The present town of Adams was settled soon after 1769, by a group of Quakers, most of them from Smithfield, Rhode Island, and the nearby town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts. They were neighbors and friends of the settlers in nearby New Providence, on Stafford Hill (Cheshire), who were staunch Baptists. The Friends soon settled and owned nearly all the farms in this valley. They worshipped for a time in their homes, usually that of Isaac Killey. In 1782 they erected this building (Quaker Meeting House), and it was used continuously by them for over sixty years. In their transaction of business, the men and women held separate meetings and kept separate records. For this reason the Meeting House was constructed in the manner we see, with the two outer doors, and movable partitions to provide privacy during separate meetings. The building has remained in it's original unrestored condition.
In the religious service the partitions were raised. The women sat on the left side, where they received the benefit of the fireplace. On the elevated seats were seated visiting preachers, or leaders. Hannah Hoxie, a talented preacher, occupied the high seat on the women's side for many years. Since there were no evening meetings, there was no provision for lighting the building. If there were two Sunday services those driving from a distance brought their lunch and stayed to both services.
In the religious service the partitions were raised. The women sat on the left side, where they received the benefit of the fireplace. On the elevated seats were seated visiting preachers, or leaders. Hannah Hoxie, a talented preacher, occupied the high seat on the women's side for many years. Since there were no evening meetings, there was no provision for lighting the building. If there were two Sunday services those driving from a distance brought their lunch and stayed to both services.
The present town of Adams was settled soon after 1769, by a group of Quakers, most of them from Smithfield, Rhode Island, and the nearby town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts. They were neighbors and friends of the settlers in nearby New Providence, on Stafford Hill (Cheshire), who were staunch Baptists. The Friends soon settled and owned nearly all the farms in this valley. They worshipped for a time in their homes, usually that of Isaac Killey. In 1782 they erected this building (Quaker Meeting House), and it was used continuously by them for over sixty years. In their transaction of business, the men and women held separate meetings and kept separate records. For this reason the Meeting House was constructed in the manner we see, with the two outer doors, and movable partitions to provide privacy during separate meetings. The building has remained in it's original unrestored condition.
In the religious service the partitions were raised. The women sat on the left side, where they received the benefit of the fireplace. On the elevated seats were seated visiting preachers, or leaders. Hannah Hoxie, a talented preacher, occupied the high seat on the women's side for many years. Since there were no evening meetings, there was no provision for lighting the building. If there were two Sunday services those driving from a distance brought their lunch and stayed to both services.
In the religious service the partitions were raised. The women sat on the left side, where they received the benefit of the fireplace. On the elevated seats were seated visiting preachers, or leaders. Hannah Hoxie, a talented preacher, occupied the high seat on the women's side for many years. Since there were no evening meetings, there was no provision for lighting the building. If there were two Sunday services those driving from a distance brought their lunch and stayed to both services.
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