March 4, 1776

Susannah Sturgeon, also known as Sukey, married Nicholas Dilworth in late February 1776. The story behind their wedding was more complicated than this simple announcement reveals. Sukey Sturgeon was the daughter of Reverend William Sturgeon, who had died in 1770. He had been a minister at Christ Church in Philadelphia and he is buried in the church’s cemetery. This means that Sukey grew up Anglican. But Nicholas Dilworth was a Quaker, and Quaker meetings did not permit their members to marry non-Quakers. 

In August 1776, at a meeting held in Abington, Pennsylvania, with members from the Horsham, Germantown, Oxford, Byberry, and Abington Quaker meetings, Nicholas Dilworth gave “acknowledgment & Condemnation of his Disorderly Conduct in marrying by the Assistance of a Priest.” Three Quaker men were appointed to meet with him to discuss his decision, and they “Discover’d a good degree of Sincerity” in him. Nicholas Dilworth was allowed to remain within the Quaker community—though, “under the notice of frds: for further trial of his Conduct.”

Dunlap’s Pennsylvania Packet or, the General Advertiser
Printed by John Dunlap

Last Thursday week was married, Mr. NICHOLAS DILLWORTH, of Bristol Township, to Miss SUKEY STURGEON, Daughter of the late Rev. Mr. William Sturgeon.