Edward Burrough and Francis Howgill travelled the country holding meetings. They were instrumental in setting up the Bull and Mouth meeting in Aldersgate, which was sometimes attended by very large crowds.
Strangely, Pepys writes in 1664 about an expedition in which he intended to go to a Quaker Meeting, and it seems it is this one he intended to attend:
Sunday 2 October, 1664
(Lord’s day). My wife not being well to go to church I walked with my boy through the City, putting in at several churches, among others at Bishopsgate, and there saw the picture usually put before the King’s book, put up in the church, but very ill painted, though it were a pretty piece to set up in a church. I intended to have seen the Quakers, who, they say, do meet every Lord’s day at the Mouth —[Tavern. D.W.]— at Bishopsgate; but I could see none stirring, nor was it fit to aske for the place, so I walked over Moorefields, and thence to Clerkenwell church, and there, as I wished, sat next pew to the fair Butler, who indeed is a most perfect beauty still; and one I do very much admire myself for my choice of her for a beauty, she having the best lower part of her face that ever I saw all days of my life.
One of the commentators on the Pepys diary website, Glyn, said:
"He has made an understandable error and gone to The Mouth just outside the Bishopgate entrance into the City rather than to The Bull and Mouth near the Aldersgate entrance into the City. As he then walked via Moorfields to Clerkenwell, he must have got quite close to his original intended destination. I don’t believe that taverns were open on a Sunday, so perhaps he loitered on a street corner near The Mouth in the hope of seeing Quakers going inside it."
Edward Burrough seems to have set up the meeting in Uxbridge by 1658, because it was in that year that John Sands wroteto George Fox to tell him that as Edward Burrough was no longer in the town, the meeting hath been neglected. Burrough was later to die in Newgate Prison, aged 29.
The George Inn
The George Inn features strongly in the first century of the Quakers in Uxbridge. It was there that people met in the dangerous days when holding a meeting for worship might make you liable for heavy fines or to go to prison. It was owned by Quakers, which seems incongruous now, when so the Quakers are associated with abstinence or moderation in alcohol.
The first Quaker marriage took place at the George Inn, between between Thomas Wright and Mary Redding, in 1677. The innkeeper Richard Richardson didn't confess until another 20 years that he had actually married in front of a priest, because his wife's family were afraid that a Quaker marriage might not be legal.
Uxbridge had a huge number of pubs in the 17th and 18th centuries, and was associated with milling and brewing.
In 1831 the Mirror published an engraving of the back of the George Inn, and said:
"The George Inn still remains, though it has been greatly diminished, A portion has been taken off either end in the man street, and converted into two good dwelling houses with shops; the one in the eastern end is now occupied by Mr Handy and that on the western by Mr Basset. The whole is still under one roof. The interior has been much altered. The panelled wainscotting and some old carving formerly to be seen in several rooms, is removed. This estate if the property of Samuel Salter, Esq of Rickmansworth, Herts. The house was considerably larger than now appears. There still remains, notwithstanding all the alterations that have been made, one spacious room which was formerly used for many years as a dissenting place of worship, and the county court is still held in it. Though the inn appears now but as a second-rate house, yet, a very slight inspection of the premises would show that they were able to afford ample accommodation to the Parliamentary commissioners. Here is at the present day stabling for upwards of sixty horses. Many of the rooms are turned into corn lofts, and the whole apearance is materially changed from what it must have been at the time of the treaty.
"It appear therefore, that at the Treaty House the parties met. The present George Inn was the place where the Parliamentary Commissioners sojourned; the abode of the King's Commissioners exists no longer as an Inn.
"We have extracted these particulars from a very respectable history of Uxbridge, published there a few years since. To the same source are we indebted for the original of the first engraving. The second is from a sketch by a zealous correspondent at Windsor. We visited Uxbridge a few weeks since, and found all accommodations of the George Inn to the letter. There is, however, a sad lack of carved and panelled work in the premises. The large room before spoken of as the rendezvous of the County Court is also appropriated to still more social assemblages. There scores of jovial souls meet ever and anon (for Uxbridge, like every other country-town, has its choice spirits) to quaff away their cares, and blow adrift life's troubles in a cloud of smoke.
"We ungratefully forget whether Uxbridge is famed for ale; we know it is for malt, but then the River Colne and the Grand Junction Canal are hard by. The obliging person who showed us the large room said something too about Harmonic Meetings: it is to be hoped the Parliamentary Commissioners were as harmonious there as are the occasional occupants in our times."
(from The Mirror of Literature, Amusement and Instruction, Saturday Novermber 5, 1831.)
By the time that the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society visited Uxbridge in 1861, the George was still standing but ad been much altered. George Eves wrote in his paper for the Society that: "Uxbridge has always been noted for the number of its inns: Camden says in his time this town was "full of inns". There are still twenty-one left...." He continued: "The George Inn still remains but much altered. The outside staircase in the yard was removed about three years back: I have a print of it lent me by Mr Hutson, shewing the yard, stairs and entrance from the street; it is taken from a sketch made by Sir W. Ross, the artist, who was a native of this town; his father lived in a house that adjoined the church...."
1683 the Town pays for the Quakers
Many members of meeting had goods seized and fines exacted, and eventually on the 28th of the 8th month, Justice Showsmith came to Uxbridge and threatened that if they didn't give sureties for their goos behaviour he would send them to gaol. Then he said that unless they all paid 5 shilings each and 20 shillings for the householders, they would go to gaol. At which:
"ye officers and ye neighbours perceiving the bent of ye Justices mind, rather than let those favourable neighbours go to prison, paid ye money for them..."
Among the members of meeting repeatedly prosecuted were:
Richad Heale, Distiller
Edward Swift, Cooper
Richard Cooke, Husbandman
John Winch, Cooper
Richard Fenn, Maltman
John Hyder, Cordwainer
Thomas Livings, Mealman
Joseph Heal, Distiller
Their occupations reflect the main business interests of Uxbridge at the time, which were flour milling, farming and brewing.
Deed for the land on which the meeting house stands is available on this page.
1682/3 the first Meeting House is built
John Hudson's bill for building the first meeting house is £159 10 shillings and tuppence.
Thomas Ellwood, who edited George Fox's journal and was the paid reader for Milton, did the accounts. I don't know if he was the writer of the account showing the people who subscribed to the Meeting House, but if he was, he had beautiful, flowing handwriting. The list itself isn't of much interest, but I reproduce it here, in case there are any family historians looking for information about their ancient Quaker relatives. Also, in the course of the research for this website, some of these names have become familiar.
A copy of a subscription gathering towards the Building of the Meeting House at Uxbridge
- Richard Richardson £10
- Jonathan Cock £5
- John Hudson £5
- Michael Riddle £2-10
- Mathew Marlyn £5
- Thomas Chandler £4
- Joseph Heale £8
- John Loake £1
- Richard Heale £10
- Thomas Hubberd £2
- Noah Pitcher £1
- Edward Swift £0-10 (Poor Edward Swift! he was fined so often when meeting as a Quaker was illegal, it seem he may have had little left)
- Richard Newsomb £1-1-6
- Philip Spisor(?) £0-10
- William Cathvell £1
- Thomas Caymore £8
- Richard Cook £1
- Phillip May £1
- William Alchin £1
- Ann Robins £0-5-0
- Thomas Lovett £0-15-0
There was a surplus from the raising of the subscriptions to the building, which went to the poor and needy.
23 August, 35 Charles II.
Certificate, under the hand and seal of William Bridgeman esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of the conviction before the said J.P. of Richard Haile of Uxbridge co. Midd. collermaker, of having preached to and taught the persons assembled at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c at the George Inn in Uxbridge aforesaid on the 19th inst. Aug.: Certifying also that a fine of 20£. was imposed on the said Richard Haile for his said offence. C. C. C, 35 Charles II.
27 August, 35 Charles II.
Certificate of the conviction, before Roger Jenyns of Hayes co. Midd. esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of Richard Hale of the George Inn in Woxbridge co. Midd. of having permitted an unlawful conventicle, comprising some twenty persons over and above the members of the said Richard Hale's family, to be held under colour of exercising religion &c. in his said inn on the 5th inst. Aug.: Certifying also that the said J.P. imposed a fine of 20£. on the said Richard Hale for the same offence. C. C. C., 35 Charles II.
