Pawling's 1764 Oblong Meeting House:
Dinner, show to benefit restoration efforts.

by Amy Witko

Entering the 1764 Oblong Meeting House, you can imagine the Quakers sitting on the long, wooden benches in the dimly lit building as they listened to their inner spiritual voices over 200 years ago.

Much of the wooden building that stands is the original product of the Quakers' toil. However, if the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling had not begun a $157,000 restoration project prior to the memorable winter of 1994 that produced 16 storms, all that might remain today would be a pile of historic rubble.

"When restoration began we discovered that three of the four joists weren't touching the foundation," said Historical Society member Betty Smith. "Three corners of the building were only standing out of habit." The restoration, completed last year, included repairing the foundation and building new supporting beams. Many of those supporting materials had to be replaced, but Smith said they tried to preserve and save as much as they could.

The Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling raised about $122,000 for the project, mainly through private donations. In an attempt to raise the remaining $35,000, the society, in conjunction with the Pawling Theatre show this Saturday, Oct. 21.

The dinner begins at 6 p.m. at Quaker Hill Country Club and will be followed by the performance of "Meet Me in St. Louis" at Pawling Junior-Senior High School at 8:15 p.m. A dessert reception will follow the performance.

Renowned actor and Pawling resident James Earl Jones plans to take part in the evening, although it is not clear how as of yet, according to Smith.

Center of activity

The 1764 Oblong Meeting House was the center of activity for Quakers, serving both as town hall and a place of worship. Smith said it is an important building due to its antiquity and all the history attached to it, especially since it served as a hospital during the Revolutionary War and the questioning of slavery was raised here more than 100 years before it was outlawed.

Quakers first came to the area after a land deal between New York and Connecticut was made in 1731. The Oblong, 55 miles long and 2 miles wide, became part of New York. Since there were no titles, Quakers settled in the "buffer zone" between the Dutch to the west and English to the east, said Smith.

The first meeting house was built across the street from where the 1764 Oblong Meeting House stands today. They built the "new" building to fit the needs of the growing meeting.

On first day, Sundays, the Quakers would sit in the meeting house for two to three hours "listening to one's inner voice," said Smith. Since there were no ministers, Friends could share their thoughts with other members during the service.

On the first floor, approximately 250 people could be seated on the long benches. In 1850, an additional 150 seats were built in the gallery for children.

On the fourth day, Wednesdays, the Quakers would meet again there, but the meeting house served as a place of business on the fourth day.

Women would sit on the right and men on the left, divided by a wooden curtain that could be drawn for Sunday service.

Smith said men would discuss agriculture or other farming issues, while women would discuss child rearing or other domestic issues.

"There was no hierarchy in the Society of Friends" said Smith. "Each member had the right to speak out since they believed that God was in each individual's heart and soul."

This issue of equality for all people was raised in the Oblong Meeting House in 1767. Quakers wondered if it was consistent with their beliefs to hold slaves. By 1776, any Quaker still owning a slave was "basically written out of the meeting," said Smith. Slave owners were not allowed to marry another Quaker or perform any other business with members. The last slave in Pawling, named Phillips, was freed in 1778.

George Washington was here

Then General George Washington confiscated the Oblong Meeting House in 1788 for the wounded and dying soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

Smith said the Quakers were not very "hospitable" toward those in the hospital due to their pacifist doctrine. For the most part, Quakers did not contribute blankets or wagons to aid the ailing soldiers. Although the Quakers were "very meticulous" record keepers, there is no mention of Washington's visit, according to Smith.

As membership began to die out, the, meeting was "laid down" in 1885. In 1936 the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling obtained the meeting house, but the Society of Friends still meet there one Sunday in July each year, said Smith.

The next phase of restoration will focus on the inside of the building. However, Smith said that will not occur until the next century.

"Hopefully the benefit will make a dent on the restoration work, so we can get back to focusing on the history and not the fund-raising," said Smith. To attend the dinner, show and dessert reception, the cost is $100 per person. To attend just the show and dessert reception, the cost is $50 per person. For more information, call Smith at (914) 855-1248.


STANDING THE TEST OF TIME: The 1764 Oblong Meeting House on Quaker Hill in Pawling might not have made it through the harsh winter of 1994 without a $157,000 restoration project that rebuilt the foundation. Pawling resident Betty Smith, a Historical Society of Quaker Hill member, stands outside the building in traditional Quaker garb. (Photo by Amy Witko.).

A LOOK INTO THE PAST: Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling maintain the 1764 Oblong Meeting House. Historical Society member Betty Smith tells visitors from the Danbury Women's Club of the first Quakers who arrived in Pawling. The meeting house does not have heat or electricity even today. (Photo by Amy Witko.), Amenia, N.Y., Harlem Valley Times, Taconic Newspapers, Thursday, October 19. 1995.