And finally the meeting records:
"On the 21st of Second Month, 1783, John Payne requests a certificate for himself and family to join themselves to Friends in Philadelphia. Micajah Crew and Moses Harris are appointed to make the necessary enquiry, and if nothing appears to hinder, produce one accordingly at next meeting."
This committee seems to have thought that John Payne could not properly discharge his duties as executor from the distant town of Philadelphia. Accordingly, at the next meeting, held the following month:
"James Crew is appointed to receive the estate of Elizabeth Elmore, deceased, from John Payne, executor, and give us account thereof at next meeting. Micajah Crew, James Jarvis and James Hunnicutt are appointed to assist him in devising the said Elizabeth Elmore's cloths and to give their advice and assistance in settling all other matters that may come before them, respecting the estate."
And as John Payne is about to remove without the verge of this Meeting, James Hunnicutt is therefore appointed clerk thereof in his stead."
It will be seen that this little community looked carefully after the various interests of its members. Their "temporal" as well as "spiritual" affairs were within its province, to advise and admonish as seemed best to them.
The investigation having been entirely satisfactory otherwise, the following month a certificate of removal is granted from "Caeder Creek Monthly Meeting, held in Hanover county, Virginia, bearing date of 12th of 4th mo., 1783, for John and Mary Payn and their children: William Temple, Dolly, Isaac, Lucy, Anne, Mary and John," directed to the "Northern District Mo. Mtg. of Philadelphia."
The form of this certificate was probably like the following one drawn up by John Payne as clerk:
"To the Monthly Meeting held at Southriver.
Dear Friends:
"Our writing to you at this time is on account of David Terrill, who now resides within the verge of your Meeting, and requests our Certificate for himself and children. These may certify, that after the needful enquiry, we have cause to believe his affairs are settled to satisfaction. His life and conversation being in a good degree orderly whilst among us, we therefore recommend him, together with his children [namely: ....] to your Christian care, and with desires for their growth in the truth, we remain your friends and brethren.
"Signed on behalf of our Monthly Meeting held at Cedar Creek, 8 mo. 24th, 1781.
"John Payne, Clerk."