Message from the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (PaCET) for Sunday Meeting 23rd April 2023

Dear Friends,

It occurred to me that you might appreciate the first few pages of our Friend David Hitchin’s book. It seems to me to have resonance for us at this moment. Some of you may have the book – a mine of information. The words in italics are drawn from the original records. I think I have managed to copy the words exactly as David recorded them.

In Friendship
Nancy

On behalf of the Pastoral Care and Eldership Team (David Hitchin, Chris Lawson, Tim Pitt-Payne, Caroline Pybus, Theresa Samms, Nancy Wall)

Lewes Quaker Meeting House (under construction)
This image (diagramatic only) shows that there was a low brick wall with a timber frame on top. Boards were then nailed over the frame, and they were covered with mathematical tiles, which were then pointed with lime putty. 
 
A minute of 1784 that the old Meeting House was thought unfit to sit in appears near the end of a long series of reports. In November 1782 John Rickman and Thomas Cruttenden presented a plan and estimation of charges on altering and repairing the Meeting House as requested. This meeting requests William Tuppen to join the said Friends and examine the estimation making alteration in the plan as seems necessary to them and report their proceedings to the next sitting of this meeting. This was for extending the building in length for the better accommodating of Friends.  In January 1783 William Tuppen with the Friends appointed have re-examined the Meeting House at Lewes as requested and find the method will be to take off the roof and prepare two convenient chambers on the second floor, which they apprehend will cost nearly ninety pounds. 
 
In July the matter was still under discussion. This meeting considered the considerable expense that will attend repairing the meeting house at Lewes, and other disagreeable circumstances propose building another at a more convenient place; or repair the present house which is now left to the following Friends to proceed therein [eight names given]. Next month Thomas Marten and Thomas Cruttenden junior two of the Friends appointed to proceed in repairing the Meeting House at Lewes or build a new one as they judge most expedient report they are not come to a final conclusion which report this Meeting expects more fully at our next.
 
In September The committee appointed to repair the Meeting House at Lewes or to build a new Meeting House and dwelling House adjoining thereto requests Thomas Rickman, senior, to apply to the Quarterly Meeting for their approbation to sell the present Meeting House at Lewes when a suitable purchaser offers and the money arising therefrom to go towards building a new house with dwelling house adjoining there to.
 
Our reasons for this application are these: near the present Meeting House is a slaughter house and the soil arising therefrom is sometimes thrown out in the road leading to the house which in summer season is very offensive, and lately a turner’s workshop is erected adjoining the meeting house. Frequently the turner’s lathe is going on the weekday which is disturbing to the Meeting when sitting. The intended new Meeting House and dwelling house we propose will cost near £220 and the money arising from the sale of the present house we apprehend may be about £100, the difference we hope to raise by subscriptions in the compass of Lewes Monthly Meeting.
 
In October, with the approval of Quarterly Meeting, the meeting appointed Thomas Cruttenden, Thomas Martin, Thomas Rickman, junior, to make sale of the present Meeting House and to be delivered to the purchaser by the 4^thmonth 1784. We are of the opinion the price ought not to be less than £105, but more of it can be obtained. 
 
The work was completed by the 13^th June, 1784.
 
The subscribers were Thomas Rickman, senior and Thomas Rickman junior, £21 each; Daniel Burns, Thomas Cruttenden, Thomas Marten, John Rickman, Richard Peters Rickman, Samuel Rickman senior, Mary Rickman (Barcombe), 10 guineas each, Christopher Spencer, 5 guineas and Samand Carter, 1 guinea.  [The total in the minute book is in error by 10 shillings.]