David Buffum (1743 - 1829)

Born 17 Oct 1743 in Smithfield, Providence, Rhode Island

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 20 May 1829 at age 85 in Middletown, Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bethany Simonson [send private message]

Biography

David was a Friend (Quaker)

David was born 17 Oct 1743.^[1] He was the son of Joseph and Margaret Buffum.^[1][2]

He married on Wait Wilkinson, daughter of Israel Wilkinson, on 27 Sep 1767 at Smithfield, Providence, Rhode Island.^[2]

He passed away 20 May 1829.^[3]

Children

Children of David and Waite Buffum:

• Lavina Buffum, born 30 Jul 1768.^[4]
• Huldah Buffum, born 28 Feb 1771.^[5]
• George Buffum, born 1 Feb 1773.^[6]

Testimony

The following testimony is from Memorials of deceased friends of New England Yearly Meeting.^[3]

Our minds being deeply impressed with the loss the Church hath sustained by the removal from works to rewards, of our ancient and beloved friend, David Buffum, we feel engaged to manifest our sense thereof by furnishing the following testimony concerning him.

He was born in Smithfield, in the year 1743, and was the son of Joseph and Margaret Buffum, both respectable members of our religious society. For the last thirty-eight years of his life, he was a valuable member of Rhode-Island Monthly Meeting.

He possessed a sound discriminating mind. Benevolence, sympathy and genuine hospitality were distinguished traits in his character, and on the subject of these and other valuable endowments, much might with truth be said. Our object, however, is not to eulogize departed worth, but rather to magnify the great and excellent name of Him who “giveth gifts unto men,” and by his power can incline their hearts to consecrate them to his service. By the operation of this power, the mind of our departed friend became early convinced of the reality of true religion, and the necessity of yielding to the convictions of the spirit of truth in the heart. But it was not an easy thing for his strong mind to bow to the simplicity of the gospel, yet being visited and revisited by Divine grace and the inshinings of that light, which “maketh manifest,” he was enabled clearly to see that the way of the cross was the only way to the crown; thus after much self-abasement and conflict, he was strengthened to make the sacrifice required, and to offer an offering in righteousness. On the subject of his internal exercises, he did not often converse; yet there were seasons wherein he very feelingly and instructively adverted to those solemn “days of preparation;” in one of these, he left the following testimony to the importance of a strict attention to manifested duty, even in things, considered by too many, as of minor importance. “That if in the day of small things, he had not yielded to the comparatively minute sacrifices demanded of him as tests of his obedience, he never could have known an advancement in a religious course.”

After this surrender of his will to the Divine will, a gift in the ministry was committed to him. This he frequently exercised to the comfort and edification of his friends; and many of us can feelingly bear witness to the humility of spirit, the earnestness and solemnity which marked his communications, when expostulating with his fellow pilgrims on the necessity of unreserved obedience to the requirings of truth as manifested in the secret of the soul. On this subject, a subject so forcibly and frequently inculcated in the holy Scriptures, he was often evidently exercised, and appeared deeply to feel the solemn import of the memorable charge given by Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the servants at the marriage in Cana of Galilee: “Whatever he saith unto you, do it.” The due observance of this command, together with that of often repairing to and keeping on the watch-tower, were points to which with much weight and energy he frequently endeavored to direct the attention of others. Through the efficacy of this watch fulness he was favored to keep in proper subjection a mind inclined to philosophical researches, and a disposition naturally cheerful.

He maintained with great firmness and religious propriety the testimonies of truth, with respect to war and slavery; the former by patiently suffering distraint of property; and the latter, by faithfully laboring in conjunction with other exercised Friends, for the freedom of slaves that were held by members of our religious Society; nor were these exertions abated until all that were retained in bondage within this Yearly Meeting, were set at liberty.

His field of labor in the line of the ministry was not very extensive, his services therein being chiefly within the com pass of his own Yearly Meeting; although he occasionally visited those of Philadelphia and New-York. Yet, notwithstanding he was circumscribed in this respect, his mind was often clothed with desires, that Friends everywhere might live up to their profession. The introduction of unsound principles into our once united Society, occasioned him much painful exercise. In an interesting conversation, which an intimate friend of his, had with him of latter time, on subjects relative to the Christian Faith, he emphatically and with great reverence declared his full belief in the plain Scripture account of the miraculous birth, life, miracles, death, resurrection and ascension, of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; and that He is now our Mediator with the Father, and also expressed his full assurance of the Divine authenticity of the Holy Seriptires.

In our Yearly, Quarterly, and subordinate meetings, he maintained his station with great propriety and dignity, even to advanced age, and of late years frequently under the pressure of much bodily suffering and debility, occasioned by almost continual disease, yet his mental faculties were preserved vigorous and active, he retaining to the last a lively concern that every avenue might be carefully guarded to prevent the intrusion of evil, not only in an individual but in a Society point of of view.

He was a useful member of the meeting for Sufferings from the time of its organization in the year 1775, until his death, with the exception of one year, when he was released at his own request.

The winter preceding his death, his health was so much impaired and his strength so reduced as to confine him almost wholly to the house.

In a religious opportunity which occurred in the family a few weeks before his departure, our dear friend remarked that he thought he should feel most easy to express that he believed his day's work was done, and that he did not see anything to stand in his way, though he was aware that he had not been so faithful in all things as would have been best, having often been sensible of many, very many short comings, yet he believed these were in mercy passed by ; adding, that he was now waiting his final change, believing that he should go in peace, let it be sooner or later, though he thought he had not long to stay, to which apprehension he expressed his entire resignation.

He departed this life the 20th of the 5th month, 1829, and on the 22d his remains were taken to the meeting house in Newport, and after, a solid meeting held on the occasion, were interred in the burying ground there. By direction and on behalf of Rhode-Island Monthly Meeting, held at Portsmouth, the 30th of 4th month, 1830.

David Rodman, Ruth Rodman, Clerks.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Rhode Island, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1630-1945," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F89J-DP8 : 4 November 2020), David Buffum, 17 Oct 1743; citing Birth, Smithfield, Providence, Rhode Island, United States, various city archives, Rhode Island; FHL microfilm 959,589.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "Rhode Island, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1630-1945," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8VJ-GYC : accessed 20 November 2020), David Buffum, 27 Sep 1767; citing Marriage, Smithfield, Providence, Rhode Island, United States, Rhode Island State Archive, Providence City Archives, city and town clerk offices; FHL microfilm 959,589.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} New England Yearly Meeting of Friends. Meeting for Sufferings. Memorials of Deceased Friends: of New England Yearly Meeting. Providence: Knowles & Vose, printers, 1841. p. 58.
4. ↑ "Rhode Island, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1630-1945," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F89J-N2H : 4 November 2020), David Buffum in entry for Lavina Buffum, 30 Jul 1768; citing Birth, Smithfield, Providence, Rhode Island, United States, various city archives, Rhode Island; FHL microfilm 959,589.
5. ↑ "Rhode Island, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1630-1945," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F89J-N28 : 4 November 2020), David Buffum in entry for Huldah Buffum, 28 Feb 1771; citing Birth, Smithfield, Providence, Rhode Island, United States, various city archives, Rhode Island; FHL microfilm 959,589.
6. ↑ "Rhode Island, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1630-1945," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F89J-N2X : 4 November 2020), David Buffum in entry for George Buffum, 1 Feb 1773; citing Birth, Smithfield, Providence, Rhode Island, United States, various city archives, Rhode Island; FHL microfilm 959,589.