

                                    E. Cravens given place until youngest becomes 14

                                    Abner taking place of mother on the shares

                                    Isaac works with John as journeyman

                                    Virginia currency = 6 L 460

 

Nov 1780                    Oliver Hough                          Thomas Hough

                                    Written from Baltimore.   Mentions Tyson

                                    Come or lose house, renter Jefferies gone, only rats left

 

Mar 23, 1782              Oliver Hough                          Father Isaac Hough

                                    Baltimore                                Bucks County Pennsylvania

                                    settled accounts with Mr. Givin, partnership

                                    Join Mr Thomas and Richard Lemmon in a store

                                    double your money, doing business for Elsiha Tyson

                                   

 

Jul 3, 1783                  Oliver Hough                          Brother Thomas Hough

                                    from Baltimore to Warminster Pennsylvania honered by Mr. Todd

                                    Appology for not writing

                                    Mentions Jonathan Longestseth, Brother Isaac

 

Sep 5, 1783                 Oliver Hough                          Thomas Hough

                                    Written from Baltimore, marked receipte for making black ball

                                    Oliver living with E??sha Tyson - not married

                                    10 or 12 dying each day

 

Jun 28, 1784                Silas Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Mentions Uncle Oliver Hart preaching and David Morris

 

Jul 31, 1784                Nephew John Thomas             Isaac Hough

                                    From Baltimore to Bucks County

                                    Lacks money but is well

                                    Cousin Tommy bearer, Sister Nelly, Unkle Hart

                                    metions Benj Lukens mother Cosuin Josey Hough for L30-15-772

 

Apr 12, 1785               Oliver Hough                          Thomas Hough

                                    Baltimore to Bucks County Pennsylvania

                                    Joseph Anderson bringing letter

                                    William Jefferies renting T.H. house at last for 30 pounds a year

                                   

Jun 22, 1785                Capt. George Jackson              Thomas Hough

                                    Harris County Virginia to Baltimore

                                    Discharge of located, surveyed quantity of land

 

Nov 21, 1785              Niece Betsey Thomas              Mrs. Edith Hough

                                    Baltimore to Bucks County Pennsylvania

                                    Your son William’s last retreat (death)

                                    Mentions Sister Nelly setting off for Pennsylvania

                                    William taken chill with fever and died 12th day

                                    Intered in Baptist burying ground,

                                    Oliver apprehesious he is in decay

 

Dec 11, 1785               Edith Craven                           GrandMother

                                    written from Loudin County Virginia

                                    tommorow Unkle tomma will start from here to Baltimore. 

                                    Metions Mr. Gilbert’s family, Mr. Graven & daughter

                                    Polly ?????  , how is Aunt Betty Gilbert

                                    James Craven will be bearer of this

 

Jan 11, 1786                Issac Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Of your going to Clarksburg

                                    Father Isaac, mentions Oliver, Jonathan Longstreth, Sirus
                                    Cadawalader, Anderson, trading trip to see land

                                    back problems from going to and from mill

 

Mar 1, 1786                Joseph Gilbert                         Thomas Hough

                                    Esteemed cousin forwarding verdict

                                    Mentions cousin Elias Gilbert

 

Mar 4, 1786                Silas Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Living at Fathers going to school

                                    heard Indians preparing for war

                                    Mr. Vanhorn left Southhampton gone to Scots plains in Jersey

                                    David Jones taking his place

                                    Safety Magee addresses Miss Nelly Dungan

 

Jan 8, 1786                  Edith Hough                            Children

                                    Mentions Anderson, Oliver, William, Silas, Nelly Thomas

                                    Shoomaker’s Mill, Clarksburg, Betey Gilbert ?ade

                                    suggestion come home for winter to discuss move

 

Apr 6, 1786                 Annne Hart                              Thomas Hough

                                    Warminster sent care of Joseph Hart Esquire

                                    Metions Aunt Anne Hart, Princton, Mr. Rogers & Charleston

 

1786                            S. Trimbale                             Thomas Hough?

                                    Flowery note plus five pages of church yard efegy

 

Jul 1786                      Sally Trimball                         Thomas Hough

                                    written Hopewell to Philadelphia

                                    Cousin Nelly , tour to Bethlehem, Cousin Polly

                                    I do not detest flattery wish to detest itdivest appearance of flattery,

                                    and those humuliating ideas

 

Aug 29, 1786               Phebe Cadwalader                  Thompson Truehart

                                    Apology Niece to Uncle upon hair cut behavior

                                    Signed Caroline Courtly  Mentions Emclia

 

Dec 2, 1786                 Oliver Hough                          Thomas Hough

                                    From L??? Falls       House is bad, key is sent,

                                    How is Philosophical Society in cold weather?

