Reminiscences: Helen Bentley Lea (1858-1950)

the old Friend who said to a guest who had staid 2 Mos "Thee will never come to see me again" Why yes he replied I hope to do so" No thee will never go home so thee might come again" - The old Friends were very outspoken. Once a dear old lady arose in the meeting, said a few words Some one way down toward the back said "Those remarks were not heard down here" A lady next the preacher said "They were not worth hearing" The old meeting home built in 1817 was not at first heated. then quaint old

stoves were purchased with yards of pipe - Father said an old Friend did not approve of comfort or else thought their religious ardor should keep them warm - he came in threw his Coat, over the stove, said "dumb idol" when the coat began to smoke some one rescued it - Now they have modern heat and one old stove is in a museum as a relic -

In 1917 The One Hundredth annivesary of the building was observed with many speeches and a pageant

Bloomfield was built over 100 yrs ago. the original house, but Father added a large addition to it and other improvements. Once when he went up to bed he found roosting on top of the high post bed a hen. that flew on the roof and in a window, we were all much amused at this He told me of a German who was told by a man paying him a bill "to give a receipt in full. German wrote "I is full I wants no more John [Suachumer?]

The first meeting of the mens club was held at Bloomfield Father being a charter member - Once when we had many guests for supper, I was helping the maid to wait on table was sent out to get more creamed tomatoes I came in "help yourselves Friends there is a pot-full in the kitchen" Being much younger than my sisters I often played with my two brothers next older than I. Once to tease me they put a stone in a bag said come on lets drown Helens cat" I flew to tell my mother she walked out said "Take that stone out of that bag" never saying cat once. She well know boys mischief - she believed

in cold water treatment if we were naughty would sprinkle our faces - When the men were trying to break two young oxen she said dont whip them pour water on them and they learned to go ahead if they saw a pail coming toward them

A Quaker Wedding

It is customary among Friends when approaching marriage to "Pass meeting as it is called - The couple send in their intentions to the monthly meeting a committee is appointed to visit the young people. and see if there are any Impudiments as they are called this saves much trouble afterward. One month from the time - Comtee reports if all is favorable and they are allowed to wed