Wilbur, John

Wilbur, John an American minister of the Society of Friends, was born at Hopkinton, R.I., in 1774. He opposed the introduction into the society of any new doctrines or practices. In 1838 he was accused by sev eral members of the Rhode Island yearly meeting of publishing statements derogatory to the character of Joseph John Gurney, who was then visiting the United States. He was sustained in his course by his own monthly meeting, that of South Kingston; but that body having been superseded by the Greenwich meeting, he was disowned by the latter body, and its action confirmed by the higher powers. His supporters in various parts of New England united in forming a separate yearly meeting, whose members were known as "Wilburites." They maintain the strictest traditions of the sect, and claim that Quakers, as a body, are giving tip their principles. Mr. Wilbur died in 1856. He was the author of, Narrative and Exposition of the Late Proceedings of the New England Yearly Meeting, etc. (1845): — A Few Remarks upon the Controversy between Good and Evil in the Society of Friends (1855): — and his Journal and Correspondence have appeared since his death (1859).