6th month, 1824.
Memorial of Mount Holly monthly meeting of
Friends, concerning William Boen, a coloured
man. Read in the Yearly Meeting of Friends,
held in Philadelphia, 1829.
As the memory of those who have followed the leadings of that Teacher which leadeth into all truth, and enables its votaries to become, by example, preachers of righteousness, is precious, we feel engaged to give the following testimony concerning our deceased friend, William Boen, a coloured man.
He was born in the year 1735, in the neighbourhood of Rancocas. Being a slave from his birth, he had very little opportunity of acquiring useful learning; yet by his own industry and care, he succeeded in learning to read and write.
His mind became seriously impressed while very young, and he was induced in early life, to attend to the monitions of light and life in his own mind, being convinced from what he felt within him, of the existence of a Supreme Being; and also of the manner of his visiting the children of men, by the inward peace which he felt upon a faithful performance of what he thus apprehended to be his duty.
About the twenty-eighth year of his age, he contracted for his freedom; and having entered into marriage engagements with a woman in the neighbourhood, but not being, at that time, a member of our society, he was straitened in his mind how to accomplish it; as he was fully convinced of our testimony in that respect.
In this difficulty, he made known his situation to our friend, John Woolman, who, to relieve him, had a number of persons convened at a friend’s house, where they were married after the manner of our society, and a certificate to that effect, furnished them by those present.
About this time he made application to become a member of our society; but way not opening in Friends’ minds, he was not received, but encouraged to continue faithful; which we believe he did, from the account we have of nearly his whole life.
He was concerned above all things, to walk in the path of truth and righteousness; and according to his measure, to be faithful to every opening of duty, by which means he obtained the esteem of all who knew him.