1824-06-12 Death: William Boen
- Identifier
- NJS-EVE-01925
- 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). Pages 13, 18.
- Event Description
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William Boen, a Black Quaker and member of the Mount Holly Monthly Meeting, died on 12 June 1824. He was 89 years old. The Society of Friends published memoirs of his life ten years later, which included the text of an obituary notice.
As noted on p. 18 of the memoirs:
"His weakness continued to increase until he passed quietly away, on the night of the 12th of the 6th month, 1824, in the ninetieth year of his age; and we doubt not, he has entered into his heavenly Father's rest."
The following passages on p. 13-14 of the memoirs discuss William Boen's death:
"When William was drawing near the close of his long and exemplary life, his bodily powers failed through weakness, and the decay of nature; but his mind was preserved clear and tranquil. At this season, he was frequently visited by a friend, who, on one occasion, made some remarks respecting the calm and peaceful state of mind, which he appeared to enjoy, and inquired of him by what means he had attained to such a happy state. William, in accordance with his common expression of trying all things by the mind, gave this short and comprehensive answer: 'By keeping the mind easy,--and resisting every thing that made it uneasy.'
Soon after his death, the following obituary notice, appeared in one of the public papers:
'Died, near Mount Holly, on the 12th instant, in the ninetieth year of his age, William Boen, (alias Heston) a coloured man.
Rare, indeed, are the instances that we meet with, in which we feel called upon to record the virtues of any of this afflicted race of people. The decreased, however, was one of those who have demonstrated the truth of that portion of scripture, that "of a truth God is no respecter of persons; but in everynation, they that fear him and work righteousness, are accepted with him.'
He was concerned, in early life, 'to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with his God;' and by a close attention to the light of Christ within, and faithfully abiding under the operation of that blessed spirit of Divine grace in his soul, he was enabled, not only to bear many precious testimonies faithfully, to the end of his days, but also to bring forth those fruits of the spirit which redound to the glory of God, and the salvation of the soul. He was an exemplary member of the religious Society of Friends; and as he lived, so he died,--a rare pattern of a self-denying follower of Jesus Christ. He had no apparent disease,--either of body or mind; but, as he expressed himself a short time before his death, he felt nothing but weakness: which continued to increase, until he gently breathed his last; and is, no doubt, entered into his heavenly Father's rest.
'Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.'
6th month, 1824." - Event Type
- Death
- Date
- June 12, 1824
- Location of Event
- Mount Holly (formerly Bridgetown, Northampton Township)
- Primary Participants
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William Boen (ca. 1735-1824) {Heston}
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04868
Role: Deceased Person
Age: 89
Status: Free - Record Contributor
- Jesse Bayker