15 February, 35 Charles II.
Certificate, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of the conviction of Edward Swift of Uxbridge co. Midd. yeoman, of having been present at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. on 7th Jan., 34 Charles II. at the George Inn in Uxbridge, and of having preached to and taught the persons assembled at the same conventicle: Certifying also that the said J.P. imposed a fine of 20£. upon the said Edward Swift for the said offence. C. C. C, 34 and 35 Charles II.
15 February, 35 Charles II.
Six several certificates, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of the conviction of James Stiles co. Bucks, yeoman, Richard Haeles of Uxbridge co. Midd. yeoman, John Haeles of Stanes co. Midd. yeoman, George Garwell of Heston co. Midd. yeoman, William Garwell of Heston co. Midd. yeoman, and James Polter of Harmonsworth co. Midd. . . . ., of having been present at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. in a certain house at Longford co. Midd., on nth Feb. 35 Charles II.: Certifying also that the said' J.P. imposed a fine on each offender for his said offence. C. C. C, 34 and 35 Charles II.
15 February, 35 Charles II.
Certificate, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of the conviction before the said J.P. of Richard Haels (sic) of Uxbridge co. Midd. yeoman, of having been present at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. in a certain house at Uxbridge on 28th Jan., 1682: Certifying also that the said J.P. imposed a fine of 10£. on the said Richard Haels for the said offence. C. C. C, 34 and 35 Charles II.
15 February, 35 Charles II.
Ten several certificates, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, certifying the conviction of each of the following persons, to wit, . . . . Tayler of Uxbridge co. Midd. widow, John Hales (sic) of Stanes co. Midd. yeoman, James Chapman of Thistleworth co. Midd. yeoman, . . . . Addams of Thistleworth co. Midd. yeoman, Thomas Sherrod of Thistleworth co. Midd. yeoman and his wife, William Cottrell of Twitenham co. Midd. yeoman and his wife, Leonard Pitcher of Twitenham co. Midd. yeoman and his wife, Thomas Pocock of Thistleworth co. Midd. yeoman and his wife, Thomas Fuller of Thistleworth co. Midd. yeoman and his wife, and William Garwell of Heston co. Midd. yeoman, of having been present at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. in a certain house at Longford co. Midd. on 14th Jan., 34 Charles II.: Certifying also the imposition of ten several fines of 10£. for the said offences, to wit, a fine of 10£. on each married couple, and a fine of 10£. upon each of the other offenders. C. C. C, 34 and 35 Charles II.
15 February, 35 Charles II.
Six several certificates, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of the conviction of Francis Goodall of Draton (sic) co. Midd. and his wife, Richard Heales (sic) of Uxbridge co. Midd. yeoman, Edward Swift of Uxbridge co. Midd. yeoman, . . . . Tayler of Uxbridge co. Midd. widow, William Franklyn of Harmonsworth co. Midd. yeoman, and James Polter of Harmonsworth co. Midd. yeoman and his wife, of having been present at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. in a certain house at Uxbridge aforesaid on 21st Jan., 34 Charles II.: Certifying also the imposition of six several fines for the said offences, to wit, a fine of 10£. on each married couple, and a fine of 10£. on each of the other offenders. C. C. C, 34 and 35 Charles II.
15 February, 35 Charles II.
Four several certificates, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, certifying the conviction before the said J.P. of Edward Swift of Uxbridge co. Midd. yeoman, . . . . Tayler of Uxbridge co. Midd. widow, Francis Goodall of Dreaton co. Midd. yeoman and his wife, James Polter of Harmansworth co. Midd. yeoman and his wife, of having been present at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. in a certain house in Uxbridge on the 14th Feb., 35 Charles II.: Certifying also the imposition of four several fines of 10£. for the said offences, to wit, a fine of 10£. for the joint offence of each married couple, and a fine of 10£. on each of the other offenders. C. C. C., 34 and 35 Charles II.
15 February, 35 Charles II.
Certificate, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P, for Middlesex, of the conviction of Richard Haels of Uxbridge co. Midd. yeoman, of having been present at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. on 7th Jan., 34 Charles II., at the George Inn at Uxbridge, and of having preached to and taught the persons assembled at the said conventicle: Certifying also that the said J.P. imposed a fine of 20£. on the said Richard Haels. In the certificates touching this offender and other conventiclers bearing the same surname, the name is spelt in these five different ways, to wit, Hales, Haeles, Haels, Heales and Heals. C. C. C., 34 and 35 Charles II.