 

Apr 2, 1787                 Thomas Hough Notes

                                    Cyrus Cadwalader & Thomas Hough left Mr. Jacob Cadwalader’s

                                    destined for T. Parry’s stayed at distinguished Capt. Humphrey’s

                                    Elegant sumptuous manner, copious wine, affable lady entertained

 

May 10, 1787              Celadon Constans Cadwalader           Thomas Hough

                                    Ditch digging without authority, petition assembly

                                    Additonal note says: Lisa, this is written to my mothers father Cyrus C.

                                    letters going into fire, will select a few for nieces & nephews

                                    fsfrom E H P SEPT for Lisa Peck

 

Mar 8, 1788                Celadon Cadwalader              Thomas Hough

                                    Mentions Oliver, Jacob, L.B. and Sally

                                    Celadon is determined to persevere in his love Artless

 

Jun 23, 1788                Celadon Cadwalader              Thomas Hough

                                    Warminster to Third Street

                                    Mentions Truehart and Arcadia

                                    Adieu my dear friend Adieu

 

Jul 2, 1788                  Caroline Courtly

                                    written 5th day evening at Caladons request

                                    signed: pray steel they heart against cupids dart, now let it there

                                    find entrance.  Adieu

 

Jul 28, 1788                Celadon Cadwalader              Thomas Hough

                                    Metions Arcaidia as matrimonial hope

                                    His father is pushing him to marry another

 

Aug 7, 1788                 Silas Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Sent from John Hough’s to Philadelphia

                                    Debate: If once loves and can cease if object loves

                                    They refere to each other lordship

 

Sep 1788                     Silas Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Hart’s chamber to 3rd street Philadelphia

                                    Mentions Celedon, Caroline, Dr. Todd, Mr. Wilson, Mr Folwell

                                    Society negroe subject debate

 

Sep 12, 1788               Silas Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Hart’s Chamber to Third Street Philadelphia

                                    Mentions Celedon, Caroline, Dr. Todd, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Folwell

                                    negroe subject debated but not decided

 

Sep 14, 1788               Isaac Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Sent Sunday evening to 3rd street Philadelphia

                                    Sending ashmatical drops and ofre of syrup

                                    Mentions Tom Conrad and bearer Mr. Harold

 

Sep 22, 1788               Isaac Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Sent via Mr. Dufficld Hatborough to 3rd st. Philadelphia

                                    Mentions Betsey, Charlott and Tommy, all ill with cough

                                    Asks for chocolate and ashmatical elixir

 

Sep 23, 1788               Silas Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Mentions Mr. Bennet plus cousins in Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Jersey

                                    Lesson in grammer useage of give or given, request for Ready (money)

 

Oct 9, 1788                 Isaac Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    From Hatsborough to Third Street Philadelphia

                                    Vial of cough syrup spilled -

                                    Betsey spitting blood

                                    report of Paul Jones destroying Turkish fleet?

 

Dec 8, 1788                 Celadon Cadwalader              Thomas Hough

                                    Mentions Ma?ra L., Major Adre & loss of Eliza

                                    tormented in love

 

Dec 26, 1788               Isaac Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Hatborough to Third Street Philadelphia

                                    Hon’d by Mr. Naylor mentions Squire Mulenberg

                                    and position that he will resign

 

Jan 25, 1789                Isaac Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Sent to 3rd street Philadelphia

                                    Little Tom board plus traveling with bundle in snow storm,

                                    Mentions Col. Isaac Worrell, Aunty LIght

                                    Joseph Wright school master, Uncle John, Tarlet

                                    Assembly meeting

                                    extra note: Isaac lost wife, lots of trouble-E.H. Peck

 

Apr 26, 1789               Carolone Cadwalader             Friend Truehart          

                                    from Warminster by Cyrus Cadwalader’s sister

                                    Request to forward this letter singed Caroline

 

Sep 7, 1789                 Charles Pryor                          Thomas Hough

                                    written Billet to Billet about visit to repay money     

                                    Mentions Mr. Nailor

 

Mar 26, 1790              Thomas Hough                        James Hanna

                                    Farm rental agreement Upper Makefield, Bucks County

                                    Fee = 9 pounds gold & silver per year

                                    Thomas of Moreland Township Montgomery County

                                    James Hanna of Newtown

                                    Adjacent to land of John Buckmand Peter Dolen

                                    Witnessed by Wm. Hinton & N Kirks

 

