Person:Sophia Brooks (1)

Following the death of her parents Sophia's care became the responsibility of the Cecil Meeting of Friends and their is considerable discussion of her (and her sisters) needs in the church records. She and her sisters were placed in the care of Samuel Wallis. 11d, 5m, 1768. "The Women Friends having requested ... to have the two young children (Hannah and Sophia) of Henry Brooks put to school at Wilmington and inform likewise they have provided two suitable places, viz Zachariah Ferrises or Hester Whites ... and appoints Joshua Lamb and Abraham Raisin to see the same accomplished." 8d, 6m, 1768. "The friends appointed to take the care of Henry Brooks two youngest children report Samuel Wallis (122) did not choose to pay so high a board for them. It was required ... the same friends are continued to request him to comply with his former engagement on their accounts." 15d, 7m, 1768. "Samuel Wallis ... informes this meeting that he cannot afford to pay so high a board, but is willing to give up the children and their estates if friends so cause to take them. Otherwise to board and school them at Wilmington three months, which he is requested to do." Following her marriage to Frances Wallis, the following entries are in the Cecil Meeting records relative to Sophia Brooks: 12d, 1m, 1774. "Whereas Sophia Brooks, now Wallis, has gone out in marriage contrary to the advice of Friends, she being tenderly and lovingly admonished before marriage, therefore it is the mind of this meeting to appoint Rebeckah Lamb and Susannah Lamb to prepare a testafication against her the said Sophia Brooks, now Wallis, for her outgoing in marriage and produce it at next meeting." 8d, 6m, 1774. "After working a long time on this transgresion, the women friends finally admitted that she was not going to repent and they presented a testafication to the Cecil Meeting for approval and action which according to their customs was being disowned by the Society of Friends. 11d, 10m, 1780. Sophia Wallis produced an acknowledgement to this meeting condemning her outgoing in marriage. Samuel Wallis and George Lamb appointed to visit her and report their sence of her state." 8d 11m 1780. Those appointed reported they had had an "opportunity to visit her and believe her desires are sincere that they had a conference with her respecting slave keeping and that she became tender in that respect and friends think more labor necessary" 10d, 1m, 1781. Those appointed reported an opportunity to be with her with a degree of satisfaction, and the outcome was that the meeting received her as a member with the admonition "let friends be careful not to forward her as an active member until they are clear she bears a faithful testimony again."

1. ↑ Records of Meetings, Cecil Meeting of Friends, Kent Co, MD.
2.   Records of Meetings, Cecil Meeting of Friends, Kent Co, MD.