1763 Marriage: William Boen
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01923
- Source
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Anecdotes and memoirs of William Boen, a coloured man, who lived and died near Mount Holly, New Jersey
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Anecdotes and Memoirs of William Boen, a Coloured Man, Who Lived and Died near Mount Holly, New Jersey. To Which Is Added the Testimony of Friends of Mount Holly Monthly Meeting Concerning Him (Philadelphia: Printed by John Richards, 1834). Page 15.
- Event Description
-
The memoirs of Black Quaker William Boen, published after his death, indicate that he married a woman when he was about 28 years old. His wife's name is not mentioned in the pamphlet. He was, at this time in his life, transitioning from slavery to freedom. The event presumably took place in Northampton Township, which then encompassed Rancocas and Mount Holly — the areas most closely associated with William Boen's life story. Later in life, he became a member of the Mount Holly meeting.
Although a devout Quaker, William Boen was not admitted to membership in the Society of Friends until much later in life. His marriage did not take place at a monthly meeting, but was solemnized in the Quaker tradition at the home of a local friend. John Woolman, a prominent Quaker abolitionist in Mount Holly, played a pivotal role in arranging the marriage and issuing a marriage certificate to William Boen and his wife.
The following passage in the memoirs describes the event (page 15):
"About the twenty-eighth year of his age, he contracted for his freedom; and having entered into marriage engagements with a woman in the neighbourhood, but not being, at that time, a member of our society, he was straitened in his mind how to accomplish it; as he was fully convinced of our testimony in that respect.
In this difficulty, he made known his situation to our friend, John Woolman, who, to relieve him, had a number of persons convened at a friend's house, where they were married after the manner of our society, and a certificate to that effect, furnished them by those present.
About this time he made application to become a member of our society; but way not opening in Friend's minds, he was not received, but encouraged to continue faithful; which we believe he did, from the account we have of nearly his whole life." - Event Type
- Marriage
- Date
- 1763
- Date Certainty
- Approximate
- Location of Event
- Mount Holly (formerly Bridgetown, Northampton Township)
- Primary Participants
-
William Boen (ca. 1735-1824) {Heston}
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04868
Role: Spouse
Age: 28
Status: Transition - Additional Participants
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John Woolman (1720-1772)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04932
Role: Witness
Comment: arranged for the solemnization of the marriage - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker