Friends Meetinghouse (Uxbridge, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Friends Meetinghouse
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Friends Meeting House, Uxbridge, MA, 1770, Route 146A and Route 98; National Register of Historic Places
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Uxbridge, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1770 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000395 |
| Added to NRHP | January 24, 1974 |
The Friends Meetinghouse is a very old and important building in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. It's a special church for the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. You can find it where two roads, Route 146A and Route 98, meet. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 24, 1974, which means it's recognized as a significant place in American history.
Discovering the Meetinghouse History
The Friends Meetinghouse was built in 1770 in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. It was constructed by Quakers who came from Smithfield, Rhode Island. The building is unique because it's one of the last old church structures made from "crude brick" still standing in America. These bricks were made right across the street from the building!
Building Features and Quaker Traditions
This two-story building has a balcony inside. Following Quaker traditions, the meetinghouse had separate entrances and meeting areas for men and women. This design reflected their customs during worship. The building is located at 479 Quaker Highway and has a rectangular roof with gables.
Early Quaker Settlement in Massachusetts
The "Quaker City" settlement in Uxbridge was one of the first places where Quakers settled in the Massachusetts Colony. This happened after they had been forced out by the Puritans in the 1600s. The Friends Meetinghouse became a central part of this new community.
Important Quakers and Their Impact
This historic meetinghouse was home to many influential Quakers. They helped shape important movements in American history.
Quakers and the Industrial Revolution
One of the founding families of this church was the Mowry family from Rhode Island. Richard Mowry was an important Quaker who lived in Quaker City. He invented machines to make wool and cotton fabrics. This made him a pioneer in the early American industrial revolution, especially in Uxbridge's textile industry. He was also a very religious Quaker who shared his beliefs widely.
Abby Kelley Foster: A Champion for Change
The Friends Meetinghouse was also the church home of Abby Kelley Foster. She was a powerful leader in the abolitionist movement, which worked to end slavery. Abby Kelley Foster inspired other famous leaders, like Susan B. Anthony and Lucy Stone, to join the fight for freedom. In 1841, the Uxbridge Quaker group had concerns about her radical speeches to mixed groups of men and women.
Effingham Capron and the Underground Railroad
Another nationally known anti-slavery leader from the Uxbridge meeting was Effingham Capron. He was a strong supporter of ending slavery. Effingham led the anti-slavery movement in Uxbridge, which had about 450 local members. He also served as a Vice President for state and national anti-slavery groups.
Effingham invited important leaders to speak in Uxbridge in the 1830s. He was known for helping enslaved people escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad. He would house them in his home. Uxbridge was an important stop on this route, as it connected to other areas where formerly enslaved people could find safety. The Worcester area was a key center for the anti-slavery movement, and the Quaker Meetinghouse was a vital part of this network.
Quakers Against Slavery
The first Quakers who settled here from Smithfield and Providence, RI, were among the first people in America to personally oppose slavery. They even freed the enslaved people they owned. These early Quakers were connected to Moses Brown, who helped start Brown University.
Historic Quaker Communities
Many Quaker homes were built in this area, which was known by names like Quaker City, Aldrich Village, and the village of Ironstone, Massachusetts. The cemetery at the Friends Meetinghouse is also full of history. Records show the death of various members of the Arnold family. One record notes the death of "Sarah Arnold" in 1836. It is thought that Peggy Shippen, the second wife of General Benedict Arnold (a famous Revolutionary War general), might have returned to Uxbridge secretly. She may have come back to her Quaker roots at this meetinghouse, as she was raised as a Quaker in Philadelphia.
Archaeological Discoveries
Near the meetinghouse, an old cemetery was moved during the construction of Massachusetts Route 146 between 1981 and 1984. This project led to important historical discoveries by researchers from Boston University.
See also
