In 1691, William
Penn, himself a Quaker, founded a government and a society that
welcomed all people and all religions. This tolerance attracted
immigrants of varied religions and backgrounds, including many
Quakers. By the 1730’s some of these families moved to York and Adams
Counties. The percentage of Quakers was significant. To support these new Quaker communities new meetings were established, notably, Newberry (Redlands) Meeting in 1739, Warrington in 1745,Menallen Meeting in 1748 and Huntington Meeting in 1750.
Although westward
emigration continued, several large Quaker families remained to become active in the orchard industry and follow the family traditions of their
ancestors who had been orchardists in Ireland in the 1600’s. Their
influence continues as the orchard industry continues to be a
significant contributor to the area today.
During the mid
1800’s, Quakers from Adams and York Counties played a leadership role
in the Abolitionist Movement in the United States. Members of Menallen
Meeting employed African Americans in their orchards and provided
living accommodations for them. Menallen members were very active in
helping escaped slaves find freedom north of the Mason Dixon Line and
in Canada, serving as ‘conductors’ on the Underground Railroad. Today, Huntington, and Menallen
Meetinghouses are are part of the National Park Services National
Network to Freedom which commemorates sites involved in the Underground
railroad.
Over the last half of
the 1800’s membership in the local Quaker Meetings declined,because of
the western migration. After 1860, Newberry, Warrington and Huntington
Meetings were laid down and the remaining membership transferred to
Menallen Monthly Meeting. The maintenance and preservation of these
historic meetinghouses and their associated cemeteries fell to the care
of Menallen Monthly Meeting. Currently, Menallen has responsibility for
three meetinghouses (Huntington, Newberry and Menallen) and five
cemeteries.
Membership at Menallen Monthly Meeting
today numbers approximately 50. Of the active members only two are
birthright members that have connections to the families that were so
active in these Meetings during the first century of their existence.
Nevertheless, the current members appreciate their responsibility to
the stewardship of the buildings and properties and the ties to the
past remains strong.
Historical Facts
Menallen Monthly Meeting held its first Meeting for Worship as a new independent Meeting on the ninth day ninth month in the year 1780.
Friends Phebe and William Wright aided over a 1000 freedom seekers. Their home was a major stop on the Underground Railroad in this area
Today
Menallen Monthly Meeting is still in existence and conducts Meeting for Worship each First Day (Sunday) at 10:30 am.
Huntington, and Menallen
Meetinghouses are are part of the National Park Services National
Network to Freedom which commemorates sites involved in the Underground Railroad.
History
