David Sands

Sands, David
(04 October 1745–04 June 1818)
Hugh Barbour
https://doi.org/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0801314
Published in print: 1999Published online: February 2000

"Winthrop Preparative Meeting.—A statement in the journal of David Sands probably gives us the earliest recorded reference to the rise of Friends in Winthrop, where is now one of the most flourishing meetings in New England. In the year 1777 he wrote: "We went to a new settlement called Winthrop, where we had divers meetings. Here were several convincements, and many that appeared seeking the right way."

So far as we know there was not a single Friend in this township before David Sands' visit, and it is directly to his preaching and influence that we trace the convincement of all the original members of this meeting. A number of the most prominent men who were brought to adopt the principles and practices of Friends through the work of David Sands had served in the revolutionary war. Among these was Stewart Foster, whose father had received from the government a large tract of land on condition that he would settle in the township with his family, which he did.

During the war Stewart Foster had been taken prisoner and was confined on board an English prison ship. One dark night he and another prisoner jumped over- board and swam to the shore, and so escaped in safety to their own homes. After his return to Winthrop he settled on the farm now owned by Hannah J. Bailey where he reared a large number of boys and girls. After his convincement he continued through his long life to be a faithful Friend and a steady attendant of the meeting.

Another convinced member and former soldier was John Whiting, who lived not far from the so-called Snell schoolhouse. He was a very genial, cheerful man, much loved and respected in the neighbor- hood. He was a good example of a gentle, sweet Christian, and though he lived to be old, he was considered " very young for such an old man." He was chosen to act as clerk during the first year of Leeds monthly meeting in 1813, and was always a strong man in con- ducting business.

Ezra Briggs was one of the first Friends in Winthrop. A Friends minister, doubtless David Sands, came to his house one day and had a " religious opportunity " with his family. The service over, the minister started on his way, but had not gone far before he came back and said, "Ezra, it is high time thee requested and became a Friend;" this advice was followed and for the rest of his life Ezra Briggs was an active Friend. He acted as clerk at the first session of Leeds monthly meeting, was appointed an elder, and was prominent in all the business of the meeting.

We find from the journal of Joseph Hoag, the famous preacher and traveller from Vermont, that he visited Winthrop in the summer of 1802. He makes the following entry under the date of 7th mo., 25th: " After a meeting at Leeds we rode to Winthrop; here we found a little company of goodly Friends among rigid Presbyterians. We had a large and favored meeting here."

In these days, when such harmony prevails among different sects, it will do no harm to call to mind an anecdote which the oldest may still remember. The Presbyterians above referred to were building a church or, as Friends would have said, a " steeple house " in Winthrop. The men sent out to invite the neighbors to the "raising" were strictly charged to ask no "Quakers."

The day came for the raising, and sad to relate, for lack of men or for some reason the frame fell back and killed three men. The Friends rejoiced that they had received no invitation. The next day an effort was again made to raise the frame which had so disastrously fallen, when a part of it once more fell, very nearly killing another man. As superstition still lingered in the minds of some, it would not be strange if the Friends drew their own conclusions."

The History of Kennebec County, Maine" pp. 289-290