Meeting for Sufferings of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting

A “Meeting for Sufferings” was established by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in 1756. This representative body, functioning roughly as an executive committee when the Yearly Meeting was not in session, consisted of approximately 25 “weighty” members appointed by the Yearly Meeting. Duties included oversight of Quaker publications, recording annual accounts of sufferings (primarily as a result of the Peace Testimony) and assistance to any affected individuals, collecting memorials concerning deceased Friends, and correspondence with the Meeting for Sufferings in London.