John Needles

John Needles (1786–1878) was an active Quaker and noted Maryland abolitionist. He was also a master craftsman of fine furniture.

John Needles
Born	October 4, 1786 Talbot County Maryland, U.S.
Died	July 19, 1878 Kent County Maryland, U.S.
Occupation	Cabinetmaker
Spouse(s)	Eliza Matthews Lydia Smith Mary Ann Bowers
Children	Mary, b. 1812 Ruthanna, b. 1815 Edith, b. 1817 Ann Maria, b. 1819 Edward Man, b. 1823 Eliza Marsh, b. 1826 John, b. 1828 Sarah, b. 1831 Helen, b. 1834
Parent(s)	Edward Needles Mary Lamb

Early life

John Needles was born October 4, 1786 to Edward Needles and his wife Mary Lamb. They lived on a farm in the small community of High Banks that borders the Choptank River and is located about eight miles east of Easton, Talbot County, Maryland.[1] After his father died in 1798 John Needles lived with Pearce Lamb, his grandfather, at Lamb's Meadows, a farm which was located near Kennedyville, Kent County, Maryland.[2] In 1803, John Needles, at the age of 16, moved to Easton where he began a five-year apprenticeship with cabinetmaker James Neall.[3]

Eliza Matthews

John Needles was a friend of Joseph Bartlett who was a Quaker living at Wakefield, his farm located between Easton and St. Michaels on Dixon Creek.[4] In his autobiography, John Needles recalls how he learned of his future wife: Joseph Bartlett informs him that his wife, Rhoda Matthews, has a younger sister, Eliza, who is unmarried and, in Joseph's opinion, is "worth one thousand Pounds".[5] John Needles continues, "I had a desire to see her and in the course of time I did see her and was not disappointed in what I had been told."[6]

On May 29, 1811, John Needles and Eliza Matthews (1793-1840), daughter of Mordecai Matthews and his wife Ruth Hussey, were married by Quaker ceremony in Gunpowder Meetinghouse, Sparks, Baltimore County, Maryland.

Baltimore City

In October 1808, John Needles removed to Baltimore, Maryland where he was employed by Edward Priestley, a renowned cabinetmaker.[7] Later, John Needles was employed by William Camp until March 1810 when he removed to 10 Hanover Street where his residence and first shop were located.[8]

By 1812, John and Eliza Needles had removed to 54 Hanover Street where their new residence and shop were located.[9]

Notes

1. Jones, p. 159
2. Earle, p. 19
3. Jones, pp. 158-9
4. Leonard, p. 116:
   "On Joseph's return to 'Wakefield' the family learned that he intended to get married and in little less than a year, on 22nd day, 6th month, 1809, he was wed to Rhoda Matthews, daughter of Mordecai and Ruth Matthews, at Gunpowder Meeting House."
5. Wright, p. 14
6. Wright, p. 15
7. Wright, p. 13
8. Jones, pp. 159-60
9. Jones, p. 160

Bibliography

• Earle, Swepson (editor). Maryland's colonial Eastern Shore. New York: Weathervane Books, pp. 19–20
• Byrd, Dana E. (2005). The paradox of good intentions: John Needles, cabinetmaker in antebellum Baltimore. University of Delaware, 200 pages
• Jones, Christopher H. (2007). "'Many Were Set at Liberty': John Needles, Abolitionist and Artisan", Maryland Historical Magazine, 102 (3): 156–75
• Kirtley, Alexandra Alevizatos (2001). "A New Suspect: Baltimore Cabinetmaker Edward Priestley". American Furniture 2000, Milwaukee: Chipstone Foundation, pp. 100–51
• Leonard, R. Bernice (1984). Twig and turf II: Bartlett and allied families, 1693-1984. St. Michaels, Maryland: R. B. Leonard, 330 pages
• Smedley, Susanna (1945). Catalog of Westtown through the years, officers, students, and others. Philadelphia: Lyon & Armor
• Still, William (1872). Earnest in the cause; John Needles. Philadelphia: Porter & Coates
• Wright, Edward Needles (editor) (1969). "John Needles (1786-1878): An Autobiography". Quaker History, The Bulletin of Friends Historical Association, 58 (1): 3–21. Retrieved 8 February 2017.