From The Wilmington News Journal dated Monday 31 Aug 2009.
The history of Chester Friends Meeting and cemetery was presented for the program when the Clinton County Genealogy Society met Aug. 24 at the Clinton County Historical Society with 32 members in attendance.
Joyce Peters, acting president, opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag. She introduced visitors to the meeting, Paul and Martha Anthony of North Carolina, Pauline Terrell, Carol Tharpe, Caroline Lewis and J. Douglas Borton.
Jim Hackney, who presented the program, said the McMillan family of Ireland started their American journey in Chester County Pennsylvania. They later moved to York County Pennsylvania before coming to Ohio by prairie schooner and settling in Indian Territory they called Meetland. The name was later changed to the McMillan community. Members traveled to Center Meeting for worship. Finding the trip far to travel, they requested the opportunity to establish their own meeting house but were denied. In 1824, three members each purchased four acres of land to establish the Chester Friends Meeting house and began their own worship. Center Meeting did not give them formal approval until May of 1839.
Hackney spoke of the anti-slavery movement in which the church had a major role. The members were against war and part of the temperance movement. For years the members were very strict but became more conservative as time went on. The speaker shared pictures of the building as it would have looked in the early 1800s, 1843 to 1913 and how it looks today. He also showed a bench that has been in the meeting house for years. It is used by the children today. Hackney shared many funny stories that have been passed down through the congregation. Many stories have been lost as church members pass on. The Chester Friends Meeting is still active today.
The first burial in the cemetery was John Baxter and his wife Mary. Many Quakers didnt use headstones at this time. Those who did used small unadorned stones. There are several slaves buried in this graveyard, most have no headstone.
The minutes were read and approved as read. The treasurer's report was also approved. David Holmes mentioned a $1,000 anonymous donation he received from a member who read about the organizations financial problems in the newsletter.
Joyce Pinkerton, Shirley Lakotas and Mary Lou Bush have been working on a history of CCGS for the Ohio Historical Society who is putting together a book on all Ohio Genealogy Societies. They are looking for pictures to include with their article.
Christine Snyder reported on the upcoming event at the Springfield Meeting taking place on Sept. 19 and 20. There will be displays, antiques, period clothing, art, the Eli Harvey collection, a cemetery walk, bus tour, play, slide show, worship, basket dinner and music. On Sunday, everyone is invited to go to the Quaker Heritage Center for the unveiling of the statue. There will also be food for sale by Sam's Deli and Jen's Deli. They also have for sale a 500-plus page book which will have lots of genealogy details. Springfield Meeting is located off Route 380.
Jean Holmes suggested a copy of the group's newsletter be sent to members of the Historical Society and ask if they wish to include information in future editions.
The next meeting is Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Melissa Beal Beyerlein will speak on New York Quaker Families and Clinton County -- Dakin Colony.
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