Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Elizabeth WILLS
"QUAKER BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES of Ministers and Elders, and other
concerned
members of the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia" [1682-1800] Willard Heiss
edited (Indianapolis: 1972)
Page 132
"ELIZABETH LIPPINCOTT. Elizabeth Wills, daughter of John and Hope
Wills was born in Northampton township, Burlington County, West Jersey,
on the 14th day of the Seventh month, 1697. Submitting to the tendering
impressions of the Holy spirit on her mind, she became weaned from an
inordinate attachment to the things of this world, and found her heart
and affections set upon things heavenly. Marrying Freedom Lippincott,
she became a member of Evesham meeting, and under the trials and
probations
which attended her in the married life, she appeared to deepen in
spiritual knowledge, and became more and more useful in the church.
A gift of gospel ministry was conferred upon her, which she
exercised
to the edification of the church. In an account of her last illness, we
find it stated, "She was a religious woman, and it pleased God to give
her
a testimony, to the comfort of her friends."
She was taken sick on the 25th of the First month, and her pain was
very severe, and to increase her distress, the enemy was permitted to
buffet her, and to infuse doubts into her mind as to her preparation for
the kingdom of rest and peace. But as she looked to the Lord for
comfort, he rebuked the enemy, and strengthened her to bear testimony to
his goodness to her in the midst of her closest suffering. On being
asked if she thought she should die, she said "I do not know, but am
willing to leave it to Providence! ******
Her illness rapidly increasing, she one night sent for her husband,
and on his coming to the bedside, she took him by the hand, and said,
"Come, my dear, and sit down by me. My time is but short, before I
shall be at rest." On his inquiring what he should do with the
children, she answered, "I shall leave them to God's mercy, and thy
care."
On her aged father coming to see her, she said to him, "My time
is short. I would not have thee take it hard; I shall be happy. It will
not be long before thou comest after me. We are like people going a
journey; some set out two or three days before the rest. You will all
soon come after me."
Several of her brothers, sisters and friends standing by her bed
side, she felt a flow of gospel ministry, and although very weak in
body, yet was so strong in spirit with love to the Lord, ******
Samuel Lippincott, her husband's brother coming in, she commended
her children to his care, desiring that he should exercise a care that
they might be brought up in the fear of God. Samuel, assenting to her
wishes, spoke of her husband's loss in her removal. She said, "He must
keep to Truth, and then Providence will provide for him. He will yet
provide for him as he keeps to Truth. Do not in thy trouble get too
low; and be sure my dear, do not let anything lift thee up. I take
it as a great favour that the Lord is about to take me from the harms
to come. If I die now, I shall be in favour with God; if I should
live longer, and be disobedient so as to be out of his favour, it
would be a dreadful thing. I take it a favour from the Lord, that he
takes me in mercy and love. My prayers are as strong as ever that the
work the Lord has begun upon earth, may be carried on, ---- that
Truth may prosper." Mentioning the names of two Friends, she said,
"I should be glad to see them. They are my husband's sisters; they
are mine. His bone is my bone, and his flesh is my flesh. That
which is near to him is near to me."
She gave messages of love to some absent friends, and good
advice to her oldest son, and, in great peace departed this life,
Second month 2d, 1740, being in the 43 year of her age.
The testimony concerning the above Friend from Haddonfield Monthly
Meeting is very brief:---- "Elizabeth Lippincott, who some time before,
and till her decease, had a lively public testimony to bear, in her last
sickness, would often speak of her heavenly consolation. She departed
in a sweet frame of mind." [ THE FRIEND - Volume 29, Page 413]
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