[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 126 (Tuesday, September 25, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANE CREEK FRIENDS MEETING

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                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2001

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, on October 7, 2001, the Sixth District of 
North Carolina will be celebrating with Cane Creek Friends Meeting its 
250th anniversary. The Cane Creek Friends Meeting opened its doors for 
worship for the first time in 1751, when George Washington was just 19 
years old.
  The Cane Creek Friends Meeting is a Quaker Church that opened to 
serve 30 families. These families desired a place to worship near to 
their homes. It was two women, Abigail Pike and Rachel Wright, with 
some others, who traveled some 200 miles to the governing body of the 
Friends in Perquimans, North Carolina, to secure permission for the 
establishment of the Cane Creek Meeting. As you may have realized, this 
all happened before our great country had a Constitution or even its 
first President. Cane Creek Friends Meeting has witnessed every event 
in our proud history.
  During the first 13 years of the Meeting's existence, it was located 
on a parcel of land, which was a part of the original grant of John 
Stanfield. Since 1764, Cane Creek Friends Meeting has been located on a 
26-acre site donated by William Marshall.
  The Meeting's Sesquibicentennial Committee, has planned and carried 
out several projects to celebrate this remarkable anniversary. Some of 
these projects include the publication of a pictorial history book, the 
design and stitching of a heritage quilt, and the construction of a 
memorial garden at the Meetinghouse.
  Cane Creek Friends Meeting places a strong emphasis and takes great 
pride in its belief regarding the equality of women. Over the years 
there have been several female ministers, beginning with Abigail Pike 
in 1751. Furthermore, the Meeting prides itself on the fact that it has 
conducted many educational programs for children in the area.
  Through the years, Quakers have had a very important input into the 
development of this country. Many elected officials have been Quakers. 
Indeed, despite the fact that I am a Presbyterian, I went to school at 
Guildford College in North Carolina, which is a Quaker institution, so 
Quakers have affected my upbringing and education as well.
  On behalf of the Sixth District of North Carolina, I would like to 
wish Cane Creek Friends Meeting our congratulations on reaching this 
historic and momentous anniversary. Only a very small number of 
organizations in this country can claim to have been operating for 250 
years. It is a truly remarkable achievement.

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