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Overseer (Quaker meeting)

In Quaker records an overseer was a member appointed by the monthly meeting to watch over members' welfare and conduct and report breaches of discipline.

Overseers visited families, gave advice and, when needed, complained of a member to the monthly meeting. Many disownment cases begin with a line saying the overseers report.

Do not confuse this office with an overseer of the poor, a town or county officer, or a farm or plantation overseer in the census.

As seen in a recordQuaker monthly meeting minutes, 1700s to 1800s
Overseers report Saml. Lea has married out of unity
How to cite this page

Daily Ancestor. "Overseer (Quaker meeting)." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/church/overseer-friends. Last checked 2026-10-03.

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