Welcome to the Monroe County's 190th Anniversary Series of Geocaches
This geocache is located in the historic Burial Ground of Friends, AKA, Quaker Cemetery, on Ann Street, so we know you'lll be respectful. Daniel Stroud, son of Jacob Stroud, the founder of Stroudsburg, is credited with building the foundation of the Quaker religion in the Stroudsburg area. Daniel was raised Presbyterian but converted to the Quaker faith in 1802 after marrying Elizabeth Shoemaker.
Jacob had little tolerance for Quakers, and he believed his son’s new-found religion would interfere with family business. Jacob was partly right. For Daniel, a conversion to Quakerism was not only a change in his beliefs, but in his lifestyle as well. Daniel gave up his law practice and stopped listening to music, a fact which he demonstrated by burning his violin. He also banished all spirits from his house and abandoned his profitable distillery. He even removed anything he deemed “ornate” from his home.
While father and son disagreed about each other’s beliefs, Daniel had many qualities that pleased his father, and the two remained close. Although Jacob had been the founder of Stroudsburg, it was Daniel who developed the area. Daniel laid out the streets, promoted business development and settlement, and served as Overseer of the Poor. He also donated land for schools and churches, including the Quaker meetinghouse on Main and 8th streets in Stroudsburg.
Before the establishment of a meetinghouse, the Quaker population met in private homes in Stroudsburg — most notably at the Stroud Mansion, Daniel’s home. While there is variation in precise dogma, Quakers generally believe that each individual possesses the ability to experience the divine and that there is no need for formal theologies, creeds or religious doctrines. Some Quaker services are unprogramed and have no minister or formal sermon; rather, parishioners sit and reflect in silence. Quakers believe in non-violence and were fervent abolitionists.
Source: Amy Leister, Executive Director, Monroe County Historical Association
This cache is placed with permission for both location and hide style by John Marquette from Lehigh Valley Friends.