May 2, 179?                Silas Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Sent form Sussex to Crooked Billet

                                    Chestnut Sorrel Horse with one eye trade for mare

                                    Mentions sister & kissing wee ones

 

Feb 23, 1791               David Kennedy                       Thomas Hough

                                    Reference roof examination, new or mend

 

Jun 30, 1791                Isaac Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Bearer Mr. Weekerly 

                                    Help, Isaac in prison for want of writings about

                                    land near Clarksburgh

 

Aug 21, 1791               Daughter Merrell                     Rev Oliver Hart

                                    Addressed to Hopewell, dear honoured papa

                                    Dr. Budd, born in Charelston, Mr. Rogers, William,

                                    vessel sails today, 

                                    Sally stands on knee sending kiss to Grandpapa, Grandmama & Uncle

 

Jul 31, 1792                Robert Dawson                       Thomas Hough

                                    Addressed from Philadelphia to Billet

                                    His Brother Josiah Coates & Jacob Tomkins

                                    Sursingle not on saddle, send at first opportunity

 

Sep 1792                     Silas Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    From Doyls Town to Glatborough

                                    Mentions Hector, Dan Thomas, Mr. Shewel, sister Hannah

                                    Coming down to Seneca Lukens but no time for visit

 

Oct 14, 1792               Colonel Jacob Auld                Thomas Hough

                                    Sick, sending notes as to Commission

 

Jan 8, 1793                  John Hough                              Thomas Hough

                                    Brother request to borrow/buy gun.  Sent to Hatborough

                                    Signed John Hough                  Mentions Jos Haylers

 

Jan 27                          Thomas Hough                        Mrs. Hannah Hough

                                    Sent care of John Smith           Honored by Mr. Rose

                                    Saying NO and asking for a shirt

 

No Date                       John Hough                              Thomas Hough

                                    Brother, Cousin Polly Hart & Mr. Baston here from Jersey

                                    Suggest borrow brother Issac’s horses to accompany her to meeting

                                    Bring a few wafers with you

 

Apr 9, 1793                 Silas Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    Doylstown to Hatborough

                                    Mentions Mrs. Todd, Silas Gilbert , Dr. Scudder

                                    Yerkese’s suicide hanging & society debate

 

Feb 21, 1795               Joshua Jones                            Thomas Hough

                                    Request for money due to house land purchase

 

Nov 17, 1795              Eliza Tergnssen                       Mr. Huff

                                    Library books to be purchased

                                   

Jun 1, 1798                  David Davies                          Thomas Hough

                                    Inquiry for porperty thee had lost, my boy found

 

Jun 5, 1798                  David Davies                          Thomas Hough

                                    Has property (keg) found by boy after falling from waggen

                                    Send small matter by me bound boy

 

Oct 20, 1798               Silas Hough                             Thomas Hough

                                    written from Sussex

                                    Ankle rheumatism causing him to be staying long in Jersey

                                    Physician recommended Madeira wine for medicine at great cost

 

Dec 6, 1799                 Joseph Miles                           Thomas Hough

                                    Addressed to Lower Dublin

                                    regarding teaching qualifications of children

 

May 15, 1800              Hannah Nixon                          Cousin (Thomas Hough)

                                    Sister Peggy Harris lives in neighborhood

                                    Oldest son George married with two children

                                    Sister Sarah White, brother George Nixon

                                    Brother Josiah died July 24, 1796 leaving wife and 5 small children

                                    She is now remarried, 3 children live with Hannah’s father

                                    Sister Betty White and family

                                    Sister Nancy married John Myers had two children, one died he died 1796

                                    She married again to William White, one child with him

                                    Sister Polly married three children

                                    Sister Rebekah and Brother John still single

                                    Father and stepmother reasonably well

 

Feb 27, 1801               Edith Hough                            Sister Ann Hart

                                    Written from Burlington

                                    Mr. Tereveen ill, Rev. Mr. Stanghton, Scarlet fever & putrid sore throat

                                    William grows fast looks more like the dear departed father

                                    Only child & only son his mother a widow

 

Jun 30,1802                 Anne Hart                                Thomas Hough

                                    Written from Burlington

                                    Calls him nephew and refers to Cousin Hannah

                                    Religious revival in our land

 

June 30, 1802              Anne Hart                                Sister

                                    From Burlington refers to nephew Tho? Hough

                                    cousins Charity Hough and Nancy Hart, Bristol, William,

                                    no word from Charelston this summer

                                    Two years No letters from Mrs. Merrell, Mr L?reven

                                    Love cousin John & Charity & ?

