Local History: Introduction

Local History: Introduction

The information in this historical section has three main sources - two manuscripts of talks prepared by local Quakers, and the invaluable book 'The Sleepers and the Shadows - Chelmsford: a town, its people and its past', volume 2, by Hilda Grieve.

Hilda's book is based on extensive research in local and national archives.

The Quaker manuscripts were prepared in 1953 and 1971 respectively, and both address the history of Quakers in Mid-Essex. The texts can be accessed by clicking here for the 1953 text, and here for 1971 text. In these two texts, references may be found to Witham Monthly Meeting, which is now known as Mid-Essex Area Meeting.

Topics covered are:

• Beginnings
• Persecution
• Marriages, births and burials
• Meeting houses
• Faith in action
• People
• Conscientious objectors