15 February, 35 Charles II.
Two several certificates, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, certifying the convictions before the said J.P. of . . . . Tayler of Uxbridge co. Midd. widow, and Francis Goodall of Dreaton (sic) co. Midd. yeoman and his wife . . . . Goodall, of having been present at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. in a certain house at Uxbridge on 7th Jan., 34 Charles II.: Certifying also the imposition of two several fines for the said offences, to wit, a fine of 10£. on the widow Tayler, and a fine of 10£. on Francis Goodall and his wife. C. C. C, 34 and 35 Charles II.
15 February, 35 Charles II.
Three several certificates, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, certifying the conviction of (1) William Polter of Harmansworth co. Midd. yeoman and his wife . . . . Polter, (2) Edward Swift of Uxbridge yeoman and (3) William Hales of Uxbridge yeoman, of having been present at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. at a certain house in Longford on 14 Jan., 34 Charles II.: Certifying also the imposition of fines for their said offence, to wit, a fine of 10£. on William Polter and his wife, a fine of 10£. on Edward Swift and a fine of 10£. on William Hales. C. C. C, 34 and 35 Charles II.
15 February, 35 Charles II.
Two several certificates, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of the conviction of Richard Gyden of Harmondsworth co. Midd. . . . . of having been present at two several conventicles, held under colour of exercising religion &c. in a certain house at Uxbridge on two several occasions, to wit, in the morning and afternoon of 21 Jan., 34 Charles II.: Certifying also that the said J.P. had imposed two several fines on the said Richard Gyden for the said two offences, to wit, a fine of 10£. for each offence. C. C. C, 34 and 35 Charles II.
. . . . February and March, 35 Charles II.
Six several certificates, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of the conviction before the said J.P. of . . . . Richardson of Uxbridge co. Midd. inholder, of having wittingly and willingly permitted six several unlawful conventicles to be held under colour of exercising religion &c. in a certain Inn in the said parish, commonly called "The George Inn" and in the occupation of the said . . . . Richardson, on four several days, to wit, on the 7th and 21st of January, 34 Charles II. and the 4th and 18th Feb., 35 Charles II.: Certifying also that the said magistrate imposed six several fines on the said . . . . Richardson for the said six offences, to wit, a fine of 20£. for each offence. C.C.C., 34 and 35 Charles II.
5 March, 35 Charles II.
Certificate, under the hand and seal of Peter Sabbs esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of the conviction before the said J.P. of Richard Haeles (sic) of Uxbridge co. Midd. yeoman of having been present at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. in a certain house at Uxbridge aforesaid on 18th Feb., 34 Charles II.; Certifying also that the said J.P. imposed a fine of 10£. on the said Richard Hales (sic) for the said offence. C. C. C, 34 and 35 Charles II.
5 August, 35 Charles II.
Certificate of the conviction, before Roger Jenyns esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of John Browne of Sunbury co. Midd. fisherman of having taken upon himself to preach to and teach the persons assembled at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c. at the George Inn in Woxbridge co. Midd. on 5th August, 35 Charles II.; Certifying also that the said J.P. imposed a fine of 20£. on the said John Browne for his said offence. C. C. C, 35 Charles II,
23 August, 35 Charles II.—Certificate, under the hand and seal of William Bridgeman esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of the conviction before the said J.P. of Richard Haile of Uxbridge co. Midd. collermaker, of having preached to and taught the persons assembled at an unlawful conventicle, held under colour of exercising religion &c at the George Inn in Uxbridge aforesaid on the 19th inst. Aug.: Certifying also that a fine of 20£. was imposed on the said Richard Haile for his said offence. C. C. C, 35 Charles II.
27 August, 35 Charles II.
Certificate of the conviction, before Roger Jenyns of Hayes co. Midd. esq. and J.P. for Middlesex, of Richard Hale of the George Inn in Woxbridge co. Midd. of having permitted an unlawful conventicle, comprising some twenty persons over and above the members of the said Richard Hale's family, to be held under colour of exercising religion &c. in his said inn on the 5th inst. Aug.: Certifying also that the said J.P. imposed a fine of 20£. on the said Richard Hale for the same offence. C. C. C., 35 Charles II.