 

Apr 17, 1814               Lewis H. Hough                      Ann Hough

                                    written from sign of the black bear Pittsburg to

                                    Mr. Levi Gerrish’s Market Street way, Phildelphia

                                    Gives route he took out west Philadelphia to Pittsburg

                                    People are proud, selfish, dirty and smoky turning yellow from coal smoke

                                    William, Mr Horner, Mr. Smith, Jeseph, Isaac Tyson, Jesse, Sister Sarah

                                    Mary Ann + boys

 

Aug 21, 1814               Lewis H. Hough                      Ann Hough

                                    written from Pittsburg to Market Street Warf, Phildelphia at Levi Gerrish’s

                                    Boys arrived Pittsburg Aug 19 fatiuged by jorney

                                    William asks about Ralph Smith

                                    Jesse & Sarah go to country don’t let Thomas go

                                    Lists over 8 churches by denomination

                                    William & Joseph send love, Mary Ann, Peter Roberson, Lydia

 

Jan 25, 1818                Joseph Hough                          Ann Hough

                                    from Pittsburg to 104 Arch Street Philadelphia 1/27/18 postmark

                                    Explaining why did not write her

                                    Mentions John & Lewis, Lewis was in Natchez, William (carpenter)

                                    Mr. Lacy, brothers John & Joseph, Sarah, Jesse and Thomas

                                    John & I tend Baptist church

 

May 19, 1821              Brother Joseph Hough             Miss Ann Hough

                                    from Great Crossings Kentucky to 108 Arch Street Philadelphia

                                    Brother Bill took wife, Tyson family, Johnathan, Thomas

                                    sending lock of hair in lieu of profile

 

Jul 19, 1821                Joseph Hough                          Sister Miss Ann Hough

                                    from Great Crossings Kentucky to 108 Arch Street Philadelphia

                                    Mr. Barnuman, Mr. Hoyt, Brother Lewis,

                                    Cropings at Col. Johnson’s office, his stern boats

                                    daily routine, smoke segar, lovely girls, Estate of Mr. Hart $8 due

                                    school Brother Thomas,

                                    Love to Sister Sarah and Jesse William Johnathan, Thomas

 

Nov 21, 1821              Joseph Hough                          Miss Ann Hough

                                    from Great Crossings Kentucky to 108 Arch Street Philadelphia

                                    Brother John, Bill, Lewis, Henderson is preacher,, uncle Silas, Isaac Tyson

                                    Thank you for sending lock of hair

 

Feb 28, 1822               Joseph Hough                          Sister Ann Hough

                                    from Great Crossings Kentucky to 108 Arch Street Philadelphia

                                    Brother Lewis marriage in Natchez, Col. Johnson’s office

                                    Saraha, Jesse, Johnathan, Thhomas Brother Bill

 

Oct 29                         Joseph Hough                          Johnathan Hough

                                    from Great Crossings Kentucky to 108 Arch Street Philadelphia

                                    Free postage scheme, Sister Ann Brother Lewis, Brother Bill

                                    How he spends his days

 

Aug 1, 1823                 Joseph Hough                          Sister Ann Hough

                                    from Great Crossings Kentucky to 108 Arch Street Philadelphia

                                    Talk of both traveling and meeting in Ohio

                                    Mr. Scott and Joseph run Public house

                                    Sister Sarah & family in Trenton, saving .25 postage,

                                    Thomas, S. Jones in Pittsburg, John

 

Dec 21, 1824               Joseph Hough                          Sister Ann Hough

                                    from Great Crossings Kentucky to 108 Arch Street Philadelphia

                                    John & Rebecca’s loss of daughter, Miss Wilson

 

Jan 13, 1827                Joseph Hough                          Sister Ann Hough

                                    from Great Crossings Kentucky to 108 Arch Street Philadelphia

                                    letter from Mr. Ankritt, father in law of Brother Lewis

                                    Lewis died Dec. 24, 1826 left wife and 3 children

                                    Ankritt’s will take them in

 

Jul 27, 1846                Elizabeth Hough

                                    Mary to the Savior’s tomb

 

Jun 21, 1859                Thomas J. Hough                     Sister

                                    2 pages written from Nashville

                                    Mentions F. Brister Jessey’s sister, Mr. Carter & family,

                                    Joseph H. & sister Ellens, Decon Hough, George, Loty, Mother Wilson,

                                    Magaret, Cordelia, all about health

 

 

Additional Documents:

1910                            Edwin Walter Wood excerpts sent by Minnie Wood Cooper

                                    Sailing Captain Wood lost and returned to find remarriage