John Woolman – birth, Oct. 19, 1720

…Wherever there are true ministers of Jesus Christ, it is from the operation of his Spirit upon their hearts, first purifying them, and thus giving them a just sense of the conditions of others.

                – John Woolman, Journal (London: Edward Marsh, 1857), 11.

…We have found it to be our duty to cease from these national contests [referring to “a disagreement between” England and France] which are productive of misery and bloodshed…  

                – John Woolman, Journal (London: Edward Marsh, 1857), 31.

 Things that served chiefly to please the vain mind in people, I was not easy to trade in; seldom did it; and whenever I did, I found it weaken[ed] me as a Christian.

                – John Woolman, Journal (London: Edward Marsh, 1857), 38.

John Woolman was born this date 10/19/1720, Northampton, Burlington Co. NJ.  He was a Quaker preacher and also ran a shop using part of his profits to support abolitionist work.  He produced his Journal (written 1756-72) which influenced 19th century abolitionists.  He died in England where he was presenting his beliefs, 10/7/1772.

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George Boone – arrived in America, Oct. 10, 1717

An Englishman named George Boone on this date, 10/10/1717, arrived with his family at Philadelphia, PA.  They were Quakers (Society of Friends) arriving at the “capital” of American “Quakerism.”  They had departed from England (Devon) on August 17^th. 

His son, Squire Boone and Sarah Morgan’s marriage was “decently accomplished” by Quaker ceremony the seventh month, twenty-third day in 1720 (7/23/1720).  Their sixth son, Daniel, was the famous “Daniel Boone,” born 11/2/1734. 

Daniel was so successive in understanding Indians because of his grandparents and parents’ Quaker faith.  Friends (Quakers) treated Indians fairly and traded with them and thus Daniel got to learn Indian ways from peaceful Pennsylvania Red men.

It is sadly true that Daniel killed his share of Indians but sources will show that he did not enjoy this carnage and that he also saved Indian life.  This all started 10/10/1717 – ought to be easy to remember 10, 10, 17, 17.

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