Benjamin W. Ladd was one of the most prominent members of Ohio Yearly Meeting in the early 1800s.
Ladd was born in Virginia YM. His parents were James and Isabella Ladd, a minister and elder who lived in Charles City County and were members of Waynoak MM. In 1814, BWL married Elizabeth Wood, who was living at Smithfield, and the following year he moved there for the remainder of his life.
Ladd was a voracious reader, particularly interested in early Quaker writings. On one occasion during a business meeting, a discussion took place regarding a minute that contained a verse of scripture that seemed awkward. As other verses were being recommended, Ladd recommended a quote from an early Friend that had more clarity, but he was criticized thereafter for recommending an early Quaker quote over a Bible verse. Though that one moment was awkward, BWL was widely acclaimed for his knowledge of early Friends and his ability to quote sections of the Approved Writings of Friends. BWL was also continuously asked to serve the meeting in various capacities. He served as Clerk of the Ohio YM for Ministers and Elders for 30 years in addition to his many other appointments.
His second wife, Hannah S. Ladd, was a leading advocate of the principles of Joseph J. Gurney. Ironically, BWL himself had a distinct distaste for Gurney's lack of knowledge about the beliefs of Friends. In the 1840s, Ladd was part of the faction in Ohio YM that sought to minimize the growing divide between the Wilburites and Gurneyites, even as his wife was deepening the divide.
Sources: EAQG 6:190; 4:236, 482-483 |
