A few weeks ago I came across a reference to a diary written by David Evans and held by the Chester County History Center that referred to Frederick Douglass’s travels through Chester County in 1843.  That will have to be another blog post someday!  But what caught my eye, was the way in which Evans wrote his dates in his diary:

12th Mo. 1843, F. D. m. This day week lectures were delivered at the Schoolhouse on slavery by Frederick Douglass (col.)

12th Month refers to December, and First Day refers to Sunday,  It sounds a little unusual at first, until you consider the fact that Evans was a Quaker.  In fact in this part of the county throughout much of the 19th century that’s how Quakers, or the Society of Friends, wrote the names of the week and months.  In fact, if you are ever visiting us, have a look at the Public Sale notices located just outside the door to the General Store!

Public Sale Notice for Sharpless Worrall’s estate in Kennett Square.

So, as any person with historical curiosity would ask…why?

As it turns out the Quakers (Society of Friends) arrived at this manner of naming the days of the weeks and months to avoid using the pagan names which some months and days are named after.  since many days of the week and the names of the months stem from Greek and Roman gods, the Quakers began in 1752 to refer to all the months and days of the weeks by their number.