An explanation of Friends' Meetings in Pennsylvania from The Ancestors of Charles Clement Heacock:
Friends' Meetings

The Canadian Friends Historical Association "was founded in 1972 with the aim of preserving and making known the religion, cultural, social and pioneer heritage of Quakers from when they first settled in Canada until today."

The great thing about my Heacock ancestors being members of the Society Of Friends, is being able to take advantage of the meticulous record keeping they did. Births, deaths, marriages, etc., were recorded and preserved by the Members of the Monthly Meetings. The sad thing, is learning of the persecution they had to endure while trying to find their way.

Into Canada the Quaker immigrants brought those principles of forthright simplicity, sobriety, personal integrity and fair dealing which had enabled their forebearers, led by William Penn, to found Pennsylvania as the only commonwealth in the United States which was free from warfare with the Indians. There ws in them neither hatred nor fear of any human being. History bears witness that Quakers never doffed their hats to kings, to potentates or even to judges in the court of law; that they submitted in simple dignity, level-eyed and serenely erect to scourgings,flayings and burnings in New England but would not forbear their preaching of peace and brotherhood even in the face of death; that John Till, the maternal great-grandfather of Deborah, Ann, Amy, Susannah and Jonathan Heacock among these very settlers, had lain in prison in Stafford, England at the grim behest of Oliver Cromwell, for six long years for failure to attend the public worship, until released by Charles the Secon, but would not yield his faith. Of such stock, were made these early Canadian pioneers" ( Pioneer Families of the Niagara Frontier by Lee F. Heacock; Buffalo Evening News, May 2, 1931)

Quakerism began in the mid 17th century in England, by George Fox. It is reported that he had not intended in starting a religious society, but people of like mind, gravitated toward him. As it was a time of religious and political unrest, the Parliament and the established church did not take kindly to the new ideas of George Fox and his followers. They believed in the concept of "that of God within", which then made it impossible for them to bear arms against another, or support those who did,(army). However, they did not sit idly by, but often stirred people up, against the traditional churches. In retaliation, Parliament passed the Quaker Act of 1662, which punished members who refused to take an oath of allegiance, or for those who assembled in groups for 'unauthorized worship'.Then, the Conventicle Acts of 1662 and 1670 were passed, increasing the persecution. It was no wonder that they chose to flee the country.

The first Quakers came from Britain to Canada, via America (United States), about the late 18th century, and continued through the 19th century. They arrived in the Maritimes, and settled there, as well as, in what is now the province of Ontario. A splinter group, "Children of Peace", was established in Sharon, Ontario. They in turn, were great supporters of the Sons of Temperance.

My Heacock ancestors were originally members of the Quakers, participated in the Sons of Temperance, and as time went on, became members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and then the United Church of Canada. The more I understand the religious history of my maternal family, the more I understand the strictness of my younger years. I resented that I was not allowed to play cards or sew, on Sundays. It was a 'day of rest'. I never took the time to understand the sacrifices of my ancestors.